Share the article
Last updated
They’ve been teasing us for decades, but time machines have never made it to the factory line.
As technology continues to accelerate with the production of futuristic touchscreen phones, Cybertrucks and now AI developments on the rise, how do we go back in time?
Sure, you can stay in your hometown and have a milkshake at a classic restaurant, but life is a lot more fun when your passport collects stamps instead of dust.
I recently went deep into Honduras on a trip. And before you roll your eyes and say to yourself, “I’m not going to that dangerous country!”, let’s put on the brakes.
The mainstream media often misrepresents countries like Honduras with “if it bleeds, it’s the tactics.”
Some of the most off-road destinations are the most rewarding and some of the most misunderstood places will make you question what knowledge is worth your life.
When flying solo, both literally and figuratively, I never felt unsafe, out of place or unwanted – quite the opposite, in fact.
Hours from airports, Starbucks or other modern developments lies the magical city Copán ruins – the perfect affordable getaway to relax and explore amid incredible Mayan ruins and timeless streets.
Forget Roatan! Head south to Honduras’ little-known slice of paradise
I flew from Houston and asked a few friendly faces if Uber operates out of San Pedro Sula airport (they don’t).
“Oh, you’re going into town?” people asked curiously, as if my travels were not up to standard.
Turns out every tourist I spoke to was passing through the island of Roatan, Honduras’ highest claim to fame in the Caribbean Sea.
In other words, I was on my own, except for a local, kind-hearted family who escorted me to my hotel in San Pedro for the night.
The next morning the adventure began. A trip to the action-packed Terminal Metropolitana de Buses, where it looks more like a shopping center than a typical bus station.
Think cafes, souvenir shops and even a supermarket, which is great for grabbing ibuprofen for the subsequent headache of finding the right bus.
We think we might know it all by 2024, but the internet was wrong about one key aspect of my journey.
Hedman Unfortunately, what was once considered the ‘stylish’ bus to Copan, but it no longer runs.
Welp, that got me in trouble for five minutes before I found out there is one direct route left – the Casasola Express.
A wild $6 ride to Copan: construction, chaos and preachers, oh my!
There are several ways to reach Copan, but these are the most popular:
- Driver for hire
- Bus from Guatemala
- Bus from San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa
Casasola Express departs from San Pedro and offers the only non-stop driving and costs only 160 Lempira ($6).
Prepare for speed bumps, ongoing road projects, an invasion of food vendors, and yes, quite surprisingly, a preacher jumped on board and gave a free sermon (“free” means “please give me a tip at the end”).
Overall, despite a sore bum after a four-hour drive, it wasn’t half bad for the price, and the views were great from a window seat.
Better yet, when you arrive, the city’s cobblestone streets are lined with motorcycle taxis similar to those in Thailand. tuk tuks and even more affordable to get around.
The most I paid was $3.
A feast for the eyes: UNESCO-protected Mayan ruins
We’ll save the history lessons for YouTube nerds.
What you need to know is that you absolutely cannot visit Copan without seeing the incredibly well-preserved Mayan ruins discovered in the 16th century.
Ticket prices vary, but I opted for a la carte services for general admission ($20) and tunnel admission ($15; not worth it), so I paid a total of $35.
Although the tunnels were snoozers and there was nothing fascinating to see, the terrain was truly phenomenal.
Tucked away in the region’s lush forestry, it’s clear why this place was chosen as home.
If a resort were built here today, you would pay hundreds of euros per night in this secluded oasis.
I was surprised by the fact that there were very few ‘do not enter’ signs, which made for great photo opportunities during the once busy community lives ago.
Keep your eyes open if you don’t pay extra for a guide. There are hidden paths leading to even more well-preserved structures that I almost missed before heading outside, where I also saw Capybaras, Agoutis and Macaws flying free.
An affordable timeless city surrounded by a beautiful landscape
At first glance you might walk into the city center and wonder: “man, what is there to do here?”.
It looks like small restaurants, trendy cafes and a sleepy main square with not much going on.
I had a great time in the space of four days, which is about what I’d recommend unless you’re taking the leap into digital nomadism here.
There are numerous cafes to start your day, 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 city is very walkable, and as I said, the motorcycle taxis are the best way to get around.
Besides the Mayan ruins, these were my 3 favorite places to visit:
The tea and chocolate place (order the Pinol – traditional Honduran drink consisting of corn and cocoa
Hacienda San Lucas (walk to the hidden bar for epic views, including a taste of ruins)
Luna Jaguar Spa (a hot springs retreat – the perfect way to unwind on a humid Honduran day)
Accommodations are also super cheap, I paid $36 a 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 eyesores from chain restaurants, and the people are genuinely happy that you are visiting.
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
