Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bird-watching tours
are very popular in the area around Copán - it's said that there are
more quetzals in the surrounding cloudforest than there are in the whole of Guatemala,
where it is the national bird. One recommended, English-speaking bird-watching guide is
Alexander Alvarado
( 9751-1680; birdinghonduras@gmail.com)
, who can also be contacted through
the Macaw Mountain Bird Park.
Horseback riding
(3-5hr tours L300-900)
can be arranged by any of the town's tour companies
and most hotels. You can ride to the ruins or make other, lengthier excursions. You will
most likely be approached on the street by somebody wanting to rent you a horse. Unfor-
tunately, there have been a number of incidents of payment without delivery, and it's re-
commended that you go through an agency. Hacienda El Jaral also offers horseback rid-
ing. Three- to five-hour rides out of Café ViaVia visit the hot springs, Hacienda San Lu-
cas, Los Sapos and the small Ch'ortí village of La Pintada.
Yaragua Tours
( 2651-4147;
www.yaragua.com
; cnr Calle de la Plaza & Av Copán; 8am-9pm)
Leads hikes,
horseback-riding trips, excursions to Lago de Yojoa and even some outings to nearby
caves. Ask for Samuel, a well-respected and trusted local guide.
TOUR
Base Camp Tours
( 2651-4695;
www.basecamphonduras.com
; Calle de la Plaza)
Located inside Café ViaVia, this outfit
offers a range of original and adventurous tours around the local area on foot (L200 to
L400) and horseback (L300, three hours). Its highly recommended two-hour 'Alternative
Copán' walking tour (L200) delves beneath the glossy surface of the town and investig-
ates the reality of life for many Hondurans.
TOUR
Sleeping
Hostel Iguana Azul $
( 2651-4620;
www.iguanaazulcopan.com
; dm L150, s/d L270/320; )
This colonial style ranch home
has eight comfy bunk beds in two rooms; the shared bathroom has terrific piping-hot wa-
ter. Three private rooms sleep two and there's also a pretty garden. The common area has
HOSTEL
