Utila is Ready for You ! In October, Hurricane Mitch stalled for several days near the Bay Islands during its rampage through Central America. Miraculously Utila, the southwesternmost of the Bay Islands, was virtually spared. While our neighbors on the mainland, as well as the other Bay Islands, suffered significant and in some places devastating damage, we were very, very lucky. On Utila there were no deaths, little loss of property, and no irreparable harm to the Island, the community, or the pristine coral reef which we hold so dear. Everything that made Utila a favorite vacation destination before the storm remains, and in fact we are now better than ever! What little damage was done by Hurricane Mitch, has now been repaired, and the Island has been restored to her original, natural beauty. Now, more than ever, Utila is ready for you ! During and after the storm, there has been a lot of misinformation, and many travelers are understandably concerned about planning a trip to Utila. We have heard from and spoken to travelers worried about transportation, lodging, food, diving, fishing, martial law, and health. Now, just over a month after Hurricane Mitch, life in our little piece of paradise has very much returned to normal. While we are all very concerned about the damage done to other parts of the country, and are working hard to assist in relief efforts, we are ready and anxious once again to welcome you to Utila, or welcome you back if you are lucky enough to have been here before, and treat you to our unique, friendly Island hospitality! In planning your travels, rest assured that everything is fine, in this corner of the Caribbean. Getting here is as easy as ever, and once you are here we are ready and able to take care of you and show you a wonderful time, whatever you're here for. Traveling to Utila has never been easier. International airports are open and in full swing, in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and Roatan. From any of these airports we are only a hop, skip, and jump away, with regular service on Sosa, Islena, and Rollins Airways connecting with all incoming flights. Overland travel into and through Honduras has been a bit of an adventure, in the wake of the storm. Now, though, borders are open, and bus travel is back on course. Arriving by bus or car in La Ceiba, travelers once again have the choice of connecting to Utila by a short flight or by the daily, one hour ferry trip from the new pier. Once on Utila, you will find that very little has changed. All planes and ferries are still met by taxis and friendly representatives of many hotels and dive shops, anxious to welcome you and help you begin your adventure. Whether you are on a strict budget or desire all the luxurious trappings of a full-service resort, we have something to suit your wallet as well as your fancy. If you have a specific destination in mind, contact them and they will be happy to reserve space for you; if you'd rather travel more spontaneously, rest assured that you will find what you are looking for, and will very quickly be relaxing and enjoying Utila's unparalleled natural beauty. In the wake of the Hurricane, many people have been concerned about getting enough to eat. On Utila there have not been and will not be any food shortages. Our supply boats made it through the storm unscathed, and arrive every other day laden with fine, fresh foods from the coast. While there are food shortages in some parts of Honduras, these result more from transportation problems than from lack of food; with roads open to Puerto Cortez and La Ceiba, we have no problem here. You'll have no problem eating well and often on Utila, whether you choose to buy food in the shops; grab a quick baleada on the road; or enjoy one of the many restaurants, which range from small, inexpensive comedors to full service American and Continental establishments. And of course, if you like, you will also find a wide variety of healthy juices, soft drinks, and licuados, as well as local and imported beer and cocktails! If your trip to the Islands is for nothing more than relaxation and a little beach- combing, then you're in luck! Our beaches suffered some minor erosion during the storm, but are now in good shape for walking, wandering, and hammock slinging. And who knows, you might get lucky and find an antique pirate bottle, washed up by the storm! If you are here for more energetic forms of relaxation, expect to be blown away! There are great trails through the jungle, for hiking, horseback riding, and animal watching. Kayaking in the lagoons and around the Island are excellent, with a great variety of local and migratory birds roosting in the lush mangroves. Fishing, in the lagoons, flats, and deep sea, is as good as ever. Most people either come to Utila to dive, or end up diving while they're here. And the diving, even in the wake of the storm, is outstanding! There has only been minor damage to the reef, and its recovery has already begun. At this very moment, the diver is aware of no damage, other than in very shallow water, and only in a few areas. Deepwater sponges and coral communities are for the most part very healthy (a group from Newcastle University in England called them the healthiest in the Caribbean this year!); the nutrients left in the water have attracted fish in great numbers; and the visibility, while not yet up to our very tough standards, is good and getting better day by day! Utila boasts two world-class, full service dive resorts; several mid-priced hotels offering affordable, all-inclusive dive packages; and more than ten independent dive shops. All are, or very soon will be, in full operation, so whether you are looking for an openwater course, an unforgettable week-long vacation, or anything in between, we have what you are looking for—and more! If you are concerned about martial law or your health, have no worries! Martial law is slated to be lifted on 1 December, and never really affected us here, anyway. There is no armed border patrol, and there are no additional government troops on the Island. There was a curfew, but it didn't really affect anybody, because by 11:00, we're in bed! We are not bothered by insect-borne disease in the Islands, and our water supply is not threatened in any way. There has been no incidence of the diseases we have heard mentioned, and we do not anticipate any! Immediately after the Hurricane, there was a lot of misinformation being circulated, and many travelers got the mistaken impression that Honduras was not a good destination; while this is undoubtedly still true of some areas on the mainland; it is definitely not true of Utila! Only a month after the Hurricane, Utila is once again easy to get to, and once you are here we are 100% ready to take care of you and show you the holiday of a lifetime. The weather is fine, the beaches are beautiful, and the diving is still truly world class! Of course we are deeply concerned about our neighbors who aren't as lucky as we have been, and are doing what we can to help our less fortunate neighbors. But we are also concerned because we want the world to know that we were by no means annihilated by the storm; that everything is back to normal on the Flower of the Caribbean; and that once again, Utila is ready for you! For more information on Utila Lodge, contact Roatan Charters at: (800)282-8932 (352)588-4132 Fax(352)588-4158 email utl@roatan.com www.roatan.com/utilalodge.htm www.roatan.com/honduras.htm Your Honduras Travel Specialist Since 1981