FAQs
Information below is taken from actual questions and responses, and also from existing websites on Utila, such as www.aboututila.com. In the process of gathering information, if we missed accurately crediting our source, please let us know, and we will include the site link.
Where is Utila and How Do I Get There? What Should I Expect of Utila? When is the Best Time to Visit Utila? Do I Need a Passport to Come to Utila? Do You Own All of These Properties? Why Should I Rent Through You; Won't I Get a Better Deal or Service Directly with the Owners? If I Want to Rent by the Week, Do I Have to do Certain Days? Are These Properties All on the Beach? How Far are the Properties from Town? Can I Walk There or do I Need a Car? Will the Rental Have Air-Conditioning? Do You Have Daily Maid Service? I Have Been to Utila Before -- Where Exactly are the Properties Located? Is Initial Transportation Provided to the Property? Do I Need to Bring Cash, or Will Credit Cards Work Well? What is the Crime Rate & How are Travelers Treated on Utila? Are the Outlets and Voltage the Same in Utila as 110 Volt American Style Receptacles? I've Heard the Bugs are Bad - Is That True and When Should I Come to be Able to Avoid Them? What Dive Shop do You Use? How Many People Go on Dive Boats? I'm Not a Diver - Is Snorkeling Available and Where? I Heard the Whale Sharks Come to Utila - Can You Give Me More Information?
Where is Utila and How Do I Get There? Utila is a small island community off the coast of Honduras. You can get here by plane or ferry, and the main access towns are from San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, or Roatan. For detailed information on travel and logistics, please see our link "Travel Planning". What Should I Expect of Utila? Utila is a great island, but keep in mind that it is a true Caribbean island off a third World Country; it is not a high end resort destination with the amentities you may expect to find in such locales (though there are two very nice all inclusive resorts here, for those people looking for that). Utila is really just coming into being a destination for more "upscale" travelers and still a bit rough around the edges, but learning a lot. If you need a destination that is "standard", Utila is not it. There are things that happen evey day that may not be usual where you come from or what one would expect, but that's also part of the charm. So as we tell guests, if you are looking for a place off the beaten track and what the old Caribbean used to be like, then Utila is a great match. You definitely need a sense of humor as things do happen; electricity stops, hot water goes out, the plumber may not feel like working that day. Although we are on call at all times to help work through any problems or issues, if you really want a place with no surprises and things laid out similar to what you would find in typical resort areas, then Utila may not be ready for you just yet, and you may want to look at the all inclusive resorts. We certainly don't want to turn away clients, but we also like to be very honest with people. If you understand what Utila is like, then you will most likely, as all of our past guests have, truly enjoy the island and your rental. When is the best time to visit Utila? (Information below for this question is from the owner of the Sandy Bay Beach House)
The answer to this question is not so simple and depends on several factors and personal preference regarding weather, climate, bugs, viewing whale sharks, etc. Here are a few things to think about when making your decision: The Rainy Season: Generally , the rainy season runs from late September through January. It may or may not rain during that time, but if you want to bet your odds on avoiding rain, we suggest coming at a different time.
Daytime temperatures don't change too much (see more information on temperatures at the bottom of this page), and usually hover in the mid 80’s Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) and fall to the high 60’s at night for most of the year. However, the rainy season can also limit visibility in the water to between 50 and 75 feet.
For more on weather and average rainfall, please see link with graphs at http://www.aboututila.com/TouristInfo/Weather.htm
Hurricane Season: (from http://www.aboututila.com/TouristInfo/Weather.htm) If there were to ever be a hurricane, though extremely rare, it would most likely come in the latter part of September through early November, even though the Atlantic hurricane season is officially from 1 June to 30 November. There is nothing magical in these dates, and hurricanes have occurred outside of these six months, but these dates have been selected to encompass over 97% of tropical activity.
