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Can I Take My Pet to Roatan?
By Ryan Bernal
You can bring your pet to Roatan! Taking your dog, cat, bird, or
other pet to Roatan includes:
• Flying on a pet-friendly airline
• Getting a health certificate
• Arriving at the airport and making it through customs.
Airlines that Fly to Roatan with Pets
Most airlines will fly your pets to Roatan, but you will need to book
early and pay a fee. Delta, Continental, and American Airlines allow
pets on international flights and will fly your pet to Honduras including
San Pedro Sula and Roatan—$100 each way. Grupo Taca does not
fly pets.
Delta, Continental, and American Airlines allow small pets to fly
in-cabin if it can fit comfortably in a carrier underneath the seat
in front of you. However, each airline has a maximum number of in-cabin
pets allowed per flight; booking early is suggested.
Flying bigger pets requires the pet to fly as cargo. Restrictions
for flying a pet as cargo include outside temperature the day of the
flight and appropriate kennel accommodations. Check with your airline
of choice for detailed requirements.
Local airlines in Honduras—Islena, Atlantic, and Sosa—all
fly pets within Honduras, including from San Pedro Sula to Roatan.
Each airline charges a different amount (ranging from a flat-fee to
a per-pound charge) and have different restrictions. The ferry from
La Ceiba also allows pets aboard their vessels if you choose to arrive
in Roatan by boat.
Getting a Health Certificate for Roatan
A recent health certificate from your veterinarian (no older than
ten days) is required for each pet entering Honduras and for check-in
at the airport. As a precaution you can also have your vet fill out
a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) form and have it
authenticated by a local Department of Agriculture office: $45. An
even further precaution is to take the USDA authenticated form to
a local Honduran Consulate for their authentication: $30. However,
most times a ten-day recent health certificate will suffice accompanied
by vaccination (including rabies) records.
The forms should be available at your local veterinarian or on the
USDA website.
Pets Arriving in Honduras
Pets can fly into most airports in Honduras including Roatan International
(RTB) and San Pedro-La Mesa International (SAP). Upon arrival with
your pet you will go through immigration, but then be directed to
the Honduran Department of Agriculture office (found in or near customs).
There, the office staff will call for a veterinarian to come and inspect
your pets.
You will have to wait for the veterinarian to arrive and if he or
she is unavailable at the time you will be asked to come back at a
later date and permitted to leave the airport. When your pet is inspected
by the veterinarian you will be charged $50 and will need to show
the health certificate and vaccination records.
Summary for Bringing Your Pet to Roatan
Flying your pet or pets to Roatan is easily done with the right steps
executed. Most people who bring their pet to Roatan experience no
problems. On the island there are veterinary services, grooming services,
and pet foods for sale to accommodate your pet.
This article is current as of May 2006.
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