Utila and Roatan, pretty much share the same climate (but not necessarily the same weather) which varies depending upon wind direction and mountains. It can be raining in Roatan and have clear sunny skies in Utila (or vice-versa). I've known it to be raining for days on end in La Ceiba (18 miles from Utila) and yet not a drop falls from the sunny skies over Utila. In Roatan, it can be raining and windy on the East side of the Island and yet sunny and calm on the West.
For details on the climate in Utila during October check Utila's
Weather & Climate page on
AboutUtila.com. In October you are entering the traditional start of the rainy season - this is true of both Roatan and Utila. Although in Utila, the 2004 rainy season didn't get started until November.
With regard to diving the reefs of Roatan and Utila, they are very similar. It all depends upon the dive site you end up at. Utila has over 60 Dive Sites (see Utila
Dive Site Map for details). As a general rule, the further you are away from habitated areas, the more pristine and spectacular the dive sites tend to be. Utila has an advantage over Roatan in this regard since the North Side of Utila is uninhabited, whereas the population of Roatan is spread pretty much all around it's shores, albeit more sparsely at the Northern End. (The population of Roatan is about 10 times that of Utila).
Roatan is also far more tourist-orientated, with an international airport receiving direct flight from the USA, air-conditioned airport, baggage carousels, airport shopping, etc (Utila's airport is a tarmac landing stip with no buildings, unless you count the tin shack with no walls at the gate to the runway). Roatan receives a large number of Cruise Ships and is set up to cater for these. Utila has no cruise ships and the vast majority of tourists by far are 18-30 year olds back-packing around central america or post-mid-graduated university students taking 3-6 months off from the rat race to learn to dive and become Divemasters.
Since you don't indicate your budget, accomodation preferences, or intended length of stay, I can't really provide a specific accomodations recommendation. I suggest you check out AboutUtila.com's
Hotels & Accommodation''s web page which provides listings on a range of accommodations from Resorts, Houses for Rent, Apartments, Rooms for Rent, with prices starting from as little as $US 2.00 per night (for dormitory style), up to $US 2,600 per week (for luxury private homes). Details of both the Mango Inn (not manga inn) and Laguna Beach Resort (not Luna beach) are shown in these listings.
Laguna Beach Resort is one of the 4 operations in Utila offering all-inclusive package vacations - (air-fare, meals & accommodations, diving). (Soon to be 5 with the Utila Aggressor live-aboard due to start operations in September 2005).
Night Life in Utila pretty much centres around three or four bars, Tranquila, Coco Locos, Bundu Cafe, Treetanic, Pelican Bar. Each Bar has a sliohtly different character. Tranqulia and Coco Loco's are probably the most popular. During October you will probably need to plan your evening dining a little, because it will be "mid season" and not every restaurant is open on every night. I've yet to provide opening hour details on all the
bar's and restaurants in Utila, but they are listed in the back pages of the local monthly newspaper, the
Utila East Wind, the current edition of which can be down-loaded from the
www.AboutUtila.com web site.
If you're not diving in Utila here is a list of other things you could do;
- Sunbathing either at Chepes Beach (west end of town) or Bando Beach (east end of town)
- Snorkelling (you can hire fins and a snorkel at several places on the island - best/most accessible snorkelling - off the old airport/airport caves - and anywhere further along Chepes Beach)
- Jetski's - hire at Chepes Beach - Fri-Sun
- Para Sailing - hire at Chepes Beach - Fri-Sun
- Horseback riding - (there are two stables in Utila)
- Rock Wall Climbing - (down near Utila Dive Centre)
- Sea Kayak - (rent from most dive shops - Gunter's is probably the most convenient - kayak along the south shore or (for the more adventurous - through the lower lagoons, up the old canal and over to Rock Harbor on the north side)
- Mini-Submarine - $250.00 for 2 people - 1hr excursion (45 mins underwater) - this is very new and I'm not sure it it's actually started commercial operations yet.
- Fishing - either Flat fishing - bone fish, tarpon, etc, or deep sea fishing (available from local fisherman and Utila Lodge)
- Water Taxi to Utila Cays and or Water Cay - Water Cay is the definitive deserted tropical island - spend the day relaxing on a deserted island and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters. Utila Cays [SucSuc and Jewel Cay] visit the local fish factory while you are there.
- Yacht Charter - Catch a berth for an over-night return trip to Cayos Cochinios [Hog Island] 2 days, 1 night approx $80.00 per person
- Bicycle Hire & Quad Bike Hire - Tour the back roads & tracks around the island
- Iguana Research & Breeding Station - Learn about the iguana species Ctenosaura bakeri, called Swamper or Wishiwilli - unique to Utila
- Hiking Tours - Take a Guided Island Tours with the Iguana Station folks
- Utila Cinema - air-conditioned showing latest pirated videos and classic films (DVD projector with 15 ft screen)
- Learn Spanish - at the local branch of Central America Spanish School
- Attend Church - If you're religious then you know what this is about, if not catch a slice of local culture. Visitors always welcome in local Churches (you need to be neatly dressed to show respect) - 7th Day Adventist - Sun 7pm, Sat 11am - evangelical english services, Church of God Sun 10am 7pm, Thu 7pm - english services, Methodist Church Sun 10:30am, 7 pm, - english services, Catholic Church 7:00pm Thu, Sat & Sun- spanish services only.
- Boat Tours - Ramon Service offers guided boat trips around the island, as do many other local fisherman (you'll see handwritten signs outside their houses)
- Robinson Crusoe Tour - Shelby McNab (Utila's local TV News Presenter) is convinced Robinson Crusoe lived on Utila (Yes, I know he's a fictional character), but Shelby spins a convincing yarn that he was based on a real character who was ship wrecked in Utila and takes you to various island locations which he is convinced were described in the book. Shelby can talk, and talk, and talk....
- Fresh Water Caves - visit the limestone caves (you'll need a guide to find them) Brandon Hill Cave, Byron Cave, Big Bight Cave - and you might find some old indian relics - these are old archealogical sites in Utila
- Visit Pumkin Hill - Utila's highest point at 270ft high - has stunning views across the island.
And then there is the Night-Life; usually starts with sunset drinks at Tranquila Bar.
Hottest Bars are Tranquila Bar, Coco Loco's, and Bundu Cafe.
Several of the Dive Shops have their own bars for that apres-dive drink and reviewing the days diving with your buddies.
Others are The Champa (also known as Pelican Bar) down at Chepes beach, Treetanic bar, and many more.
Bar in the Bush is a must for Friday Night's 11:00pm - 3:00am - everybody dances - shake that booty.
Casino is hot on Satuday Nights, but this is more for locals & spanish rather than tourists. {I'd leave before midnight}
Restaurant Recommendations;
Kate's La Piccola - Italian (Wed - Sun) - great Italian,
RJ's BBQ Wed, Fri & Sun, - lots of fresh seafood & steaks,
Ultralight Cafe - Israeli/veggie food,
Dave's Restaurant - always fresh, well prepared and presented,
Jade Seahorse (closed Tue/Wed) - a unique environment,
El Castillo - german/european food,
Munchies Restaurant - in the old island house,
Mango Inn - best pizza's in town,
and about a dozen others of various quality, plus the street-corner Baleada/Taco stands for those less concerned about hygeine.
I hope this helps - Mark
