Utila Getaway
Jewel Cay, Utila
After taking a teaching job in Honduras, I was excited to visit Utila Islands' beautiful beaches and forests, especially knowing that this region gave Honduras the second-largest coral reef in the world. After living in Jeju-do, an island in South Korea, I was eager to get my feet back on land surrounded by water. My three-day excursion over Honduras' Dia de Independencia did not disappoint.
Utila is categorized as the smallest of Honduras' three primary Bay Islands (Roatan, Guanaja, Utila), which you can visit by airplane or ferry. I got there by ferry via La Ceiba after a four-hour drive from San Pedro Sula, which took longer than usual because of various town parades and celebrations. Once in Utila, I was shocked by the colorful homes, bluest water, and unique history. With a group of other teachers and a friend we met in La Ceiba, we quickly made our way to a hostel called "La Hamaca." I highly recommend staying there to any traveler as the terrace lets you freely jump into the water and experience stunning sunset views.
After taking a plunge into the ocean, we explored the nearest atm (most places only accept cash). We quickly ran into senior residents selling homemade food on a porch for church renovations. Their accents sounded similar to my East Indies family when they spoke English, which led me to ask them about the islands' history. To my surprise, they told me they were all of English and Dutch descent, and most of the island is a mix of those people, along with Spanish, Honduran, and recent retirees from the USA. A quick history lesson, to say the least, over dinner with local community members. The next days on the island followed with a trip to Water Cay, a remote island that we went to through a boating service called Bush's Bay Island Charters. At the cay, we passed beautiful islands with colorful homes, and once there, we had the best time enjoying the corals. I also had the opportunity to fly my drone and capture some views of the islands that we saw on the way. These islands are a must when visiting Utila, and the price for getting to Water Cay costs only $20.
The rest of the trip was packed with great experiences, such as tasting local chocolate from Utila's Chocolate Co. and swimming at Neptune's Beach. I was surprised, however, at the cost of paying to swim at beaches. I soon learned that many beaches in the Caribbean charge, which was a shock coming from Korea, where beaches are easily accessible to the public. Regardless, the island was fantastic. Closing my thoughts on Utila, I highly encourage people to visit. It is a stunning island with a mix of cultures and activities.
I look forward to staying again and am excited that Honduras includes these beautiful islands.
By: Rainier Lee
