Yearly Calendar:
February: Roatan Baseball Season begins
March: Bay Islands Triathlon
April: Holy Week celebrations
April: arrival of Garifuna celebrations
April 22: Bay Islands Return to Honduras celebrations
April: Jonesville Pirate's Fair
May: La Ceiba Carnival
June: Roatan International Shrimp Festival
July: Island Baseball Championship
July: Utila Carnival
August: Utila's Water Cay Sunjam Festival
September: Roatan Fishing Tournament and Carnival
December 13: free zone anniversary
December: French Harbour Christmas Festival

Utila Facts:
Population: 10,000 (2005 estimate)
Area: 16 sq. miles/ 41 sq. kilometers /with 13 cays
Dimensions: 4 kilometers wide / 12 kilometers long
Language: English, Spanish
Cultures: English settlers, Afro Caribbean, Ladino
Temperature: Tropical: 80-85 degrees / 75%-90% humidity
Rain Season: Mid October - mid February
Hurricane Season: April 1- September 30
Flora: tropical forests, mangroves, sandy beaches
Fauna: 12 mammals, 36 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Birds: 120 species of resident and migratory birds
Marine Life: Fringing coral reef with hundreds of fish and invertebrate species
Currency: $1US = 19 Lempira / 1 Lempira = 5 cents US
Measurements: Imperial and Metric
Electricity: 110 Volts / 60 Hz
Telephone Code: (504)- country code and .HN (Honduras internet domain)
Entry Requirement: Passport, no visa for most countries, 30 day entry permit renewable up to 90 days
Departure Tax: $32- international / $1.60- domestic
Driving: Drive on right hand. Foreign license valid for 90 days.
Taxis: Agree on price before ride (see chart for prices)
Tipping: 10% at restaurants

Roatan Facts:
Population: 65,000 (2005 estimate)
Area: 49 sq. miles/ 127 sq. kilometers /with 23 cays
Dimensions: 2-4 kilometers wide / 45 kilometers long
Language: English, Spanish, Garifuna
Cultures: Afro Caribbean, English settlers, Garifuna, Ladino
Temperature: Tropical: 80-85 degrees / 75%-90% humidity
Rain Season: Mid October - mid February
Hurricane Season: April 1- September 30
Flora: tropical forests, mangroves, sandy beaches
Fauna: 12 mammals, 36 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Birds: 120 species of resident and migratory birds
Marine Life: Fringing coral reef with hundreds of fish andinvertebrate species
Currency: $1US = 19 Lempira / 1 Lempira = 5 cents US
Measurements: Imperial and Metric
Electricity: 110 Volts / 60 Hz
Telephone Code: (504)- country code and .HN (Honduras internet domain)
Entry Requirement: Passport, no visa for most countries, 30 day entry permit renewable up to 90 days
Departure Tax: $32- international / $1.60- domestic
Driving: Drive on right hand. Foreign license valid for 90 days.
Taxis: Agree on price before ride (see chart for prices)
Tipping: 10% at restaurants

Guanaja's Facts:
Home to 11,000 people, the Island was discovered by Columbus in 1502. Although originally named Island of Pines, Guanaja's forests took a real beating during Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Most people live on Bonacca Cay, with the rest of the mountainous island remaining a National Reserve. The principal town is as densely populated as Hong Kong.

Utila:

Iguana Research and Breeding Station:
Take guided tours at the station where the threatened Utila iguanas are studied. M-W-F: 2-5 pm.

Learn Spanish: CASS language school:
Offers Spanish language and culture classes on weekly basis. (info@ca-spanish.com)

Horseback riding:
Utila offers excellent horseback riding tours both on the beach and in the back-country bush. (425-3134)

Fly Fishing:
The island's many lagoons and several lakes are a perfect place to practice the fine art of casting.

Diving/Snorkeling:
One of Utila's most popular wrecks is the Halliburton and the island is one of world's best sites for spotting whale sharks. Try any of the island's 11 dive shops located throughout town and on the Cayos.

Deep Sea Fishing:
Anglers can try hooking wahoo, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, barracuda, tuna and marlin. Charters are available in East End.

