Things to do in Utila
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Munchies
Located on the 1st floor of an island home built in 1864, this restaurant has a great Caribbean vibe, with pleasant outdoor seating on the front porch and at the back. The menu is a bit limited, but includes good vegetarian options and big breakfasts, which keeps it busy with travelers.
reviewed
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Alton’s Dive Center
Longtime local shop – ‘Alton’ is Alton Cooper, Utila’s mayor until 2010 – with good equipment and a laid-back atmosphere. Courses include four night’s accommodation – in little, basic, cold-water rooms right at the shop – and two fun dives. The service can be a bit hit and miss. It also offers NAUI courses.
reviewed
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Driftwood Café
A way’s west of the ferry dock, this ‘yachtie’ hangout has decent pub grub. Try the ‘Monkeyball, ’ made with home-crafted Kahlua and a few other secret ingredients.
reviewed
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RJ’s BBQ
Huge, cheap, well-prepared dishes attract a crowd here – it’s lucky for the other restaurants in town that RJ’s is only open three days a week. Choose from barbecued chicken, wahoo, kingfish, pork or beef, all of which are served with mashed potato and salad. The selections are written on a chalk board near the cash register, and erased one by one as the night wears on and the food runs out. Needless to say, come early. It’s across from Alton’s Dive Shop.
reviewed
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Cross Creek
Owned by the Utila Diver Center, Cross Creek is a bit more expensive, but has friendly multilingual staff and professional instruction. Breakfast and accommodation are included with an Open Water course, and the rooms are some of our favorites on the island. All guests can use the big, shared kitchen and lounge.
reviewed
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Whale Shark & Oceanic Research Center
Based out of the Bay Island College of Diving, the Whale Shark & Oceanic Research Center is one of the only programs in Honduras that is 100% dedicated to advanced whale shark research. Divers and snorkelers can participate in various whale shark programs, ranging from one-time shark-spotting trips (L$1026 per person without snorkel gear), to in-depth three- to six-day courses on theory, ecology and research methods, plus training in spear guns and whale identification. There are plans to offer internship and summer camp programs as well. Just visiting the WSORC office is fascinating, with its numerous displays about whale shark biology, identification, safe diving practi…
reviewed
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Central American Spanish School
Utila isn’t the most logical place in the world to take Spanish classes – most of the locals speak English – but all of the professors at the Central American Spanish School are native speakers from La Ceiba, and there are more and more mainland transplants working and living here. Homestays aren’t available yet, but with a little effort you should have no trouble finding people to practice your skills on. Classes are offered for all levels, usually one-on-one, four hours per day, five days per week. All books and materials are included, along with five hours of internet access per week, and the school can help arrange long-term lodging. It’s opposite Rubi’s Inn.…
reviewed
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Iguana Research & Breeding Station
A scientific center that is open to the public, the Iguana Research & Breeding Station is dedicated to studying, protecting and breeding the island’s endangered iguana, known locally as ‘swamper’ or ‘wishiwilly’. Overhunting of eggs and development on the island has led to the iguanas’ near demise. Visitors get a tour of the research station, learn about the species and see lots of wishiwillies. If you’re interested in volunteering, check the website for information.
reviewed
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Thompson’s Café Bakery
Don’t leave Utila without stopping here at least once to try the famous Johnny cakes – a doughy biscuit that is like manna from heaven when fresh from the oven and smeared with butter. For something heartier, have it with egg and ham: a Ferrari to the Egg McMuffin’s Pinto. Thompson’s opens early (and starts baking even earlier) so you can snag breakfast before an early dive. Good egg-and-bean breakfasts, fresh bread and cinnamon roles are also served.
reviewed
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Gunter’s Driftwood Gallery
The gallery and gift shop of Gunter Kordovsky – multimedia artist, accomplished diver, and Utila institution – is worth a stop. Most of Gunter’s art is made from materials he’s found on the beach or in the ocean – driftwood, shells, shark jaws – which are reworked and then shellacked to hell. Open every afternoon except Sunday; look for it near the Mango Inn.
