Útila

The questions people ask first about Útila, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the Honduran lempira (HNL, L).Honduras-wide
• SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport required.Honduras-wide
• Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill jugs.Honduras-wide
• TippingRestaurants: 10%; sometimes on the bill.Honduras-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Honduras-wide
• SafetyMuch safer than the mainland, with little violent crime; the real risks are card cloning at ATMs…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Street or quick mealBaleada from a street vendorL20–40
• BeerBeer at a bar / from a corner storeL50–80L30–45
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk across townUS$1–3
• Budget bedHostel or dive-shop dorm bed, a night, per personHNL 7
• Mid-range bedDouble room with fan or a/c, a night, per roomHNL 40
• High-end bedDouble room with fan or a/c, a night, per roomHNL 70

A day, not counting the bed: Budget HNL 30 · Mid HNL 55 · High HNL 110

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

UII Útila Airport (Small airstrip; short flights from Roatán (RTB) and La Ceiba (LCE) with Honduran carriers — check schedules and luggage limits.) · RTB Roatán Juan Manuel Gálvez (Direct flights from US and Canadian gateways, then a hopper or the boat link to Útila.) · LCE La Ceiba Golosón (Ferry port for the Utila Dream crossing, about 1 h.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

US$25–45 excl. bed

Mid

US$45–80 excl. bed

High

US$80+ excl. bed

• ATM card cloning is a known problem on the island: withdraw inside the bank with your passport instead.
• ATMs run out of cash and cap withdrawals at about L4,000; plan a buffer.
• Sand flies are worst at dawn, dusk and when there is no breeze — most dive shops board boats from docks, not beaches.
• Card payments carry an 8–10% surcharge at many places; bring cash and expect torn or over-US$20 bills to be refused.
• Freshwater caves on the east shore have killed people who went deep: only enter with two waterproof torches and a guide.