Copan Ruinas: Mayan Heritage and Volunteer Adventure!

We will be staying at Don Udo's - a quaint B&B with a intimate courtyard, patio, restaurant and bar. The area is well contained and easy for children to roam free, as well as allow for the baby monitor range to reach from the bedroom to the common areas for parent after-hours within the hotel. Each room is spacious with air-conditioning. We’ll work together to choose room layouts that best accommodate each family’s size and ages.

Participants should expect, simple yet very comfortable living arrangements, and activities that reflect the local way of life. The emphasis will be on meaningful connections with the community, hands-on service project of creating the library, and opportunities to learn and grow together as a family in a supportive and enriching environment.

There is truly something for everyone to do to help install this library alongside the local community and Chispa staff support. The first few days, we will be painting murals, stickering and inventorying books, setting up the physical library space. The latter half of the week, we will help with the inauguration festivities. We’ll be assisting teachers in passing out materials, helping students rotate through reading activity stations.

We know that kids have limited attention spans, depending on their age. We also believe that a big part of our job as international volunteers is coming alongside a local community in relationships. Kids playing together with local Honduras students is a great way to volunteer and show love. We’ll provide spaces that kids can volunteer, and also spaces that adult family members will help complete the project while kids play.

The trip and it's itinerary will be especially oriented for kids based on the ages that sign up. Things we'll be considering include optional naptimes, extra staffing, volunteer activities for toddlers, and downtime as necessary.

Kids will get to participate in every part of this project! From scanning in books to the inventory to painting a mural on the library wall, our staff know how to work with kids.

We’ll also have plenty that is “parent-friendly”! Separate activities that keep kids busy, but nearby, allow for parents hangout and relax on this vacation - all while working for a good cause.

Honduras 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.

The longest trip will be the 4-hour drive to the airport and back, we have hired drivers with large passenger vans. Please consider that while we will have seatbelts for everyone, they are only lap belts. We will have a couple spaces for infant car seats. You may choose for your child to use or not use a car seat.

In the small pedestrian town of Copan Ruinas, we will often take little "mototaxis" or "tuk-tuks." These small cabs fit 3-4 people and are great for quick trips around town.

You can see pictures of both transportation forms in the photo gallery above.

You will need to book and purchase your own airfare to San Pedro Sula (SAP). We will coordinate as a group for the specific itinerary. We'd recommend United Airlines, but can also accommodate American Airlines schedule as needed.

Sara Brakhane, our director, and her family, will be flying in at the same time to help folks through customs.

From the airport, Copan Ruinas is approximately 4 hours driving. Once we are there, all other trips are short (between 5 - 20 minutes) within the small town.

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. Consider getting Hepatis vaccinations. Otherwise, bug spray with Deet, washing your hands, and only drinking the provided bottled water will help you prevent the majority of common sicknesses.

We will happily accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions and special accomodations.

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.

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 as a group the local culture and cuisine, such as visiting markets, cooking experiences, chocolate or coffee tastings, and cultural centers. These activities will be designed to be kid-friendly while also offering interesting activities for adults.

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.

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.