GettingToUtila

Update: December 10, 2009: This website has been reformatted and new version of this page can be accessed HERE.

The Quick Version of Getting To Utila:

Fly in to either San Pedro Sula (SAP) or La Ceiba (LCE). From either San Pedro Sula or La Ceiba, you can take a local flight to Utila on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, or a private charter anyday. From La Ceiba you can also take the Utila Princess Ferry any day. Read on to find out the actual details of how to make this above happen.

The Details: Really Getting To Utila

The following detailed information was originally compiled for guests of Destination Utila Vacation Rentals, as much of the existing information on the web regarding travel to Utila and flights to Utila was vague or outdated. We have revised and updated this information as of Feb 09, and presented it here effort to help all those coming to Utila with their travel planning.

Disclaimer: Though we have gathered information from travel agents, airlines, buses and our own experiences to ensure we have the most accurate information possible, of course we can’t be responsible for any mishaps resulting from the information presented below, nor for any of the carriers and/or travel agents presented. But please do let us know if you find any of the information to be incorrect and/or if you have updates, and we will adjust the text accordingly.

More Quick Links:
Travel Agents for Utila
Utila Princess Ferry and Schedule
Hotel Options in San Pedro Sula or La Ceiba
Traveling Between Utila and Roatan (coming soon)
Taking A Bus between San Pedro Sula / La Ceiba (coming soon)
Direct Flights Between USA and Honduras
Flights for Utila from San Pedro or La Ceiba

The Rest of This Page Answers the Following Topics:
1. Lets Start at the Beginning - Where is Utila?
2. Do I Need a Passport to Come To Utila?
3. What Airlines Fly Internationally To Honduras?
4. What is the Best Way to Get to Utila?
5. What Airlines Fly To Utila Locally?
6. Can We Do a Local Plane Charter?
7. What is the Utila Ferry Schedule?
8. Taking a Taxi from San Pedro to La Ceiba:
9. Taxis in and around San Pedro Sula
10. Taking A Bus Between San Pedro and La Ceiba.
11. Does it matter which day to depart out of LCE or SAP?
12. Luggage and Carryons
13. GET A PRINT OUT of your reservation confirmation.
14. Wow. That Seems Like A Lot- Is it Hard to Travel to Utila? (Hint- No- just helps to have the details!)

1. Lets Start at the Beginning - Where is Utila?
Utila is one of the Bay Islands, located off the Northern coast of Honduras, in Central America. It is in the Western Caribbean, in the Gulf of Honduras. Of the 3 Bay Islands, Utila is the closest to the mainland of Honduras, about 18km to La Ceiba.. The most common routes to get here are by small aircraft from San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, or Roatan; by a one-hour ferryboat or private boat from La Ceiba; or by sailboat or private boat from Roatan. Its not difficult to get here, it just helps to have some details which you don't always find elsewhere but we've tried to include here.

2. Do I Need a Passport to Come To Utila?
YES! To come to Utila, you will be entering Honduras, and to enter Honduras, you must have a valid passport valid for at least 6 months. For more on this subject, see the link “Travel Planning Basics”

3. What Airlines Fly Internationally to Honduras?
The folllowing airlines have direct flights to Honduras from the USA:
American: Miami to/from San Pedro Sula
Continental: Houston to/from San Pedro Sula or Roatan
Delta: Atlanta to.from San Pedro Sula or Roatan
Spirit: Fort Lauderdale to San Pedro Sula at highly discounted prices
TACA: Miami to/from San Pedro Sula and connecting to La Ceiba

4) What Is The Best Way To Get To Utila?
We suggest making your international flight into La Ceiba (LCE) or San Pedro Sula (SAP) and then connect from there via domestic carriers. Following are what we feel are the best options:

Option #1) Fly in/out of La Ceiba (LCE) with Taca Airlines on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.

