Roatan Airport (RTB) - Central America Airports

Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport, known as Roatan Airport or Roatan International Airport, is a bustling hub on the Caribbean island of Roatan, Honduras. As the main gateway to this paradise destination, the airport is the primary entry and exit point for tourists and locals alike, with its convenient location and a healthy number of airlines operating flights to and from various destinations. Roatan Airport is one of the five international airports in Honduras.

The airport offers daily and weekly flights to Honduras mainland and several cities in the United States, Canada, El Salvador, and Belize.

Airport code

The IATA code RTB and the ICAO code MHRO identify the Roatan International Airport in Honduras. These codes are crucial for air traffic control, airlines, and passengers to recognize and navigate easily this airport.

Location

Roatan International Airport is located 1.8 miles from the city center of Coxen Hole, the largest city on the Island of Roatan, Honduras.

Airlines and destinations

American Airlines: with flights from Miami (MIA), Florida
Aviatsa: with flights from Tegucigalpa (TGU)
CM Airlines: with flights from Guatemala City (GUA), Belize City (BZE), San Pedro Sula (SAP), Tegucigalpa (TGU), Guanaja Island (GJA), Utila Island (UII), San Salvador (SAL)
Aerolineas Sosa: with flights from San Pedro Sula (SAP), Tegucigalpa (TGU), La Ceiba (LCE)
Delta Airlines: with flights from Atlanta (ATL)
LAHNSA: with flights from La Ceiba (LCE).
Sun Country Airlines: with flights from Minneapolis (MSP), Minnesota
Sun Wing: with flights from Toronto (YYZ)
Tag Airlines: with flights from San Pedro Sula (SAP), San Salvador (SAL)
Tropic Air: with flights from Belize City (BZE)
United Airlines: with flights from Houston (IAH), Dallas (DFW), and Denver (DEN)
Westjet: with flights from Toronto (YYZ)

Flight schedules to and from Roatán, mainly from Canada and the U.S., can experience seasonal changes influenced by weather, travel trends, and demand.

Facilities

Terminal information

The airport is a single building, making it easy to navigate.

Ground Transportation

Private vehicles, taxis, and resort-provided shuttles are the most common ways to move to and from Roatan Airport. There are no apps like Uber or Lyft in service on the island.

Taxis: serve mainly at the airport, waiting just outside the terminal building. Some use sedans and other vans; make sure what type of vehicles makes sense for your party and luggage size. Negotiate your rate before you get into the taxi.
Resort-provided: Some hotels provide either a complimentary or paid airport shuttle. If you don’t have a rental car or don’t want to get into a taxi, make sure you organize this in advance; they will wait for you at the arrivals area with a sign with your name.
Public transportation: the least used option for travelers, the least convenient, and not recommended; you will leave outside the airport premises and walk with your luggage to the terminal building.
Car rental: Several international, national, and local options offer car rental services. International and local services have their main offices around the airport, and the local ones can be arranged to deliver the car at the airport. International: Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Sixt, Alamo. National: Econo Rent a Car. Local: Ramirez Rent A Car, Roacar Rentals and Sales.

Shopping and duty-free

Souvenir shops: Selfie, Pixxan, The Island, Tabacos de Honduras

Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops

Coffee: Espresso Americano, Jazz Café (check-in area)
Bars: Larry & Luey’s Fly High Bar (checking area), Roatan Tequilla Ville (gate area)
Chocolate: Avenida Cacao

Internet access

There is internet access via wifi inside the terminal building.

VIP Lounges

There are no lounges available at the RTB airport.

Hotels

You can find the approximate distance and driving times to and from several hotels and resorts on the island. Please note that these distances and travel times are approximate and can vary based on traffic, road conditions, and the specific route. Always allow extra time and consult local sources or navigation tools for the most accurate information during your trip.

Banana Nut Beach Resort – 7 miles, 20-25 minutes
Blue Bahia Resort – 6 miles, 15-20 minutes
Caribe Tesoro – 7 miles, 20-25 minutes
Clarion Suites Roatan at Pineapple Villas – 5 miles, 15-20 minutes
Cocolobo – 8 miles, 20-25 minutes
Fantasy Island Beach Resort – 10 miles, 25-30 minutes
Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort – 7 miles, 20-25 minutes
Henry Morgan Resort – 5 miles, 15-20 minutes
Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort – 7 miles, 20-25 minutes
Las Verandas Hotel & Villas – 5 miles, 15-20 minutes
Lighthouse Estate – 9 miles, 25-30 minutes
Luna Beach Resort – 5 miles, 15-20 minutes
Mahogany Bay Resort – 3 miles, 10-15 minutes
Mayan Princess Beach & Dive Resort – 7 miles, 15-20 minutes
Mayoka Lodge – 8 miles, 20-25 minutes
Media Luna Resort & Spa – 13 miles, 30-40 minutes
Paya Bay Beach Resort – 19 miles, 40-50 minutes
Parrot Tree Beach Resort – 11 miles, 25-30 minutes
Pristine Bay Resort – 3 miles, 10-15 minutes
Sandy Bay Beach Resort – 6 miles, 15-20 minutes
Sueno Del Mar Resort – 7 miles, 20-25 minutes
Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort – 14 miles, 30-40 minutes
Upachaya Eco-Lodge & Wellness Resort – 7 miles, 20-25 minutes
West Bay Lodge and Spa – 8 miles, 20-25 minutes
West End Village Lodge – 7 miles, 15-20 minutes
Xbalanque Resort – 7 miles, 20-25 minutes

