Copán Ruínas: Getting there & around

Buses to La Entrada (2hr) leave frequently from a small dirt lot at the entrance to town, just across the bridge. From there, you can transfer to Santa Rosa de Copán, Gracias or elsewhere on the Ruta Lenca. There's a more frequent service from the same stop to Santa Rita (15min) if you're only headed to El Jaral or Cabañas. Rey Express (www.reyexpress.net) has a daily service to San Pedro Sula (3hr). Hedman Alas (www.hedmanalas.com) has a new terminal about 300m (984ft) southeast of town, just across the bridge on the road to Hacienda San Lucas. All domestic buses go first to San Pedro Sula (3hr; 4 daily). From there, you can connect to San Pedro Sula's Villeda Morales airport (4hr), Tegucigalpa (7hr), Tela (5hr) and La Ceiba (6-8hr). Transportes Casasola has a direct service to San Pedro Sula (2.75hr; 4 daily) from a dirt lot a block east of Parque Central. You can also buy tickets all the way to Tela and La Ceiba; Casasola doesn't go that far, but will pay for your taxi in San Pedro Sula to the appropriate bus terminal - and there's no price mark-up! Trip duration depends on your layover time in San Pedro.

Driving in Copán Ruínas can be an exercise in frustration. It's best to leave the car (if you have one) at the hotel. Besides, you don't really need it to see the sights.

Moto-taxis run from around 6am to 11pm every day. Rates are very cheap around town or to the archaeological site. As with all cabbies, be sure to confirm the fare before you get in.