Orientation
The crescent-shaped East Harbour on the eastern end of Utila is where 90% of the population of the island lives. The municipal pier marks the center of town, and Main Street, the main road on the island, runs perpendicular about a kilometer in each direction. To the left is Sandy Bay, and to the right is a small peninsula that ends at the bridge that connects to Bando Beach. With a few exceptions, almost all hotels and tourist amenities can be found within a kilometer of the pier. Another road, Cola de Mico/Monkey Tail Road, branches off Main Street up over Pumpkin Hill, eventually leading to the airport and the north side of the island.
Visitor Information
There are two banks in East Harbour, both conveniently within a hummingbird's flight of the pier. Both Banco BGA (tel. 504/2425-4117) and Banco Atlántida (tel. 504/2425-3374) exchange traveler's checks and have an ATM. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm and Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30am. Mango Tree House, on Main Street just to the left from the pier, is the island's most reliable Internet cafe and can also make international phone calls. Hondutel, beside the Bay Island College of Diving, also has phones for international calls.
Sun Jam Festival
For 1 weekend night every August for the past decade, partygoers from around Honduras have descended upon the tiny 1.2-hectare (3-acre) island of Water Cay off Utila for this raucous festival. Local fishermen wait at Utila's pier to transport attendees to the festival, where top DJs from around the region pump electronic music to a lively and often intoxicated crowd. The crowd is limited to 1,500, so buy your tickets (L760/$40) a few weeks in advance. For info, visit www.sunjamutila.com.
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.
