There’s something about ancient sites that drives people in droves to overrun what should be otherwise quiet and peaceful places. Machu Picchu in Peru (which I witnessed firsthand last year) and Chichén Itzá in Mexico are two such examples.
So I was pleasantly surprised to find the grounds of the Mayan ruins in Copan Ruinas, Honduras, to be essentially bare. The ruins in Copan span about 14 square miles (not all of this is accessible to the public), and archeologists have found 3,450 structures within this space. The Mayan ruins in Copan Ruinas are among the finest examples of Mayan artifacts, and the site is covered in carvings, petro glyphs and statues. The public space is expansive, and visitors are welcome to roam the grounds at their leisure.
The grounds are part of the allure. With so much space and large Ceiba trees casting shadows across the lawn, this is not only a historic marvel but also a beautiful, natural place.
