Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Roatán airport is about 3 km from Coxen Hole, the island's capital, on the road to French Harbour: there is no regular public bus, so the transfer is made by taxi, with fairly fixed fares depending on the area (15-20 dollars for West End, 20-25 for West Bay) or with collective taxis that follow the main road for a few dollars per person. West End is almost always the better choice for anyone who wants the village for diving and evening life within walking distance, about 20 minutes from the terminal; the more isolated diving resorts, at Sandy Bay or off French Harbour, remain the right choice for those travelling mainly for the coral reefs and not looking for bars or restaurants outside the resort.

West End

Neighbourhood · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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 in this area

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.
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).

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Sandy Bay

Nearby town · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

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

Recommended hotels in this area

Anthony's Key Resort: Historic diving resort in Sandy Bay, on a small private cay linked to the mainland by boat; among the closest to the airport of the island's large resorts.

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Off French Harbour

Nearby town · 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.

Pros

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

Cons

No independent shop or restaurant nearby: meals are only at the resort
French Harbour itself is a fishing village, not an evening destination

Recommended hotels in this area

Barefoot Cay Resort: Boutique resort on a private islet between Brick Bay and French Harbour, reachable by a water taxi that runs round the clock; airport transfer included.

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