Basic Utila packing question...

[Robertcrockett]

Is there any reason for me to pack toiletries...shampoo, etc...or am i correct in assuming that i can easily pick this up in Utila?

And do any of the locals have a laundry service?

Thanks

 

[H2Andy]

my father in law used to say, pack half the stuff you think you'll need and take twice as much money as you plan to

actually, he was more succinct: cut your stuff in half and double your money

 

[Robertcrockett]

Well ive never really had to pack for a month before and I must say...it seems like a pain in the @** so far!

 

[RTBDiver]

Well ive never really had to pack for a month before and I must say...it seems like a pain in the @** so far!

Really, Whats the big deal? some light shorts and shirts, couple pair of Teva type shoes, sorry I don't do crocs, toothbbrush and dive gear. Add either a laptop or at least an mp3 loaded up, some reading material and your almost set. As far as toiletries I would stick to what you would bring for an overnight or other short trip and unless you NEED a certain brand or flavor of something you can buy it there. People DO LIVE full time on Utila. Unless you don't plan on doing laundry it really isn't much different for a month than it is for a week.
Now i never stayed a month on Utila but have spent plenty on roatan and I am sure it is easier for some things but much of that revolves around more home based things like cooking meals, painting, building a pergola and all the good stuff that goes with ownership. I imagine you will find the cheap places to eat regularly and wont be playing chef too often.

 

[Robertcrockett]

Thanks RTB...Its not really the packing that is so bothersome but packing with last minute house cleaning, 4 kids trying to drive each other crazy, getting one to football practice, others to the ice rink blah blah... If packing for a month in the Bay Islands is as bad as it ever gets then i must say im a lucky man!

 

[Doc]

Thanks RTB...Its not really the packing that is so bothersome but packing with last minute house cleaning, 4 kids trying to drive each other crazy, getting one to football practice, others to the ice rink blah blah... If packing for a month in the Bay Islands is as bad as it ever gets then i must say im a lucky man!

What a nice motivation.

Normal everyday life supplies are available on Utila. Just don't get too picky about brand names.

My wife became quite enamored with Fabuloso now using it as her signature fragrance. I started using Azistin for a desert topping. Hondu-Way Home Sales Products

 

[RTBDiver]

I started using Azistin for a desert topping. Hondu-Way

I recall my first experience with green apple azistan, I was thrilled my wife had brought home some green apple juice concentrate.

 

[Damselfish]

I take it you're staying someplace that won't supply any of this stuff?

Personally, the last thing I want to do when I get to my destination is mess around finding a place to buy stuff like shampoo and toothpaste. That toothpaste is the first thing I'm going to want after a day of travel, then maybe a margarita.

It's just not that hard to get some travel sizes, or find small bottles and fill them with your stuff to carry on. Or if they're not too big, stick your regular bottles in a ziploc and just pack them. For a month I'd certainly grab a regular tube of toothpaste and whatever else you will use a lot of and stuck it in a ziploc.

 

[rob@diveinutila.com]

Utila has a decent supply of basic stuff. You'll find a small but relatively standard range of shampoos, etc in our main supermarket (Bush's). If you need or want anything specific or even a little harder than normal to get (i.e. not on the shelf of every store!) then you should bring that.

As for usual stuff there is no problems, we have good supply from the mainland. My girlfriend and me haven't need to go to the mainland for anything for the last 9 months. As for clothes, the laundries here generally will have you dry clothes ready for you in less than 24 hours.

Things you should focus on would be batteries for cameras, computers, strobes, etc - even if you can buy them here they won't be as good or last as long as those you bring with you. Any spare you may need for your dive gear especially if you have gear that is not Mares or ScubaPro. If you have your own dive light(s) then bring your spare bulb(s) if it isn't LED.

A back up timer or compute is always a sensible thing to bring with you as well if you can. You can pick up an adequate timer for a 1 month trip under $50 pretty much anywhere.

Finally, you will almost certainly need a lot less than you think. A few years ago I traveled for a year on a round the world dive trip. I packed a 40lb bag and didn't use half of it. I could have comfortably traveled for a year with 20 to 30lbs of clothes, cameras, books, toiletries, etc.

-rob

 

[ncchuck]

I lived in Utila for almost 4 months. You don't need much at all. Rob explained it all very well. There are several ladies on the island that will do your laundry for you and it's not too expensive. I wore a bathing suit and Tshirt about 90% of the time only changing to dry shorts at night. Don't forget, I've already warned you about getting Utila Fever and not wanting to come home.

If you are going to take any dive classes, get a release from your doctor at home and you'll save a trip to the local doctor which is cheap but time consuming.

Don't be surprised if you get a touch of diarrhea shortly after arriving. You can visit the doc or drug store for relief. They usually give you an antibiotic. Again, you might check with you local doctor and see if he'll give you something to take with you. Mine also provided a HEP shot since I was staying for some time.

I wanted to talk to my wife frequently so I traveled with a laptop and headphones so I could use Skype for phone calls. Cell phones and land lines are very expensive to use for calls to the US because of the way Honduras regulates or owns the companies. Your dive shop should provide you with Internet access.