Copán Ruins Archeological Site
Copán Ruins Archeological Site (Copán Ruinas Sitio Arqueológico) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most studied Maya city in the world. The culture that lived here for about 2,000 years was highly stratified, deeply symbolic, and centered on tradition.
There's a lot to like about this place. The site is noteworthy for the stelae and altars that are dispersed across the vast plaza, the majority of which were built between 711 and 736. Other highlights include the ball court, the Hieroglyphic Stairway, a one-of-a-kind temple that houses the longest known Mayan text, and the Acropolis, which features excellently carved reliefs of Copán's 16 kings.
Las Sepulturas archaeological site, located about 1.6 kilometers from the central acropolis, is part of the "PAC" (Proyecto Arqueológico Copán) and provides vital insight into how the Mayan elite lived before Copán's fall. Keep a watch out for the beautiful scarlet macaws flying among the ruins as you explore the site.
After touring the ruins, don't miss the Museum of Mayan Sculpture, which displays impressive artifacts recovered from the site. Many visitors also like to stroll along the well-signed nature trails, where birds and butterflies dart among the thick foliage.
Location: Copán Ruinas, Copán Department, Honduras
