Utila – Week 1, Day 1: Welcome to Underwater Vision!
UTILA
Week 1
Day 1: Welcome to Underwater Vision!
November 13, 2022
Having decided to meet Gustavo again when I’d return to the mainland after visiting the Bay Islands in the Caribbean, it was time for me to move on to yet another destination – the island of Utila. This time, I’d be accompanied by Emma and Julia, who, by then, felt like lifelong friends. Our endless banter and humour kept us entertained throughout.
Early in the morning, we had a taxi pick us up from our hostel and take us to the ferry. A one-hour ride later, and there we were – the island of Utila. I’d heard so many great things about this place, with scuba diving being its number one tourist attraction. People often compare it to Caye Caulker in Belize, while Roatán – which I’d be visiting the following week – is said to resemble San Pedro more. Given that San Pedro hadn’t been my favourite, I was considering changing my plans and heading to the nearby island of Guanaja instead; a much less touristic and urbanised option. But I had a whole week to figure this out – a week full of diving and adventure around Utila!
Ironically, at first glance Utila was quite different from Caye Caulker and reminded me more of San Pedro, with its colourful houses and paved roads. The laid-back vibe was shared by both locals and tourists casually strolling the streets. From the port, a long main road stretches east and west, with most attractions centred in the southeast. Of course, for those keen to go off the beaten path, the island offers hidden troves and treasures elsewhere.
Hostels from Heaven
After Emma, Julia, and I arrived – all dragging ridiculously heavy bags – we split up, each heading to our own hostel.
I’d be spending the first two nights in a lesser-known spot, then joining them at Underwater Vision, where I’d get free accommodation while doing my PADI Advanced Open Water course. Since Emma was starting the same course the following day, I changed my plans to join her. Still, I had already paid for my hostel, so I’d have to wait a couple of days before moving in. Julia, meanwhile, was doing her PADI Rescue course, having completed the Advanced one a few months earlier.
My hostel was practically paradise – a wooden terrace overlooking the pristine blue water, dotted with swings, hammocks, beanbags, and couches. A pier stretched out into the Caribbean, perfect for a morning swim. After settling into the dorm and introducing myself to Carina and Jonathan (a German couple) and Vanessa and Troy (an Aussie pair), I went off to see the girls at their place.
Gotta admit, if my hostel was paradise, theirs was heaven on earth. The second I stepped into Underwater Vision, I fell in love – and instantly regretted my booking. A wooden shack served as the office, with an open-plan restaurant beneath it. This led out to a massive beachside terrace, where people were swimming, sunbathing, playing volleyball, or just lounging in hammocks strung between palm trees. Honey and Ziggy, the two resident dogs, ran free. On the pier, a dive boat was being loaded with scuba gear by a buzzing group. I’d be one of them the next morning – and I couldn’t friggin’ wait!
Bikinis, Biberbande, and Beer Pong
While I was getting over my envy, Emma and Julia had already planned out the day. First stop: any shop selling bikinis – Emma had somehow left hers back in Tulum. Clearly, no one survives Utila without swimwear… unless they’re real adventurous.
Next, we grabbed lunch at a fancy restaurant that was way above our backpacker budget. Our waiter, William, gave us the lowdown on Utila’s nightlife:
Monday: Trivia night and karaoke
Tuesday: Tequila Tuesdays
Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Ladies night
Friday: Beer Pong
Weekend: A big whole nothing
We hit up the supermarket for groceries, then returned to the dive shop to spend the rest of the afternoon chilling and playing Beverbende, a Dutch card game that’s basically a funnier version of Cambio. As we sat there, with a glorious, incredible, magnificently stupendous Caribbean sunset overlooking Underwater Vision, I could tell that this place was special.
Exhausted after a packed day, I dragged myself back – reluctantly – to my own hostel. As nice as it was, it still wasn’t Underwater Vision. Whatever. I’d be moving in soon enough. In the meantime, I could enjoy my hostel’s peace and quiet.