help with travel specifics Tampa to Utila

[Scuba-Jay]

Alright guys well I'm booking my flights this week and although Ive received some suggestions i could use a few more regarding the specifics.

option #1
Fly from Tampa to Houston via domestic airline - Houston to San Pedro via TACA, then catch a local charter to La Cieba, then the ferry to Utila

option #2 drive to Miami from tampa, catch a flight with TACA direct to La Cieba, then the ferry or a charter to Utila

option #3 use the first part of either of the above equations, this time fly to Roatan and then catch a ride (either charter or ferry) over to Utila

A couple things to keep in mind. This isn't a short trip for me. I plan on being out there for a number of months (maybe for good) so I'll have more baggage than your regular vacationer (a couple sets of dive gear, clothes and personal crap)

I'm on a budget (I dont know what that budget is, but its tight)

I'd rather not get caught out looking for hostels to stay during the transit where I might get my gear stolen.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm mega stoked that this is finally happening. Utila, Utila Dive Center and Andy, here I come!!!!!!

Jay

 

[ZenDiva]

ok first thing your allowed 2 suitcases which cannot weight over 70 lbs and a carry on of up to 40 lbs

when I go for more then 2 weeks I mail stuff down there ahead of time, but you'd have to do that now this week, it generally takes 2 weeks but th ere has been one or two times when it took 6 weeks....

southwest is running a special, you could prob get a really cheap flight right now to miami rather then driving 6 hours btw....

carry your dive gear w/ you....obviously, any computer equipment....if you mail down clothes, don't mark it as used clothes...(used clothes need some form of health inspection but I didn't have a problem when I did this)

 

[beautybelow]

Taca is down to two bags fifty pounds each. Make sure you go to their website and check on the new regulations before you show up at an airport with a ton of stuff. Have you checked out Jackson Shipping? They go direct from Tampa to Roatan every two weeks or so. They are cheap cheap for shipping things to Roatan, then the ferrys to Utila isnt that costly. You may even consider taking the boat to Roatan with your stuff, especially if pets are involved. Look them up on the internet and call them there in Tampa.

 

[tedj01]

Looked at Jackson shipping and found tramp steamer passenger option (link:http://www.jacksonshipping.com/Jackson@5Cdata@5CJS_TR2.pdf) page 3.

 

[Scuba-Jay]

thanks for the info folks...dropping off my dog in Houston tomorrow. Sad day )=

 

[undefined]

So what's the word on Jackson Shipping? One of the DM's that we dive with took them down to Roatan in January. Took 5 days from FL to Roatan. He didn't say how much it cost - anyone know for sure?

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Iv'e emailed them. hope to hear tomorrow.

Jay

 

[beautybelow]

Jackson would certainly be your best bet if you wanted to take your dog from Tampa. I have shipped with them, but never taken the boat. From what I hear you pretty much pay a flat rate and can take whatever you can fit in your little "stateroom". The boat arrives in French Harbor not far from the new Ferry dock. From there, depending on what time you got in you could at least get straight to La Ceiba where the ferry to Utila runs. If you got in early in the day you could make it to Utila that day.

 

[Guy Carrier]

Can anyone confirm that there is still no direct commercial ferry that runs from Roatan to Utila and back? Some of these posts have confused me on that topic. I understand there is a scheduled commercial flight from Roatan to Utila and back but only on Saturdays? Can anyone confirm this within the known variance of all travel in Honduras?

Thanks,

Guy

Guy

 

[UTLgirl]

There is currently no direct Ferry from Roatan to Utila. You take the Galexy to La Ceiba, then switch to the Princess that brings you into Utila.

Atlantic Air does run a 'direct' flight to Utila on Saturdays from Roatan. By Direct I mean it may go to La Ceiba to offload some passengers before coming to Utila. Just depends on how many passengers are for which destination as to which airport they go to first.

There's also Roatan Air, which is a charter service. Theye have an Aztec & a Cessna, which might be a beter option if you're bringing a lot of stuff, as you can charter the Cessna to yourself for a reasonable amount & have extra luggage space over regular airlines.