ARRIVING INTO ROATAN OR SAN PEDRO SULA, MAINLAND HONDURAS

Transcription

1

2

3 ARRIVING INTO ROATAN OR SAN PEDRO SULA, MAINLAND HONDURAS We are so looking forward to having you at Utopia Village very soon! My name is Angelika and I am one of the owners of Utopia and your main contact once arriving on Utila. I live in Utila Town and will greet you and assure you get to Utopia Village. I can be reached on my cell: (do not use if you are calling within Honduras). We look forward to seeing you shortly and hope your travels are safe! A few helpful tips: *Pack all immediate need items: Toiletries (except liquid over 3oz.), a change of clothes, swim suit and regulators in your carry on. Better to be safe than sorry if luggage is delayed. We have had some instances where airlines had problems with luggage out of the US. Pack light. The resort is casual and has laundry service if required. The connecting flight allows one 50 lb. bag per person and one carry on including your dive gear. * Carry a few small bills to tip porters, luggage handlers and the taxi driver. Customary tip is $1-2 (20-40 Lempiras) To follow are your travel details for the inter-island transfer and arrival to the resort: SAN PEDRO SULA: Upon arrival immigrations can take up to one hour. Once complete you can pick up your checked baggage at the one and only bag claim area. Bags are scanned prior to you exiting into the main terminal. Your inter island flight is with Sosa Airlines. There is only one terminal. Head immediately to the Sosa desk and check in with your passport and bags at least one hour in advance. (If you have time and your gang is hungry, the only food spot is Wendy s in the main terminal.) There is also an ATM that provides Limpera (exchange rate:19l to $1) There is another security screening where you will be asked to pay approx. $1.50 USD airport tax. The flight is approximately 45 minutes in length. ROATAN: Upon arriving in Roatan immigrations can take up to one hour. Your inter island flight is with a private charter plane. You will be greeted at Immigrations or just outside in the main terminal. Your contact has your names and will be looking for you. Do not enter the domestic departure lounge without your pilot. The pilot will guide you through another security screening where you will be asked to pay approx. $1.50 USD airport tax. The flight is approximately 15 minutes in length. UTILA AIRPORT TO RESORT : Once at the Utila airstrip. Hank will greet you with a van or open air truck. Tell him you are going to Utopia and he will be sure to take you and your luggage to the boat dock. I will be there to greet you and make sure you get to Utopia. The drive into town to the boat dock is 7 minutes long. The Utopia boat docks at the center of town at Morgan s Dock or the Main Pier. The Miss U, our 40- foot dive boat will be waiting to take you to Utopia. If the winds are calm the boat ride is 20 minutes to the dock adjacent to Utopia Village. In case of higher winds, we take an alternative route through an inland canal and lagoon. Please me if you have any questions. See you very soon!! Best Regards, Angelika C. Lukacsy President & Director of Business Development Utopia Village angelika@utopiautila.com

4 TOP 10 TRAVEL TIPS FOR UTILA & UTOPIA VILLAGE: 1. Make sure your passport is NOT within 6 months of being expired. The airlines are not always informed on this recent Honduran law. Immigration may allow you to exit your country, but once in Honduras, you will not be allowed to fly back to your departure destination. 2. Pack light. The resort is casual and has laundry service. The connecting inter island flight allows one 50 lb. bag and one carry on including your dive gear per person. 3. Try to pack your mask/snorkel and regulator in your carry on. 4. Pack a pump bottle of deet in your checked bag /easy access. OFF family or deep woods is best. We provide a pest maintenance system at Utopia, however at dawn and dusk the microscopic sand flies are worst, especially in calm weather. Try to spray prior to getting on the connecting inter island flight. Make sure to put it back into your checked bag or they will take it at the domestic security screening area. 5. Pack a lightweight pair of pants and long sleeve shirt in your carry on. 6. We have complimentary wireless in the main areas: bring your laptop or you can use our computer/internet for $4 per hour. Long distance skype calls 10 cents/min. 7. Emergency contact number for family staying at home is (cell on site) GSM phones and Blackberry type devices(with world calling plans)can get reception at the resort. 8. Make sure you have filled in your profiles and ed them to Kyle@utopiautila.com. Especially those with food allergies or special needs with diving: Nitrox, pure oxygen, disability issues. We are remote and need to plan ahead for you. 9. Water temps average between F, day air temp is from the mid 80 s to low 90 s. Night air is mid-70 s range most times of the year. Bring a full wet suit ad Hoodie during rainy season: October-Mid-January. 10. The resort is filled with sand and crushed coral. Ladies no need for heels of any kind. Just flat sandals, flip flops and tennis shoes. The Utopia Staff wishes you all a safe and happy travel experience. Contact us at travel@utopiautila.com with any questions.