Gunter's Driftwood Gallery:
Unique displays of resin inlays, wood sculpture, paintings, maps and jewelry. Look for a sign 50 m west of Mango Inn and give yourself an art break. (425-3113)

Utila Museum:
Delight in an extravagant space and discover the island's history thru a collection of antique documents, bottles, pottery, yaba-ding-dings, coins and post-cards. (425-3270)

Water Sports:
At Chepas Beach, five minutes from town, you can rent a jet-skis, go on a 2-man tubes, or ride on the 4-person "Water Banana." (425-3244)

Water Cay Camping:
Rent a sea kayak, or ask about motor boat charter to visit this uninhabited cay that can be yours for a day.

Kite surfing:
Learn to kite surf or just watch the adventurers on Chepas beach.

Climbing Wall:
Take a course, or just show-off your skills by going vertical on a 40 foot man made climbing wall.

Pumpkin Hill:
Hike to the islands highest spot, look for its caves and a legendary pirate treasure.

Jade Seahorse:
Experience a unique, extravagant garden, Treetanic treetop bar and cave space envisioned and built by one of Utila's best artists and visionary spirits. (425-3270)

Dining:
The abundant seafood and extravagant characters made Utila into a culinary destination delight. Try Italian, seafood, American, sushi, Israeli, Vegan, or Chinese. Its all here.

People watching:
sit in a sidewalk café sipping a cappuccino, on the 'red bench,' and watch the local characters pass.

Utila Carnival:
Every April parades, beauty queens, dance and sport contests make Utila a must. Weeklong neighborhood parties and carnivals precede the weekend finale that is one of the best in Honduras.

Sunjam:
A week after Utila Carnival the Water Cay in Cayos hosts the largest 24 hour rave party in Central America.

Mangrove Tour:
Rent a kayak, or hire a boat to see the man made canal. Experience the serenity of a mangrove forest and spot a crocodile, or two.

Bird Watching:
Hike just walk or bike past the old airport to a viewing dock that will put you in a middle of a marshland and dozens of bird species.

Iron Shore:
See and feel the waves crash into the ancient emerged coral.

Beach:
Try the nearby Chepas beach for great sand, snorkeling. For a more private beach experience try the Pumpkin Hill beach, or David's Beach on the West End.

Roatan:

Roatan Museum & Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences, Sandy Bay:
Learn about the island's history, or enjoy a dolphin skill show. (445-3003)

Canopy Tour in West Bay and French Harbour:
Glide or zoom through rainforest canopy on a 200-meter steel cable from hilltop to a beach. (970-0864, 965-2135, 904-7855)

Carambola Botanical Gardens, Sandy Bay:
Enjoy a hike or a picnic at this rainforest garden while watching for birds watching, wildlife. Open 7 days/week. (445-3117)

CASS Spanish School, Sandy Bay & West Bay:
Learn Spanish through culture classes on weekly basis. (3331-3585)

Dolphin Experience, Sandy Bay & Coxen Hole:
Swim, interact and learn about these smart marine mammals at one of the islands oldest resorts. (445-3003)

Roatan Butterfly Garden, West End:
The garden is home to over 12 different species of butterflies, exotic plants and tropical fruit trees. Open Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm. (445-4481)

Iguana Farm, French Cay:
The Iguana Farm is home to over 3,000 iguanas, 200 lobsters, 200 conch fish, tarpon fish and turtles. (455-7482)

Glass Bottom Boat, West Bay:
Watch marine life and reef with your entire family, in comfort with a knowledgeable guide. (3336-5597)

Pirate Tours, Port Royal:
Take a guided tour on the Captain Merrell boat across the bay from Oak Ridge to Port Royal. (435-2576)

Parasailing:
Enjoy a delectable view of the island while being pulled by a boat (9967-0777)

Diving & Snorkeling:
Some of the more famous island wrecks are Prince Albert and the Aguila. Roatan has over 15 dive shops located through the island and excellent snorkeling from the several beaches.

Mangrove Tours:
Take a nature tour through Roatan's quiet, pristine and magnificent mangroves. Water taxis are available from Jonesville, Oak Ridge or Calabash Bight. (435-2576)

Shark Dive, Las Palmas in Dixon Cove:
If regular reef diving isn't exhilarating enough, try diving in a company of dozens of reef sharks. (445-1283)

Horseback Riding:
Several horse stables on Roatan offer rides along beaches and trails in Sandy Bay, West Bay, West End and Palmetto Bay. (445-3003, 3391-3688)

Gumba Limba Park, West Bay:
Something for everyone: monkeys, tropical birds, a beach with water equipment and a museum cave. You can catch and release fish from a pond fed by a waterfall. (9946-5559)

SCUBA diving, West Bay:
Dive to three or 30 feet in comfort and without the hustle of air tanks.

