Town in Copán, Honduras
Copán Ruinas
A cobbled hill town beside Honduras's best Maya ruins, with Spanish schools, coffee, hot springs and a safe, friendly feel. Small and quiet, with limited nightlife and a long haul from the airport.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$670–1,120Comfortable, one person · L18,000–30,000Details
- Value for money89/100Better value than 88% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–AprWarmest: Apr, 32°CDetails
- Internet96 MbpsFixed broadband, Honduras medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or purified water; hostels and Spanish schools provide jugs.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$11–26Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundWalkingVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashLempiras are needed for tuk-tuks and markets; hotels, tour offices and upscale restaurants accept cards.Details
Where to stay in Copán Ruinas
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Town center (around Parque Central) | Walkable: hostels, cafés, restaurants and Spanish schools |
| Calle del Carbón / hillside | Quiet guesthouses with valley views |
| Near the ruins entrance | Close to the archaeological park and Macaw Mountain |
Apps that work in Copán Ruinas
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps, Waze
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: There are no ride apps; use tuk-tuks or walk. Hostels can arrange shuttles to the border and San Pedro Sula.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Honduras.
- Mostly cash Lempiras are needed for tuk-tuks and markets; hotels, tour offices and upscale restaurants accept cards. ATMs are limited and sometimes empty.
- Currency: Lempira (HNL). US$1 ≈ L26.85 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in malls and banks are safest; not every foreign card works, and withdrawals carry local fees.
- Tipping: About 10% in restaurants if service isn't included; tip dive masters and guides.
- Paying by phone: Contactless cards work in malls and chains in big cities and Roatán; otherwise cash.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Complete the online customs declaration before arrival and before departure, and show its QR code to officers.
- CA-4 rule: one combined stay limit covers Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua; crossing between them doesn't reset it.
- Land borders charge about US$3 in cash on entry; keep the receipt and check your passport is stamped.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Tigo or Claro SIMs from their stores and airport kiosks with your passport; weekly and monthly data bundles are cheap. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Honduras
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.