Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport serves Roatán, the largest of Honduras's Bay Islands, a famous destination for diving on the Mesoamerican barrier reef, the world's second largest.
It is the main access point to West Bay and West End beaches, among the most appreciated in the Caribbean.
How to get to Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to RTB
Parking near Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport
A small parking area is situated opposite the terminal building.
Parking here is generally inexpensive.
How to get to Coxen Hole from RTB
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport
Major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring the island independently.
Required documents are driver's license, passport, and credit card.
Hotels near Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport
West End
About 12-13 km from the airport, 20 minutes by taxi (15-20 dollars); a water taxi links West End to West Bay every day from 9:00 to 21:00 for about 3 dollars.
Best for: Travellers who want the village of bars, dive shops and restaurants within walking distance, accepting a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport.
- Bars, restaurants and dive shops within walking distance along the village's only road
- An inexpensive water taxi to reach the West Bay beach without taking a taxi by road
- No public bus: every trip to the airport or Coxen Hole requires a taxi arranged in advance
- On weekends the village stays lively until late, not ideal for anyone seeking quiet
Recommended hotels
- Brisas Del Mar Beach + Dive Resort In the Half Moon Bay area, a few steps from the centre of West End: 4 minutes' walk from the beach and 5 from the Roatán Marine Park, with an in-house dive shop. View availability
- Cocolobo Resort Also in Half Moon Bay, a minute's drive from the beach and about 15 minutes from West Bay; paid airport shuttle on request (30 dollars per room, one way). View availability
Sandy Bay
About 9 km from the airport, 15-23 minutes by car on the coastal road towards West End.
Best for: Travellers who travel mainly for diving and prefer a self-sufficient resort between the airport and West End.
- Closer to the airport than West End or West Bay, handy for anyone with an early flight
- Resorts designed for diving, with dolphin pools and reef access directly from the property
- Outside the resort there is no village to walk around in the evening
- For independent bars and restaurants a taxi to West End is still needed
Off French Harbour
About 5 miles from the airport to French Harbour; from there the resort's water taxi takes you to the private islet in a few minutes, included in the organised transfers.
Best for: Travellers looking for a private, isolated resort, reachable only by boat, far from the traffic of the main road.
- A private 4-acre cay, reachable only by boat: real isolation compared to the main tourist areas
- Transfer from the airport organised directly by the resort, with no need to negotiate a taxi
- No independent shop or restaurant nearby: meals are only at the resort
- French Harbour itself is a fishing village, not an evening destination
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is adequately sized for the strong tourist traffic from both charter and scheduled flights to the island.
International flight passengers should allow 2.5–3 hours margin.
Map of Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is West End or West Bay the better base in Roatán?
West Bay has the most famous beach and upscale resorts; West End offers a more casual, budget-friendly atmosphere, very popular among divers.
Q. How much does a taxi from the airport to West Bay cost?
The official counter rate is 30 USD, though actual prices can vary between 29-40 USD depending on negotiation.
Q. Is Roatán a good diving destination?
Yes, it's one of the Caribbean's most famous diving destinations thanks to the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest in the world after Australia's.
Q. Is there a cheaper transport option than taxi?
Yes, shared 'collectivo' vans (around 5 USD per person), though you need to know where to find them, unlike taxis available right at the exit.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
