Nestled in the lush mountains of Honduras, near the border of Guatemala, lies the beautiful town of Copan Ruinas. Take one of the cobblestone streets up the hill not far from the city center and you will find La Casa de Cafe, a bed & breakfast run with a personal touch. Everything about La Casa de Cafe exudes a welcoming warmth, from the fresh homemade tamales to the handwritten good night note left in the room each evening.
After many hours of flights, layovers, a stunning mountainous bus ride, and a lively motor-taxi we arrived at La Casa de Cafe, whose adobe walls and verdant grounds cleared away our weariness within moments. We were greeted warmly by Fatima who, with a lilting musical voice, offered us refreshments on the patio. Piping hot chicken tamales with pickled vegetables and ice cold beers were served by candlelight as the night drew down around us. Now fully reinvigorated, we walked to Parque Central where vendors sold local goods from small stands and children ran about laughing and happy.
In the morning we were treated with a delicious and very generous breakfast in the gardens. Later, a short motor taxi ride from the hotel took us to the incredible ancient Mayan ruins of Copan and then back into town for delicious Honduran cuisine. After a thoroughly refreshing nap in our simple yet handsomely appointed room, we visited nearby Macaw Mountain where we got up close and personal with the gorgeous birds. As the sunny afternoon was taken over by ominous clouds, I made a reservation at the hotel to get a massage, which ended up being one of the best ideas I have ever had. The storm closed in just as I got settled into the massage bed, and rolling thunder and streaks of lightning accompanied Fatima’s expert, soothing hands.
Our last morning in Copan Ruinas was spent riding horses up to a breathtaking viewpoint followed by wandering around the town, drinking in the old world charm. Unapologetically, our afternoon was spent doing as little possible lounging around La Casa de Cafe in hammocks with a good book and perusing the historical memorabilia in the lobby.
We left very early in the morning to catch our 6am bus out of town, but Howard and Fatima still made sure we were taken care of, providing us with a full breakfast for the road.
romp & saunter 