reviewed
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Utila Dive Center
Utila’s first and biggest dive shop, UDC issued more Open Water certifications in 2004 than any other shop in the world. Groups can get big (up to 12 people) but there’s at least one staff member (whether instructor, assistant or divemaster) for every two students. Courses are more expensive, but include four nights at the Mango Inn and two fun dives.
reviewed
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Utila Water Sports
One of the few locally-owned shops, this operation also manages the Agressor and the high-end Laguna Beach Resort. It has excellent gear and a well-trained and well-supported staff. It offers both PADI and SSI certification. Open Water courses include three free nights in its clean and cozy dorms (some private rooms are available), plus four free fun dives.
reviewed
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Utila Snorkel Centre
Many dive shops will loan or rent snorkel gear to their students, some to non-students as well. Utila Snorkel Centre is a brand-new shop (next to Munchies) offering snorkeling day trips (L$450 per person) to Jack Neal Cove and Water Cay. It may also be able to arrange a day trip to Cayos Cochinos for L$1615 per person.
reviewed
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Café Mariposa
Housed in a canary- yellow building jutting out above the sea, the Mariposa has friendly service, yummy snacks and tremendous views. Don’t miss the pan-seared prawns accompanied with a freshly-mixed Piña Colada (after all, we’re in the tropics). You can save some duckets by going with the snacks and sandwiches.
reviewed
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Ecomarine Dive Shop
Low-key and unpretentious, with small classes and solid instruction. Located in a residential area a 10-minute walk west of the center, which can be a bummer or a blessing. The backpacker lodge across the street is free for students and L$40-100 for non-divers, and has a small shared kitchen and even smaller rooms.
reviewed
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Captain Morgan’s Dive Centre
Small operation with an office at the intersection, but its dive shop and lodging are on Jewel Cay (Upper Cay), a 20-minute boat ride from Utila. Three to four nights of lodging are included with your Open Water course in the clean and comfy lodge – a good bet if you want to get away from the Utila scene.
reviewed
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Bay Islands College of Diving
Well-established shop that appeals especially to nervous first-time divers. Its policy is to have only four divers per course or fun dive, but the shop’s popularity can stretch the staff thin at times. It offers discounts at nearby hotels.
reviewed
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La Piccola
This classy restaurant serves excellent homemade Italian food – and a few traveler favorites. Most of the pasta is made fresh by hand and served at tables with candles and tablecloths in a second-floor patio setting.
reviewed
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La Dolce Vita Pizzeria
In the courtyard of Mango Inn, this place serves great brick-oven pizza and decent seafood pastas, as well as breakfasts. It’s a good place to come for drinks, too, before Tranquila and Coco Loco get fired up.
reviewed
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Underwater Vision
Friendly, local shop founded by Jernigan Cooper, father of Mayor Cooper, and run by members of the family. Courses included four nights accommodation and two fun dives. Centrally located, but still low key.
reviewed
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Fish Burgers
On the east side of the bridge to Pigeon Cay, this waterfront eatery offers up – surprise, surprise – fish burgers. There are a few more options on the menu, but why would you even try.
reviewed
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Deep Blue Diving
This dive school offers free hostel stays for students (L$100 non-guests) in its clean, 3rd-floor digs across the street. There’s a shared kitchen and wi-fi. It’s across from Piccola.
reviewed
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L’Atelier
Drop the kids off for a few hours at L’Atelier with Argentinean artist-in-residence Patricia Suarez, who offers art classes for L$200 per hour. She teaches big kids, too.
reviewed
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Bar in the Bush
It’s popular, but this place can get rowdy. Lone travelers should take care at night, since the pathway to the bar is unlit. It’s past the Mango Inn.
reviewed
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Myrna’s Café
Down Jewel Cay on the north side of the main road, this hole in the wall serves baleadas, enchiladas and tajaditas at budget-busting prices.
reviewed
