RE/MAX Beach in Utila is pleased to announce: HGTV (Home and Garden Television), will be featuring Utila once again in a new episode of Caribbean Life that will air this Sunday, January 8 at 8:30pm Central time. The Episode is called ‘Homegrown Living on Utila’. Check out the episode description on the HGTV website and tune in on Sunday to watch a lovely family search for the Caribbean island home of their dreams!
Utila On International TV The Home and Garden Television Channel (HGTV) has made the official announcement: The new program: “Half Price Paradise”, will be premiering HGTV on January 1st 2015 at 1pm Local Time! Tune-in to see some of your favourite Utila scenes, establishments and people and watch as new residents go through the decision making process of leaving their lives behind in the USA and purchasing a home in and relocating to beautiful Utila! This episode was filmed in Utila in August 2014. The half-an-hour Episode all about Utila, will be shown on New Year’s Day at various venues around the island such as the Mango Inn Bar and Grill –ask around and reserve your seat!
Utila, Live! The first music festival of its kind to be held in Utila at Bando Beach on Saturday 13th from 3pm until the early hours of the morning. Deemed a ‘new concept for Live Music on the island’ by the organizers, due to the variety of different live performances from artists descending from different genres. The acts range from Classic Rock to Rap and Heavy Metal to Blues. There will also be a DJ spinning Rock, Indie, Punk, Metal, Hip Hop and Funk on vinyl to keep energy levels high and the dance floor buzzing late into the night. Line-up of Musicians: RONNIE HARRIS (Blues and Metal) NAUSEA (Hip Hop / Rap) ALEX RENAUD (Indie) THE BAREFOOT BAND (Classic Rock) SANTI (DJ) 18.000 WATTS PEAVEY SOUND + PSYCHO LASER SHOW with Laser Master RUDY When asked about why they decided to organize a festival of this kind on Utila, one of the event organizers, Ryan Rother (owner of Skid Row Bar and Restaurant), replied: “We did this out of a need for diversity in music. The late night parties almost always Read More
Utila’s Annual Billfish Tournament is Underway. The influx is fancy fishing boats moored along the docks in the bay are due to the kick-off of the Annual 2014 Utila International Billfish Tournament, hosted by Laguna Beach. The lucky winner will walk away with an $8,000 purse when they provide proof of the largest Billfish catch caught on video. This is a catch and release sport fishing tournament where the process of the catch needs to be caught on video from the time the fish is caught on the line until after it is pulled onto the boat for a visual inspection and verification of size and weight. It must then be released. Billfish are a species of pelagic fish that travel long distances migrating with the major ocean currents path for spawning and feeding grounds. Called ‘Billfish’, for the distinguishable spear like protrusion or ‘bill’, this extension of their bodies is used to slash at or stun prey. Billfish have often been considered trophy fish and commonly sought after in tournaments due to their strength, size and power. In the past these fish were legendary in their elusiveness and it took considerable skill (and luck), to find, hook and land Read More
Between August 18th and August 23rd 2014, the eighth annual Miss Honduras Universe contest will be hosted in Utila at the New Convention Centre across from the football stadium. This is the first time in History that a contest of this type and scale has been hosted in the Bay Islands. Utilas event representative Dra. Ana Muñoz explained that the island was chosen for the venue for the Miss Honduras Universe contest first and foremost because “the organizers of the pageant were really impressed by the Utila Organization ‘Fight Like A Girl’, and wanted to support it. They also visited Utila and immediately fell in love with the beauty of the island, the bohemian style and feel of the island and of course they liked the fact that it is safe”. There are 18 contestants in the pageant, one woman who is the representative for each of the 18 departments of Honduras. The actual pageant will be held just one evening on August 23rd, however, the contestants will be on the island for the week prior to the big night, lodging at the Laguna Beach Resort and participating in many of the different activities that Utila has to offer Read More
