Puerto Lempira Airport (PEU)

Puerto Lempira Airport (PEU) is the primary aviation gateway to the Gracias a Dios department in eastern Honduras, situated within the remote La Mosquitia region on the shores of the Caratasca Lagoon. The airport operates from a single, basic passenger terminal designed to facilitate essential domestic travel and humanitarian missions for the surrounding indigenous communities. Since there are no paved road links connecting the region to the national highway system, the airport acts as a critical infrastructure lifeline for the transport of mail, medical supplies, and residents.

The terminal infrastructure is extremely modest and focused on essential transit services, providing a functional waiting area and simple check-in counters for regional carriers like CM Airlines and AeroCaribe de Honduras. While the facility lacks modern commercial amenities such as retail shops, restaurants, or currency exchange desks, its central location within the town allows travelers to easily access local services. Processing times are typically fast, but travelers are strongly encouraged to carry sufficient local currency (HNL) and bring their own refreshments, as on-site utilities are limited.

Operationally, the airport features a single 4,921-foot (1,500m) unpaved dirt and gravel runway (09/27) and functions strictly during daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Ground transportation to the various districts of Puerto Lempira is informal, with visitors typically utilizing local 'mototaxis' (tuk-tuks) or small pickup trucks for the short commute to the town center or the main boat docks. Due to the unpaved surface, flight operations can occasionally be delayed or suspended during periods of heavy tropical rainfall common in this coastal lowland region.