History:
Copan became one of the most powerful Maya city states, although it suffered a tragic defeat at the hands of its former vassal state Quirigua in 738, when the long-ruling king Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil was captured and beheaded by Quirigua's ruler K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat. Later on, Copan's rulers began to build more monumental structures again within a few decades. Though Copan may not be as impressive as Tikal Ruins, it is still beautiful and highly recommend for visitors to actually check it out. As I can remember, my tour guide mentioned that there are still monuments and temples that are still undiscovered. He's disappointed at their local government because they don't fully support their rich culture and that looking for another temple is kind of like their last priority. Ohh well, what can we do... nothing.
How to get there?
Two ways; by air or by land. If you don't have enough time, then by air. If not, then by land. Since the duration from San Pedro Sula was not that long, I decided to take the bus. I came to Honduras last month and it was still my first week of traveling and therefore was still on a budget, as in tight budget. I took the long way, I actually started from Pulhapanzak Falls to San Pedro Sula, it was about $2-4 for about 3hrs. From San Pedro Sula bus terminal to Copan Ruins, chicken bus fare ride was about $6 for 4-5hrs.
With the Copan Ruins bus, you have to get off at Entrada to take an express bus/van going to Copan Ruins or else it will go straight to another town. I was completely confuse and I'm like hold on, where do I get off again? Thanks to my Lonely Planet book, I took out the map and asked this local guy next to me if this bus was going straight to the Ruins.. and he replied (in english!), "You have to get off now and take that express van right over there!" It was a perfect timing and I grab my bags and walked in a crazy, noisy, dirty, humid streets of Entrada. I saw the express van and I was walking towards it when a guy came up to me and asked me, "Copan Ruinas?" and I replied, "Si, un bus para Copan Ruinas." He grabbed my bags and helped me to put inside the van. And then he asks, its $1 for his service. Am like?! WTF! I didn't ask you for your service and I didn't need your help because I already saw the sign! But I still ended up paying him $1. So BEWARE! These guys will pretend to help you when your in that bus/express terminal. They got me once in Honduras and one in Nicaragua. So guys, beware!
Anyways, the express bus was about $4. All in all, I paid $10-12 dollars for the transportation, not bad right?
But if you don't want to take my cheap transportation route, you can always take Hedman Alas Bus, from San Pedro to Copan should be around $40. I told myself, yup I'm not going to take that route.. again! lol So I ended up paying for Hedman Alas. I guess the service was not that bad...
Copan Ruinas
Below is the entrance to the tunnel. Archeologists have dug about 4km of tunnels under the acropolis to view earlier stages of Copan civilization.
The ball court, the second largest to be found in Central America.
Stunning view of Copan, just don't mind that tree in the middle....
Much love,
Jen
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