Sunjam 2014 is upon us and the warm up parties have been in full swing around the island of Utila with another party set to begin later today and going until tomorrow morning at Bando Beach. Sunjam is an annual techno music beach party held at Water Cay off of the South western tip of the main island of Utila. This year the 18th edition of Sunjam will held from dusk until well past dawn on August 2. Reserving the first weekend in August since 1996 Sunjam has become one of the most popular techno venues in Central America. Warm up parties are held at various locations around the main island of Utila and begin one week before the all-night party is scheduled to commence on Water Cay. Sunjam Beach Party Water Cay is an uninhabited and serene, privately owned 3 acre island, accessible by boat only. Complete with waving coconut and palm trees, whispering pine trees and home to many thousands of hermit crabs and a large sand bar. During the day, snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing are wonderful and relaxing activities to partake in at Water Cay. However, for one 24 hour period a year, this tranquil piece of Read More
Bringing a Pet from North America to Utila, Honduras “How to Ship Your Dog or Cat from Home to Utila” If you are moving to Honduras and want to bring your pet with you, the following is recently updated information (July, 2014) on bringing a pet to Utila from North America. The whole operation may seem a little daunting but if you are well prepared and have the required paperwork those who have done it say that it is actually fairly easy once you are on your way. Each airline has its own rules so be sure to double check with the airline you are flying with. The following information comes from the UNITED AIRLINES PET SAFE PROGRAM and from our friends Adam and Christine who recently moved to Utila from Edmonton Alberta Canada in April 2014 with their two dogs, Gertie and Jasmine. First of All: Make sure your pet is in good health and will be able to tolerate the stress of travelling. COSTS: Be prepared to pay as the total cost for our friends was about $600 for one dog travelling as cargo (from Edmonton Alberta, Canada to Utila). It is slightly less expensive to travel with your pet in Read More
Teaching a trade is an excellent way to give back to the youth and community of Utila in the Bay Islands, Honduras. Utila Bay Islands Trade School is providing that opportunity for instructors and students and creating a path to the future.
By Jennifer Orrange of Utila Guide In an effort to create positive information aimed at tourists arriving in Utila, a collaboration of Conservation organizations resulted in the creation of informative posters that were distributed to places of business throughout the island during the first week of June. The project, funded by the UCF (The Utila Conservation Fund) ,which is a partnership between the Utila Municipality, Coral Reef Alliance, BICA (Bay Islands Conservation Association), the Iguana Station and the WSORC (Whale Shark Oceanic and Research Center), was to design and distribute a method for providing positive advice on responsible tourism practices. The Utila project was inspired by the banners which greet visitors to the island of Roatan which inform people that they are entering a unique and special place and that they need to be aware of and responsible for their actions and their impact on the surrounding environment. The collaborative group (UCF), hopes that the Utila poster campaign will also generate a perception of ownership and create a sense of empowerment within the local community- by encouraging locals and residents to identify themselves as belonging to and coming from a protected area and instilling a passion to protect what Read More
Utopia is once again hosting a yoga, snorkeling, paddling and marine ecology week! Feb 8-15, 2014. Led by the talented team of Andi Shluker Ryon (who started Kayak Utila, Yoga Utila, and Paddle Utila) and long term Ashtanga yoga instructor Kim Johnson. Mention you saw it on Utila Guide and get at 10% discount!
Dunkin Donuts, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut Deliveries on Wednesdays to Utila!! Here is what you need to know: Orders and payment must be received by Tuesday afternoon 5 PM – No substitutions – No “custom” orders – All orders must be picked up at the airport upon flight arrival (no home deliveries). If you don’t pick it up, Capt will eat it:) Contact Captain Angelo of Island Air / Guanaja Air: <lagonia AT aol.com>, or cell 9558 8683. Options: Pizza Hut Large pizza (Grande) pan pizza or regular crust Cheese only OR Everything … 485 Lps. Kentucky Fried Chicken 1) 10 pieces with 1 side of mashed potatoes and gravy, 5 biscuits 510 Lps. 2) 14 pieces with 2 sides of mashed potatoes and gravy 6 biscuits 660 Lps. 3) 18 pieces with 2 sides of mashed potatoes and gravy, 8 biscuits 760 Lps. Dunkin Donuts 1 dozen assorted donuts 375 Lps. Rules are simple- 1. Payment must be received in advance 2. Orders and payment must be received by Tuesday afternoon 5 PM 3. No substitutions – No “custom” orders 4. All orders must be picked up at the airport Read More
Taking the Bus in Honduras to help get to and from Utila is an affordable, safe way to travel. There are 2 main options for bus types that you’ll want to look at- the local directo and the nice private busses, such as Hedman Alas and Viana Bus lines. June 2012: We just updated all our Honduras bus information at https://www.utilaguide.com/utilatravel/bus/, so you can find everything you need there!
