Copan & Quirigua: Private 2-Day Mayan Ruins Tour from Guatemala

Summary

Copan’s artistry then Quirigua’s monoliths on a cross-border journey

You’ll cross borders and time on this private Mayan ruins tour: touch intricate glyphs at Copan, wander among towering monoliths at Quirigua, share laughs with your local guide, and relax in a quiet Honduran town overnight. It’s not just history—it’s feeling those ancient stories under your feet.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the border crossing to feel like such an adventure. There was this early-morning haze as we left Antigua—windows down, the air smelled faintly of coffee and rain on warm earth. Our guide, Jorge, handled the paperwork with a kind of practiced calm (I definitely would’ve fumbled it). He told us stories about old dynasties as we wound through green hills that just kept rolling on. Crossing into Honduras felt almost casual—just a few stamps and a quick test check—and suddenly we were in Copan. The ruins had these carved faces staring out from the stones; I kept running my hands over the cool glyphs, half-wondering what those kings would’ve thought of us gawking at their city.

That night in Copan Ruinas town was quieter than I expected. There was this little square where locals gathered—kids playing soccer barefoot, someone selling sweet bread from a basket. I tried to order tamales in Spanish and got gently corrected by the lady behind the counter (she smiled anyway). The hotel bed was soft enough that I barely remember falling asleep, just waking up to birds outside and strong coffee waiting downstairs.

The drive to Quirigua took longer than I thought—four hours or so—but the landscape kept changing: banana plantations, rivers muddy from last night’s rain. When we finally walked among those massive stelae at Quirigua, it felt different from Copan—quieter somehow, more tangled with vines and stories you could only half-hear. Jorge pointed out how this place once challenged Copan for power. The stones here are taller than you’d guess; standing next to them made me feel small in a good way. On the way back to Guatemala City, I watched fields blur by and tried to picture all those centuries layered under the ground. Still can’t quite shake that feeling of old voices in the trees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Copan Ruinas from Guatemala City

• Depart from Guatemala City or Antigua hotels
• Enjoy views during transfer to Copán Honduras
• Pass through Honduran and Guatemalan Customs
• Visit Copán archaeological site and plazas
• Relax at hotel after Copán visit

Day 2 — Visit Quirigua from Copan Ruinas

• Have breakfast and check out from hotel
• Drive to Quirigua, enjoy landscapes
• Explore Quirigua archaeological site
• Return to Guatemala City, enjoy scenery

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, pickup is available from hotels in Guatemala City or Antigua.

Do I need a passport for Copan & Quirigua tour?

Yes, you must bring a valid passport for crossing into Honduras.

How long is the drive between Copan Ruinas and Quirigua?

The road trip takes about 4 hours each way between Copan Ruinas and Quirigua.

Are entrance fees to both archaeological sites included?

Yes, entry fees for both Copan Ruinas and Quiriguá are included in the tour price.

Is there an overnight stay during this tour?

Yes, you’ll spend one night in a comfortable hotel in Copan Ruinas after visiting the site.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No specific mention of lunch is made; breakfast is available at your hotel on day two.

Do I need a COVID test result for this trip?

Yes, Honduras currently requires proof of a negative COVID quick test at border crossing.

What’s included

Your journey includes private transportation with hotel pickup in Guatemala City or Antigua, bottled water throughout both days, all taxes at the Guatemala–Honduras border handled for you, certified local guide support at every site visit, plus entrance fees covered for both Copan Ruinas and Quiriguá archaeological parks before returning home late on day two.