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| The Official Web Site of Utila, The Bay Islands, Honduras | |
See our main Tourist Information page for more Utila Tourist Guides & Information
The Honduran currency is the Lempira.
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| 1 Lempira Banknote approx 5 US Cents |
2 Lempira Banknote approx 10 US Cents |
5 Lempira Banknote approx 30 US cents |
10 Lempira Banknote approx 50 US Cents |
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| 20 Lempira Banknote approx 1 US Dollar |
50 Lempira Banknote approx 2.7 US Dollars |
100 Lempira Banknote approx 5.4 US Dollars |
500 Lempira Banknote approx 27 US Dollars |
Use the Currency Converter below to find the latest exchange rate for your favorite currency.
In Utila (as with most of Honduras) U.S. Dollar banknotes can be used in place of the Lempira, with the local stores and businesses usually giving exchange rates at the same (or sometimes better) than the local Honduran banks, and without charging exchange commissions.
The local BGA Bank cashes US Dollar American Express Travellers Checks only
The local Banco Atlantida does not cash Travelers Checks
Hendersons Supermarket used to cash US Dollar Travelers checks from most Travelers Check Issuers, but stopped doing this in March 2005 after Archie Henderson was mugged on the mainland while carrying the travelers checks. Hendersons Supermarket still exchanges US Dollars into Lempiras and vice-versa at about the same rate as the local banks, but without the long wait in the queue.
It is very difficult to cash Travelers checks in currencies other than US Dollars.
Very few Utila businesses accept credits cards, the exceptions being Bay Islands College of Diving, Deep Blue Divers, Deep Blue Resort, Laguna Beach Resort and Utila Lodge, who accept Travelers checks, American Express, Visa, and MasterCard. Credit cards are subject to a 7% local banking fee. This list is growing monthly to include the Mango Inn and Utila Dive Centre. Be warned, that very few places in Honduras accept MasterCard, carry VISA.
The first (and only) ATM in Utila went into operation on 19-Jul-2005 and is located at BGA Bank opposite the Utila Municipal Dock. The ATM machine is part of the Banet, Unibanc and BANRed24 network. The Assistant Manager tells me the maximum withdrawal is 9,000 Lempira per day, and despite the ATM having VISA, Plus, Cirrus, MasterCard and Systema Clave stickers all over it, I have been reliably informed it only accepts VISA cards.
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VISA Cash withdrawals are available over the counter from BGA Bank and Banco Atlantida
MasterCard Cash withdrawals are not available at these Bank counters.
There are 2 banks in Utila
BGA Bank - Open Mon-Fri 08:30am to 3:30pm, Sat 08:30am - 11:30pm, Sun Closed
Banco Atlantida - Open Mon-Fri 08:30am to 3:30pm, Sat 08:30am - 11:30pm, Sun Closed
Be aware, there is normally very long queues in the Banks at Utila, be prepared for a long wait.