Copan

Some of the regulars should be along to recommend specific shuttle companies they use between the two, but it's also just as doable to take an early morning chicken bus from GC to Chiquimula and catch the público to the border for making the short ride into Copán Ruinas if you prefer. Leaving early morning with either of these options should get you there by early afternoon.

I've a couple of contacts in Copán. The town has experienced a couple of pinches with short transportation strikes but has otherwise remained 'business as usual' with the nation's political problems. Curfew has also been loosely enforced - as reported here from Tela, La Ceiba and other fringe areas.

Copán Ruinas is definitely worth a few days stay. If you want another small grouping of obscure ruins, my friends have recommended El Puente a little over an hour away near Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Copán - back toward La Entrada. You'd need to arrange your own transportation; I've yet to actually visit this part ~

I enjoyed the small Los Gemelos hotel just a couple of blocks from Parque Central in Copán Ruinas. Rooms are basic, clean and secure centered around a tropical garden. Bathrooms are shared, and the fan was a bit much of a night with the cool valley temps. I think you'd also enjoying chatting and having coffee with la duena vieja. Enjoy!

I like Hedman buses, too; they're a bit spendy but worth it imo for the comfort and ease. Last I checked (2008) La Manzana Verde was a great and extremely inexpensive hostel and La Casa de Café a nice mid-range bed and breakfast place.

I have lots of photos of Copán in 2 collections below, with travelogues/blogs. I've spent more than a month there total in the last few years and am sure to return. Enjoy!!

I stayed in Hostel Patricia last month for one night. Near the Airport( but heard no planes). Also they drop you to the airport as part of that price. They do not pick up though. You can use your cell phone to call the number listed in Lonely Planet. I paid Q150 for that.Really nice folks and secure locality.

I arrived at the Hedman Alas terminal.The Taxi to there was a bit pricey Q150. I would expect to pay about half, but it was late at night and he diverted to a cajero on the way. Cheers.

I think there are a lot of good places to stay in Copan. The town is small and friendly with plenty of visitor services but not overrun by tourism. I can personally recommend Don Udo's for a midrange place and ViaVia for a someplace cheaper. ViaVia also has great food. The ruins are a major site and you'll enjoy them, especially if you are a Mayaphile.