Copan Ruinas: Mayan Heritage and Volunteer Adventure!
June 2-12, 2027
Join us for an unforgettable 10-day experience, combining volunteer work and sightseeing! Back by popular demand, we're offering this unique trip to Honduras' largest Mayan heritage site - the heart of Honduran culture.
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 in:
painting,
labeling and inventorying books,
and help with the library inauguration festival activities and decorations.
We’ll also include extra sight-seeing opportunities, including tours of the archeological ruins, hot springs, a coffee farm, and more.
You do not need to be able to speak Spanish or have any particular skill, just be willing to help out as needed!
Don't miss this unique opportunity…
Our Registration Form is LIVE!
Feel free to contact us directly at
720-588-3315 or sara@chispaproject.org
for more immediate information.
Bring a Friend: $2,600 per person (double occupancy)
Solo Traveler: $2,900
(single occupancy)
$600 Deposit due at time of Registration
Deadline to Register: January 15, 2027
$1,000 of your trip cost supports the creation of the school library with books, library supplies and decorations, and inauguration activities for the 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.
Trip costs cover the all-inclusive package for your week-long trip in Honduras and to help build a library. This includes:
All food and lodging in Honduras
Transportation in Honduras
Travel Health Insurance
All excursions, restaurants, and fun activities
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 January 15, 2027. Balance due in full by April 1, 2027.
Work hard, play hard!
Check out our Sample Itinerary
This itinerary is packed! With half volunteering and half sight-seeing, there is no better way to see Honduras. Our tour includes:
Installing a complete library and joining the inauguration celebration!
Experiencing a cocoa farm and chocolate truffle making
Touring a working coffee farm
Short hikes around the countryside
Several gourmet meals featuring unique, local dishes and ingredients.
Relaxing in natural hot springs lit up at night
Enjoy a bird rescue (toucans, parrots and macaws)
Copan Ruins Archeological site and museum
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Arrival Day
Midday: Flight arrival, light lunch
6 pm: Arrive at Hotel for Welcome dinner
Day 1
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
Day 2
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
Day 3
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
Day 4
7am: Breakfast
8 - 1pm: Coffee farm tour & lunch
3 - 5pm: Library work, inventory books
6pm: Dinner
Day 57am: Breakfast
8 am- 3pm: Work and lunch in school
5pm: Debrief
6pm: Dinner
Day 6
7am: Breakfast
8 am- 3pm: Work and lunch in school
5pm: Debrief
6pm: Dinner
Day 7
7am: Breakfast
8 am - 2pm: Finalize library installation
4pm: Optional - local brewery (not included)
6pm: Dinner - local cheese tasting menu
Day 8
7am: Breakfast
9 - 10am: Chocolate Truffle tasting and tour
11:30am: Lunch
12 - 5pm: Library Inauguration with afternoon students
6pm: Dinner
Day 9
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
Day 10
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
Departure Day
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 a hotel in the town of Copan Ruinas.
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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.
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!
Thank You for Registering
We’re excited to have you volunteer with us in June 2027!
Payment Options
Be sure you have registered via our form before you submit your payment!
Your trip deposit is required to reserve your spot on the volunteer trip. 100% of this non-refundable deposit goes towards funding the initial stages of the school library project you'll participate in.
*Please take note of these payment instructions*
We offer 2 payment options:
Pay Here
Mail a Check to:
Chispa Project
167 Lamp and Lantern Village #179
Chesterfield, MO 63017
United States
Payment Schedule
Trip Deposit due: January 15, 2027
Final Trip Payment due: April 1, 2027
Get excited about your trip!
Our 20-page volunteer manual is the best way to find all the 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.