There are a few options for shipping to Utila, both from the States and Locally. One thing to keep in mind is that you can get furniture, furnishings, etc locally, with suppliers in San Pedro Sula and decorators in Roatan especially (see Sand Castles Interior Design). However, there seems to always be a need to ship something, so here are some options:
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FROM USA:
1) Navivan Shipping~
Ships out of Kenner, Louisiana. Ships every other week to La Ceiba, price is .60 cents a pound, generally a 75 pound minimum. It gets shipped to La Ceiba, and then Nelson (brother of the owner- Spanish speaking only) puts on a freight boat (Tania C or Utila Express, see below) for you to Utila.
Contacts: Web: http://www.navivan.com or Email: sales@navivan.com – and you’ll connect with Julie who’s very helpful and easy to work with. Let her know Brad and Andi from UtilaGuide sent you!
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2) Fernandez Express~
Ships out of Dallas Texas. We have not used them, but they come recommended by UtilaListserve moderator Trey.
Contacts: Web: http://www.fernandezexpress.com
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3) Hyber / Hyde shipping~
Ships between Roatan and Port Everglades Florida. You’ll have to get a customs agent in Roatan – they can suggest one (Navivan and Fernandez have their own in-house) and then arrange to get from Roatan to Utila through Island Shipping or other local carrier – they can help you. (The other 2 companies above will coordinate your shipments directly to Utila. ) HOWEVER, this is one of the ONLY companies that ships back to the USA from Honduras, and they can help you set that up and Hyde coordinates with multiple carriers in the States to help your goods get delivered either way.
Contact: www.HydeShipping.com ; local number in Roatan: 455-7564
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4) Other~
There are other shippers, but due to previous horrible experiences with them, or not having used them personally, we are not including them as recommendations here. If you have a shipper you’d like to suggest, please let us know.
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LOCAL SHIPPING FROM LA CEIBA TO UTILA:
Utila has regular cargo boats that go on a weekly schedule from La Ceiba to Utila, bringing in the groceries, hardware supplies, etc. You can easily arrange to put your boxes or other items on for a modest fee (generally about $2usd a box). Most of these do not use emails, but can easily be reached by phone and are English Speaking.
(Numbers are below- remember to dial Honduras Country code 504 before the number, and the access code to get out of the country you are calling in- For USA, dial 011-504, and then the local number)
Tonia C~
Run by Mrs. Florita and Mrs. Irvine, these lovely ladies can assist you with cargo on their weekly runs between La Cieba and Utila. Very affordable, friendly services. Boxes from La Ceiba run between 30 and 50 lps.
Schedule (Current As of June 1, 2010)
Sundays: Tania C leaves Utila at about 11am to La Ceiba, returning To Utila on Tuesdays about 10am, getting back to Utila about 1:3opm
Contact: 425-3197 or you can reach Ms. Irvine at 9626-2697 and Captain Hally at 9995-7234.
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Utila Express~
Run by Mike Rose - Contact: Telephone at Market: 425-3238; cellular of Mike Rose: 3-392-8725 or you can reach them at their market, Roses Supermarket, across from Bay Islands College of Diving in Sandy Bay
Runs between La Ceiba and Utila once a week- loading in La Ceiba thursday and coming back Friday.
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Prime Time~
Run by Troy Bodden, who is also one of the owners of Laguna Beach Resort. Troy doesn’t have regulary scheduled trips, but you can arrange with him in advance to take specific items.
Contact: Their offices are at 425-3239. Sometimes the receptionist only speaks Spanish, but Claudia speaks English there as well.
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