Side-trip to Copan?

[nwflyboy]

I'm thinking about a dive trip for end of March 07, and one of my top candidates for destinations is the Bay Islands. We'll have 9 days available (not including travel there and back). I was wondering about how easy/worthwhile it might be to add on a short side-trip to the ruins at Copan (maybe 2-3 days, depending on how much there is to see).

Anybody here been there?

I've done Cozumel and almost all of the Yucatan ruins several times, and have always enjoyed the combination, and was hoping that the same combination (Bay Islands + Copan/great diving + great ruins) might be similarly enjoyable in Honduras (although I'm not expecting, nor looking for, an exact duplicate - otherwise, why go?).

I'd appreciate any info/tips/suggestions for those who have been to Copan as part of a trip to the Bay Islands. Thanks!

 

[scubaeric]

The ruins at Copan are amazing! I was expecting a small site, but it was a pleasant surprise to find that Copan Ruins are a rather large site that seemed to go on and on. It's great that you're going and I highly recommend that anyone traveling to Honduras include Copan in their itinerary.

After a week of diving we flew from Roatan to San Pedro Sula, picked up a rental car, and 3 hours later we were in Copan. After checking into our hotel we visited Macaw Mountain bird park followed up by exploring the cobblestone streets of Copan.

The next day we were up early and off to explore the ruins of Copan. The ruins are 5 minutes by car, if that, from town. We explored the ruins for a good 3-4 hours.

The side trip to Copan was short, but one that I will never forget. I have a few pictures from the trip on my website.


Here's a few links to get you started. If you have questions feel free to send me a message.

Islena Airlines - Flight from Roatan to La Ceiba to San Pedro Sula

http://www.flyislena.com/

We rented a car, but you can take a bus if you prefer - http://www.hedmanalas.com

Hotel Marina - Great hotel in Copan.

http://www.hotelmarinacopan.com

MaCaw Mountain Bird Park in Copan

http://www.macawmountain.com

If you're looking for a great dive resort on Roatan, check out CocoView - http://www.cocoviewresort.com.

RoatanMan (Doc) is a great source if you have questions about Roatan diving or questions about Honduras.

Have a great trip!

Eric

 

[nwflyboy]

Eric,

Looks like you've been down this road before - just the guy I need to hit up for info.

Looking over your website, I see we've been to many of the same places, and must have similar tastes. Right now we're trying to choose our destination; we have been thinking of maybe going to the Caymans, but have been re-thinking the Bay Islands (if we do Roatan this trip, we'll do the Caymans another time).

In my multiple trips to Cozumel, I've always enjoyed adding on a few days (or a week) on the mainland, checking out the ruins, but don't know much (yet) about Copan. How would you say the ruins at Copan compare the those in the Yucatan?

For that matter, it looks like you've been to both Roatan (a couple times) and also to Utila. How would you describe the relative advantages/disadvantages of each?

We (me and the wife) have 11 days at the end of March 07. We would have 9 days there to play (11 days total, with a day lost in travel each way).

We've done Cozumel many times and even though we know and love the experience, we are looking to explore further (I have also dived Belize, Costa Rica, San Andres, Hawaii, and Thailand). We love the water clarity of Cozumel (I haven't seen the same viz anywhere), the easy drift diving, and mix of topside attractions there (although the growth of the cruise ship invasions has dismayed me). We're not out to prove anything to anyone, just want to relax, cruise the reefs and enjoy the scenery. We like healthy reefs and lots of fish (don't have to be big ones).

So given that profile, how would you recommend we spend our 9 days in/around the Bay Islands? We're not looking to spend an arm and a leg, but don't mind paying a modest bill for comfort and a bit of luxury (but we don't require five-star resorts, and prefer to be away from the more intense mass developments).

Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!

 

[Scuba Monster]

We were in Roatan this August. We dove from Anthony's Key Resort ... stayed Saturday to Saturday. Our room was a cabanna with private deck, hammock, a/c, on the key. The resort and diving were great!

