When we started planning our trip to Honduras, we weren’t sure if we wanted to spend more time in Utila or Roatan, but we knew we wanted to do as much scuba diving as possible. Can you blame us? Honduras is one of the cheapest places in the world to scuba dive, but more on that later. For now, we’ll just tell you that Utila is probably one of the most beautiful places to visit in Honduras, and it’s well worth the bumpy ferry ride to get here! From swimming with whale sharks, to chilling on the best beaches in So let’s talk about the best things to do in Utila. And don’t worry, scuba diving is only one of the many things to do here, we have so much more in store for you!
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Table of Contents
Where is Utila, Honduras?
Utila is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras. It’s located in the Caribbean, just north of the mainland. It’s a small island known mainly for its coral reefs, its many dive sites and the party scene that goes with it. Some of the most famous sites and the best things to do in Honduras are in Utila.
The vibe in Utila is very laid-back. All day, all night, you’ll see people walking around in nothing more than their bathing suits. Considering most things are located on the main street, shoes (or flip flops) are not really necessary. Nights here seem to get a lot louder and wilder, while days here are made for scuba diving and lounging around on the beaches.
Booking.comThe 13 best things to do in Utila in May
While in Utila, regardless of if you go in May or not, there are a ton of things to do… or you can enjoy doing a whole lot of nothing too! Whatever you choose to do, make sure you enjoy the island life and the island vibes.
Just chill out, kick off your flip-flops, crack open a Salva Vida and enjoy! Here are the 13 best things to do in Utila, Honduras.
1. Go scuba diving in Utila
Ok, we mentioned this first, because it’s probably the best thing to do in Honduras, and specifically, in Utila. Since getting our scuba diving certification in Koh Tao, we have been hooked! We try to go diving as much as possible wherever in the world we are. That’s why we really wanted to go scuba diving in Utila.
If you’re looking to get your scuba diving certification, get your advanced courses done, or if you just want to give it a try, Utila is the perfect place for you! It’s one of the cheapest places in the world to get your scuba certification. And the scuba setting here is perfect. The waters are warm and clear. There are a ton of fish and corals around. There are plenty of scuba sites to choose from for all levels of divers. If you get lucky, you may spot some whale sharks!
There are a ton of scuba schools in Utila. The joke around here is that the buildings on the main street are either a bar, a scuba school or a souvenir shop… they may not be wrong!
![Scuba diving in Utila, Honduras. The best things to do in Honduras](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3617.jpg)
We chose to dive with EcoMarine Utila – we liked that they had small groups and the instructor was very knowledgeable. Pricing-wise, it was very much in line with the rest of the schools around. Our tips to choose a school are to walk in when there are people and see how they get treated. Make sure you check the equipment and talk directly to the instructor who will be diving with you. You want to make sure you get those good vibes. If you want more tips on how to pick your scuba diving school, make sure you check out our article here.
Another tip for scuba diving in Utila is to ask about their accommodations. A lot of the schools will offer their students free (or very cheap) housing if you do your certification with them. Often, they are dorms or private rooms with shared bathrooms. Don’t expect much luxury, and don’t expect much sleep, judging from what we saw and heard!
2. Check out the best beaches in Utila
There are a few beaches to choose from in Utila, most being of the soft sand and clear water variety. There are two main beaches on the island, that are on opposite ends of the main road: Chepes beach and Bando beach.
Chepes beach is located on one end of the main strip in Utila town, while Bando beach is on the other end. Chepes is free to access, and there are a few parasols in the water, making it super inviting on hot sunny days.
Bando beach is a great semi-private beach that you can access for $3 USD. However, if you eat at the restaurant at Bando beach, you don’t need to pay the entrance fee (don’t worry, the restaurant actually has some delicious food, like their veggie burger). Bando beach is one of the best places on the island to watch a sunset. Just be warned that the sandflies come out at sun fall, making the experience a little (a lot) less enjoyable.
![One of the best beaches in Utila, Bando beach](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3359.jpg)
If you want to find some secluded beaches, head to the North. Pumpkin hill beach is a lovely (but rocky) beach that is rarely visited. There are also some other beaches around the island, past Bando beach, but they are wild beaches, so expect not to see too many people, but some trash.
Pro tip: The sandflies get ferocious at sundown. Make sure you always have some coconut oil on you for a natural repellent. Put a thin layer on your exposed skin. The sandflies won’t be able to go through it and bite you.