The Atlantic basin shows a very peaked season from August through October, with 78% of the tropical storm days, 87% of the minor hurricane days, and 96% of the major hurricane days occurring then. Maximum activity is in early to mid September. Low Season: The rainy season and hurricane season together make up our "low season", which is generally considered to be Sept 1-Dec 15. The island is much slower during this time due to weather patterns as well as general patterns of many travellers (i.e, back to school, no holiday breaks for families, etc.). This is also why we typically give discounts during the low season. However, lots of folks actually like to travel during this time as they can get better flights, better room rates, and avoid any crowds during travel (not that we have too many here anyway!)
High Season: The island is usually busiest from Dec 15 to the end of April. Easter Week and Christmas week are especially busy, as is the first week of August, as we get lots of travellers from El Salvador during that week. May is generally a bit slower, and then June-August stays busy again. Water Temperatures: Whale Sharks: Even though the whale sharks are seen year round, planning your trip during the months of March/April/May and August/Sept/Oct will give the best chance to spot one.
If you don’t like bug bites, the bugs are are generally less during the steady summer trade winds that last from May to September. The windward side has, as expected, more wind. This can mean less bugs than the leeward side. In general, plan to wear lightweight long sleeves and lightweight pants at sunrise or sunset and/or use bug repellent and you should be fine. The units all have fans in them, so that keeps the bugs away while you sleep. Do I Need a Passport to Come To Utila? YES! To come to Utila, you will be entering Honduras, and to enter Honduras, you must have a valid passport. For USA Citizens: "A USA passport valid for at least 6 months from For Other Citizens: From what we understand, only a passport is needed for citizens of Canada, Italy, and Spain, however if you are from these or other countries, you should check with your nearest Honduran Consulate for specifics, as we do not keep up to date on travel requirements for all countries. Do you own all these properties?
Why should I rent through you; won’t I get a better deal or service directly with the owners? You will get the same price if you go directly through the owners – we have an excellent relationship with the property owners we work with, and they pass on the same off-season or longer stay discounts when applicable. By working with us, you get unbiased assistance as to which property will best fit your needs; we also assist you through the reservation and trip planning process, ensure you are met on your arrival to the island, give you a full orientation to the unit, and are on call 24 hours should any needs arise. We are a small operation, which means you will have personalized service, and we will do our best to ensure both the owners and the guests are happy, and things go as smooth as possible for all. If I want to rent by the week, am I limited to certain days?
Are these properties all on the beach?
How far are the properties from town? Can I walk there or do I need a car?
Most of our properties are located between .5 and 1.5 miles from the center of town. Most guests really like the fact that they are a quick trip into town, while still having the peace and quite of being just outside of it. We do have “The Boathouse” and "Mariposa Apartment" which are located right in town. For our other properties, we suggest at a minimum to rent bikes, and some people prefer golf carts or scooters. For more information on this, please take a look at our link “Vehicles and Transport During Your Stay”. For more information on where all of our properties are located in terms of the island itself, please see the link under “Rental Properties”. Will the rental have air-conditioning?
The Mariposa Apartment does not have air-conditioning, but does have ceiling fans as well as additional stand up fans. Do you have daily maid service?
Is initial transportation provided to the Property? As long as we have your arrival information, we will arrange for a taxi cab to meet you at the ferry dock or aiport to take you to the property, but you will pay the cab driver direclty. This will be about 100 lempiras ($5 USD) for 2 people, and larger groups will be a little more. We follow the cab to the property and give you an orientation upon check-in. We are also available for 24 hour on-island support. Do I need to bring cash, or will credit cards work well? Most of the businesses in Utila prefer cash, and many are not equipped to take credit cards. Those that do may have an extra surcharge. There are 3 ATMs on the island. It is better to come prepared with travelers checks and some cash, and use the ATM as a back-up (if its working!). You can use US dollars here, at a decent exchange rate (the bank is 18.89 lempiras to 1 dollar; businesses will offer between 18 and 19 lempiras depending on which is to their advantage). You can exchange travelers checks with “Archie”, who is just past the town center. You can also do cash advances on credit card; VISA is the one the banks accept. What is the crime rate & how are travelers treated on Utila? We don’t have exact statistics on crime on Utila, but basically it is very low. It is a small island, and crime like you have in other areas is just not here. It is safe to walk around at night, though of course, you need to be smart about it. There have been little to no problems with violence against tourists. Theft is always a possibility where ever you go, so you just need to be smart; don’t bring valuable jewelery etc. when travelling Central America, don’t walk around at 2 in the morning, etc. Travelers are treated well on Utila. We have many different cultures here and many travelers from all parts of the world. Are the outlets and voltage the same in Utila as 110 volt American style receptacles?