Utila Carnival 2012 – July 16-22! Utila Carnival 2012 Utila Carnival (Carnaval de Utila) 2012 will take place July 16-22, 2012. The Carnival is a multiday event, starting with the election of the Carnival Queen and then continuing with beach and street parties throughout the island of Utila, including areas of Chepes Beach, Sandy Bay, The Point, and Cola Mico. Final grand celebration is Saturday, with the parade through town in the morning and big party on the beach in the evening. Make your plans now for a fun filled celebration week in Utila! ______________________________ Pre-Events Sunday June 17: Fundraiser and Election of Carnival Queen, Chepes Beach Sunday June 24: Utila Carnaval Fundraiser on Chepe’s Beach! Bring the family for a day at the beach. We will have bike, kayak, and three-legged Races, sand castle building contest, and more. There will be prices for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. And lot of foods and drinks [important]Sunday July 1st, 2012: Carnaval Fundraiser at the Big Football Game at the Concord Baseball field. Starts at 9:00 AM. Come bring the family out for fun day and help support the football game! The Carnaval will be selling food and drinks for the Read More
Utila Carnival 2012! July 16-22 Utila Carnival (Carnaval de Utila) 2012 will take place July 16-22, 2012. The Carnival is a multiday event, starting with the election of the Carnival Queen and then continuing with beach and street parties throughout the island of Utila, including areas of Chepes Beach, Sandy Bay, The Point, and Cola Mico. Final grand celebration is Saturday, with the parade through town in the morning and big party on the beach in the evening. Make your plans now for a fun filled celebration week in Utila! ______________________________ 2012 Carnaval Schedule: Monday July 17: Coronation of Carnaval queen Tuesday, July 18: Full Moon Party -Chepes Beach Wednesday, July 19: Sandy Bay Carnavalito Thursday, July 20: The Point Carnavalito Friday, July 21: The Cola Mico carnavalito Saturday, July 22: Carnival Parade, town center! Sunday, July 25: Party on the Beach _____________________________________________ More information: You can keep up with Carnival 2012 at: Carnaval 2012 FACEBOOK group page (thanks Shannette and Helga for organizing!), Our Utila Carnival Webpage or on the Utila Guide Facebook page! ___________________ Photos of past year’s Carnivals: School bands do an amazing job in the Utila carnival parade~Street scenes from Carnival (photo by Destination Utila)Carnival Festivities (Photo by Read More
Utila Dive Festival is Coming!!! Held on the island of Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras, Aug 18-25, 2012. Sponsored by PADI, with all the dive centers on island working together to create a fantastic week.
Yoga on Utila with Andi~ Thank you for a great Second Session of Yoga Classes on Utila! Classes continue this week, moving right into our 3rd Session, Feb 9th to March 2nd with guest instructor Jonathan Wolf.
To get to Utila, most people fly into Honduras via San Pedro Sula (SAP) or Roatan (RTB) and then take a local flight to Utila. If you are spending more time exploring Honduras, once you get to La Ceiba (LCE) you can then take the daily ferry to Utila.
BICA is asking for input on top 5 “constructions” (infrastructure changes) need in Utila to improve the community. By “constructions”, they are looking specifically for infrastructure. Infrastructure includes any public works construction projects, eg, built by the government for use by and/or to benefit the people.
Just a reminder that the Utila Princess Ferry does NOT operate on Christmas Day (Dec 25) or New Years Day (January 1), as those are holidays for its employees. They DO operate on Easter Sunday.
Need to get from Utila or Roatan to Belize? Catamaran s/v Expectations is leaving next weekd Dec 21 (Wed) or Dec 22 (Thurs) and will take crew for price of gas / food (about $50-75). We are planning to go! Email us at info@utilaguide.com if you are interested.