Utila Princess Ferry

Its quite easy to get to Utila from the mainland town of La Ceiba via the Utila Princess Ferry. The Utila Princess is the only larger passenger ferry servicing Utila at this time, the route is Utila to La Ceiba and return. The cost is 400 lempiras, which is about $21 usd each way, and takes about 1 hour to travel the 18 miles by sea.   

Roatan to Utila?: Though you may see references to other services on older websites, there is no longer a Roatan-Utila Route through this ferry, though it is still possible to get to Roatan by taking the Utila Princess to La Ceiba and then the Roatan Galaxy Wave to Roatan and return that same route. However, there is also now a new option to Roatan via Vern’s Catamaran with daily departures.

The information below was supplied directly from the Utila Princess website at http://www.utilaprincess.com and is current as of Feb 11, 2009.
 

DAILY SCHEDULE:

Depart Utila for La Ceiba:
6:20 am
2:00 pm

Depart La Ceiba for Utila:
9:30 am
4:00 pm

Reservations are not taken or necessary (unless you have a very large group)

UtilaGuide.Com Tip: The ferry is extremely punctual- it really does leave on time!   Also, if its a busy holiday time like Semana Santa or Christmas, the ferry does fill up, so be sure to get there well in advance

Utila Princess Ferry Prices:

Adults : 400 Lempiras (approx $USD 21 one-way), plus an additional 20 Lempiras($1 usd) Tax for departures from La Ceiba.
Children (aged 6 – 12 years) : Travel 1/2 price if accompanied by an adult
Children (under 5 years old) : Travel free if accompanied by an adult.

Note: Fare includes transportation of 2 pieces of luggage in the hold, and carry-on cabin luggage. Additional luggage may be subject to cargo charges.

UtilaGuide.Com Tip: Don’t plan to put your carry-on down on the floor; it can get wet.  Also note that the extra luggage charge is usually 50 lempiras per additional piece of normal size luggage or boxes.

 
Utila Princess Ferry Locations:

In Utila: The ticket and main office is based at the Utila Municipal Dock, at the bottom of Broussards Plaza, in the center of town.

In La Ceiba: The La Ceiba ticket office is based at the “Muelle de Cabotaje”, the main

 cargo port of La Ceiba.

UtilaGuide.Com Tip: It is right next to the Roatan ferry, and all taxi’s will know it.  Cab fare is about 100 lempiras from center of town per car; it is 40 lempiras per person from dock to center of town.

 

Utila Princess Contact Information:

Email: utilaprincess@gmail.com
Web: http://www.utilaprincess.com
Telephone Utila: (504) 425-3390/ 425-3392
Telephone La Ceiba:  (504) 408-5163/440-7877
 
Frequently asked Questions, FAQS:
– from the site www.utilaprincess.com

Can I purchase my ticket ahead of time?
“Yes, you may purchase your ticket in advance and is good for a year. Sorry, no refunds for any reasons, so plan wisely”.

Under what weather conditions will the ferry not leave the dock?
“When the Port Authority, or the Utila Princess’s Captain deem the weather conditions to be too harsh, the ferry will not leave. By law, the ferry will not shuttle in heavy rains or unsafe seas or in poor mechanical condition. The passengers safety are our number one priority.”

UtilaGuide.Com Tip: If you absolutely need to connect with a flight on the mainland, we strongly advise you leaving the afternoon or morning before you may be planning to, just in case there is strong weather and the ferry is unable to travel