5 Activities Available at an Additional Charge Guided Snorkeling The house reef of Utopia provides a perfect place to view different species of coral and colorful Caribbean fish. Your guide will take you from the shallows to the edge of the wall where the deep blue ocean drops to 130 feet. Use of an underwater fish chart helps you learn the names of the typical species found on Utila s reef. Appointments from 1-4pm Kayaking Excursion A perfect way to take advantage of the unique locations on and around Utila is by kayak. Tour some of Utila s inland mangrove filled lagoons and take the lower lagoon channel to the North Side where you may view wildlife such as egrets, herons, cormorants, iguanas, orchids and if you re lucky...boa constrictors. 4 hour tours: 8am-12pm or 1-4pm Freshwater Cave Adventure Begin with a quad or open-air truck ride up to the caves. Take a refreshing dip into this natural pool while enjoying nature s limestone formations. Your guide will provide a brief history of the area (pirate folklore regarding lost treasure) and then lead you into the caves. One cave is open and easily accessible, the other requires an underground climb. Take a swimsuit, torches and candles and explore. 3 hour tours: 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm Day at the Cays Spend a day sightseeing at the tiny fishing village of Pigeon Cay, just a short boat ride from Utopia Village. Enjoy lunch at a waterfront restaurant and then zip over to Water Cay, a tiny uninhabited, palm-treed, white sanded island paradise. Enjoy snorkeling and a picnic snack with cool beverages while you soak up the Sun. Bring a hammock and a book and leave your worries behind. Park fees included. Lunch on Pigeon Cay is optional and not included in fee above. Alcoholic beverages are available at an additional charge. 4-5 hours: 10am-5pm Whale Shark & Dolphin Excursion The Whale Shark excursion is a two part series of lecture and boat snorkeling trip. The excursion includes a theory session by a local expert or research scientist that covers biology, behavior and conservation of the Whale Shark. Go on a four-hour boat trip to search for these elusive giants. Chances are you may also spot a pod of Dolphins! Boat excursion: M-TH 1-5pm, Fri 8am-12pm Circle Island Tour Take the day to experience all the shores of Utila by local dory. This trip provides views that are only accessible by boat. Several stops are made along the way at secluded areas for snorkeling and swimming. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided. Your lively guide will share the history of the island and it s unique Caribbean culture. 4 hour tours: 9am-4pm

6 Cooking Classes Beginner and advanced courses available. Learn the basics of menu planning, knife skills and developing flavors that reflect the Caribbean. Learn to prepare an island menu based on the fresh items available in the local markets. Try your hand at fire grilled spiny tail lobster brushed with white truffle butter served with a sautéed summer squash and root vegetable medley, such as the age-old cassava. Island style sauces are an excellent way to spice up any meal. Chef Hugh will share his sauce secrets and give you some food plating tips to wow your friends and family. 2-3 hours, afternoons Flats fishing Fishing trips for two anglers with a local knowledgeable guide. If your lucky enough to get Mr. Herman as your guide you ll quickly learn about this islands history and all the tall pirate tales, also. All our guides have been fishing these waters since they were young and know them extremely well. Fish the sandy flats near the Utila Cays and some of the lagoon areas for Tarpon, bonefish, snapper and tuna. Snacks and drinks provided on board. (Alcoholic beverages available at an additional charge.) 4-6 hour excursions available beginning at 7am Deep Sea Fishing Enjoy deep-sea fishing around the waters of Utila on your own private boat that allows up to 4 anglers in addition to the captain and guide. Boat fully equipped with emergency devices, GPS, and fish finder. Try your luck at Wahoo, Marlin, and Dorado. Breakfast, snacks and drinks served on board and includes pick up and drop off at Utopia s dock. (Alcoholic beverages can be provided at an additional charge.) Itinerary: 6am-12pm Cayos Cochinos Eco Tour Take a private speedboat or catamaran to the beautiful island of Cayos Cochinos. Cayos is a protected marine park with pristine reefs and unique coral formations. Indigenous tribes called The Garifuna Indians still live as they did 200 years ago. Visit their villages and have a fish or lobster lunch prepared especially for you. We can arrange a park guide that will take you on a trek to the Lighthouse home of the rare Pink Boa. Snorkel the crystal clear waters on several unique sites enjoying the local marine life. Includes pick up at resort dock, round trip boat ride, marine permits and snorkeling. Drinks and lunch not included. Itinerary: 6am-6pm Pico Bonito Rainforest Park Take a day trip to the mainland to Pico Bonito Park & Lodge. Spend the morning hiking to a beautiful waterfall on lush jungle paths. Have an excellent lunch at the lodge while enjoying breathtaking views of Honduras tallest mountain Pico Bonito. Tour the butterfly conservatory and serpentarium learning about some of Honduras indigenous jungle species. Lunch at lodge is included. Itinerary: 5am to 5pm. Mainland Zip Lining & White Water Rafting Take a day trip to La Ceiba and spend the morning rafting the rapids down gorgeous jungle rivers. Spend the afternoon zip lining the canopies while your guide teaches you about some of the local creatures. Round trip Ferry to La Ceiba, transfers to lodge and lunch are paid directly by guests. 5am to 5pm. Copan Trip Let Utopia Village make all the arrangements for a two night stay in this romantic cobble stoned city prior to your arrival to the islands and Utopia. Arrive in San Pedro Sula and take a private taxi or bus to the city of Copan. Stay at a quaint Spanish style villa hotel near the town square teaming with local vendors and crafts. Includes guided tours of the Mayan Ruins, tropical bird sanctuary and a coffee plantation. Itinerary: 2 to 3 nights Spanish Language Lessons Learn beginning Spanish while sitting on the beach. The vivacious Heidi has been teaching at the language school on the mainland for years. Combining her love for the islands and teaching both English and Spanish to students, she now resides at Utopia Village full time. Courses can vary from one beginner class with The Basics for vacationing or visiting a Latin country to a weeklong custom course outline.