After our stay at Anthony's we flew to San Pedro Sula. A private bilingual guide, Eli, picked us up at the airport. As Eli drove us through the mountains heading toward Copan Ruins, we talked the entire way about Honduras and other Central American countries. He was a wealth of knowledge about the local history and culture. When we arrived in Copan, Eli checked us into the Hotel Marina. We ate lunch and then drove 5 minutes to the Ruins of Copan. At the ruins, Eli gave us a private tour - this was fantastic! For the evening, we dined at a romantic bed and breakfast restaurant (open to the public) overlooking Copan. Here's the link http://www.haciendasanlucas.com/. I highly recommend dining here, if you do, say hello to the owner, Flavia. She's very interesting and a great host. The following day, Eli drove us back to San Pedro Sula to catch our flight.

I highly recommend Roatan and a side trip to Copan. The drive to Copan is beautiful and the ruins are amazing. We toured Copan in 24 hours, so I wish that we stayed longer. Another day or two would have been nice. If you are interested in a guided tour, Eli's company was called Mayan Caribbean Tours. I also thought the price was extremly fair for what it included ... private guide, airfare, hotel, & transportation.

 

[scubaeric]

Eric,

Looks like you've been down this road before - just the guy I need to hit up for info.

Looking over your website, I see we've been to many of the same places, and must have similar tastes. Right now we're trying to choose our destination; we have been thinking of maybe going to the Caymans, but have been re-thinking the Bay Islands (if we do Roatan this trip, we'll do the Caymans another time).

In my multiple trips to Cozumel, I've always enjoyed adding on a few days (or a week) on the mainland, checking out the ruins, but don't know much (yet) about Copan. How would you say the ruins at Copan compare the those in the Yucatan?

The structures at Copan were smaller but impressive and fewer tourists. The museum in town and at the ruins were both pretty cool. Copan, I have to say, is my favorite of all the sites I've been to. I have yet to see Tikal or Palenque. Both are on the to do list.

For that matter, it looks like you've been to both Roatan (a couple times) and also to Utila. How would you describe the relative advantages/disadvantages of each?

Utila - I like the shops, and restaurants. I get tired of AI food ... You can walk everywhere ... West End on Roatan is similar. As far as the diving goes I didn't notice much of a difference, but I didn't do too many dives around Utila so I'm probably not the best person to ask about Utila vs Roatan diving. The one thing that I really like about Roatan and specifically Cocoview is the shore diving. I like to be in the water as much as possible when I'm on a dive trip... Cocoview is pretty isolated, but I like that.

We (me and the wife) have 11 days at the end of March 07. We would have 9 days there to play (11 days total, with a day lost in travel each way).

We've done Cozumel many times and even though we know and love the experience, we are looking to explore further (I have also dived Belize, Costa Rica, San Andres, Hawaii, and Thailand). We love the water clarity of Cozumel (I haven't seen the same viz anywhere), the easy drift diving, and mix of topside attractions there (although the growth of the cruise ship invasions has dismayed me). We're not out to prove anything to anyone, just want to relax, cruise the reefs and enjoy the scenery. We like healthy reefs and lots of fish (don't have to be big ones).

I was in Belize in July and found the reefs to be similar to those in Honduras. I did see more sharks, rays, and turtles in Belize, but fewer blennies. I like hanging out with the blennies.

So given that profile, how would you recommend we spend our 9 days in/around the Bay Islands? We're not looking to spend an arm and a leg, but don't mind paying a modest bill for comfort and a bit of luxury (but we don't require five-star resorts, and prefer to be away from the more intense mass developments).

Hmm.. 9 days. Definitely include Copan. Maybe spend a few days on Roatan, a couple on Utila and finish up the trip at Copan. That might be pushing it. Call in sick

Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!

Have a good trip.

Eric

 

[mjnansen]

Copan is a great side trip- you will love it. The Hedman Alas bus is really the best way to go- the road is a windy mountain road most of the way with no places to stop and the occasional mud or rocks in the road. The bus is first class, clean, safe and cheaper than renting a car. They are usually not crowded at all and sometimes even show movies. If you want to buy Lenca pottery or a hammock wait until you get to Copan- souvenirs are much cheaper than on the Bay Islands.