Landing at RTB
Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (IATA code RTB) sits just outside Coxen Hole, Roatán's capital. From the airport it's roughly a 20–30 minute drive to West Bay or West End, and shorter to French Harbour and points east — but taxis on the island aren't metered, so fares are negotiated up front and can add up fast if you're moving around a lot.
Why rent a car on Roatán
Roatán runs about 48 km end to end, and its best-known spots — West Bay's beach, West End's dive shops and restaurants, Punta Gorda's Garifuna community, French Harbour — are all strung along the coast road rather than clustered in one place. A rental car (or scooter) is the difference between seeing one beach and seeing the island.
Popular stops around the island
- West Bay — the island's most photographed beach, calm water and easy reef access.
- West End — a walkable strip of dive shops, bars, and restaurants right on the water.
- Gumbalimba Park & Carambola Gardens — wildlife and botanical stops between the airport and West Bay.
- Punta Gorda — one of the oldest Garifuna settlements in Honduras, on the island's north side.
- French Harbour & Oak Ridge — working fishing towns with a different pace than the West End tourist strip.
Good to know
For international flights, plan to arrive at the airport 2.5–3 hours early; for domestic connections, 1.5–2 hours is usually enough. Our counter is a short walk from arrivals, so you can be on the road well before a taxi would even reach your hotel.