How to Get to Roatan Honduras by Air, Land & Sea

Planning a trip to the Bay Islands, but not sure how to get to Roatan? Keep reading to learn every transportation option: by air, land, and sea.

Picture yourself soaking up the sun on a white-sand beach. Vibrant coral reefs, home to hundreds of species of Caribbean marine life, are only steps away. You’re surrounded by lush tropical scenery, your tan is coming along nicely and you’re sipping on a freshly made piña colada. If you’re screaming “hell yes – sign me up!” by now, the first step towards this idyllic experience is learning how to get to Roatan.

Roatan, in the Honduran Bay Islands, is an enchanting and lesser-known island paradise situated 40 miles off the coast of Honduras. With its captivating beauty, affordable living and abundance of fantastic scuba diving sites, it’s no wonder that Roatan has become a sought-after destination for travelers from all over the globe.

Before you can immerse yourself in this tropical haven and start sippin’ on that piña colada, you’ll first need to know how to get to Roatan. In this blog post, we’ll delve into various transportation options for reaching this island paradise, whether you’re starting off on mainland Honduras, the United States, Europe or anywhere in between.

So grab a cup of coffee (or a beer – I don’t judge) and keep reading to answer the question “how do you get to Roatan?”

Where to Fly to Get to Roatan Honduras

You’ll find that flying is the most convenient and popular way to get to Roatan Honduras. The Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB) in Coxen Hole is currently the only airport serving the island, and it welcomes both domestic and international flights.

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey into Roatan, I recommend that you research and book your flights well in advance. When booking flights to any destination, make sure to pay attention to the following factors:

• Make sure there is no “change of airport” or, if there is, that you have suitable time to change airports before your connecting flight.
• Pay attention to layover time and make sure you have enough time to make your connection – especially if you’re connecting through a major international airport. On the flip side, make sure you don’t have any crazy-long layovers (unless you’re utilizing that budget-friendly tactic on purpose).
• If budget is an issue, consider visiting Roatan during the off-season (October-January) for better flight deals.

How to Get to Roatan from Other Parts of Honduras

How to Get to Roatan from San Pedro Sula

If you’re not sure how to get to Roatan from San Pedro Sula, you’re in the right place. Getting to Roatan from San Pedro, is relatively straightforward, with two primary options available: by air and by ferry.

1. Flying: The most convenient and fastest way to reach Roatan from San Pedro Sula is by air. CM Airlines offers daily flights between Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) in San Pedro Sula and Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB) in Roatan. Flights typically only take around 40 minutes. I would definitely recommend booking in advance to grab the best prices!
2. Ferry: If you prefer traveling by sea, you can take a ferry to Roatan from La Ceiba, which is located about 120 miles from San Pedro Sula. To get to La Ceiba, you can either rent a car, take a direct shuttle service, or travel by public bus from the Metropolitan Grand Central bus terminal in San Pedro. The bus station is inside a shopping mall and is perfectly safe, however, the territory is ripe for pickpockets so keep an eye on your belongings. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours (but usually longer on the bus). Once in La Ceiba, you can board the Galaxy Wave Ferry, which offers two daily trips to Roatan with a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Availability and pricing varies by season and weather conditions, so it’s smart to book in advance.

I’ll be honest with you, if you’re starting from San Pedro Sula, taking the ferry is a pain in the ass. Unless the flights are ridiculously expensive – which, in all likelihood, would only happen during Semana Santa – I would recommend flying.

How to Get to Roatan from Tegucigulpa

Reaching Roatan from Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras, is relatively simple. Unless you want an unbelievably difficult travel day – flying is your only real option.

Domestic airlines such as CM Airlines and SOSA operate regular flights between Toncontín International Airport (TGU) in Tegucigalpa and Roatan (RTB). The flight duration is approximately one hour, making it the quickest travel option between these two destinations.

While there isn’t a direct ferry route from Tegucigalpa to Roatan, you could still travel by road to La Ceiba and take the Galaxy Wave Ferry. However, this option is considerably more time-consuming and less convenient than flying. Not to mention it’s probably the more expensive option in the end (or at least comparable).

How to Get to Roatan from La Ceiba

If you’re wondering how to get to Roatan, La Ceiba is the easiest gateway to the island from mainland Honduras.

