"WELCOME TO THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA" COPANA RUINS HONDURAS
Written: Feb 05 '02 (Updated May 09 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cheap, clean and friendly.
Cons: No hot water, but I was getting used to that.
The Bottom Line: Of course if someone starts a singalong at the bar, you just know what the first song is going to be.
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| JAMES23's Full Review: Copán |
Naturally I was singing a couple of bars from the Eagles song as the bus rolled into Copana Ruins. I was still humming the melody as I lugged my heavy rucksack off of the back of the chicken bus and began to look around for the hotel. The typical mob of Honduran urchins met the bus and immediately began clamouring to drag us all to various hotels and other services. None of course offered to carry any bags.
One of them did offer to point out where the Hotel California was for me. This was only after I was able to convince him that no I didn't really want to stay anywhere else, including the places where he could get me a "special deal." I did agree to take a business card in case I wanted to book any of the fabulous tours and other available tourist activities that another of his innumerable friends and relatives offered. The card went into the garbage the minute I rounded the corner.
A few minutes later and a brief walk up the narrow cobblestone streets of the town and I was ringing the door bell of a rather nondescript place, the Hotel California, Honduran style. All I wanted was to get inside, get the pack off of my back and sit down on something soft.
Another day of riding the Honduran second class bus system had taken it's toll on a certain delicate part of my anatomy. I was now compiling a running rating system of the chicken buses in the four Central American countries I had, or would be visiting. So far Honduras was dead last in terms of creature comforts.
The Hotel California had been recommended to me the night before. The recommendation came from a good source of course, the bartender of my new favourite bar in Omoa. She knew the manager of the hotel and asked me to say hi when I got there. Actually she asked me to deliver a letter and a small package. The package it turned out was a room key accidentally taken after her last stay there. I was sure I was going to be nailed for any late charges when I handed it over.
My new found friend's friend, Mimi the manager however didn't charge me for the key and actually thanked me. She speaks good English by the way and is a great source of local information. Over pleasantries I checked in, a single room with shared bath, no hot water, was $5.00 US.
The hotel has only six rooms, plain and nothing fancy but clean. There's no air conditioning, just fans. Mind it sometimes gets cool up in the mountains so the blankets on the bed are of more use than the fans.
There is a nice central courtyard with a palaypa roofed bar and hammocks which separates the two parts of the hotel. Most of the rooms are in the back, with a couple, the "office" and the solitary bathroom in the section closet to the street. I was in this section, right across from the bathroom, but I didn't notice any street noises. Mind the town kind of shuts down early most nights.
As I said no hot water, but good water pressure, and you can sit and flush. There's also an area for washing up and doing your laundry out back in the courtyard. One hint pack a flash light especially if you have to make nocturnal trips to the facilities.
I was the almost the only guest the night I stayed. There were a couple of backpackers, however I barely had a chance to say hi. I had the feeling though that the courtyard bar can get kind of lively when the place is full. The bar top is decorated with coins from all around the world. Both it and the hammocks look like a nice place to relax and enjoy a cold one and some easy conversation after a day of tramping around the ruins.
Right across the street is a good souvenir store. Reasonable prices and they take credit cards. Beside that is a another hotel with a laundry service, an Internet cafe and a tourist info desk. They also allow you to refill water bottles with fresh purified water for a small charge here.
There are plenty of places to stay in Copana Ruins. The Mayan ruins and other nearby attractions has resulted in a veritable boom of small hotels and pensions. About a dozen or so at least according to the Honduran tourist Board information I read. There is something for almost every budget, although the more popular places may require reservations depending on the time of year. Even if your pocket book can stand something a little more upscale though, I still recommend Hotel California and it's rustic charm. Even if you don't like roughing it, you can endure for one night.
Other articles on Honduras
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http://www.epinions.com/content_3637158020
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http://www.epinions.com/content_110242926212
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Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Students
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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JAMES23
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Member: James Smith
Location: Toronto Ontario CANADA
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