3. Go to Neptune’s for some snorkeling and beach chilling
Neptunes is a bar, restaurant, and grill that is located out of the main part of town. They have this beautiful long dock and private beach for you to enjoy. We highly recommend you head out there early enough so you can enjoy as much time as possible there.
We spent a good afternoon at Neptune’s just jumping off the dock, snorkeling the reef around and eating some of their amazing food. We were lucky enough to be there on a day when they had 2-for-1 specials on drinks, which made our time there even more fun! They provide lounge chairs and a shower so you can really spend all day here. Another plus is that they rent out snorkeling equipment so no need to buy your own. And, they even offer free shuttle service to get here.
Getting to Neptune’s might seem tricky, but it’s quite easy! They offer free boat rides every hour on the hour starting at 9 AM, and they run until 6 PM. Their dock is located at Blue Bayou, between the Palms Marina and Coral View Resort on the main island. You can take a tuk-tuk there for $2 or just walk there, a good 10 minutes away from Chepes beach.
4. Go snorkel off the reef of Utila
If you don’t want to go scuba diving, we highly recommend you at least try snorkeling. The water in Utila is just beautiful and the underwater world is teeming with fish and beautiful corals!
You can go snorkeling at Neptune’s, like we just mentioned. Just be careful as some boats get really close to the dock and drive by really fast. If not, you can go snorkeling off any of the beaches, just by swimming out there.
![snorkel the reef in Utila in May](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3619.jpg)
Another option is to ask scuba schools if you can tag along with one of their dive rides and just snorkel off the boat. You’ll get to see different parts of the island and snorkel away from crowds.
Pro tip: If you plan on snorkeling a few times on the island, or in Honduras, make sure you buy your gear (especially a mask and snorkel). The cost of renting the mask, snorkel and fins is about $10-15 each time while buying a simple mask and scuba is about $25 (more if you plan on using these for scuba diving).
5. Swim with whale sharks in Utila
Ok. We’re going to be honest with you here. The best and most eco-friendly way to swim with whale sharks is to encounter them by chance, while snorkeling or scuba diving. Please avoid trying to ‘hunt them down’ like a lot of tour operators do. A lot of times, they will lure the sharks by throwing in fish. Doing this ruins the whale sharks’ ecosystem and natural hunting abilities. So please, don’t do promote or use any operators who do this.
However, if you want to increase your chances of spotting whale sharks, the best time to see whale sharks in Utila is from March to April and from October to December.
6. Kayak down the canal in Utila
Not many people do this, which makes it a perfect way to avoid crowds. Although, in Utila in May, don’t expect too many crowds around anyway.
Just by Chepes beach, there is a canal that cuts through the interior of the island and takes you all the way up to Rock Harbour, at the north of the island. In this canal, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful mangroves, and if you’re lucky, you should spot iguanas, birds, fish, and other reptiles.
The best way to explore this canal is to rent a kayak. You can rent one at The Venue and paddle your way up. The journey up will take you 45 minutes. Make sure you pack tons of water, snacks, and lunch (if you want to hang out at Rock Harbour). You should also bring sunscreen, and a hat. It can get really hot and sunny, and you’ll want the shade.
If you have some snorkeling gear, bring it along with you so you can check out life underwater when you get to Rock Harbour.
7. Hike up Pumpkin Hill
At the north of the island, there is Pumpkin Hill. Pumpkin Hill is the highest point in Utila and the first visible part of the island when approaching by sea from any direction. The best way to get there is to rent an ATV. The terrain is a bit rough so make sure you’re comfortable driving an ATV.
![Pumpkin Hill in Utila, Honduras](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3149.jpg)
They have started developing some real estate around Pumpkin Hill, so the roads may improve over time. Hopefully, it won’t affect the hike too much. You can drive up halfway with your ATV, and then hike the trail up to the very top of the mountain. It’s only 74 meters high, so it’s not that bad of a hike!
8. Visit the cays around Utila, like Water Cay and Jewel Cay
This was probably one of the highlights of our trip, one of the best things to do in Honduras, and our favorite thing to do in Utila… after scuba diving! Visting the cays around Utila is an amazing day trip! As long as you’re prepared.
Around Utila, there are tiny little islands or cays. Some are inhabited, while others are not. If you’re looking for the best beaches in Utila, you’ll probably find better ones on the cays than on Utila itself. Especially if you go to Water Cay. This uninhabited island has soft white sand and the clearest most turquoise water you’ve ever seen! Don’t be surprised to see some beautiful starfish, tons of fish and birds.
