Roatan Airport
The Roatan Airport has become the main port of entry for travelers visiting the Bay Islands. In the past, most of the visitors would arrive via San Pedro Sula international airport and then continue by land or air towards their destination. If you are planning a trip to Honduras to visit the Bay Islands, The Roatan Airport is your best option for comfort. The Roatan Airport, whose IATA code is RTB is officially the Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport.
This international airport is just outside the town of Coxen Hole, in the central part of the Island of Roatan. As an international airport, one of 4 in Honduras, it has immigration and customs facilities. Although the facility is relatively small, with no jetways available, it has become a busy airport. Airlines like American Airlines offer regular nonstop service to Roatan Airport from their hubs in Dallas Fort Worth and Miami. United Airlines offers daily service nonstop from Houston. Both airlines have been operating regularly for the past couple of months, after the Covid-19 lockdown in Honduras was relaxed. Delta Airlines, that has service from Atlanta has let us know that they will resume service to Honduras as of early February.
It is interesting to note that the Roatan Airport became an important alternative to fly into Honduras after Tropical Storm ETA flooded the San Pedro Sula Airport. The San Pedro Sula airport is the main gateway into Honduras. Damage due to flooding rendered the airport as inoperable and kept it closed for over two months. Passengers flying into Roatan could then continue their flight to Tegucigalpa or La Ceiba using the local airlines. I know of several Hondurans that flew out of Roatan during the two months that San Pedro Sula was closed.
The Roatan Airport is the Gateway to the Bay Islands
Roatan Airport is a great gateway for all three of the Bay Islands. The Utila Dream ferry boat terminal is remarkably close to the airport. Once you have cleared immigration and customs, a 5-minute taxi drive will have you at the ferry terminal. The ferry departs daily at 2 pm for Utila, and the ride takes less that one hour. It is a comfortable passage, and you will get to see the southwestern coast of Roatan with many lovely homes along the waterfront.
There are also flights from Roatan airport to Guanaja on weekends, making it easy to fly from Roatan to Guanaja. Alternatively, you may fly to La Ceiba, where you will be able to get to Guanaja. Keep in mind that the Cangrejal River Valley is on the outskirts of La Ceiba. There, you will be able to visit Pico Bonito National Park, as well as Nombre de Dios National Park. The river is the border between both parks. In addition, there are many nature and adventure activities available there. These include white water rafting, as well as canyoneering. There are several great lodges in the Cangrejal River area, and you should consider spending at least a couple of days there. My favorite is La Villa de Soledad B&B. The area is the perfect compliment to diving in the Bay Islands.
February 21, 2022 @ 4:03 am
can I fly from roatan to utila
February 26, 2022 @ 4:39 pm
There are some private airplanes that you can hire, but the bulk of travel between the islands is now via the Utila Dream Ferry. You can consider flying from Utila to La Ceiba and then from La Ceiba to Roatan, but it will be expensive. Your best bet is the Utila Dream Ferry!
April 26, 2022 @ 7:29 pm
Hi John, I am going to be spending a few days in utila then flying out of Roatan. As I book my flight I am wondering a few things. What time does the Ferry from Utila arrive on Roatan and realistically how long to get to the airport? Also how long do I need at the airport for an international flight? Thank you in advance for any information!
April 27, 2022 @ 12:39 pm
Good morning Vail! I apologize for the delay in getting back to you! The Ferry from Utila departs the island bound for Roatan at aproximately 10:00 am. The ride is about one hour, and once in Roatan you are in Coxen Hole, about a 5 minute cab ride to the airport. Airlines usually request 3 hours before your scheduled departure. My experience is that they close the counter about one hour prior to the flight arriving, so I would recommend that you arrive no less that one and a half hours prior to your departure. Do keep in mind that if your flight is overbooked, showing up late could mean that they have considered you as a now show and used your seat. This is not likely in Roatan, unless you are traveling on a busy US holiday. Hope this information is useful! Thanks for following us!