14 Amazing Things to Do in Utila Other Than Diving

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If you think diving is the only thing to do on Utila, think again! I didn’t dive a single time and my week on Utila was still fully packed with activities every single day! After exploring this lovely island I will share my favorite things to do there below.

After exploring Central America for several months I’ve actually lost count of how many times people wondered why I even went to Utila if I wasn’t supposed to dive or learn to dive. And I always find it so funny, because I had such an amazing time exploring the island and the area around without doing a single dive.

So I’m here to tell you that even if you don’t want to dive, there are plenty of things to do on Utila and I’m sure you will still fall in love with the tiny island as I did.

The only downside with it being such a small island is that opening hours were pretty random. In fact the most random I’ve ever encountered, meaning that some of the activities I had planned were closed when I got there and some that said they were closed turned out to be open. So take it from me and double check every opening hour and even then dont get your hopes up. Or maybe you’ll have more luck than I did.

Here’s my full list of the best things to do in Utila.

Explore the Mosaic House (Tito’s Paradise)

This place is seriously underrated. It’s basically an outdoor mosaic museum/art installation that’s hidden in a side street above the city. There were local artists working on new pieces when I went, and the colors and creativity blew me away. I recommend going during daytime to fully see all the colors and have time to explore the whole place, it’s so much bigger than I thought!

There is a bar in there to, which I’ve understood used to be open pretty frequently, but now it seems they were only open once a month. My poor Spanish didn’t really understand everything the owner said, so this might be worth researching a bit further if you want to go there for a drink. Now it seems like it’s more of a community art space. Either way, don’t miss it.

Exploring Tito’s House on Utila

Take a day trip to Water Caye (An Absolute Must!)

This was honestly one of the best things I did during my entire month in Honduras. Water Caye is a tiny island about 30 minutes from Utila by boat, and it looks like it came straight off a postcard. We went with Bush’s, one of the more reliable tour companies and paid about $25 per person. I checked with every company I could find and they all offered the same service but charged everything from 25$ to 100$.

You can borrow a cooler from them for free and you get about four hours to do whatever you want on the island. Bring drinks, snacks, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear (they rent it out if you don’t have your own). Adrian went snorkeling and saw all kinds of fish while I just floated in the calm water and soaked it all in. There are toilets but not much else, so plan ahead.

Pro tip: Trips aren’t guaranteed every day, especially in low season so I recommend to book a trip early in your stay so you can be flexible if the weather isn’t good enough.

Water Caye outside Utila

Neptune’s Beach Club

Neptune’s is a beach bar and restaurant located on the far end of the island and is only accessible by boat. Don’t worry, they organize the transport, but it can be a little confusing how to get there. We at least went the wrong way and ended up missing the boat. I’ve written a separate guide on everything you need to know so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.

Once you arrive, it’s like a private paradise. There’s a great swimming area, sun loungers, and fantastic snorkeling right off the dock. This is definitely a must visit on Utila in my book!

Exploring Neptune’s on Utila

Visit Chepes Beach - The Main Beach in Utila

Let’s be real, Utila isn’t famous for its beaches. If you’re looking for the perfect sandy beach in Honduras, then Roatan would be a better choice. However, Chepes Beach is still a lovely place to hang out for a few hours, especially if you just want to do nothing. Located at the far end of the main street on the east side of the island, Chepes has lounge chairs, beach swings, and a chilled-out vibe that’s ideal for reading, sipping something fruity, or simply watching the waves roll in. It’s close to bars, bathrooms, and snacks as well as easy to get to, so no need to overthink it, just show up.

Chepes Beach on Utila

Get sunset drinks at Huffy’s Beach Bar

This was one of my favorite spots on the island. It’s part beach bar, part sunset-viewing deck, and 100% cute. Huffy’s has swings in the water, colorful beds and chairs to lounge in, and some seriously strong margaritas that sneak up on you. The vibes here are immaculate for a sunset party or lazy afternoon hangout. We spent a day just relaxing here and had the place almost to ourselves because the weather wasn’t all that great, and we absolutely loved it!

