Copan Ruinas: Mayan Heritage and Volunteer Adventure!
March 5 - 16, 2025
Join us for an incredible 12-day experience, combining volunteer work and sightseeing! For the first time, we're offering this unique trip to Honduras' largest Mayan ruins. Spaces filled on a first-come, first-serve basis - Sign up today!
Volunteer with Us!
Join us to help set up and inaugurate a new school library from the ground up. We need volunteers to come participate painting, labeling and inventorying books, and help with the library inauguration festival activities and decorations. We’ll also extra sight-seeing opportunities, including a tour of the archeological ruins, hot springs, a coffee farm, and more.
Don't miss this unique opportunity!
You do not need to be able to speak Spanish or have any particular skill, just be willing to help out as needed!
Our Registration Form is LIVE! Find the link in Step 2.
STEP 1: Contact us today
for more information!
(or, skip to the registration forms below)
Feel free to contact us directly at 720-588-3315 for more immediate information.
Trip costs are an all-inclusive package in Honduras for your week-long trip and to help build a library. See trip details above for trip costs that include:
All food and lodging in Honduras
Transportation in Honduras
Travel Health Insurance
All excursions, restaurants and fun activities
$1,000 of your trip cost supports the creation of the school library with books, library supplies and decorations, bookshelves, paint, and inauguration activities and crafts for kids. Because this is such a unique trip, and 8 hours away from our office, we ask volunteers to help completely cover the cost of this library.
NOT INCLUDED:
Plane ticket is purchased separately into San Pedro Sula (SAP).
Alcohol will available to purchase separately at some meals.
Optional shopping, snacks, or extra coffee/drinks
A non-refundable deposit of $600 is required to reserve your spot, due by November 15, 2024. Balance due in full by January 15, 2025.
$2600 per person (double occupancy)
$2900 per person (single occupancy)
We have many solo travelers and can pair you with a roommate for the double occupancy price, unless you prefer your own room.
SAMPLE ITINERARY: Work hard, play hard!
This itinerary is incredibly packed with half volunteering and half sight-seeing. There is no better way to see Honduras than with locals, and we’ve got quite the tour including:
Installing a complete library from beginning to the inauguration celebration!
Cocoa farm and chocolate truffle making
Working coffee farm
Short hikes around the countryside
Several gourmet meals featuring local, unique dishes and ingredients.
Natural hot springs lit up at night
Bird rescue (toucans, parrots and macaws)
Copan Ruins Archeological site and museum
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Wednesday, March 5
Midday: Flight arrival, light lunch
6 pm: Arrive at Don Udo’s Hotel. Welcome dinner
Thursday, March 6
7 am: Breakfast at hotel.
9 am - 11 am: Macaw Mountain bird rescue
12 pm: Lunch
3 pm - 8pm: Food sampling and dinner at the Tea and Chocolate Place
Friday, March 7
7 am: Breakfast at hotel
8 am - 12: Copán Mayan Ruins archeological site
12 pm: Lunch
2-4pm: Copán Ruins Museum
6 pm: Dinner out
Saturday, March 8
8 am: Breakfast at hotel
9 am - 12pm: begin library project work
12pm: Light lunch
2 - 6pm: Dinner in a countryside house
6-9pm: Hot Springs
Sunday, March 9
7am: Breakfast
8 - 1pm: Coffee farm tour & lunch
3 - 5pm: Library work, inventory books
6pm: dinner
Monday, March 10
7am: Breakfast
8 am- 3pm: Work and lunch in school
5pm: Debrief
6pm: Dinner
Tuesday, March 11
7am: Breakfast
8 am- 3pm: Work and lunch in school
5pm: Debrief
6pm: Dinner
Wednesday, March 12
7am: Breakfast
8 am - 2pm: Finalize library installation
4pm: Optional - local brewery (not included)
6pm: Dinner - local cheese tasting menu
Thursday, March 13
7am: Breakfast
9 - 10am: Chocolate Truffle tasting and tour
11:30am: Lunch
12 - 5pm: Library Inauguration with afternoon students
Friday, March 14
6:30 am: Leave for the School (packed breakfast)
7 am - 12 pm: Library Inauguration with morning students
12 pm: Lunch at school
4 - 8 pm: Celebratory dinner at Hacienda San Lucas
Saturday, March 15
8 am: Breakfast - Hotel
8 am - 11 am: Morning free, packing, shopping
12pm: Lunch
2pm: Chocolate Farm tour
6pm: Dinner in San Pedro Sula
Stay the night near the airport
Sunday, March 16
6 - 10 am: Leave for airport (15 minute drive) depending on your flight schedule
FAQs for the Copan trip
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We will be staying at Don Udo's - a lovely B&B with a intimate courtyard, patio, restaurant and bar. We have enjoyed staying here with several groups in the past. It has wifi in the common areas.