Then take the regularly scheduled plane, SOSA to Utila at 3:30pm. Note: There used to be a Saturday flight from La Ceiba, but now it is direct nonstop from SAP. While you can book these flights directly with the airlines, We highly recommend using Alice of Worldwide Travel or Frank with Morgan’s Travel. You can also contact either of these two agents to see the latest status of the flights.
Or take the daily 9:30am or 4pm Utila Princess ferry from La Ceiba to Utila.
Or take a charter flight any day through Celine. This charter flight can be organized by a local travel agent for Utila for approximately $210 USD for up to 3 people; 2 people if lots of luggage. The charter will run until sunset (no lights on runway here), so that’s about 5:30 pm, depending on season.
Note there are NO regularly scheduled flights from La Ceiba TO Utila on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday.

Option #2) If you can’t get La Ceiba flights, on Mon, Wed, or Fri, then make them on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday

Then take 9:30am or 4pm Utila Princess ferry from La Ceiba/
Or take a charter flight through Celine as described above

Option #3) Make flights in and out of San Pedro Sula (SAP)

Try to arrive on M,W,F or Sat before 12:30 pm in the afternoon if you want to get to Utila the same day, as local flights leave at 2:30pm. Plan on at least 1.5 hours for immigration and luggage before getting on your local flight; though it generally takes less time.
On Mon, Wed, Fri, you can then you can connect to local SOSA flight which leaves from SAP to Utila at 2:30pm on Mon, Wed, Friday, Sat. Note that Atlantic Airlines is no longer in business.
Or, on any day from you can take a local airlines SOSA or Islena/Taca from SAP to La Cieba, and then take a charter with Celine to Utila as noted above under “Option A” above.
Or, on any day, take a private taxi or bus from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba (3 hours) to catch the Utila Princess ferry which leaves promptly at 4pm. You can easily catch a taxi at the airport (link with direct phone numbers to taxis are coming soon). It should be about $125 USD for a car, which will seat 3 people; You can arrange in advance for a van which will be a little more. Bus is $20 usd per person through Hedman Alas.
Note there are NO regularly scheduled flights from SAP TO Utila Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday.
We think La Ceiba is a little easier to navigate and less expensive to stay then San Pedro Sula. So if its early enough in the day, it may be worthwhile to get at least from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba.
If you need to spend the night in San Pedro Sula or La Ceiba, we have some suggested hotels in San Pedro and La Ceiba on the link

Option #4) Flying in and out of Roatan

Note this USED to be the easiest way to get here, but not anymore. This is largely because the main private carrier flying this route is on and off again and so we can't suggest trying to book with them. However, if you want to come through Roatan, there are still options to get here from Roatan, either through Celine’s air charter, sailboat, or ferry. Click HERE for more information (link coming soon). The sailboat is through Capt. Vern, and departs from Utila daily at 6:30am and returns from Roatan at 1pm, unless he is on private charter- email him in advance.

5. What Airlines Fly from Locally from San Pedro (SAP) or La Ceiba (LCE)?
Local carrier SOSA provides service to La Ceiba (LCE) and Utila (UTL). Islena/TACA also provides later afternoon and evening service from SAP to LCE.

Click here for the Utila Local Flight Guide for full details, but here is the brief breakdown of available local flights (as of Feb 20, 2009):

Domestic flights to Utila (UTL) , La Ceiba (LCE) and San Pedro Sula (SAP):

Click on the Utila Local Flight Guide for Full Details
Sosa Airlines: SAP/LCE/UTL leave 2:30pm arrive 3:45pm. mon/wed/fri $122 SAP/UTL leave 2:30pm arrive 3pm. Sat. UTL/LCE/SAP leave 6:20am. arrive 8am.

Prices for SAP / UTL: One Way $122usd / Round trip $222
Prices for LCE/ UTL: One Way $58usd / Round trip $107

Islena Airlines: LCE/SAP leave 6:00am/9:35am./2:50pm arrive 6:35am/10:20am/3:35pm Daily SAP/LCE leave 10:45am/3:50pm/8:45pm arrive11:30am/4:35pm/9:30pm Daily Prices for SAP / LCE: One Way $81usd / Round trip $154

Local Airlines Contacts: Atlantic Airlines: http://www.atlanticairlinesint.com/ Update: Atlantic Airlines is NO LONGER IN BUSINESS

Sosa Airlines: www.laceibaonline.net/aerososa/sosaingl.htm
Note that site is currently down, and the routes and prices on the SOSA site are pretty out of
date on that site. We suggest contacting our local travel agents Frank Morgan at
   www.UtilaMorgansTravel.com or email Alice at Worldwide Travel instead of contacting the airlines
   directly. It will make your life  easier.

