By Plane -- While most tourists come from La Ceiba via ferry or flight, an increasing number of international travelers are flying directly into Roatán's Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport, sometimes called simply Roatán International Airport (RTB; tel. 504/2445-1088). It's 3km (1 3/4 miles) from Coxen Hole on the highway to French Harbour. Delta, American Airlines, and TACA fly here directly between points in the U.S. such as Houston, Newark, Atlanta, and Miami, as well as from San Salvador, El Salvador. If you are flying out of Roatán to an international destination, don't forget you will have to pay the $34 departure tax at the airport.
If you are flying to or from La Ceiba, Tegucigalpa, Utila, or San Pedro Sula, you are limited to domestic airlines. Isleña (tel. 504/2445-1918; www.flyislena.com), Aerolineas Sosa (tel. 504/2445-1154), LAHNSA (tel. 504/2445-0397; www.lanhsa.com), and CM Airlines (tel. 504/234-1886; www.cmairlines.com) all offer daily flights.
Bay Island Airways (tel. 504/2946-5665 in the U.S. or tel. 504/933-6077; www.bayislandairways.com) offers inter-island transport via small seaplanes from the West End, as well as real estate and 15-minute flyover tours. Prices range from L4,180 ($220) for two people to the Cayos Cochinos to L7,220 ($380) for two people to Guanaja. Roatán Air Services (tel. 504/2455-6879; www.roatanair.com), based in Coxen Hole, also runs charter flights to Guanaja, Utila, and the Cayos Cochinos in their 3-passenger Cessna 172 and a 6-passenger Aero Commander 560. Similarly, they'll run aerial photography and real estate tours (L3,040/$160 for 30 min. in the Cessna).
Most tourists will take a taxi from the airport, which should run under L290 ($25) to anywhere on the island. If you walk out of the airport to the highway, you can also catch one of the frequent microbuses or shared taxis (L20-L40/$1-$2 per person) that run during the day.
By Ferry -- Roatán's super ferry, the Galaxy Wave (tel. 504/2445-1798 or 504/2443-4630; www.safewaymaritime.com), zooms passengers from the ferry terminal at Dixon's Cove in Roatán to La Ceiba at 7am and 2pm, and returns at 9:30am and 4:30pm. The price is L524 ($28) each way, and the ferry has room for 360 people and offers A/C rooms, a sun deck, and a small snack shop. It looks like a monster compared to Utila's small ferry and is much more stable; however, folks with weak stomachs might end up feeling sick by the time they step off the ship, particularly during the choppier afternoon trips. From the ferry terminal, you can catch a taxi, rent a car, or catch a bus simply by walking out to the main road.
A catamaran service (tel. 504/3346-2600; vfine@hotmail.com; L1,100/$55) now operates daily for the 3 1/2-hour ride between Roatán and Utila. The 12m (39-ft.) Nina Elisabeth II departs East Harbour in Utila at 6:30am and returns from Roatán's West End at 1pm. Reservations are encouraged.
By Cruise Ship -- At last check, Royal Caribbean, Costa, Voyager, and Norwegian/NCL make port calls at Coxen Hole's Port of Roatán, while Carnival, Ryndam, Spirit, and Princess make port calls at Mahogany Bay.
West End
The West End can be reached by bus from Coxen Hole (L40/$2), a water taxi (L50/$3) from West Bay, or a regular taxi from anywhere on the island. There is a taxi stand near the entrance to the highway where a few cabs (L200/$10 to Coxen Hole) are usually waiting, though if you stick to the colectivo cabs, the ones with other people in them, the prices are 75% less.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