Make sure you bring sunscreen, a book, a hammock (the company we went with provided these for us), food (snacks, a lunch, anything), drinks, a cooler. The truth is, there isn’t much on the island. You will only find picnic tables, a couple of trash bins, and a few fire pits, and that’s it! So make sure you bring what you need to be comfortable as you’ll be spending a few hours here.
![](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3527-2.jpg)
![](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3497.jpg)
The best way to get to the cays is by hiring a boat. A lot of places offer to take you there as part of a group, but you have to wait until there are at least 4 people booked to go. We signed up early with one boat company but they never had room for us. Instead, we ended up going with our scuba school, EcoMarine Utila, which ended up being cheaper than what the other company quoted.
Your best bet is to ask around the island for the best price, and if you can, try to find a group of people so you can fill the boat up. Also, make sure you ask the company what they will be provided in the cost you pay. Our school allowed us to use their cooler, gave us snorkeling gear, and provided hammocks for us to lounge in.
On our way back to Utila from Water Cay, we stopped by Jewel Cay. This island is inhabited mainly by fishermen and their families. The boat driver knew a family there, so everyone got a freshly caught fish to bring home… well, except us vegetarians! However, any way you can support these local families is good. And although fishing isn’t great, line-caught fishing is much more sustainable than the industrial fishing we see in many parts of the world today.
![](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3570.jpg)
![](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3555.jpg)
![](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3554.jpg)
Jewel Cay was really cool to visit. You get to see how locals live on these tiny cays, and best of all, this cay was full of cats, so that was tons of fun for us!
9. Volunteer at the animal shelters
Unlike in Roatan, animal tourism in Utila seems to be a lot more regulated. There are a few shelters and research centers you can visit or volunteer at when you come to Utila. Here are the main ones we saw:
- Whale Shark & Oceanic Research Center (WSORC): This is a research center that focuses on studying the migration patterns of whale sharks, and the effects tourism has on them. They have created guidelines for how humans should interact with whale sharks that have actually passed through the Honduran government. What this means is that unlike other places in the world that lure sharks with bait, Utila doesn’t do that, making this a lot more sustainable. You can visit the WSORC and learn more about their efforts. You can check them out here.
- Iguana Station Utila: This research and breeding center aims to ensure the survival of the endangered swamper iguana, which is endemic to Utila. We learned that many people eat these iguanas, making their population dwindle. You can choose to volunteer at the Iguana station, where you assist with the practical protection of an endemic species. You can learn more about it here.
- Kanahau Utila Research and Conservation Facility (KURCF): This is a newly established research facility on the north side of Utila. They study all aspects of the terrestrial biodiversity, including the iguanas, bats, and more. You can volunteer long-term with them, or you can support their efforts by going on an eco-tour with them.
- Jasper’s Animal shelter: This organization rescues, rehabilitates and provides shelter for stray dogs and cats in Utila. They also offer services to the local population in caring for their animals. You can help them out by walking their dogs or donating to the shelter. You can contact them here.
- Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA): This is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1990 by residents of the Bay Islands (Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja). Their goal is to initiate and coordinate efforts in protecting the islands’ fragile natural resources. They partner with many of the organizations above. You can visit their visitor center on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, between 10 am and 5 pm to see how you can help out. Learn more about it here.
So if you’re looking to make a positive impact in the country while you are visiting, volunteering or supporting one of these great organizations is a great thing to do in Honduras.
10. Rent an ATV to explore other parts of Utila
Although most of the attractions in Utila are on the main strip in the town, it’s still fun to get out and explore the rest of it. You’ll be able to go to Pumpkin Hill, and drive around the island, checking out all the beautiful landscape (and the gorgeous houses that are being built there). You can also go to the cliffs and admire the sheer force and beauty of the waters and rocks. The best way to do this is to rent an ATV (or Quad).
![ATVing in Utila, Honduras](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3144.jpg)
When we were in Utila in May, we didn’t need to reserve our ATV ahead of time. Although, if you are there during the busy season, we recommend you book them in advance so you’re sure to have one. The cost to rent an ATV is between $15-$20 USD per hour, $60-$70 USD per day and $330-$400 USD per week. We took it for an afternoon and negotiated the price, probably more easily because it was low season.
