Hello,
I'll be in Copan Ruines for only one day (from SPS by bus at 9:30am) and I have not idea if is it enough 4 hours for visit the ruine site....
following my theoretical plan:
thuesday -arrive in SPS
wednesday - to CR by bus (estimated arrival time 9:30) and visit the ruine site
thursday-to La Ceiba by bus (estimated arrival time 13:00)
what do you think?
Too bad. The ruins, the town, the food and the surrounding area are worth a few days. But yes, you can see the ruins in four hours.
Edited by: Greggo
I agree on all counts with Greg. The ruins are easy to see in a few hours but I've spent more than a month total over the last few years in Copan Ruinas and have enjoyed my time immensely. The gorgeous museum at the ruins is also open now and worth a visit unless you're so charmed by the ruins you don't want to spare the time. There's also a nice nature trail at the ruins if you have time for that. There are travelogues and a blog from my time in the area linked below.
Agree with Greg. The surrounding area definitely deserves more time to explore and enjoy. But if you are going to plan a day trip, just leave some room for error. Once when I was going, I bought an Hedman Alas bus ticket for 7:30 AM or around then and the ticket clerk sold us the tickets, and asked us to wait in the waiting area. It was about 7:45 and busses here can be late, but I asked the same clerk and she said the 7:30 AM had been cancelled, and that we could go on the 10:30 bus, but could not have a refund. Just a reminder to have some "wiggle" room in your plans.
Hope your trip is great,
AJ
Yes, 4 hours is fine, that is what I spent there and walked the whole site. I also enjoyed the market, wandering the streets, and the Red Frog Bar.
Yes, you can certainly manage the ruins in four hours. It is a pretty compact site. If you have time its worth making sure you visit the excellent sculpture museum at the park for the displays of original temple sculpture, some very big. The regional museum in town is also worth a look at, specially for the incense burners [http://travelforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2008/01/copan-ancient-mayan-city.html]. I've posted some photos of the ruins and some of the museum displays [http://www.billbevanphotography.co.uk/portfolio25384.html].
It really is worth the visit. If you have time its worth making sure you visit the excellent sculpture museum at the park for the displays of original temple sculpture, some very big. The regional museum in town is also worth a look at, specially for the incense burners http://travelforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2008/01/copan-ancient-mayan-city.html. I've posted some photos of the ruins and some of the museum displays http://www.billbevanphotography.co.uk/portfolio25384.html.