Utila, a lovely breath of fresh air

La Ceiba is the city where the boat to the islands of Utila and Roatan departs. Roatan boasts stunning Caribbean beaches, but it also attracts a lot of American charter tourists, which means restaurants and hotels can be pretty pricey here. There's even a direct flight from Italy to Roatan! Utila, on the other hand, draws backpackers of all ages with its cheaper restaurants and accommodations. While the island may not have the pristine beaches, you can snorkel right off the shore and see beautiful corals and fish in all colors. A boat ticket costs $23 per person, and the ride can be a bit bumpy, so don’t forget your seasickness pills if you’re not a seasoned sailor! :) We're already settling in nicely on Utila, where everything happens at a leisurely pace and on foot. The island is safe compared to much of the country, which is why the Caribbean islands are one of Honduras' top travel destinations for tourists. Utila isn’t completely devoid of beaches, though. The old airstrip has been transformed into a beach, filled with sand, and you can find it at the far east of the town. Further west, there’s a natural beach within walking distance. Just before the road ends to the west, there are some great snorkeling spots. You only have to go about 100 meters out into the water to find beautiful coral reefs. Utila town is located in a lagoon. All around the island, there are several lagoons, but there are roads only at one end of the island, so you have to take a boat to get to the others. On the north side, there are even more stunning coral reefs, but they can only be accessed by boat. If you're looking for even more peace and quiet, you can sail out to a small group of islands called the Keys, where life really moves at a slow pace. :) There are lunch deals at all price ranges—local dishes are still the cheapest. A small burrito costs 12 lempira, while a large one goes for 25 lempira. They taste amazing and usually come packed with beans, rice, salad, and a bit of meat. Utila is full of BBQ restaurants. The sea is right outside your door and teeming with fish, so you can be sure the food is fresh. You can enjoy grilled fish at a restaurant or eat at a street corner with the locals who have set up a little grill. A skewer costs from 110 lempira and up, and you can choose between fish and beef. Even the locals have a healthy respect—maybe more of a fear—for the larger cities in the country due to high crime rates. So, we’re really glad we decided to stick to the Bay Islands—Utila. There are several doctors on this island, so minor illnesses can easily be treated here. Just remember to choose your doctor wisely. There’s an older gentleman who has been a doctor on Utila for a long time. He’s probably quite experienced, but it’s best to visit him during the day since he tends to take drugs and is an alcoholic, which gets worse in the evenings! :)