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.

Getting There

By Plane -- Just one airline, LAHNSA (tel. 504/9935-8832; www.lanhsa.com), currently make the 20-minute trip between Utila and La Ceiba or Roatán, with connections to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. Check with the airline for the latest schedules. Taxis, which cost L40 to L60 ($2-$3), await flights for the 10-minute trip to town.

By Ferry -- The Utila Princess II (tel. 504/2425-3390) makes the hour-long trip back and forth between the municipal pier Utila and the Muelle de Cabotaje dock in La Ceiba. The ferry departs Utila daily at 6:20am and 2pm, and returns to La Ceiba at 9:30am and 4pm. Ticket booths are located on both piers. The price is L425 ($23) each way. In 2009, a catamaran service (tel. 504/3346-2600; vfine@hotmail.com; L1,040/$55) began operating the 3 1/2-hour ride between Roatán's West End (departing at 1pm) and Utila's East Harbour (departing at 6:30am) on the 12m (39-ft.) Nina Elisabeth II.

Getting Around

There are just a few cars on Utila, let alone taxis. Considering almost everywhere is within walking distance or reached over water, the only time you will really need a taxi or a car is to get back and forth from the airport. Rented golf carts, scooters, and bicycles are the most common vehicle-assisted ways to get around the island. Visit Lance Bodden Rentals (tel. 504/2425-3245), behind BGA bank, to make arrangements. Discounts are given for long-term rentals.

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