The most convenient option for getting to Roatan from La Ceiba is by the frequently aforementioned Galaxy Wave Ferry (unless seasickness is an issue).

Flying is another option – CM Airlines offers daily flights between Golosón International Airport (LCE) in La Ceiba and Roatan (RTB). Since these flights only take about 20 minutes, they’re also an excellent transit option.

How to Get to Roatan from Utila

The Utila Dream Ferry is the fastest and most convenient option for getting from Utila to Roatan. The ferry operates daily trips and closes the 30 mile gap between Utila and Roatan in around one hour. It varies by season, but you can expect ferry tickets to cost around 800 HNL or 30 USD. (When figuring out how to get from Roatan to Utila, it’s the same directions in reverse!)

Although the ferry ride between Roatan and Utila is usually smoother than the ride between Roatan and La Ceiba, it’s smart to pack an anti-nausea medication anyway if you’re prone to seasickness. No one wants to throw up their Salva Vidas on the Utila Dream Ferry.

You can technically also fly to Roatan from Utila’s airport (UII), but the only flights in operation are private or semi-private. This blog isn’t written for people that bougie, but if I’m wrong – call me out in the comments 😜

Getting to Roatan from Central America

For travelers visiting Roatan from another country in Central America, regional airlines like CM Airlines and TAG offer flights from cities like Guatemala City, San Salvador and Belize City. Keep in mind that, in all likelihood, there will be some inconvenient layovers.

How to Get to Roatan From Guatemala

Reaching Roatan from Guatemala requires some planning and preparation due to the frustrating lack of direct transportation options.

The most common way to get to Roatan from Guatemala is by flying to San Pedro Sula and then taking a domestic flight or ferry to the island (as discussed earlier in this post). Regional airlines, like Avianca and CM, operate daily flights from Guatemala City La Aurora International Airport (GUA) to San Pedro Sula (SAP).

You can also book a flight from Guatemala City to Roatan, but you’ll have a layover in San Pedro anyway and probably end up spending twice as much.

You can also travel by bus from Guatemala City to La Ceiba in Honduras, a journey that takes around 12 hours, and then hop on the Galaxy Wave Ferry. But let’s be honest, that sounds like a hellish travel day.

How to Get to Roatan From Belize

When traveling from Belize to Roatan, flying is by far the easiest option.

Tropic Air, TAG and CM airlines all operate flights between Belize City’s Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) and Roatan (RTB). Flight duration is approximately 1 hour (for direct flights), with multiple flight options available every day.

Although it is possible to get from Belize to Roatan by ferry, there are no direct options. You’ll need to take two ferries – with a couple taxis and buses mixed in between.

My advice? Shell out the extra $100, take the direct flight and save yourself 24 hours of travel time.

Getting to Roatan Honduras from the United States

If you’re wondering how to get to Roatan from the United States, the answer is by plane. Sorry – no ferries are available for this trek. You can either fly directly into Roatan or purchase a round-trip flight into San Pedro Sula + another round-trip flight to Roatan from SAP.

We’ll explore both options below.

Flying Directly into Roatan

Flying to Roatan from the U.S. is the easiest option by a landslide. Not only will you not have to perfectly time out the schedules of two completely separate flights (on different airlines), but you will save yourself 12-24 hours of travel time and don’t have to worry (as much) about someone misplacing your luggage.

American Airlines operates direct flights from Dallas and Miami to Roatan, while United Airlines offers direct flights from Houston. Alternatively, Delta Airlines’ direct Roatan flights will take you through Atlanta. Various other airlines offer connecting flights from major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago through their hub airports. Flight duration typically ranges between 2-5 hours for direct flights.

Sun Country now offers direct flights to Roatan through Minneapolis that only take 4 hours! Not only is this route insanely convenient for anyone visiting Roatan from the midwest, it also tends to be cheaper than AA, UA or Delta flight options. Keep in mind – the Sun Country flight has only operated during the Roatan high season in recent years.

Through Mainland Honduras

This is the trickier, but oftentimes cheaper, route into Roatan from the U.S.

Major airlines like American, United and Delta offer both direct and indirect flights from major U.S. hub airports into San Pedro Sula. You can even find cheap options into SAP on Spirit Airlines…if you want to go the affordable…but very uncomfortable route (I hate it every time – yet I keep doing it).

