TRANSPORTATION ROATAN TO UTILA
Replies: 11 - Last Post: Dec 19, 2012 3:36 PM Last Post By: igorw
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TRANSPORTATION ROATAN TO UTILA
First of all, I'll start by saying RIP Captain Vern. We never met, and I hadn't even contacted you yet to book your catamaran, but our prayers to your family and friends.What is another way to get to Utila from Roatan???!!
We would be leaving on a monday and coming back on Thursday.
How is the Roatan ferry and then switching to get to Utila. Is it safe? I know anything can happen on any given day in any given place on the earth, however, I don't want to put ourselves in a needlessly dangerous situation. does the timing allow for switching vessels without risk (barring some sort of extreme bad luck) and making it to Utila the same day?
Are there any small aircraft other than island air which runs only on Saturdays?
Sorry to repeat previous questions, but now that the catamaran is out, transport questions are fair game.
thanks
1
There are links to the airline options and the Roatán ferry schedule here and the Utila ferry schedule is here - I can't promise nothing has changed since those were posted but they'll be a starting point, anyway. The ferry schedules are staggered so you can go to La Ceiba and on to the other island in a day. I'm not sure if I'd think it was worth it with so few days, though - it will take you 2 days in transition for only 2 days on the island when you could have 4 days in some other area of Roatán without the added transit and expense. Just my 2 lempiras' worth...Have a great trip, whatever you decide!
2
In the last month I've had to make several trips from Utila to La Ceiba and back, every time I've done it the Roatan ferry either arrives before the Utila ferry, or vice versa. It should be easy to get off one and onto the other.I'm not sure what danger you are worried about though with making the trip - are you worried about the ferry terminal being dangerous?
4
thanks for your replies. I definitely agree that it isn't worth it to take the two ferries because of it's time consuming and we only have 3 days for Utila.I was worried about the ferry terminal being dangerous. However, now it won't be an issue.
I am a little worried about Roatan being dangerous in general, it's been getting a lot of bad press lately between the Canadian shot and killed in October and now the incident with Captain Vern.
5
laurenstefano....travel always involves some risk....heck, staying home involves risk.Roatan is a great island to visit. My wife and I were always comfortable on the island especially West End and West Bay. Just use good travel sense and you should not have a problem.
If Honduras makes you uncomfortable, look for a destination that will you are more comfortable with.
6
The Canadian was drunk in a port town which is rather dodgy at night, and he was mugged over his Iphone and things got out of hand, than happens everyday around the USA...Crime on Roatan is seldom and random against foreigners, and nighttime in a shitlhole town showing valuables is not too wise. 99% of tourist visit and have a great time. If that scares you then avoid all of Central America, most the USA, and go to Asia.
The islands are not like mainland, they are english speaking, heavy tourist influxes, cruiseships, and 100 dive shops catering to foreigners, I would be more worried about issues in most US Cities.
Edited by: SoloHobo
7
Hi, Thanks for your replies. I've been to Africa many times and have been robbed a couple, but still loved every minute of it. Because I spent most of my backpacking years in Africa and Asia, I was completely ignorant about central america (I've been to Belize and Costa Rica though). I knew that the Canadian had made a series of poor choices, however, the cold blooded murder of captain Vern so soon after that incident got me thinking that I'd made the wrong decision.Basically we are 4 couples renting a house for the new years, and I feel responsible because Roatan was my choice.
I just want to be able to relax and enjoy our holiday, and not feel like I have to look over my shoulder. I'm sure once we get there, if the atmosphere is happy and relaxed, I will relax too.
9
Laurenstefano - what did you end up deciding? My boyfriend and I are in a similar situation - we're heading to Roatan and were planning to take Vern's catamaran to get to Utila. Which day were you planning to make the trip?We're wondering if we should cancel the trip in light of all the safety concerns - just wondering what others think about it. We're seasoned travellers - have been all over South & Central America - but it seems Honduras is particularly bad lately.
10
Roatan is a "safe" place to visit. If you are seasoned travellers to Central America, why are you so concerned?But if you are uncomfortable with that destination....don't go!
11
Vanjan, Vern unfortunately is no longer around as he has been murdered. From what I hear from locals it was domestic issue, and had something to do with money and wife. These are just rumors, but the whole murder just doesn't sound right. They did catch the two who killed Vern.My and my partner, just got back from Honduras. We did about a week on mainland (Tegucigalpa, Marcala, Gracias, La Esperanza, Ruinas de Copan, SPS, La Ceiba), as well as couple of weeks on Utila. We stayed away from the large cities and only went there to catch flight or bus. We felt very safe in the small cities, and Utila was just great!
Stay smart, and alert. Only have enough cash on you which you can afford to loose, don't bring jewelery/watches/shiny things with you. These tips are good anywhere you travel.
