Page 3 of 4Nightlife in Utila, Honduras
For those of you who can stop eating for enough time to enjoy the islands other benefits, you may want to try the nightlife. Beer at the Treehouse Bar at the Jade Seahorse restaurant is L.12 ($.90), but only L.8 during happy hour. I obviously had a few since I don't recall the hours - around 4-6pm I think. It's a unique bar, shaped like a ship's bow. A good place to hang out and talk with people.
Treehouse Bar at the Jade Seahorse
At Las Delicias, drinks run L.10 ($.70). Young people tend to frequent this place, and you might find it a good place to find some companionship for the evening. The night I was there, there were two acoustic guitar players in the corner, and during their break, a young British woman borrowed a guitar and played a few songs. Overall, an evening at Las Delicias is a relaxing one.
Should you wish to put a little more energy into your revelry, visit the Bar in the Bush. It's about 300 meters past the Mango Inn and sports a volleyball court, disco music, and large outdoor patios that are packed with people. Beers are L.10 ($.70).
Scuba Prices in Utila, Honduras
Though the food and nightlife Utila offers may add some spice to your stay, the real reason to visit Utila is the scuba diving. Starting June 1, 1999, the local government standardized rates on scuba diving in an effort to combat the price-cutting fostered by the islands the outrageous amount of competition.
Coastline of Utila with dive boat approaching
Minimum scuba diving rates are as follows:
- 3 day open water certification class: $159 plus $9 insurance
- 2 day advanced certification class: $159 plus $6 insurance (insurance is $6/day)
- Rooms: $3/night
If you're certified already and want to dive right in, so to speak, Cross Creek rates for free diving are $30 for two tanks, and $25 for a night dive.
Should you want to fully experience scuba diving on Utila, you may wish to sign up for a dive master course. At Cross Creek, the 2-month course rates are about $650. You will have free room and board for that time, but you will be expected to help with chores, which might include working at the bar, or cleaning the diving equipment. Other dive shops have shorter courses and they are cheaper, but they do not include lodging. In comparison, the alternative courses end up being the same price, all things considered, but they are shorter and do not require you to clean up after anybody but yourself.
Scuba Certification Course Schedule for Beginners
Day One
Our instructor was Eddie, a Canadian who now lives on Utila with his Honduran wife and two children. Your class, regardless of which establishment you chose to certify you, will probably begin between 4 and 6 p.m. The book they issue has five chapters, and you will be expected to read the first two chapters before you attend the first class to watch a 30-minute video, which relates to each chapter.
Day Two
The second day will offer you the beginnings of your hands on experience. Wake up is at 6 am Make sure you have your gear by 7:15 am, because the boat leaves at 8 am. The destinations vary by weather and seasons. Our first lesson was at Jack Neil Bay beach, a 15 minute boat ride. The lesson will consist of two 45-minute dives with 45 minutes of rest time in between dives. Happily for the timid, but vexing for the overadventurous, the dives begin in 5 feet of water. I dove 20 to 30 feet deep the first day, and found it exhilarating.
Jonny descending into the sea
This was definitely better than learning in a pool, where you have no access to ocean fish and other creatures. Scuba diving is actually rather easy to learn, and the first class is all about letting go of any pre-existing fears you may bring with you. You will balk when your instructors require you to remove your mask while you are under water and put it back on, but, as the mask is your sole source of oxygen, you get the hang of it very quickly.
We returned from the island about 1 pm and celebrated our first dives by relaxing with a couple glasses of beer. Then we read the third chapter of our book, watched a third video and reviewed what we'd learned that day between 4:30 and 6:30 pm. After that it was dinner, drinks, and a well-earned sleep.