Honduras Warnings Or Dangers Tips by epicult Top 5 Page for this destination

Utila is not about beaches (Update... July 2004)

Seems some American guy with too much money and absolutely no business sense has built a beach - complete with a large thatched roof bar area - near the tip of the old airport. It looks nice and is a great place to catch a few rays but that's about it. He is trying to change people 3 dollars per person to use the area. Good luck buddy. :-)

At the other end of the island, they've really cleaned up the beach area. See photo to the left. The photo in the previous trip is the same beach 3 years ago. Again, it's nothing like the beaches on the mainland or Roatan but nice enough if you're into beaches.

Utila is not about beaches!

Some believe that Utila is a beach paradise. This is not the case. There are 4 main activities in this order on the island:
- Diving
- Drinking
- Eating
- Chillin

Unfortunately, beach lounging is not one of them.

How to choose a good dive shop: Part 3

Things to look for
Although not an exhaustive resource, this covers relevant criteria in choosing a good shop without exploring areas frequently covered in dive texts and other publications. I'll be updating this as additional thoughts cross my mind :-)

Experience:
Prior to signing up, meet the people you will actually dive with. Ask about their overall experience (how many dives, what level of certification, etc.) as well as their 'actual' experience in diving the sites you want to experience. i.e., If the site is home to a moral eel, the people employed by your dive shop should know (without question) where to locate it.

Resources:
This not as important to more experienced divers, but for those new to diving, be sure there is a maximum 4 to 1 (openwater to divemaster) ratio while underwater.

Dive Locations:
If you have your heart set on a particular dive location, be sure to confirm that the dive you are signing up for is indeed the site you are going to visit. A shop may promise you one site and take you to another. Due to weather conditions, you may not be able to reach your site and may have to settle for another. If this is the case, try another day.

Gear:
Ever had bad air? You don't want to, trust me! Ask how often tanks are replaced and/or serviced. In what shape are their BCD's, reg's and other gear? These are probably good overall indications of the dive shop in general.

Boat:
What kind of boat(s) do they have? I personally don't care, as long as it can make a safe trip and has no holes in it. You may feel different. If so, ask to see the vessel before signing up. You may also want to ask about the skipper. Some of them can be a little crusty :-)

Price:
I have stated elsewhere, and ALWAYS tell fellow travelers, price alone is foolish decision criteria!!! Good gear, experienced dive masters/instructors, thoroughness, safety, and people 'you enjoy' make the difference between a cheap, ***ty (potential dangerous dive) and a reasonably priced experience of a lifetime!

How to choose a good dive shop: Part 1

I can't stress enough the importance of finding a good dive shop !!!

This advice series looks at important elements beginners should consider when looking for a good dive shop. This advice simply transfers the knowledge I have gained from my diving experiences, to you the reader.

If new to diving, please don't take another travelers word that a dive shop is good. People will always boast about how the shop 'they' dive/dove with is cats ass. Compared to what? How much dive experience does he/she have? Who knows?!?!

Choosing a good shop begins with a little pre-trip homework, your educated judgment and feeding off of your intuition... chances are, it's correct.

Safety Using Taxis

The following warning only applies to women traveling alone or very cautious travelers.

Places like San Pedro Sula, Tegus and, to some extent, La Ceiba can be a little rough around the edges and taking a taxi can make some people feel uneasy. Therefore, when hailing a cab - unless you're in a group or able to confidently fend for yourself - don't accept a ride if the driver has a friend in the passenger seat.

It must be noted that taxis in Honduras will frequently pick us as many people as they can enroute to make as much $$$ as they can and who can blame them? There have been many times I've hailed a cab with someone in the passenger seat and had no problems. With the odd exception of an aloof driver, all cabbies have been helpful, freindly and just trying to make an honest buck.

Toilet Edicate

If you're new to traveling in Central America and are planning a trip, please take note of the picture I have posted here. The same sewage treatment facilities we take for granted, just don't exist here.

It's hard to break old habits, but it's important to adhere to these simple rules of third-world toiletry law.

Squat and flush w/bucket

And most think I'm kidding when I say I collect pics of toilets from my travels... hahaha.

Not so much a danger but a warning to the ladies. A local toilet in Raista, La Mosquita.

La Ceiba - Trouble with travelers cheques

When in La Ceiba, only one bank (BFA) will cash your travelers cheques. When you do cash them, be sure your signature is absolutely identical to the one you originally signed on your cheque, or just forget it!

If you happen to be in La Ceiba, go to Expatriates. Mark and his wife (a nice Canadian couple) may cash them for you as long as you pay out for a great dinner and a couple drinks. Out of respect, I would not attempt this otherwise. The food is VERY good, and affordable.

How to choose a good dive shop: Part 2

Know your rights
On more than a few occasions, my experiences have been focused on 'watching over' less experienced divers (while underwater) to ensure they have a safe and adventure filled experience. This is usually due to the fact that the Dive Master(s) has/have no clue as to what is going on or that he/she is simply too inexperienced. While I'm more than happy to sacrifice my trip to this end, this is not necessary nor is it right.

This scares the sh*t out of me!!! I would certainly not want to be a newly certified openwater diver and have my dive master disappear completely! Nor would I want another diver to sacrifice his/her trip to watch over me. No matter what your experience/certification level, you have the right to good gear, watchful guidance, and a safe, stress-free, underwater adventure. If you ever do experience this, be sure to complain to the shop and demand a partial refund.