Once in San Pedro Sula, you can easily grab a domestic flight to Roatan Honduras or hop on a bus to La Ceiba and take the Galaxy Wave Ferry into Coxen Hole. The only issue with this route to Roatan – besides the inconvenience – is that you have to book two completely separate flights. If your U.S. flight is delayed (knock on wood) and you miss your Roatan connection, neither airline will reimburse you.

Getting to Roatan from Canada

Like the U.S., the best way to get to Roatan from Canada is by booking a flight on one of the many airlines that fly to Roatan. If flights are too expensive or inconvenient, Roatan travelers arriving from Canada can also take the indirect route through San Pedro Sula.

By Flying into Roatan 

Flying into Roatan from a major Canadian city, like Toronto (YTZ) or Montreal (YUL), is the easiest route from Canada to Roatan. United and American offer the most frequent and convenient fights to Roatan from Canada, but be sure to browse your options using the buttons below. Roatan is an up-and-coming destination, so new routes are being added all the time!

Through Mainland Honduras

Flights from Canada to San Pedro Sula are often much cheaper and faster (with less layovers) than flights from Canada to Roatan. However, with the added difficulty of getting to Roatan from the mainland, it still might not be your best choice. You can find flights to SAP from major Canadian airports like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. From there, you’ll need to make your way to Roatan by domestic flight or bus + ferry.

If you’re wondering how to get from San Pedro Sula to Roatan – see the above information. 

Getting to Roatan from Europe

Flying to Roatan Honduras from Europe requires at least one stopover in either North or South America. Travelers can choose from several airlines, including American Airlines, Iberia, Aeroméxico, Avianca and AirEuropa.

Most flights from Europe have a layover in Madrid Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), and a second layover in San Pedro Sula. After that, you’ll be connected on a domestic flight to Roatan. If budget is an issue, you might be better off searching flights to Roatan Honduras or San Pedro from Madrid, and traveling to Madrid independently before your travel date. 

Cruise Ships Coming into Roatan

Arriving in Roatan by cruise ship is a popular choice among travelers, since the island is a favorite stop among popular Caribbean cruise lines like Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages.

The island has two main cruise ports, Port of Roatan and Mahogany Bay Cruise Center, both of which are located on the southwestern coast of the island.

Once you’ve arrived, a wide range of activities and excursions await you, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, zip-lining, chocolate tasting, and plain old relaxing on the beach! Roatan is the ultimate Caribbean cruise destination, and by making plans beforehand, travelers can easily make the most of their one day in Roatan as cruise passengers.

Why Should I Visit Roatan?

Let me first answer that question with another question.

Would you like to drink tropical cocktails at a luxurious Roatan resort while enjoying a breathtaking sunset over the ocean? Does scuba diving the best sites on the Mesoamerican Reef sound like your idea of heaven? Can you see yourself dancing to Reggaeton into the wee hours of the morning under a blanket of Caribbean stars?

Oops 🙊 I guess that was more than one question.

Either way – my point is clear. Why would you NOT visit Roatan? No matter if you’re seeking adventure, culture or relaxation, a vacation to Roatan promises a captivating experience filled with unforgettable moments.

See? Look how pretty it is!👇🏼

Visas, Vaccinations & Passport Requirements for Honduras

Unfortunately, answering the question how to get to Roatan includes some boring information about visas, vaccinations, and passport requirements. All travelers entering Honduras are required to fill out a Honduras immigration precheck form prior to arrival. As of January 2024, there is one requirement for entry. There is no longer any requirements surrounding COVID tests or vaccination cards.

1. One precheck form per person, either digital or printed.

The easiest way to fill out the required forms is through the Prechequeo Migratorio app, otherwise, you can create an account on the National Institute of Migration of Honduras website. If you’re having trouble filling out the forms, consult this helpful PDF guide to precheck.

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Final Thoughts

If you started out wondering how to get to Roatan, hopefully this blog post has solved all your confusion. In 2023, reaching Roatan has never been easier. There are multiple transportation options available to Roatan from every corner of the world. Whether you prefer flying, taking a ferry or arriving by cruise ship – there’s a perfect option to fit your preferences and budget.

Enjoy it – a trip to Roatan Honduras is the trip of a lifetime.

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