Explore the Utila animal shelter

This place melted my heart. If you love animals (who doesn’t?), come by to cuddle with cats while reading your book or volunteer to walk a dog. Make sure to check their walk schedule because it gets too hot during the day to take the dog out for walks. Even if you’re not volunteering, it’s a beautiful place to visit, and they’re doing great work. I highly recommend stopping by.

Utila animal shelter

Wander through the Utila Chocolate Factory

Okay, full transparency, I came here and it was closed so I can’t give any personal recommendations unfortunately. But I’ve heard amazing things about their homemade chocolates, brownies, and cacao drinks. The vibe is supposed to be super chill and there’s a little shop you can buy goodies from. I’m including it here so you can check the opening hours before showing up. It’s a bit of a walk from the city center, but I enjoyed the walk even if it turned out to be closed when I got there.

Dr. John’s

Okay, I have to be honest, I don’t fully get Dr. John’s, but I love that it exists. It’s kind of a Utila institution, known for its quirky bar vibes and even quirkier events like twerking contests, “shit hat” nights, and all sorts of games where you win random thrift store prizes. Sadly, it was closed both times I tried to stop by, but if you’re up for a wild night out or just want to experience one of Utila’s weirdest and most wonderful spots, it’s definitely worth checking the opening hours and going with a group for the full experience!

Other things to do on Utila that I didn’t try

Watch turtles nest (If you’re lucky!)

If you’re visiting during turtle nesting season, typically from May to October, make sure to look into the turtle beach sanctuary on the island. I was there at the wrong time of year sadly, but from what I’ve read, you can witness baby turtles hatching and even help out with conservation efforts. Definitely reach out in advance to book something if it lines up with your trip.

Bando beach

I tried to go here to swim and watch the sunset, but learned that it was closed. It’s probably the first time I’ve experienced a closed beach so I was pretty surprised. I did however learn that it is a private beach with opening hours. We sadly never made it back so I don’t have any personal recommendations, but the locals I talked to said it was a great beach so make sure to check it out. Just learn from my mistake and check the opening hours first. I honestly didn’t think a beach could be closed, but apparently it can.

Visit the Iguana Research Station

The Iguana Research & Breeding Station work to protect the endangered Utila spiny-tailed iguana (also known as the “swamper”). I didn’t actually make it inside, after a long day of closed doors around the island, I admit I lost steam, but I heard from other travelers that it’s worth a visit if you’re into conservation and local wildlife. The entrance fee helps support their important work, and you can learn all about the iguanas that only live here on Utila. If I had more time, this would’ve been on my list for sure!

Pumpkin Hill Beach

We considered heading to Pumpkin Hill Beach one afternoon, but after chatting with a few locals, we decided to skip it. Apparently, it’s one of the less maintained beaches on the island, more plastic tends to wash up there, and it can feel a bit scruffy compared to other spots. That said, some people swear by it, especially if you’re looking for a quiet stretch of sand away from the crowds. If you’ve got more time on the island, it might be worth checking out, but if you’re short on days, I’d stick to beaches closer to town.

Go diving (if that’s your thing)

I didn’t dive on Utila, but it would be very wrong not to include this. Utila is one of the cheapest places in the world to get your PADI certification, and people literally come here from all over just to do that. There are tons of dive schools, so if you’re interested in learning to dive or doing a few fun dives, this is the place. Since I personally didn’t do this I dont have a specific school to recommend, but there are so many to choose from and most of them offer a place to stay in the diving pack.

Final Thoughts: Is Utila Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! It’s not polished or perfect, but that’s part of the charm. Utila is the kind of place where you can party one night, relax on a beach the next, and then hop on a boat to a picture-perfect caye the day after. It’s budget-friendly, easy to get around, and full of friendly locals and travelers. If you’re traveling through Honduras, don’t skip it.

If you have any questions about Utila, Honduras or Central America in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help put!

-Ingrid