Copan Ruinas: A Not so Ruined Town

I don’t know who gave the name of Copan Ruinas to the gateway town to the Copan Archeological Site.

Maybe authorities wanted to make clear the town is close to the Mayan ruins.  Or maybe they wanted to differentiate the municipality from the department of the same name or other nearby cities (like Santa Rosa de Copan).

Anyway, there is nothing ruined about this town. The list of positives outnumbers the negative connotations the name may bring to mind.

I was able to walk in quiet and clean streets. The coffee was strong and bitter (I am tired of bland mochas).  And I don’t know how to communicate this: there is free European soccer everywhere (Why we don’t have this in the United States?).  It is so cool to chow down great food while people around you scream every time the ball gets close to the goal cage.

Additionally, there are affordable accommodations, tons of activities to participate in (hiking, horseback riding, biking) and connections to other cities in the country.

I could have stayed in Copan Ruinas a month.  Here are other aspects I loved about this small town located at the Western part of Honduras.

Buildings painted in bright hues

Corner building

Blue and orange building

Doors framed in surprising colors

Blue and Orange Frame

Light blue and burnt orange frame

Green door framed by earthy tones

Cute cobbled streets (with tuk-tuks zooming by at the speed of light)

Town entrance

Cobble-stoned Streets

Quiet central plaza where locals stroll when the sun is going down

Central Plaza

Restaurants and eateries offering typical dishes like:

–          Anafres: bean and cheese dip served in hot terracotta pot

–          Typical plate: choice of meat, refried beans, rice, fried plantains, cream, cheese and salad

Try: Llama del Bosque, Pupuseria Mary and Super Jugos (for fruit and nut shakes)

Typical plate

Anafre

Euro-style establishments offering international food, excursions and a lounge with TV

Try: Via Via Cafe

Nachos

Chicken garnachas

Cafes offering varied coffee concoctions and fresh pastries.

Try: Café Welchez, Espresso Americano

Coffee Shop

Open air cafe

Breakfast at the Espresso Americano Coffee Shop

Colorful Murals

Mural located at the entrance of town

Canines with attitude

Dog in the Central Plaza

Dog in living the high life

Have you experienced Copan Ruinas? Let me know in the comments section below.

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Marmahon: Honduras Favorite With Middle Eastern Roots Pulhapanzak: Honduras Massive Waterfall Taulabe Caves in Honduras: Rock Formations and Stories Macaw Mountain: Tropical Birds Galore in Honduras