Antigua, Copán & Roatán Multi-Country Route

Travel overland from Guatemala's colonial capital, visit the Copán ruins, and take a ferry to Roatán.

Connect the colonial charm of Guatemala, the Mayan heritage of Honduras, and the Caribbean islands into a seamless one-way journey. Two overland transfers take up most of a day each, but they reward you with a diverse, non-backtracking experience. With three nights in Antigua, two in Copán, one in La Ceiba, and three in Roatán, this route is perfect for first-time visitors to Central America who don't mind early morning travel.

February to April offers the most reliable road conditions; September to November brings more rain and hurricane risks to the islands.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala（Parque Central & Cathedral、Santa Catalina Arch）

Take a taxi or shuttle from the airport to Antigua (approx. 1–1.5 hours, longer during evening rush hour).

Stay: Historic Center

Day 2 · Colonial Churches & Lookout

Antigua Guatemala（Iglesia de La Merced、Convento de las Capuchinas、Casa Santo Domingo、Cerro de la Cruz）

Explore the historic center entirely on foot. Walk or take a tuk-tuk up to Cerro de la Cruz; sights are just minutes apart.

Stay: Historic Center

Day 3 · Coffee Hacienda & Local Market

Antigua Guatemala（Finca Filadelfia、Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande、Mercado de Antigua）

Take a shuttle or taxi to a coffee hacienda (approx. 10 minutes). Return to town in the afternoon to explore ruins and local markets on foot.

Stay: Historic Center

Day 4 · Overland Border Crossing to Copán

Copán Ruinas（Parque Central, Copán Ruinas）

Take an early morning shuttle (approx. 7–8 hours) to cross the border at El Florido, arriving in Copán in the afternoon.

Shuttle schedules and operators change frequently; confirm in advance. Bring US dollars in cash for border fees.

Stay: Copán Town Center

Day 5 · Copán Ruins & Macaw Mountain

Copán Ruinas（Maya Site of Copán – Great Plaza、Hieroglyphic Stairway、Copán Sculpture Museum、Macaw Mountain Bird Park）

Walk or take a tuk-tuk to the ruins in the morning. Take a taxi to Macaw Mountain Bird Park in the afternoon (approx. 15 minutes).

Enter as soon as the park opens to beat the midday heat.

Stay: Copán Town Center

Day 6 · Cross the North to La Ceiba

La Ceiba（Malecón Guillermo Anderson）

Take a private transfer (approx. 6–7 hours) or a shared shuttle (approx. 7–9 hours, runs only on specific days).

Depart early to arrive during daylight. Stay in the city center to make boarding the ferry easier the next morning.

Stay: Downtown Zona Viva

Day 7 · Ferry to Roatán West End

Roatán（West End、Half Moon Bay）

Take the 9:30 ferry to Dixon Cove (approx. 75–90 minutes), then take a taxi to West End (approx. 30 minutes).

Check in 1 hour before departure; take motion sickness medication if you are prone to seasickness.

Stay: West End

Day 8 · Coral Reef Diving or Snorkeling

Roatán（Roatan Marine Park）

Head out with a dive shop from West End; dive sites are within a short boat ride of under 30 minutes (half-day or full-day).

Stay: West End

Day 9 · West Bay Beach Leisure Day

Roatán（West Bay Beach）

Take a water taxi from West End to West Bay (approx. 10 minutes) and spend the day relaxing on the beach before returning.

Check the cruise ship schedule and visit West Bay on a day with no ships in port.

Stay: West End

Day 10 · Depart Roatán

Roatán（Coxen Hole）

Take a taxi from West End to Roatán Airport (approx. 20–30 minutes) for flights to Guatemala City or the United States.

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