Travel Information

Roatán is served by several airlines, primarily through its main airport, Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport (RTB).

Diving For Life 2026 • Oct. 3-10, 2026 • Mayan Princess, Roatan

Overview

Roatán is an island in the Caribbean, about 65 kilometres (40 mi) off the northern coast of Hondura. The largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, it is located between the islands of Utila and Guanaja. It is approximately 59 kilometres (37 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities: Jose Santos Guardiola in the east and Roatán, including the Cayos Cochinos in the west. The island was formerly known in English as Ruatan and Rattan.

Roatán is a coral island. Situated atop an exposed ancient coral reef, it rises to about 270 m (890 ft) above sea level. The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a 15-meter-wide channel through the mangrove forest. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. There is a bay on the western side of the island called West Bay.

Most of the infrastructure is on the western half of the island. The most populous town of the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. West of Coxen Hole are the settlements of Gravel Bay, Flowers Bay and Keyhole Bay on the south coast, and Sandy Bay, West End and West Bay on the north coast. To the east of Coxen Hole are several cays, including Jesse Arch Cay, Sarah Cay, and Second Cay. Further to the east are the settlements of Mount Pleasant, French Harbour, French Cay, First Bight, Parrot Tree, Jonesville and Oakridge on the south coast, and Punta Gorda on the north coast.

Roatán

  • Location: Located off the eastern coast of Honduras
  • Official Language: Spanish
  • Commonly Spoken: English

Currency

  • Honduran Lempira (0.038/USD)
  • USD accepted
  • Cash is king!

Best Time to Visit

  • October sees temperatures ranging from 24 to 30°C (75-86°F).  It’s a great month for hiking, diving, and attending local celebrations and events.

Getting There

  • Airport: Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport (RTB)

  • Transportation:  Ferry from service is also available from Utila island or La Ceiba (mainland Honduras)

Activities

  • Outdoor Activities:  Snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, bird watching, botanical gardens, zip-lining are all popular.

Food and Drink

  • Cuisine:  Local cuisine focuses on Caribbean flavors and local seafood, including conch which is very popular.  Try it with fried plantains or a traditional tamale!.  Rum is the drink of choice, and there are local distilleries that offer tours and tastings.

Safety

  • General Safety: Roatan is considered safe for tourists, but basic precautions are advised, such as securing valuable and being aware of your surroundings.

Health

  • Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are required, but routine vaccinations are recommended.
  • Health Care:  Limited; ensure you have travel insurance. Nearest decompression chamber is located on the island at Anthony’s Key Resort.

Time Zone

  • Time Zone: Central Standard Time.

This information should help you plan a great trip to Roatan!

Getting to Roatan

Roatán can be reached by any of a variety of direct international flights. The airport on Roatan, the Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport (code RTB), receives flights throughout the year from both domestic and international airlines.  To fly to Roatan directly from the U.S:

  • American Airlines out of Dallas or Miami
  • Delta Airlines out of Atlanta
  • United Airlines out of Houston
  • Avianca Airlines via their hub of San Salvador airport (in El Salvador); from there you can fly to Roatan in less than an hour on daily flights.

To fly to Roatán from Canada:

  • Sunwing or Transat Airways from Toronto or Montreal

To fly to Roatán from other points in Central America (outside of Honduras):

  • Tropic Air direct from Belize City
  • Avianca Airlines coming from San Salvador

Domestic Flights to Roatán

  • Local flights are available to Roatan from Honduras’ airports in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Copan, and La Ceiba. The domestic airlines are Isleña, Lanhsa, CM Airlines, and SOSA.

Ferry

Galaxy Wave Ferry from the coastal city of La Ceiba twice daily.  There is also a ferry service from the Bay Island of Utila.

It's a good idea to check directly with the airlines or a travel website for the most current schedules and routes, as they can vary seasonally.

Email jamboree@divingforlife.org with questions.