I’ve heard the bugs are bad – is that true and when should I come to be able to avoid them? The mosquitoes and sand flies can definitely be a part of life on Utila, and indeed on most islands. Mosquitoes aren’t nearly as bad along the shoreline as the forested or swampy areas of the island. Mosquitoes are generally worse in the late hurricane season of the fall and also the rainy season, which can extend into January. Time of day also plays an important factor for the sandflies, as they tend to be worse at sunset and sunrise. This should not deter you from coming to our great little island; and as one property owner put it, “Generally, if the sun or heat is out or the wind is blowing, the bugs are hiding. If not, then guests need to think ahead and be prepared” As the owner of the Sandy Bay Beach House writes: Utila is like any island in the Caribbean as far as little bugs that bite, an unfortunate fact of traveling in a warmer climate. At various times of the year, depending on the weather, mosquitoes and sand flies can be more than one might like. Most visitors will tell you that the sand flies, not the mosquitoes, are the biggest nuisance. It’s actually pretty simple; you’ll be bug free when there’s a breeze or if you’re enjoying the sun’s rays, but you need to develop some simple habits when the breeze stops or the sun goes down. The first tip is to make sure to use bug repellent; Deep Woods OFF works the best and baby oil is also reported to have success. Make sure not to leave the house without it if you might not be back by sunset. The next bug deterrent is to cover your skin by wearing light clothing out to dinner. Additionally, sleeping with a strong fan directed on you makes flying too turbulent for those pesky little bugs. Utila and the Bay Islands are the continuation of the second largest reef system in the world, the Great Western Barrier Reef, so it’s no surprise that the ocean takes center stage. The diving and snorkeling are superb, very accessible, and extremely inexpensive compared to other locations. With miles of pristine barrier reefs, beautiful coral and drop offs that go from 20 feet to over 3000 feet deep, as well as caves and wrecks, both beginners and advanced divers will enjoy crystal clear warm waters, over 400 species of fish and 70 types of coral and an endless array of dive sights. Utila is famous for being repeatedly voted the #1 “Best Value” in the Caribbean and highly ranked in just about every other category by popular dive magazines. Dive instructors from all over the world come here to be trained in Utila with more than a dozen dive shops to choose from. Fun dives cost about $20 per dive, gear included. If you don’t have your diving certification yet, you can get certified in 4 days for approximately $150-$220. Utila offers more than 10 full service dive shops, speaking multiple languages. (information from Sandy Bay Beach house). What dive shop do you use? How many people go on dive boats? All dive shops are located on the "main street" of Utila. We do not work with one shop over another, but rather suggest that you take an hour or two and go to a few shops and talk to them to find out the best match for you. Some have more of a ‘party atmosphere’, some are geared towards smaller groups, some focus more on classes, and some are geared more to the experienced diver. Ask questions (How many students will be in your class? How many students has the instructor certified before you?), look at the facilities and gear, and don’t be shy, and you will find the shop best for you. There are really no shops to avoid, our guests have dived at all of them. The amount of people on the boats will of course vary by shop. Some shops focus on large groups, some on small. For more information on diving click on the link, “Scuba diving and activities”. I’m not a diver - Is snorkeling available and where? If you are not a diver, you can still take advantage of the great snorkeling around. Many of the dive sites begin at 15 feet, thus making it easy for snorkelers to enjoy the natural splendors of the underwater world. There are sites all along the island, and you can actually see the dive buoys from the properties. The southern, leeward side of the island boasts miles of reefs lining the shores. There are some great spots that are shore accessible, as the reef here is often only 100 feet