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Utila Carnival (Carnaval de Utila)

Utila Carnival (Carnaval de Utila) was usually held in the last complete week of July, but in 2009 the schedule was changed to shorten the duration of Carnival from 9 to 4 days and move it to mid-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 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. The first Carnival Queen was Chelsea Hill in 1999.

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"

Utila Thrillas

Watch the Video

Carnival de Utila
(19.8 MB WMV format)

Listen to

Carnival de Utila
(3.5 MB MP3 format)

Crowd at Chepes Beach -2004	Chicas Roland - 2004	Parade 1999	Parade 2006
Parade 2006	Carnival Queen Contestants 1999	Carnival Queen 2004	Miss Utila 2006 - Mary Collins
	Chelsea Hill - Carnival Queen 1999	Chelsea Hill - Carnival Queen 1999