Cross Creek Dive Center

LITTLE JOKE OF THE SEA
La pequeña Utila

Utila is located off the cost of Honduras. Every traveler by air or land will have to go through the costal town of La Ceiba. Its the last easy step to ones day of traveling to fly over to Utila or enjoy the 15 miles crossing by sea.

Utila is a different world to mainland Honduras because of the 300 year British influence on the Bay Islands. The island is mostly uninhabited except for the small fishing village of East Harbour with a population of 6000. The main language on the island is English whereas mainland Honduras speaks Spanish. Historically Utila was largely a fishing and agrarian community. Its claim to fame is that Henry Morgan's treasure is buried somewhere on the Island.

The beaches are found west of town toward Blue Bayou. At Blue Bayou you can swing in a hammock, relax and enjoy the beach with a good book or snorkel on the reef just offshore. The Utila Cayes are just short boat trip away where you will find 11 palm studded islands surrounded by white sandy beaches.

Utila has only one main road lined with gingerbread houses in lively colored pastels. The village looks like it came from 1950. The locals are friendly and happy and love to welcome new visitors to their island.

There are a number of services available including a telephone/fax office at Hondutel. Email and internet access services found at the Mango Tree Internet Cafe or Howell's Internet Cafe. Banking can be done at one of the two banks on the island, where cash advances, money exchange, and exchange of travel cheques can be processed.

There is an official business lunch break (siesta) from 11:30am-1:30pm. Electrical power is provided by a new independent company called 'UPCO' that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a great improvement since 2003 where previously town power was unreliable and operated only from 6am to 12am.

There is a municipal government building found next to the ferry dock that can administer all visa and passport documents. A large well equipped clinic is located on the island as well as a dive injury trauma and recompression chamber facility.

BY SEA

Ferry MV Utila Princess
Schedule effective from 1st April 2007:

Monday - Sunday

Depart Utila for La Ceiba: 6:20 / 14:00
Depart La Ceiba for Utila: 9:30 / 16:00

Fares:

Adults: 300 Lempira (approx $US 16 one-way)
Children: (6-12) : Travel 1/2 price if accompanied by an adult
Children: (-6) : Travel free if accompanied by an adult.

(1): Prices as at 1-Apr-2007, subject to change
with increasing fuel prices
(2): Fare includes transportation of 2 pieces of luggage
in the hold, and carry-on cabin luggage.
Additional luggage may be subject to cargo charges.

Utila: (504) 425 3390 La Ceiba: (504) 956 5463

BY AIR

International flights:

The Honduran international airports are:

-San Pedro Sula with direct flights from Miami, Houston, L.A.
-Tegucigalpa with direct flights from Miami, Houston, L.A.
-Roatan with direct flights from Miami, Houston.

Airlines flying to these airports:

-LACSA AIRLINES: 1-800/535-8780
-TACA AIRLINES: 1-800/535-8780
-IBERIA: 504/332-7760
-AERO CARIBE: 504/668-7309
-CONTINENTAL AIRLINES: 1-800/525-0280

National Flights Schedule:

Atlantic Airlines: Phone: 504/425-3241

-LA CEIBA to UTILA: 7:30AM and 3:30PM
-SAN PEDRO SULA to UTILA: 1:50PM
-TEGUCIGALPA to LACEIBA-UTILA: 2:15PM

Sosa Airlines: Phone: 504/425-3161

-LA CEIBA to UTILA: 6.00AM and 3:30PM
-SAN PEDRO SULA to UTILA: 2:00PM
-TEGUCIGALPA to LA CEIBA-UTILA: 2:00PM

Islena Airlines: Phone: 504/425-3368

-LA CEIBA to UTILA: 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM
-SAN PEDRO SULA to UTILA: 8:50 AM and 3:00 PM
-TEGUCIGALPA to LA CEIBA-UTILA: 3:00 PM

Concept, Photos, Illustrations & Design by Txuma Vazquez
Cross Creek Image by Yamil.