Copan Ruinas, nestled in the western highlands of Honduras, enjoys a tropical savanna climate with warm temperatures year-round and distinct wet and dry seasons. The region experiences lush, rainy summers and drier, pleasantly mild winters. With abundant greenery and comfortable weather, Copan Ruinas is an inviting destination for archaeology, nature, and cultural exploration.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Copan Ruinas features a tropical savanna climate, marked by two main seasons: a pronounced wet season from May to October and a drier season from November to April. Temperatures remain relatively stable throughout the year, with average highs ranging from 24°C in January, the coolest month, to 30°C in April, the warmest. Nighttime lows typically drop to 11–16°C, providing comfortable evenings. Humidity is high year-round, peaking at nearly 90% in December and dipping to about 71% in April, which can make warm periods feel hotter.
The wet season brings substantial rainfall, with September and October each receiving over 300 mm and up to 24 rainy days per month. Showers are often heavy but usually occur in the late afternoon or evening, leaving mornings clear for sightseeing. The dry season, especially from February to April, is much less rainy, with March being the driest month (around 41–55 mm). Annual precipitation is high, ranging from 1,400 mm to over 2,000 mm, supporting lush vegetation and vibrant landscapes. Sunshine is most abundant in April, averaging over 7.5 hours per day, while January is the cloudiest with just over 3 hours of sun daily. Winds are generally light to moderate, averaging 10–13 km/h, and the region does not experience hurricanes.
| Average climate data for Copan Ruinas, Honduras | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 24 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 30 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 43 | 29 | 28 | 41 | 150 | 289 | 247 | 213 | 280 | 166 | 76 | 60 | 1,622 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 192 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Average UV index | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 11 |
The best time to visit Copan Ruinas is from February to April, during the dry season, when rainfall is lowest, humidity is moderate, and temperatures are warm but comfortable. These months offer the best conditions for exploring the ruins, hiking, and enjoying the region’s natural beauty without frequent interruptions from rain.
The least favourable time to visit is from September to October, when rainfall peaks, humidity is high, and heavy afternoon downpours are common. Trails can be muddy and some outdoor activities may be limited, though the landscape is at its greenest and mornings can still be pleasant for excursions.
Copan Ruinas has a tropical savanna climate with warm temperatures year-round and distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season (May–October) is humid and rainy, while the dry season (November–April) is milder and sunnier.
The best time to visit is from February to April, when rainfall is lowest and temperatures are warm but comfortable. These months are ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring the archaeological sites.
Copan Ruinas receives substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation ranging from 1,400 mm to over 2,000 mm. The wettest months are September and October, each with over 300 mm of rain and frequent afternoon showers.
Average daytime highs range from 24°C in January to 30°C in April. The warmest months are April and May, but the region’s altitude helps keep the heat from becoming oppressive.
Yes, humidity is high year-round, peaking at nearly 90% in December and dipping to about 71% in April. High humidity can make warm periods feel hotter, especially during the rainy season.
Copan Ruinas is not affected by hurricanes. The main weather extremes are heavy rain during the wet season and occasional intense afternoon thunderstorms.
Pack light, breathable clothing, a rain jacket, sturdy shoes, and layers for cooler evenings in winter. Bring sun protection and stay hydrated, especially during the humid wet season.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is April (30 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (24.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 27.2 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is September (19.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (15.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 17.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (288.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is March (28.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,621.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is September (23.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is April (6.9 days). Over the whole year there are 192.2 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13 h). The months with the shortest days, so the least daylight, are January, November and December (Average daylight: 11 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 8.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 6.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October (UV index: 12). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 9). Over the whole year the average UV index is 11.4.
