Where IS Utila?
Utila is one of the 3 Bay Islands, off the Northwestern coast of Honduras, in Central America. It is in the Western Caribbean, also known as the Gulf of Honduras. Of the 3 Bay Islands, Utila is the smallest, and also the closest to the mainland of Honduras, about 18km to La Ceiba. Below are some basic questions and answers about traveling to Utila. The pages that follow go into more detail about how to get here and start your island adventure!
Do I Need a Passport to Come To Utila?
YES! To come to Utila, you will be entering the country of Honduras, and to enter Honduras, you must have a valid passport. USA and Canadian Citizens should ensure their passport is valid for at least 6 months longer from the date of entry into Honduras. A visa is not required for USA or Canadian Citizens.
Some travelers have recently told us of issues they had trying to board their flights on a one-way ticket. Best to have proof of onward travel to avoid this stress at the airport.
When is the Best time to Visit Utila?
The answer to this question is not so simple, and depends on several factors and personal preference, as well as what is most important to you as far as weather, prices, 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 and often into the beginning of February. That said, that doesn’t mean its going to rain the whole time from September to February, but if you want to bet your odds on avoiding rain, we suggest coming at a different time. Dive boats run year round, and rain doesn’t slow them down (unless accompanied by high winds-which is rare). As long as its calm out, the rain doesn’t significantly affect visibility unless its been raining very heavy, or for multiple days, when it can affect visibility.
Whale Sharks:
Even though the whale sharks have been 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 during your stay.
Bugs
The bugs are generally less prevalent during the steady summer trade winds season that last from May to September. See more on bugs under Frequently Asked Questions
Temperature:
Daytime temperatures really only vary by a few degrees through the year, and usually range in the mid 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round (about 27-30 degrees Celsius). Nighttime temperatures are a few degrees cooler than daytime, and in the winter average in the low 70’s F and in the summer in the low 80’s F. The hottest months of the year are generally summer months (May-ish to September-ish) when temperatures can reach low 90 degrees Fahrenheit (over 30 degrees Celsius).
Hurricane-Watch Season:
Hurricanes are very rare in the Bay Islands. However, just for reference, the official hurricane season in the Atlantic is from June 1 to Nov 30, when over 90% of hurricane activity throughout ALL the Atlantic occurs. The Bay Islands are generally considered “below” the hurricane belt, and folks consider our hurricane-watch season to be much shorter, from the middle of September through the beginning of November, with the majority of storm activity in September and October.
Low Season:
Not surprisingly, the rainy season and hurricane-watch season together make up our “low season”, which is generally considered to be Sept 1-Dec 15. The island sees a dip in tourism during this time, primarily due to these weather patterns, but also due to general patterns of many travelers (i.e, kids back to school, no holiday breaks for families, etc.). The upside of this is that there are often discounts offered during this time. Lots of folks actually like to travel during this low season as they can get better flights, better room rates, and avoid any crowds during travel (not that we have too many here on the island specifically!)
Getting to Utila
Getting to Utila takes a little more effort than some other destinations in Central America and the Caribbean. It is probably due to this fact that people who get here, tend to stay longer than they initially planned and also why Utila has remained pretty much the same in terms of landscape, infrastructure and culture for decades.
Most people find traveling to Utila quite easy. Just remember you are traveling to a small island that is off the beaten path a bit- Getting here is all part of it! Keep your passport and wallet on you, your medications, a change of clothes, your swimsuit and something warm and you should be ready for anything!
The following pages spell out how to get to Utila from various points around the world and within Honduras and the Bay Islands.
Once you arrive in Utila the only transportation you will really need are your own two feet!