from shore, and the wall drops rapidly to moderate depths below. There's actually a nice wall snorkel just off shore on the south side, near the homes of Blue Bayou Beach Houses, The Round House and Oyster Lagoon Houses, and the Sandy Bay Beach Houses. This side of the island has more of a nice sandy bay entry. On the east end (the Windward side), there are multiple spur and groove snorkeling and diving sites in front of Paradise Regained House and apartment that are a quick swim from the front of the unit. As you continue around the island, there is also nice, but shallower snorkeling at patch reefs in front of Sea Breeze Beach House. Paradise Cove, with the Utila Coral Bungalow, Paradise Cove Villa and apartment and Paradise Cove Bungalow, offers a nice protected shallow cove. You can take a boat to some different sites, either through a dive shop, or rent your own with a Captain for about $35-45 per day per boat. We can help you with that as it gets closer, and also assist you in specifics with the above sites.
As described on the aboututila.com site: Utila is famous for divers encountering the whale shark which migrates through the waters of Utila. The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea, with the "official" world record size, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, is 12.65m (41ft 6in). In reality, the most common size seen in the waters surrounding Utila is between approximately 6m and 10m (20ft and 33ft), weighing around 15 - 20 tons. This slow moving animal is harmless towards humans, as it eats plankton.
To have a chance to see these magnificent creatures, and perhaps even have an opportunity for an “in-water” encounter, talk to one of the many dive shops, or you can also organize a specific tour to try to find the whale sharks with one of the smaller boats and your private Captain ; we can assist you with that when you are on-island. See also above, "When is the best time to come to Utila?" (Information and graph below is from http://www.aboututila.com/TouristInfo/Weather.htm) Utila generally has great weather associated with the tropics: Average Utila Annual Temperatures The average annual temperature is 85 °F (29 °C), and ranges from the upper 80's during the Summer months and the low 80's during the Winter months (November - February). The occasional cold front sweeps through the island, generally 3-4 times a year, dropping the temperature into the high 60's (18-20°C) for a few days. Humidity is high for most of the year round, but is most noticeable during the summer months, especially May through to September. For a current weather forecast on neighboring Roatan, click here.
Average Utila sunshine hours and rainfall The average yearly rain fall is 100 inches (254 cm), creating a lush green tropical island paradise all year round.
The Utila "rainy season" begins around October and usually lasts through until January, with the highest rainfall levels averaging just over 600 mm (approx 24 inches) in December down to under 100 mm (less than 4 inches) over the summer months. For a graph of the average monthly rainfall from 2004, click here: http://www.aboututila.com/TouristInfo/Weather.htm
Sea Surface Temperature The off-shore sea temperatures surrounding the tropical island of Utila normally vary between 27°C - 31°C (81°F - 88°F), providing a very pleasant all year-round swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving environment.
3.5mm shorty wetsuits are recommended for scuba divers, but often, especially during the summer months, wetsuits are not necessary, even with long dive bottom times. Basically you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in – Utila is definitely not a dressy place. Please do bring: -Flashlight if you will be biking or walking at night -Mosquito repellent (which you can also buy here easily, but might want it when arrive) -Light rain jacket -Personal toiletries. -Reef shoes (tevas, booties, thin water socks, etc.) -Snorkeling gear - You can rent snorkeling equipment at the dive shops in town, but many guests prefer to bring their own. -Don’t forget your passports for travel! If you are coming from countries other than USA, please also to consult travel requirements (USA travelers just need a passport that is valid for at least six months from arrival date.) |
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