Sea Shell Carving, Gravel Bay:
Watch artists carve intricate cameos and sea shells at a Stone Castle Cameo. (408-3169)

Coral Cay, Dixon Cove:
See a turtle hatchery, a nurse shark or just rent snorkel gear, a kayak and swim off to nearby coral and two ship wrecks. (445-5744)

Deep Sea Fishing:
Bay Islands' waters and banks are heaven for anglers on the lookout for wahoos, king mackerel, mahi mahi, barracuda, tuna and marlin. (455-7841)

Fly Fishing:
If you want to wade in the cool waters to try fly fishing, Roatan offers packages in the east end. (455-7841)

Windsurfing School, Sandy Bay:
The school offers advanced & beginner lessons and equipment rentals. (3378-8878)

Kiteboarding, Marble Hill Farms:
Exciting sport combining wind, jumps, and boarding (3312-8439)

Spa, Parrott Tree Plantation:
When all activities tire you out, treat yourself to a massage, a body wrap and bring yourself back to life in style. (9991-0474)

Parasailing, West End:
Harness yourself for a better view of the island from a boat-pulled parachute. (9967-0777, 445-4335)

Catamarans, West Bay & Dixon Cove:
Rent your own or go along on a sailing trip around the shores of Roatan. (455-7841)

Plane and Seaplane Charter:
If you want to have a bird's view of the island just go up in a Cessna or hire a two seat seaplane. (445-1417, 9858-8819)

Deep Water Submarine, West End:
Ride in the world's deepest tourist submarine at Half Moon Bay. There is a shipwreck at 2,600 feet to explore & a seamount rising over 2,000 feet. (3359-2887)

Yübu Garifuna Experience, Politilly Bight:
This Garifuna experience center exhibits the African-Caribbean community's dancing, handicrafts, traditional activities & food. (3369-0015)

Caribbean Paintball:
Shoot it out with your friends in the jungles of a tropical island.

Cayos Cochinos:
A marine protected area and home to the Smithsonian Tropical Institute. You can visit it and dive with AKR, Subway Water Sports, Las Rocas or by boat from Nueva Armenia. (3387-0579)

West End Barhopping:
Sip a 'Monkey lala' or a 'Mojito' watching a sunset.

Jet Skiing and wakeboarding:
Turquoise Bay (455-7506, 419-1240)

Sea Kayaking:
Roatan has over six kayaking rentals located through the island and excellent snorkeling from the several beaches.

Hook 'Em Up with Capt. O:
Deep Sea Fishing, Island Tours at West End 27' Sport fisher, Quality Gear: Penn, rapala, squid (9919-7603)

Scooter & Motorcycle Rentals:
Coxen Hole, Sandy Bay, West End & West Bay

Roatan Paint Ball:
Monkey Combat located in west end (445-4158)

Guanaja:

Michael Rock:
Hike to this nature's wonder thru a tropical pine forest.

Big Gully waterfalls:
A spectacular waterfall with a swimming pool below. You can stop for a look, or continue on to hike to the 1,362 feet rock cliff. Inquire at the airport, or at your hotel to arrange your hike.

Bonacca:
Originally composed of two cays that merged and submerged together, the Bonacca Cay is full of picturesque alleyways and man-made canals. Its 6,000 residents created a little Hong Kong completely built over with homes and businesses. Plenty of little hotels and smiling faces will great you there.

Diving/Snorkeling:
Guanaja has a unique triple barrier reef- probably the best in the Bay Islands. Especially interesting are the island's sunken wrecks, including the Jado Trader. All Guanaja dive shops are affiliated with local resorts.

Deep Sea Fishing:
Anglers can try the island's abundant fishing waters, troll and hook wahoos, king mackerel, mahi mahi, barracuda, tuna and marlin. Charters are available.

Hiking:
through the national pine forest reserve and discover local fruits along the trails. Try the plentiful sea grapes, coco plums, hog plums, lemons, avocados and bananas. Trails are unmarked, but easy to follow.

Guanaja Canal:
This man-made water way serves as a short cut between the island's north and south shores.