Islena Airlines : http://www.flyislena.com/

6. How Do We Charter a Plane for Group?
We suggest working with one of our recommended travel agents to assist you; either Worldwide Travel or Morgan's Travel. Here are some charter prices to get you started:

LCE to Utila Charter Rates: Celine’s small plane: $205 usd up to 3 passengers (2 if lots of luggage)
SAP to Utila Charter Rates: Celine’s small plane: $676 usd up to 3 passengers (2 if lots of luggage) Large plane: $3500 up to 15pax
Roatan to Utila Charter Rates: Celine’s small plane: $365 for up to 3 people (2pp if lots of luggage); $210 on Saturdays. Large plane: $760 usd up to 8pax

7. What is the Utila Ferry Schedule?
The Utila Princess is the only passenger ferry servicing Utila at this time. It costs 400 lempiras lemps or $21 usd each way, and takes about 45 minutes to travel the 18 miles by sea.

Schedule:
Utila - La Ceiba: Departs at 6:20 AM and 2:30 PM
La Ceiba – Utila: Departs at 9:30 A.M. and 4:00 PM

8. Taking a Taxi from San Pedro to La Ceiba:
A private taxi will cost about $125 US dollars from the airport and take about 3 hours. This is for a normal car; it may be about $140 for an SUV or van. Coming out of the airport, you will see some gentleman at the taxi station; most are from the association COTRALMYH that operates a safe fleet that we have used Be sure to take a look at their badge to make sure they are with this group.
UtilaGuide.com Tip: If you take the taxi before 12:30pm, you can likely still make the 4pm Utila Ferry! At any rate, we think its better to stay in La Ceiba than San Pedro. Once again, CONFIRM THE RATE BEFORE YOU AGREE!

TAXI LINKS (coming soon)

9. Taxis in and around San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba
Around San Pedro Sula
You can easily find a taxi at the airport; plan on $10-12 usd total (not per person) to town. Metrotel is very nearby, but they will still charge you that rate. Be sure to agree on rate beforehand!
Hailing a taxi on the street: Once in town, taxis will generally cost about 30-50 lps per person per ride, which is $1.50-$2.50 usd per person. Agree on the rate before you set off on your journey.
Radio Taxi Galaticos: Another suggested option for taxi in San Pedro is using this service. They come very quickly, sometimes as fast as hailing a regular cab on the street, and have very clean cars and safe drivers and often time less rates that the street taxis! It will say "Galacticos" on top. Phone numbers are 551-3996 or 551-6873.

Around La Ceiba:
Also very easy to find one at the airport. Agree ahead of time the rate. If you are looking to save some lempiras you can walk the long entrance out to the street, but in the end, it may just save you $2-$3. Taxis to town from airport cost about 100 to 150 lps, and to the dock about 150 lps. Again, agree ahead of time. Around town, it is a standard fare of 20 lempiras per person ($1 usd) within the main downtown. After dark or very early this goes up to 30 lempiras per person. From the ferry dock to down, it is 40 lempiras per person, but they will put others with you. The downtown is not that big, so its usually not a big deal. Just confirm rates always.

Tip for taxis: Note the number of the cab and write it down- just in case you leave something behind.International travelers typically arrive via the cities of San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba, or the neighboring island of Roatan. Domestic travel within Honduras to Utila can be easily arranged through your hotel and local travel agents. See our Travel Planning section for more details.

10. Taking A Bus Between San Pedro and La Ceiba:

The direct Bus (Hedman Alas) from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba is quick (3.5 hours) and an affordable option ($23 USD). This is has been a reliable, secure bus company that services Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, the Copan Ruins and La Ceiba. This direct bus is very clean, accommodates lots of luggage below, shows movies and the seats recline nicely; not a bad way to travel.

Contacts: San Pedro Sula number is 504-557-3477 and you can buy in advance and also look at schedules at www.hedmanalas.com. It’s a fairly easy site to navigate. However, we've heard reports of people buying in advance and their reservation not being there. Best to print out confirmation, and arrive early to be sure.