11. Go party at the best bars in Utila
Utila is known for its party scene. You’ll notice that nights here get quite rowdy and noisy. Especially since there are a ton of 2-for-1 specials around! So get ready to party! Some of the best places to party in Utila are:
- Tranquila Bar: Everyone goes here. It’s the best way to make new friends and meet locals too. This is one of the places people go to celebrate their graduation from scuba school! Make sure you check out their specials to party without worrying about your budget.
- Skid Row: There’s an eclectic crowd of locals and ex-pats that gather here at sunset to enjoy cold drinks and a re-cap of the day. Skid Row is known for its ‘Guifitti Challenge’, drinking a number of the Garifuna-inspired shots so you can earn a Skid Row T-shirt.
- Mango Tango: Mango Tango is known for its delicious and cheap pizza, but also, for its amazing selection of imported drinks and liquors. The setting in its garden oasis also makes this place special!
- Treetanic Bar: Located at the same place as the Jade Seahorse hotel (which some people put on their list of things to do in Utila), Treetanic is one of the most unique bars on Utila! Located in the treetops with the bar connecting with various platform seating areas by bridges and walkways. You’ll be able to enjoy your drink while admiring the entire space twinkle with the mosaic of tile glass and stone by owner Neil.
12. Eat a ton of chocolate at Utila Chocolate Co.
This may be one of the best things to do in Honduras (if you read our Copan blog, you know how much we love chocolate!). It’s also the best thing to do on a rainy day. This small family-run business is located outside the main town, about a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from the main strip.
When you get here, you’ll be given a tour that goes on for about 10 minutes and covers the chocolate-making process. Best of all, in the end, you get to taste the 17 different flavors of chocolate they have. They also sell desserts, different drinks, and crafts, all well worth a try in their cafe.
The cafe is beautifully set up. There’s even a hammock inside to lounge in. Plus, the staff is very friendly and helpful. We highly recommend you stop by here, especially if you go to the Iguana Research station, which is a stone’s throw away.
13. Visit the Jade Seahorse Gardens
The Jade Seahorse Gardens are one of those places you hear about when people mention Utila. We would have loved to visit, but it was closed when we were in Utila. However, if you have the chance of going, don’t pass the opportunity up!
The Jade Seahorse is a tropical garden as well as accommodations created by artist Neil Keller. There are 6 cabins available for rent, and each inch of the property and gardens were designed and created by the artist. His hope was to create an art-focused and transformational experience for guests and visitors alike. This space is an ongoing work of art that has already taken 20 years. The couple who created the gardens use both natural elements and other manmade pieces like bottles, beads, and more, to create unique art.
The Jade Seahorse gardens are open 9 am to 6 pm every day.
Where to stay in Utila
Utila isn’t very big, and most of the attractions here are located around the main strip. If you want to be in the heart of it all, we recommend finding accommodations in Utila that are on the main street, or around it. You will have a ton of hotels, apartments and more to choose from, something for every budget. And like we mentioned, if you come to do your scuba diving certification here, you may get free accommodations on the days you dive. So if you’re looking to stay close to everything, and not get any FOMO, the best place to stay in Utila is around the main road.
Prices for double rooms with private bathroom starting at $30-35 USD a night. They may charge extra for AC, which can be $5-10 more a day (although we heard about some places charging $25 for it per night). Make sure you ask about this before booking.
Booking.comWe chose to stay at Apartments Chez Milady. Located just off the main road, about a 10-minute walk from the main intersection. It was an excellent stay. Milady took us in like we were her family. She gave us a private tour of the island, showing us the best places to eat and telling us all the best tips (which we’ve shared with you here). The rooms were comfy, and the bathrooms are super cool, made out of recycled glass bottles. We can’t recommend this place enough!
Where to eat in Utila
There are some amazing places to eat in Utila. Here is a quick list of the restaurants we loved in Utila:
- Mango Inn Bar & Grill: This restaurant has the island’s best pizza that comes straight from their wood-burning oven. On Tuesdays (we’re pretty sure but check as it may have changed), they have special offers on their pizza, so make sure you check them out. We also loved the garden setting the restaurant is in.
- Che Pancho: This Argentinian restaurant was recommended by Milady and it did not disappoint. They offer a good variety of vegetarian options as well as Argentine classics. Derek loved his steak sandwich here. They also claim to serve the best smoothies on the island and after testing them out, we may agree… although we may need to try a few more to confirm!