Arrivals

Honduras entry requirements

Passport or National Identification Document (NID): Citizens of Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador, through the Central American Agreement on Free Mobility or CA-4, can present either a National Identification Document (DNI) or a passport as an identification document. Passports should be valid for six months beyond your entry date.
Visa: The passport determines the visa requirements you are traveling with and the trip duration. Travelers from the United States, Canada, and most countries in the European Union do not require one to enter the country. Follow the Instituto Nacional de Migración guidelines.
Pre-check: All travelers entering or exiting Honduras must complete the immigration precheck form at https://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn. Travelers will receive a confirmation email, which they should print and carry. If you don’t present the document (either printed or digital) at the airline counter in your city of origin, you will not be allowed to check in. As of December 12th, 2023, the “Pre-Check” is no longer required for either nationals or foreign nationals to enter or exit the country, except citizens from Nicaragua who still need to fulfill the requirement using the form at https://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn.
COVID-19: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or pre-departure test is not required.
Yellow-fever vaccine: any national or foreign traveler who leaves the country or enters from countries at risk of yellow fever transmission. Follow the Instituto Nacional de Migración guidelines.
Customs declaration: when entering the country, you will be given a form known as “Baggage Declaration,” where you must declare any item indicated in the document. The items that can be entered into the country without having to be declared are quite similar to any other international destination, with items for personal use being accepted without problem in quantities that do not suggest that they are imported or exported for commercial purposes.

Departures

Check-in

It’s recommended to arrive at the airport in plenty of time before the flight, as there may be long lines and security checks to complete. For international flights, check-in time is often 2-3 hours before departure, while for domestic flights, it’s usually 1-2 hours before departure. Remember that check-in times may differ for different airlines, so it’s essential to check with your carrier to confirm the check-in time for your flight.

Honduras exit requirements

Passport: valid passport or valid travel document
Valid airline ticket and/or boarding pass
Entry and Exit for Minor Children:  In Honduras, all children born within its borders automatically gain Honduran citizenship. Consequently, they are required to obtain an exit permit from immigration authorities when leaving the country. Additionally, non-Honduran minor children residing in Honduras as regular residents may need to adhere to this regulation. The authorities rigorously enforce this rule.
Pre-Check: All travelers entering or exiting Honduras must complete the immigration precheck form at https://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn. Travelers will receive a confirmation email, which they should print and carry. As of December 12th, 2023, the “Pre-Check” is no longer required for either nationals or foreign nationals to enter or exit the country, except citizens from Nicaragua who still need to fulfill the requirement using the form at https://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn.

Sources: Instituto Nacional de Migración, Sherpa American Airlines

#COMUNICADO | A la comunidad nacional e internacional. 🛂#INM #Migración #Prechequeo #Honduras 🇭🇳 pic.twitter.com/kw5wT1SEG4
— Instituto Nacional de Migración HN (@MigracionHND) February 14, 2024

Roatan monthly average temperatures

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Roatan Island Located?

Roatan is an island located in the western Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Bay Islands, situated off the northern coast of Honduras in Central America.

Is the Roatan Airport open?

Yes, the Roatan Airport is operational.

Are there any Roatan travel restrictions?

There are no travel restrictions related to COVID or other type for visiting Roatan in Honduras.

Which airports fly directly to Roatan?

Direct flights to Roatan, Honduras, are available from various locations. You can catch daily non-stop flights from major hubs like Houston (United Airlines) and Miami (American Airlines). Additionally, flights from Dallas (American Airlines) and Atlanta (Delta Airlines) and via the Avianca Airlines hub in San Salvador (El Salvador) are available, offering connections to Roatan in less than an hour on daily flights. For those traveling from Canada, direct flights from Toronto or Montreal are provided by Sunwing or Transat Airways during winter, typically from late November through April. Roatan is also accessible from Belize City via Tropic Air, adding more options for travelers from Central America.

Technical information

Official Airport Name: Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport
Other unofficial airport names used: Roatan Airport, Roatan International Airport, RTB Airport
Airport Code: RTB
Location: Coxen Hole, Roatán, Honduras
Operator: S ervicio Aeropuertario Nacional (SAN)
Elevation: 18ft
Landing strip length: 2,089 meters (6,854 feet)
Runways: 07/25

Featured Image: Copyright Carlos Alberto Rubio Herrera Aviation Photo #7041699 | Airliners.net https://www.airliners.net/photo/-/-/7041699