Copan

About

The Mayan city of Copan was first settled around 2000 BC as a small village. Little is known about the pre-Classical settlement, but around the 5th century AD, it began its rise to becoming a major city state. Despite its importance, with an estimated 20,000 inhabitants at its peak, Copan collapsed in the 10th century and was left abandoned. Today, the ruins are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing as an exceptional example of Mayan architecture. Apart from the impressive architecture, what really sets Copan apart from other Mayan ruins are its exceptional carvings. One monumental staircase is marked with over 1,250 individual glyphs, making it the longest known Mayan inscription, while other buildings are ornamented with intricate friezes. There’s even a museum on site where you can learn more about the city and see the more delicate artefacts. While you can roam the ruins yourself, it’s highly recommended to sign up for a guided tour to better understand what you’re seeing and gain access to more of the site.