- Ultra Light: Also located on the main strip, but closer to Chepes, you have Ultra Light. This was our favorite place on the island for vegan and vegetarian eats. They had a great variety of meals and their portions were quite generous. We had the falafel plate and the eggplant as well. Both were amazing. Best of all, this is a family-run restaurant, so the mood is super friendly and laid-back.
- Hot Spot Cafe: This was our favorite breakfast place in Utila. They had amazing smoothies and breakfast sandwiches. They open early enough which is great because we’d stop by here on our way to our scuba diving… and stop by again after! The prices are cheap, the staff is friendly and the food is great, what more can you ask for?! And, their window onto the street makes it perfect for people-watching!
How long to stay in Utila
This will depend on what you want to do while you’re on the island.
If you plan on scuba diving, and you want to sightsee, we would recommend spending five to seven days here. If you’re not going to scuba dive, but you want to enjoy the best attractions in Utila, including the cays and beaches, then three to four days should be enough.
There’s not a ton to do in Utila, but we do think that it’s important to enjoy the island life, so just chill and relax while you’re here!
![Sunset in Utila, Honduras](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3458.jpg)
How to get to Utila
The best way to get from mainland Honduras to Utila or from Roatan to Utila (or the other way around) is to take the ferry. The main operator is the Utila Dream which offers daily rides to these locations. You can check out their schedule here.
The arrival port in Utila is right in the middle of the main road. If you’re staying on the main road, you can simply walk to your hotel from there, unless you have crazy amounts of luggage. If you need to take a tuk-tuk, it shouldn’t cost more than $2-3 USD.
Ferry from La Ceiba to Utila
There are 2 daily departures for the ferry from La Ceiba to Utila, at 9 am and 4:40 pm. The ride on the ferry from La Ceiba to Utila is 45 minutes long, and brace yourself because it’s a bumpy ride. If you tend to get sea-sick, we highly recommend you take some meds for that beforehand. If not, the ferry is very clean and the process to board is simple.
You buy your tickets at the Utila Dream offices at the port of La Ceiba. Just a little note here, that you will need to pay duties to leave mainland Honduras to get onto the islands. There is a little ticket office just outside the main Utila Dream ticket office. Pay your tax before getting your ticket for the ferry from La Ceiba to Utila. The cost of taxes was about $3-4 per person. You won’t be able to get into the waiting room without proof.
Utila Dream has a waiting room that has AC and a TV screen, simple but efficient. The tickets don’t have assigned seating. And there was no need to buy tickets in advance when we were there in May. We bought them an hour before departure and the ferry was not even close to being half-full at this time of the year.
Ferry from Roatan to Utila
The ferry from Roatan to Utila runs once a day, in the afternoon. It departs Roatan at 2 pm, which means you’d get to Utila in the afternoon. This will give you enough time to get settled into your hotel, unwind and get ready for supper.
Ferry from Utila to Roatan
There is a single morning departure to leave Utila and go to Roatan and it’s at 10:15 am. The ride is 55 minutes long, and it’s probably bumpier than the ride from La Ceiba to Roatan. This means that you’ll get to Roatan around lunch, giving you a full afternoon to enjoy the new island.
The best time to visit Utila
The temperatures in Utila don’t change all the much during the year. But there is a dry season and a wet season in Utila and the Bay Islands. The wet season runs from October to December, but it only rains for part of the day, so it won’t cramp your style too much. Because the cold weather hits Europe and North America starting in December, this is when the high season starts. Expect to pay more for accommodations during this season.
If you want to avoid crowds (again, they’re not that big here), and you want to save a bit more money, we recommend going during the shoulder season, which is in May, June, July, and August.
![The rocky waters in Utila](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3278.jpg)
What to expect in Utila in May
We spent a week in Utila in early May. Apart from scuba divers, we didn’t see very many other tourists around. There were no long waits in restaurants and we didn’t have to book anything ahead of time.
The weather was nice and hot and sunny. We got a few little showers, but they were mainly at night, once we had packed in for the evening, and they didn’t disrupt any of our activities during the day.
Budget considerations for Utila
Utila is quite a budget-friendly place. It’s a little more expensive than mainland Honduras (as everything needs to be imported to the island), but it’s cheaper than Roatan (because cruise ships don’t stop here).
The main currency is Lempira, but they do accept USD for most transactions. However, if you’re looking to withdraw money, note that there are 2 ATM machines on the island. So if you need to pull out money, do it in the morning, as it happened a few times that the machine was out of money!
