The most popular tourist attraction in Copan are the ruins, a major Mayan archaeological site (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), which are located just east of the town on the road to San Pedro Sula. It is any easy walk from town--after you cross the bridge just follow the stone path until it ends and it will take you right there. Otherwise, just take a mototaxi.
I went to the ruins early in the morning--they open at 8 and I was there right away. It gets busy by late morning and it was great to walk around before it got hot and before the crowds. I didn't get a guide because I was by myself and was trying not to spend money, but I would say a guide would be worth it to gain a better understanding of the history. An entrance ticket is $15 and if you want to enter the archaeological tunnels it's an additional $15. The Museo de Escultura Maya costs $7 to enter. I didn't go to this either--by the time I'd spent a few hours walking the grounds I was tired and starving and ready to heat back into town. There is a gift shop and cafeteria located near the entrance to the ruins.
Copan apparently had a population of 24,000 at its height. Much smaller than Tikal but it was considered the principal Mayan cultural center at the height of it's development. You are allowed to climb some of the structures and there is also a nature path, though not very clearly marked once you're on it, it's nice to get into the jungle/rain forest and listen to the almost mystical sounds of strange birds as you go. Beware of armies of ants with a ferocious bite. When you enter the gates to the actual ruins, you'll be greeted by groups of Macaws that were once living in Macaw Mountain but have now been released. They do set out food for the birds so apparently they like to stick around. Also near the macaws, I saw a family of Aguti snuffling around.
**The only picture I'm going to explain is the bottom one--this is the stone path you follow til its end from town.
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