Overview:Getting to Utila will take a bit of extra effort but the rewards will be great. There are no direct means of getting there so you will have to make several connections. Your reward is an unspoiled island where there are no franchise hotels, chain resorts, or fast food restaurants. This is an island where the people are genuine, honest and giving. An island where time have stood still while other islands have turned into a tourist mecca.

Getting there:

Option 1: As mentioned, it will take you several steps getting there. On Saturdays, Continental flies from Houston and Delta flies from Atlanta to the island of Roatan via a direct flight. From there, you can catch a commuter flight on Atlantic Airlines, Aerolina Islenia or Sosa Airlines to Utila via the mainland (La Ceiba). The ticket should cost you under $100 each way. Neither airline have a great website so information is hard to come by. However, no need to pre-purchase tickets since you can walk up to the ticket counter and purchase a ticket on the spot. They only have two flights a day on Saturday, so make sure that you have time to connect once you arrive in Roatan. Also, they seem to change their schedules on a daily basis based on passenger load so you may buy a ticket on one airline but be seated on one or two different airlines between the connections. Just go with the flow and get into the island atmosphere and realize that you are on vacation now. A side-note is that these flights are not for the faint of heart. You will be in a small and old commuter plane in Central America. However, the view of  the islands are priceless. The airport in Utila is no more than a little concrete strip between palm trees. There will be an old mini van waiting there which is the local taxi driver. The fare will be just a few dollars. All the locals on the island are very honest so don't worry about being overcharged.

Option 2:Another way to connect from Roatan is by ferry. Again, you must connect via La Ceiba on the mainland of Honduras. This is a cheaper alternative and a more relaxing way of reaching Utila. Time-wise it does not take much longer than connecting by air. You will need to take a cab from the airport in Roatan to the ferry terminal. It is about a ten minute ride but be careful with the taxi drivers. The one big negative with Roatan is that the cabs will overcharge tourists. A two dollar fare can easily be a twenty dollar ride. Make sure that you negotiate the price before getting in and that the price will include the airport gate fee. The cab drivers alone have completely ruined the island atmosphere of Roatan.

The first ferry you will take is serviced by Safe Way Maritime Ferry, a large and modern boat. A highly recommended choice is upgrading to first class. It will only cost you a couple of extra dollars but you will have a comfortable seat in the air-conditioned section and it includes a free soft drink. Once you reach La Ceiba, you will connect with Utila Princess from the same Pier. Depending on the weather, the boat will either be a smaller catamaran with a canvas cabin or an older transport ship. Remember to bring Dramamine if you tend to get sea-sick. The ferry pier is in town and most hotels are within walking distance. If you don't have a reservation yet, there are plenty of hotel  "greeters" at the pier, so finding a place to stay will not be a problem. For a little more upscale establishment (about  $50 a night), the Lighthouse Hotel offer a clean and quiet atmosphere. It is about a ten minute walk from the ferry.

Subject to change, the ferry leaves Roatan at 7 am and 2 pm. It is about a one hour ride. La Ceiba to Utila leaves at 9:30 am and 4  pm and is about one hour and thirty minutes. Returns are Utila to La Ceiba at 6:20 am and 2 pm. La Ceiba to Roatan is at 9:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Option 3:A third way of reaching Utila is to fly on a major airline to San Pedro Sula on the mainland of Honduras.  Most major airlines offer a daily service to SAP. From there you can catch a commuter flight on one of the aforementioned airlines to La Ceiba. You can buy a ticket at the ticket counter. Their schedules are coordinated with the major airlines so you should be able to catch the connection. If for some reason you miss the flight, you can take a bus to La Ceiba. You will have to spend the night in La Ceiba, but for your own safety, make sure that you get out of San Pedro Sula. From La Ceiba, you have the option of continuing on with a connecting flight or taking the ferry. If you decide to take the ferry, the connection is tight so find a cab and go to the ferry terminal as soon as possible. If you miss it, you will also have missed the last flight since they leave at the same time as the ferry. It may be worth the extra expense for the continued flight. The price difference is very small.

So those are the options of getting to Utila. It is not easy to get away from the Western World, but to really get away, you have to be willing to do what most tourists will not do.  Just look at it as an adventure that starts as soon as you get to the airport. Take things in stride and get into the island attitude. With a bit of patience and desire for an adventure, you will be there in no time.