Take a dive: Utila's unique underwater playground
Break out the sunscreen and snorkel, and get ready for Utila. A dime-sized Honduran island, Utila's known for its lively nightlife, striking wilderness, and sandy beaches along the Caribbean Sea. Dive aficionados flock to Utila for its renowned underwater landscapes and diverse marine life, and the island's 80-plus primo dive sites offer easy access to this unique ecosystem. With an Utila vacation rental, you'll never be more than a quick walk, ride, or drive from some of the most scenic vistas in the Caribbean—or anywhere else, for that matter.
Small, but mighty: 17 square miles of fun in Utila
Weighing in at a whopping 17 square miles, Utila may be small, but you'll never find yourself at a loss for something new to check out. After your underwater adventure and a nice, long rest at the beach, head to the Iguana Research and Breeding Station. Here, you can get up close and personal with the endangered Utila Iguana, a rare species only found in the island's swampy mangrove forests. After that, you can stroll among the countless shops, restaurants, and bars along East Harbor's lively Main Street.
The soul of wet—waterfront activities in Utila
Though it has its share of rocky shoreline, Utila's blessed with a number of pristine beaches, and waterfront activities are a major pastime on the island. At the sandy Chepes Beach on the southeastern side of the island, you'll find plenty of space for swimming, sunbathing, boating, and fishing. Snorkelers and scuba divers are drawn to the island for its wide array of marine life, including fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional whale shark. Music lover? You'll be in good company—audiophiles flock to the island's annual Sunjam music festival, a summertime celebration of all things electronic and musical.
Get ready for a hot time in tropical Utila
Utila has a tropical rainforest climate, with high temperatures and plenty of rainfall all year round. No need for winter coats here—average daytime temperatures generally climb into the mid-80s, though occasional peaks into the 90s aren't unheard of. Nighttimes are cooler, with lows somewhere in the mid-70s. Hurricane season is a reality throughout much of the Caribbean, and tropical storms do occasionally make it to the island. But since the weather is generally sunny and warm throughout the year, you'll find that prices on Utila vacation rentals tend to stay about the same from one season to the next.
Exploring the natural landscape of Isla de Utila
Whether you're an active traveler or just want to take in the scenery, Isla de Utila is a great place to get out in nature. These are a few of the area's most enchanting natural features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Chepes Beach (1.6 mi / 2.5 km)
- Bando Beach (2.3 mi / 3.7 km)
- Laguna Beach (1 mi / 1.5 km)
- Treasure Beach (2.9 mi / 4.6 km)
How to get to and around Isla de Utila
Fly into Roatán Intl. Airport (RTB), the closest airport, located 30.7 mi (49.4 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you might consider flying into Utila (UII), which is 3.2 mi (5.1 km) away.