Schedule of bus departure times to and from La Ceiba -San Pedro Sula Airport
Current as of Feb 20, 2009
(for full schedule, including San Pedro Sula Central, look at the website for Hedman Alas)

Bus Service from Airport of San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba:
Depart at 9:30 am, Arrive 1:20 pm
Depart at 2:15 pm, Arrive 6:00 pm
Depart at 4:30 pm, Arrive 9:00 pm

Bus Service from La Ceiba to San Pedro Sula Airport
(This bus make a connection in San Pedro Sula Terminal before heading to La Ceiba)
at 5:15 am arriving at 11:00 am,
at 10:00 am arriving at 3:40 pm
at 2:00 pm arriving at 7:00 pm

Prices: $ 23.00 for person    round trip $ 46.00 for Excecutive (Regular ) Class. There is also Executive Plus service on some busses, which is well worth the extra $4usd- Much larger seats, foot rests, and better snacks.

11. Consider which day is best for you to depart out of LCE or SAP.
Keep In Mind:
1) Scheduled SOSA planes leave Utila for La Ceiba / San Pedro Sula only on Tues, Thurs, and Saturday
This is at the bright hour of 6:20 am, then you can connect in La Ceiba to SAP to arrive approximately 8:30am. If you have a later flight, you can also take the Hedman Alas bu s from La Ceiba, which is very safe and comfortable, and about $20 for the 3.5 hour ride.

2) On any day, you can take also take the 6:20am ferry from Utila to La Ceiba or private charter with Celine from Utila to La Ceiba
And then connect from La Ceiba to San Pedro Sula with Sosa or Atlantic or via a 3.5 hour Hedman Alas bus ride.

3) Some people also leave the island the day before their international flight, and spend the night in San Pedro Sula or La Ceiba.
This is because if you are counting on that 6:20am flight or morning ferry and there is really high winds or other problems, you could get delayed which may potentially make you miss your international flight. In other words, those of us who have traveled this route before often go one day earlier “just in case” that first and only 6:20am flight or morning ferry from Utila doesn’t go or is delayed.

For where to stay in La Ceiba or San Pedro Sula, look at our link: Hotels in La Ceiba and San Pedro

12. Luggage and Carryons:

Okay, here's how to make your trip less stressful:

Assume your luggage will get lost for a day or two and put what you need in a carryon.

Now, this doesn't always, happen, but if you plan for it and then get everything once you land, it will just be an extra bonus! The good news is we don’t really know of any cases where the airlines (International or local) actually lost the luggage permanently. But we do know of many cases where the luggage was lost/delayed for a few days, with the guests sometimes retrieving it on their way out! So throw a few extra items in your carry on, just to alleviate some stress.

Be advised that on Hedman Alas bus, they are very strict with carry on size, and it must be very small or it will go underneath. Same with SOSA- these are small planes, so they may have to put your carry on in luggage hold, which you just pick up at arrival.

If you loose your luggage, you'll want to be sure to report it and fill it a claim at the landing airport, and then follow up daily, if not a few times per day. An added bonus of using one of the local travel agents for domestic flights is they can help navigate you through the delayed luggage maze and make the calls and arrangements for you.

13. GET A PRINT OUT of your reservation confirmation.
Did you hear that? Really - we are not just saying this. Do this even if you are being assisted by a travel agent, as we’ve had guests who have said their reservation got lost at the desk of the airlines. If you use a travel agent, you can generally call them and they will fix things, but in case you can't reach them, without some type of verification, if the flight is full, you are basically out of luck until the next day or later flight. Play it safe -get the print out and have the numbers of your local travel agent handy.

14. Wow. That Seems Like A Lot- Is it Hard to Travel to Utila?
Actually, most people find traveling to Utila quite easy. We've just outlined the details and commong questions for you, and tried to help you avoid some of the common pitfals that we've seen people experience. Just remember you are traveling to a small island that is off the beaten path a bit- Getting here is all part of it! Keep your passport and wallet on you, your medications, a change of clothes, your swimsuit and something warm and you should be ready for anything!

The above information really covers most of the bases and should be a good start to your planning. Again, PLEASE let us know if you find any outdated or inaccurate information so we can correct it or add new information.