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| The Official Web Site of Utila, The Bay Islands, Honduras | |
Utila Carnival (Carnaval de Utila) is held in the last complete week of July. The Carnival was inaugurated in 1999 to help local people on the island following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998 ("The Mitch" as it is known in Utila) and has been held every year since then.
While initially held to fund local projects on the Island to improve facilities, repair roads, etc, Utila Carnival has become a week long party which attracts visitors from Honduras and throughout Central America, as well as many ex-patriot Utilians who return home for that week.
Semana Santa (Easter Week), Utila Carnival week, Sun Jam weekend (first weekend in August) and Christmas are traditionally the busiest times in Utila with tourists visiting the Island from all over Central America. If you are planning to visit the Island during these times you are advised to book accommodations well in advance. That does not necessarily mean if you cannot make an advance accommodation reservations you will not find anywhere to stay since the majority of smaller hotels, apartments and accommodations in Utila rely on the backpacker "walk-in" trade and as such do not take reservations.
| Utila Carnival 2008 19th - 27th July 2008 Calendar of Events |
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| Saturday | 19th | Coronation of the Carnival Queens |
| Sunday | 20th | Volleyball tournament at Bando Beach - There will be a maximum of 8 teams, 4 persons per team - Grand Prize of $US 1,000 (19,000 Lps) - Other Prizes for various categories - All Teams must be registered by 18-Jul-2007 - To Register your Team send an email to - Discounts at selected Utila Hotels for Players are available |
| Monday | 21st | Bonfire at Chepes Beach |
| Tuesday | 22nd | Noche Cultural - Centro |
| Wednesday | 23rd | Carnivalito - Sandy Bay |
| Thursday | 24th | Carnivalito - La Punta |
| Friday | 25th | Carnivalito - Cola de Mico |
| Saturday | 26th | Gran Parade 3:00pm with Gran Carnival en el Centro |
| Sunday | 27th | Closing concert at Chepes Beach |
Utila Carnival traditionally begins with the crowning of the Carnival Queen and Carnival Princesses. During the week are cultural events, sporting events, a bonfire at the beach, a Miss Utila Contest, and various street parties held in local neighborhoods. The restaurants tend to stay open later and many of the more popular bars remain open 24 hours a day.
Many winners of the Miss Utila Contest have gone on to compete in the national Miss Honduras contest. The Utila Carnival 2005 received major promotion throughout Honduras and Central America from Utila's first Reggaeton Group, and the "Utila Thrillas" No1 hit single "Carnaval de Utila"
 Crowd at Chepes Beach -2004 |
 Chicas Roland - 2004 |
 Parade 1999 |
 Parade 2006 |
 Parade 2006 |
 Carnival Queen 1999 |
 Carnival Queen 2004 |
 Miss Utila 2006 - Mary Collins |
This page was last updated 20-Oct-2007.
Every attempt has been made by the Webmaster (who lives here in Utila) to ensure the information provided is accurate and up to date. If you are aware of any errors or wish to post any comments please email me at WebMaster@AboutUtila.com with the details.
