Logistics · Destination Guide
Warm walls, easy wrecks, and shallow reefs on Honduras's Bay Islands hub
Updated Nov 21, 2025 • 9 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most visitors fly into Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport (RTB) on Roatan. There are direct or connecting flights from Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, and seasonal Canadian routes, plus domestic connections via San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa. Schedules change often, so confirm routes before booking.
If you are already in Honduras or nearby, high speed ferries link La Ceiba and Roatan in about 1.5 hours, generally twice daily each way. Shuttles and buses connect La Ceiba to other mainland cities, so a bus plus ferry combo can be a cheaper alternative to flying.
Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport
RTB • MHRO
12 km • 20 km drive to West End or West Bay
Small island airport near Coxen Hole handling international and domestic flights. You clear immigration, customs, and bags in a compact terminal and exit directly to taxis and shuttles. Saturdays in high season can be busy as dive groups rotate.
Transport: Pre-booked hotel or dive shop shuttles, White taxis outside arrivals (private or colectivo), Car rentals with desks or delivery at the terminal
Roatan transport is mostly taxis, colectivos, local buses or vans, rental cars, and water taxis. White taxis with black and yellow numbers work as private rides or colectivos on fixed routes. Agree on fares first; rides from the port or airport to West End often run around USD $15 to $25.
Water taxis shuttle between West End and West Bay for roughly USD $3 to $5 per person by day. Local buses and colectivos are cheap but can be crowded and irregular. Rental cars give freedom to explore the east but roads are narrow, potholed, and often dark at night, so drive cautiously and favor taxis or shuttles after dark.
Many visitors from North America and Europe enter Honduras visa free for up to about 90 days under CA-4 rules, but requirements vary by passport. You need at least six months of validity and may be asked for proof of onward travel and lodging.
Honduras uses online customs and immigration forms on some routes; airlines may ask you to complete them and carry a QR or printout. An international departure tax of around USD $48 is usually included in tickets. Hotels and many tourism services add 15% sales tax plus a 4% tourism tax, so expect roughly 19% on top of base rates. Always confirm current rules with your airline and official advisories.
Dive and freedive centers provide tanks, weights, boats, and full rental gear. If fit matters, bring your own mask, fins, and computer, plus regulators and BCD if baggage allows. Some airlines treat Roatan routes like beach charters with strict weight limits, so check allowances and oversize fees.
Spearguns, pole spears, and Hawaiian slings are broadly banned in the Bay Islands National Marine Park except for licensed lionfish control under Roatan Marine Park programs. If you want to help with lionfish, sort gear and permits locally. Keep DAN or other dive insurance details printed or saved and consider tipping or donating to the hyperbaric clinic through your operator.
Honduran Lempira (HNL) with widespread USD use (HNL)
Lempira is the official currency, but USD is common in tourism areas. West End, West Bay, and dive shops often quote in USD; supermarkets and local spots lean to lempira. US notes must be clean and untorn. Carry a mix of small USD and lempira for tips, taxis, and smaller places.
ATMs sit at the airport, in Coxen Hole, French Harbour, and around West End and West Bay. Machines can run out of cash or reject some cards, so do not wait until the last minute to withdraw. The east end has few ATMs, so top up before long trips. Resorts may offer limited cash advances with fees.
110V • 60Hz • A, B
Roatan uses US style voltage and plugs. North American visitors usually need no adapter. Many European plugs require a simple A or B adapter. Some buildings have a mix of outlets and older wiring, so a small power strip and basic surge protector are handy.
Communications
Coverage is strongest around West End, West Bay, Sandy Bay, Coxen Hole, and French Harbour and weaker toward the east. Tigo and Claro are the main carriers and many Central America eSIMs roam here. Most hotels and dive shops have Wi Fi, but speeds can drop when everyone streams, so download maps and key documents offline.
Language
Spanish is official, but many locals on Roatan speak Caribbean English first and are bilingual. You will hear English, Spanish, and Garifuna, especially around Punta Gorda. English only travelers manage fine in tourism zones, but simple Spanish greetings and phrases are appreciated.
Insurance
Because Honduras carries higher level travel advisories and Roatan's medical capacity is limited, comprehensive travel insurance with medical and evacuation is strongly recommended. Divers and freedivers should also carry DAN or similar dive accident cover, checking depth limits, wreck and shark dive coverage, and pre existing condition clauses.
Packing list
Bring light, breathable clothes, a wide brim hat, and plenty of reef safe sunscreen. Add a thin rain jacket, sarong or quick dry towel, and insect repellent for evenings and mangrove trips. A 3 mm suit suits most divers year round. Bring booties plus your own mask and computer if you are picky. A small dry bag, spare chargers, and a copy of passports and insurance details complete a solid kit.