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Weather can vary, but generally:
- February - May: Expect warm and dry conditions with low humidity. Daytime temperatures typically range from the high 80s to low 90s, while evenings are in the 70s.
- June: Marks the start of the rainy season, bringing slightly cooler temperatures. During the day, temperatures range from the 70s to 80s.
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Honduras, while facing some challenges with drug and gang violence, is generally safe for tourists. We carefully select secure volunteer locations and implement thorough safety measures to protect you. With basic precautions—like keeping valuables out of sight, avoiding excessive jewelry, and traveling in groups—you can significantly reduce any risk. By following common-sense safety practices, similar to those in high-crime areas anywhere, you'll have a positive and rewarding experience. Be sure to ask about any specific concerns. Our Chispa staff is happy to talk about their experiences living and thriving in Honduras with their families.
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Definitely read the volunteer manual for good details on health and safety. Talk with your doctor to make sure your regular vaccines are up-to-date. You might consider getting Hepatis vaccinations, or bringing malaria pills if you are going to Lake Yojoa. Otherwise, bug spray with Deet, washing your hands, and only drinking the provided bottled water will help you prevent the majority of common sicknesses.
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We strongly encourage volunteers to embrace this opportunity to be "disconnected" and fully immerse themselves in the experience without constant digital distractions. However, our hotel has wifi in the common areas and all our staff have access to communication tools to stay in touch with home if needed. Additionally, we will provide a U.S. emergency contact number so that you can be reached in case of any urgent situations.
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While the main focus of this trip is volunteer work, we also want you to experience Honduras' rich culture! Throughout the week, we offer several opportunities to explore local culture and cuisine, such as visiting markets, cooking experiences, chocolate or coffee tastings, and cultural centers.
Since the trip is still some time away and Honduras can have unexpected factors that may lead to last-minute changes, the sample schedule is not guaranteed. It is simply a tentative outline of what we might accomplish.
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You will need to book and purchase your own airfare to San Pedro Sula (SAP). Choose any flight with American or United airlines that arrives on the day the trip starts and departs on the day it ends. We will coordinate airport transportation as needed depending on flight times.
Please check with us before you book with Spirit Airlines to make sure we can accommodate their flight times. -
We will happily accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions and special needs.
Please keep in mind that mobility is a significant consideration on this Copan trip in particular, as many areas we will visit have uneven or broken paths and hilly terrain.
Please inform us of any specific concerns or requirements well in advance so that we can make appropriate arrangements to ensure your needs are met effectively. -
These trips are great for young people! Consider bringing a family member, friend, or a grandchild, niece, or nephew. It’s a wonderful opportunity to visit Honduras in a safe and guided environment. We do not recommend young children (under 12) for this particular trip, and would suggest they'd be more interested in our other trip offerings.
STEP 2: Sign - up today!
Our Registration Form is LIVE! Use the links below to Register for this trip and submit your payments.
Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions!
or checks can be mailed to:
Chispa Project
10566 Combie Rd. Ste. 6643
Auburn, CA 95602
STEP 3: Read ahead and get excited!
Our 20-page volunteer manual is the best way to find logistical details for a trip. It includes:
Tips from previous volunteers
Culture and customs
Health and Safety
Chispa community guidelines
Logistics (money, time zone, travel documents, etc.)
A detailed packing list!
***The handbook is meant for our regular volunteer trips, so details like lodging or internet availability will not apply to the Copan trip.
Still want more details?
Check out this video from volunteer Mandy Hicks (2024) who compiled her photos to explain her week-long trip in Tegucigalpa with Chispa Project. Each trip is different, but this is a great, detailed example of the hard work (and fun!) that goes into installing a new library on our regular, 8-day trips.