Copan Ruinas is one of the most impressive Maya archaeological sites in Central America, famous for its intricate stelae, hieroglyphic stairway, and bird-filled tropical setting. Located just across the border in western Honduras, it is a popular day trip or overnight excursion from Guatemala.
2026 Fares and Options
These are the fares and departure times published by Guatemala Transportation, one of the operators running this cross-border route on a fixed daily schedule. Read at source on July 22, 2026. Other agencies sell the same route at their own prices, so treat this as the published benchmark.
| Option | Route & departure | Fare (per person) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared shuttle | Antigua → Copán Ruinas, 03:30 | $50 | 5–6 hrs |
| Shared shuttle | Guatemala City → Copán Ruinas, 04:15 | $50 | 5–6 hrs |
| Return shuttle | Copán Ruinas → Antigua / GC, 06:00 | $50 | 5–6 hrs |
| Budget bus chain | GC → Chiquimula → El Florido → Copán | Q100–180 total | 6–7 hrs |
| Copán ruins entrance | main site (foreigners) | $15 (+$7 museum, +$3 Las Sepulturas) | — |
The shuttle is the only realistic way to arrive the same morning and handles the border crossing for you — it departs before dawn (03:30 from Antigua) to reach Copán by midday. The budget bus chain is cheaper but eats a full travel day with three transfers. Note that Hedman Alas, the old direct international bus, has been suspended since 2020.
A note on currency. This operator quotes in US dollars and states its own conversion as USD$1 = Q8. The Banco de Guatemala reference rate on July 22, 2026 was Q7.62466, so paying cash in quetzales at the operator’s rate costs roughly 5% more than the market conversion. Pay in dollars, or check today’s rate before handing over quetzales.
Getting There
Tourist Shuttle from Antigua (Recommended)
Several companies operate daily shuttle service from Antigua to Copan Ruinas, handling the border crossing for you.
Departure: Usually 4:00-5:00 AM from Antigua (early start due to the distance). Route: Antigua to Guatemala City to Chiquimula to El Florido border to Copan Ruinas. Duration: 5-6 hours total, including the border stop. Price: $50 one way on Guatemala Transportation’s published schedule (same fare from Antigua or Guatemala City); other agencies sell the route at their own rates, so it is worth comparing two or three. Book through: Adrenalina Tours, Atitrans, GuateGo, or your hotel.
The shuttle handles the border logistics. You exit the van at El Florido, walk through Guatemalan immigration (exit stamp), cross the bridge, walk through Honduran immigration (entry stamp), and re-board on the other side.
Bus Route via Chiquimula (Budget)
- Guatemala City to Chiquimula: Rutas Orientales bus, Q40-60, 3-3.5 hours.
- Chiquimula to El Florido (border): Minibus from the Chiquimula market, Q25-30, 1.5 hours.
- Border crossing at El Florido: Walk through both immigration offices. No fee for CA-4 nationals. Some non-CA-4 passports may be charged a small fee.
- El Florido to Copan Ruinas: Minibus, Q20-30, 30 minutes.
Total cost: Q100-180. Total time: 6-7 hours with connections.
Hedman Alas (Currently Suspended)
Hedman Alas, the premium international bus company, previously operated direct service from Guatemala City and Antigua to Copan Ruinas. This route has been suspended since 2020 with no announced reopening date.
Check status: WhatsApp +50494413276 or hedmanalas.com.
Border Crossing: El Florido
The El Florido border crossing is small and relatively hassle-free compared to other Central American borders.
What to expect:
- Exit the vehicle at the Guatemala side.
- Walk to Guatemala immigration. Get your exit stamp. (Keep your entry stamp receipt if you have one.)
- Walk across the bridge (100 meters) to Honduras immigration.
- Get your Honduras entry stamp.
- Re-board your shuttle or catch a minibus to Copan Ruinas.
CA-4 agreement: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua share a 90-day visa. Crossing between these countries does not reset your time. If you entered Guatemala 60 days ago, you have 30 days left in the CA-4 zone total.
Processing time: 20-40 minutes for both sides during normal periods. Longer during holidays.
About Copan Ruinas
The town of Copan Ruinas is a charming colonial village with cobblestone streets, good restaurants, and affordable hotels. The archaeological site is 1 km from town (walkable or tuk-tuk Q10).
Site entrance fees:
- Archaeological park: $15 USD
- Sculpture museum: $7 USD
- Las Sepulturas: $3 USD
- Macaw rehabilitation center: Free
Best time to visit: The site is beautiful year-round. Early morning visits (8:00-10:00 AM) offer the best light for photography and fewer crowds.
Tips
- Bring US dollars. Honduras uses the Lempira, but Copan Ruinas town accepts USD everywhere. ATMs in town dispense Lempiras.
- Overnight recommended. While a day trip is possible, spending one night in Copan Ruinas lets you explore the site at a relaxed pace.
- Return shuttles leave Copan Ruinas in the afternoon (typically 2:00-3:00 PM) and arrive in Antigua by 8:00-9:00 PM.
- Bring your passport. You need it for the border crossing. Make sure it has at least 6 months validity.
Prices verified March 2026. Quetzal/USD conversions are indicative — check today’s exchange rate.