If you want to know more about Utila and Honduras, and the different things to look out for, make sure you read our article here about the 21 things to know before visiting Honduras.
Sustainable travel and ecotourism in Utila and Honduras
As always, we want to be sure everyone practices sustainable travel in Honduras, and all over the world. That’s why we always share these tips to help you travel in the most eco-friendly way possible! Ecotourism is so important because it helps lower our carbon footprint, it helps travel become less of a burden on the environment, and it helps preserve our beautiful planet, so future generations can explore the beauty of the world.
Here are our tips to help you practice sustainable travel in Honduras:
- Bring reusable water bottles and coffee mug: Tap water in Honduras is not safe to drink. So make sure you bring a reusable filtration water bottle that you can fill up. This is the best way to reduce your plastic consumption and to sustainably travel all over the world!
- Eat as local and vegan as you can: This is the easiest way to reduce your environmental footprint. Eat as much local produce and food as possible, and especially, eat all the vegan options you can! It’s a delicious and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Support small local restaurants and eateries: If you eat out, make sure you go to locally-owned restaurants. Avoid big chains or restaurants owned by conglomerates. Go off-the-beaten-path with your restaurant choice by asking locals for their best recommendations. Sometimes, the best meals we had in Honduras were street food or from hole-in-the-wall eateries.
- Bring your own bags and refuse plastic bags: Like most places, they still offer plastic bags in grocery stores, at the local markets, and at various shops. So bring your own bag and do your little step to promote ecotourism in Honduras and to save our beautiful planet!
- Pick up trash and speak out: Unfortunately, littering is still alive and thriving in Honduras. And sadly, it is more prevalent on beaches where people forget to take their trash home with them. When you can, bring yourself an adventure bag and pick up the trash you see. And when you see people littering, don’t be shy to nicely tell them to pick up after themselves.
- Walk around or take a tuk-tuk: Utila is highly walkable, especially considering most things are around the main street. Getting from one end (Chepes beach) to the next (Bando beach) will take you about 30-45 minutes depending on how quickly you walk. So when you can, walk around. If not, take a tuk-tuk. There is no need to rent scooters or ATVs during your whole stay on this island. You can just get one for a day of exploration.
- Stay in eco-hotels or small locally-owned hotels in Utila: Another great way to promote ecotourism in Utila is to stay in smaller, locally-owned hotels, or better yet, to stay in eco-hotels. There are a ton of great options available, so make sure you check these options first!
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen: There are a ton of beautiful beaches in Utila, which is why this tip is important. Make sure you always wear reef-safe sunscreen, whether you’re sunbathing or out on a scuba trip. It’s much better for the health of our oceans! If you’re sunscreen is not reef-safe, then make sure you put it on 30 minutes before you get into the water.
The top 13 things to do in Utila in May
As we mentioned, there is quite a bit to do here in Utila. Here are the 13 best things to do in Utila in May. But one of the most important things is to chill out and enjoy the island vibes!
- Get your scuba diving certification
- Go snorkel off the reef
- Swim with whale sharks
- Kayak in the canal to Rock Harbour
- Hike up Pumpkin Hill
- Check out the best beaches
- Go to Neptunes
- Visit the cays
- Volunteer at the animal shelters
- rent an ATV to explore the island
- Go party at the bars
- Eat chocolate at the Utila Chocolate Co.
- Visit the Jade Seahorse Gardens
![The rocky Pumpkin beach in Utila, Honduras](https://wediditourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_3136.jpg)
We loved our time in Utila. In fact, if we could have spent more time here, we would have… but we wanted to explore more of Honduras. The scuba diving we did here was amazing. The people we met were super nice, and the food we had was delicious. Although the beaches on the island aren’t the greatest (when you compare them with the beaches at Water Cay), we still had a great time chilling here. We highly recommend you come to Utila during your Honduras vacation!
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Hi, I’m just wondering… How do you write a list of things to do while on Utila and not include one of the most gorgeous, well-established gardens, aka, Jade Seahorse? We were recently there, and everyone recommended it. Just wondering why more bloggers positioning themselves as the “authority” with their list of what to do and see don’t do their due diligence.
Hi there Brittnie! Thanks for the comment. We know that the Jade Seahorse is one of the must-sees in Utila. However, when we were there, it was closed, and we weren’t able to visit it. We didn’t want to write about an experience that we didn’t have a chance to see. But we’ll add it in and mention that. Did you have a chance to visit it? How was it?