Copan offers many different alternatives for your shopping. Strolling through the town you will find a variety of souvenir shops that offer a wide array of handicrafts produced both locally in Honduras as well as in the neighboring Central American countries of Guatemala and El Salvador. The El Jaral Shopping Mall, located only 10 km (6 miles) from Copan Ruinas offers a variety of shops, eateries and even features the only first class cinema in the area, showing some of the latest released movies! If you have a car, just take the road towards San Pedro Sula, and a couple of km. Past the town of Santa Rita de Copan you will come upon the mall, located right on the highway. If you don’t have a vehicle, there is public transportation available departing from the bridge located on the entrance to town. The prestigious Posada Real de Copan offers complimentary transportation to its guests from the hotel to the mall.
Although there are a few local wares that are actually produced in Copan and its immediate surrounding areas, Honduras does produce a few different handicraft items that can be found at some of the souvenir shops around town. Following is a brief description of what you can find and where in Copan. The one souvenir that is made locally is the miniature replicas of the some of the Mayan sculptures you will see in the park. Most of these are quite elaborate and are real pieces of art. Perhaps the best artisan in Copan is “Lito”, whose shop is located a couple of blocks from downtown, up the street from the Marina Copan Hotel. If you are interested, you can look him up and even take advantage and place a special order! You can also find artisans at work at the Paris Copan Village, located ½ a block south of Central Park.
Also from the department of Copan you will find fine hand made cigars. Although these are not really handicrafts, they are all hand made through a very elaborate process and they make a great gift. The Flor de Copan Cigar factory is located in nearby Santa Rosa de Copan. Their product is mostly destined for export, as it is recognized for its outstanding quality in the international level. Another locally produced souvenir are the dolls that are handcrafted in La Pintada, one of the villages in the outlying area of Copan Ruinas. These can be purchased directly from the kids in the streets. Last, but not least, the Copan Pinta program has opened a small souvenir and arts and crafts center half way between La Casa de Todo and central park. The shop called Arte y Souvenir offers a variety of hand made paper products, such as postcards, paper lamps, candles, your purchases here will ultimately help support the Copan Pinta project.

Leather

Perhaps the highest quality locally manufactured items to be found are fine leather goods. There are several producers with a great reputation. Perhaps the most visible one in the Copan area is Danilo’s who has a factory in San Pedro Sula. His products can be found at the Guacamaya Souvenir shop at the Hotel Marina Copan.

Coffee

Honduras produces fine coffee, and the area around Copan Ruinas is prime high altitude coffee territory. There are many coffee fincas in the neighborhood and some of them produce and pack their own coffee. There are two good makes that are worth while buying and taking back as gifts to your folks back home: Café Welchez is grown in the Finca Santa Isabel and can be sampled at the café bar Welchez located at the Marina Copan Hotel. Their coffee can be found in different souvenir shops in town, including the one in the Marina Copan Hotel. Another outstanding brand is Café Miramundo, grown in the mountains overlooking the towns of Santa Rita de Copan and Copan Ruinas. Both are excellent quality and have a nice presentation.

Tobacco

Fine copanecan cigars can be found in at least four different shops in Copan. The most complete selection will be found at the Tabacos y Recuerdos Cigar shop, located across the street from the Hotel Marina Copan. This shop carries cigars produced in both important tobacco-growing areas in the country: Copan in Western Honduras and Danli in Eastern Honduras. The Yax Pac Souvenir shop, located right on the central park also offers a variety. Last. But not least, check out the El Rubi Souvenir shop, located next to the Popol Nah hotel, half a block from central park. The Licores del Bosque liquor store located at Central Park and across the street from the Llama del Bosque restaurant also offers a fine selection of Honduran cigars.

