The Hostelz.com Review - Genuine, independent review you can trust.
There isn't that much to do in Copan Ruinas other than their namesake, at least not enough to keep travelers around for a night or two and Iguana Azul gets this completely. This is a comfy little hostel that doesn't appeal for a long-term stay due to the lack of kitchen and an overall cozy vibe that can turn to crowded with a revolving door of roommates. But if you are only town for the required night or two, it will fit the bill perfectly as a base from which to check out the ruins and prep for/recover from that border crossing.
The Location
While this is a little bit away from both the bus "stations" and from the town centre, it is nonetheless still within a comfortable walking distance. It can be a little difficult to find -- not the hostel itself, as it is the Blue Iguana hostel and it is painted completely in bright blue, but the street it's located on is a little tricky to get to but nothing terrible. There isn't much in the immediate neighbourhood, but a quick walk to the town centre gets you access to all the restaurants, banks, and stores you could require. There is plentiful parking available on the street.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Rooms available are either six-person, bunk-bed dorm rooms or private doubles. Rooms are spacious and clean with comfortable mattresses and in-room lockers with locks provided for guest use. The dorms do not lock but the doors in and out of the hostel are kept locked, so security isn't an issue.
Bathrooms are plentiful and clean, and while they are a little tight in the showers, there is sufficient hanging space for this setup to work just fine. The sinks are also separate from the toilet/shower cubicles, so it's hard to see a situation where there could ever be a traffic jam around these necessities.
Common Spaces
Common spaces are divided into the indoor lounge with some couches and chairs; there's not much, but it isn't a very populated hostel even when full, with a fridge for guest use, a television, and an extensive book exchange. The hotel next door is under the same ownership, and while you probably can't jump next door to hang out, they do have more books -- specifically, reference books for Central American travel.
There isn't a kitchen, but again there is a fridge if you have anything you need to keep cold, and out the back there is a hand-washing area for clothes plus a clothesline, so it's a give-and-take situation. Speaking of out the back, there is a pleasant little sitting area next to the sink/bathroom area, which is a great place to hang out and relax as well.
Summary
This is a good, solid hostel that knows what it wants to do/offer and does so well. The trade-off between a good hand-washing opportunity and a kitchen is kind of funny, so it would just depend on where you are in your travels if it's a worthwhile trade-off.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
Candy
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on May 23, 2019
Location and Contact
Location
• From the bus stop you can walk to the hostel in 10 minutes or hop an inexpensive moto-taxi or tuk tuk. • We are a 5 block ( 5 minute) walk from the Central Park.