They’ve been teasing us for decades, but time machines never made it to the factory line.
While technology has been on the fast track producing futuristic touchscreen phones, Cybertrucks, and now AI developments on the rise, how do we go back in time?
Sure, you could stay in your hometown and grab a milkshake at a classic diner, but life is a lot more fun when your passport is collecting stamps instead of dust.
I just went deep into Honduras on a recent trip. And before you roll your eyes and say to yourself, ”I’m not going to that dangerous country!”, let’s pump the brakes a minute.
Mainstream media often misrepresents countries like Honduras with ‘if it bleeds it leads tactics’.
Some of the most off-path destinations are the most rewarding and some of the most misunderstood places will have you questioning a life’s worth of knowledge.
Flying solo, both literally and figureatively, I never felt unsafe, out of place, or unwanted – quite the opposite, actually.
Hours from airports, Starbucks, or any modern developments, lies the magical town of Copan Ruinas – the perfect affordable getaway to unwind and explore amidst incredible Mayan ruins and timeless streets.
Forget Roatan! Head South To Honduras’ Little Known Slice Of Paradise
Flying from Houston, I asked a few friendly faces if Uber operates from the San Pedro Sula airport (they don’t).
“Oh, you’re going into the city?” people asked curiously, as if my travel didn’t fit the norm.
Turns out every single tourist I spoke with was transiting to the island of Roatan, Honduras’ most notable claim to fame in the Caribbean Sea.
In other words, I was on my own except for a local kind-hearted family who guided me to my San Pedro hotel for the night.
The following morning is when the adventure began. A trip to the action-packed Terminal Metropolitana de Buses where it’s more like a mall than a typical bus station.
Think cafes, souvenir shops, and even a supermarket, which is great to grab ibuprofen for the ensuing headache of finding the right bus.
We think we might know it all in 2024, but the internet was wrong about one key aspect of my trip.
Hedman Alas what was once deemed the ‘classy’ bus to Copan, but it’s no longer in service.
Welp, that left me in a pickle for all of 5 minutes before learning there is one direct route left – the Casasola Express.
A Wild $6 Ride To Copan: Construction, Chaos, and Preachers, Oh My!
There are multiple ways to reach Copan, but these are the most popular:
- Driver for-hire
- Bus from Guatemala
- Bus from San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa
Departing San Pedro, Casasola Express offers the only nonstop ride and only costs 160 Lempira ($6).
Prepare for speed bumps, ongoing road projects, an invasion of food vendors, and yes, quite surprisingly, a preacher hopped on board, providing a free sermon (“free” meaning “please tip me at the end”).
Overall, despite a butt ache after a 4-hour ride, it wasn’t half bad for the price, and the views were amazing from a window seat.
Better yet, when you arrive, the town’s cobbled streets are lined with moto-taxis resembling Thailand’s tuk tuks and even more affordable to get around.
The most I paid was $3.
A Sight To Behold: UNESCO Protected Mayan Ruins
We’ll save the history lessons for YouTube nerds.
What you need to know is that you absolutely can’t visit Copan without seeing the incredibly well preserved Mayan ruins discovered in the 1500s.
Ticket prices vary, but I opted for a la carte services for general admission ($20) and access to the tunnels ($15; not worth it), so I paid $35 total.
Although the tunnels were snoozers with nothing fascinating to see, the grounds were truly phenomenal.
Tucked away in the region’s lush forestry, it’s clear why this spot was chosen to call home.
If a resort were built here today, you’d pay hundreds per night in this remote oasis.
I was surprised how there were very few “do not enter” signs, making for awesome photo-ops throughout the once bustling community lifetimes ago.
Keep your eyes peeled if you don’t pay extra for a guide. There are hidden trails leading to even more well-preserved structures that I almost missed before exiting, where I also saw Capybaras, Agoutis, and Macaws fly freely.
An Affordable Timeless Town Surrounded By Stunning Scenery
At first glance, you might walk into downtown wondering, “man, what is there to do here?”.
It looks like hole-in-the-wall restaurants, trendy cafes, and a sleepy main plaza with not a lot going on.
I had a great time over the span of 4 days, which is about what I’d recommend unless you’re taking the plunge into digital nomadism here.
There are plentiful cafes to start your day right, and you can book a coffee farm tour to see the inner workings of the popular Welchez Cafe.
Most of the top attractions are on the outskirts, but the town is very walkable, and like I said, the moto-taxis are the best way to get around.
In addition to the Mayan ruins, these were my 3 favorite places to visit:
The Tea & Chocolate Place (order the Pinol – traditonal Honduran drink consisting of corn and cacao
Hacienda San Lucas (walk down to the hidden bar for epic views, including a sneak peak of ruins)
Luna Jaguar Spa (a hot spring retreat – the perfect way wind down on a humid Honduran day)
Accommodations are also super cheap, I paid $36 per night for an Airbnb loft, while many hostels and boutique hotels are even cheaper.
Best of all, Copan is truly authentic. No name-brand hotels, no chain restaurant eyesores, and people are genuinely happy to have you visit.
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