T shirts

Perhaps the most popular souvenir in today’s world, T-shirts are in fact statements proving you have traveled to a distant exotic destination. There are many different and colorful designs for t-shirts available throughout town. The Association Copan, a local, non-profit association devoted to promoting the conservation of the Maya Heritage of Copan, has a small souvenir shop with outstanding designs in shirts and caps, as well as the most complete available literature regarding the Mayas and Copan. They are located at the visitors center in the main entrance to the Copan Archaeological Park. Funds generated from the shop are channeled to different programs including scholarships for locals, a children’s museum and investigation work. The association, by the way, was directly responsible for the construction of the Museum of Maya Sculpture in Copan as well as for the Casa Kinich childrens museum located right downtown, in the old school building across the street from Central Park. If you are interested in helping preserve Copan’s heritage, you can become a sponsor for the Association Copan. It is run very professionally and with full honesty and you can rest assured that your funds will be put to good use. Inquire at the association souvenir shop for sponsorship information.
Honduras es Amor, a souvenir shop located across the road from the visitor’s center probably offers the most complete selection of T-shirts. Don’t miss the Copan Galel souvenir shop, just across the street from the Banco de Occidente. They have a large selection of T-shirts to choose from. Bazar Nena, located across the street from the mail office has a more limited selection, but offers the best prices in town. Another good selection can be found at the Pabellon Maya, a souvenir shop owned by the Honduras Artisan Association and offering a wide variety of Honduran souvenirs and handicrafts.

Wood handicrafts

Many of the fine hand carved wood items to be found in the different shops in town are produced in Valle de Angeles, a delightful colonial town located just outside of Tegucigalpa. Many of these handicrafts are real pieces of art. You can find the best selection at the Yax Pac souvenir shop; a good second option is the Honduras es Amor souvenir shop located across the street from the visitors center. There is also a big selection of handicrafts at the Honduran Artisans Association Shop (Pabellon Maya), located one block south of the Park and offering the largest selection of souvenirs under one roof in town. They are open daily from 8:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m.

Weaved baskets and panama hats

Produced in the nearby department of Santa Barbara, these hats and baskets are decorated with colorful designs and make for great souvenirs, as the baskets are usually flat and can be stashed away in your bags without breaking or using up much space. They are also lightweight and truly beautiful! The best selection of these can be found at the Copan Souvenir shop, located adjacent to the Banco de Occidente building, half a block from the park. The Guacamaya souvenir at the Hotel Marina Copan, the Mahchi art gallery and Tabacos y Recuerdos also offer a nice selection. Don’t forget to check out the Pabellon Maya of the Honduran Artisans Association or the souvenir shop located at the Visitor’s Center at the Copan Archaeological Park.

Guatemalan Textiles

Not Honduran, but very enticing because of its beautiful designs and colors, Guatemalan goods can be found in several places. Victorina an indigenous Guatemalan offers a nice selection of textiles, many woven by herself in her small shop on the corner before La Llama del Bosque restaurant. Another good spot for these textiles is in the artisan market located in the old school building across the street from Central Park. Copan Galel, Sacnicte and Mahchi art Gallery also carry a variety of Guatemalan textiles. If your trip will take you into Guatemala, it is better to wait and do your shopping for these colorful garments in Guatemala, as you will find a wider selection and better prices. IF you are not continuing to Guatemala, take advantage of the opportunity to shop for them in Copan, you will not find a wider selection elsewhere in Honduras.

Jade

Jade was the most precious stone of the Maya culture. It can be found in all the Mayan World from Palenque to Copan. You can buy jade artifacts that have been made following the inspiration of the lovely Mayan pieces the Mayan noble once whore and that have been found by archaeologists. The largest and best jade mine is found close by, in the nearby Motagua River Valley in Guatemala. Most of the jade you will find in Copan has actually been crafted in Guatemala!

Ceramics

Ceramics from different cultures and regions of Honduras can be found in Copan. Without doubt the most elaborate and ornate are those produced by the Lencas in the nearby departments of Intibuca and Gracias a Dios. The nicest and most complete selection will be found at the souvenir shop located at the visitor’s center at the archaeological park. The Pabellon Maya also offers a nice selection of ceramics from Honduras. Another option is the Yaxkin shops. You will appreciate the art that decorates these ceramic pieces.