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Currency & Money

See our main Tourist Information page for more Utila Tourist Guides & Information

Currency

The Honduran currency is the Lempira.

	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
	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

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US Dollars

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.

Travelers Checks

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.

Credit Cards

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.

ATM Machines

The first ATM in Utila went into operation on 19-Jul-2005 and is located at HSBC Bank opposite the Utila Municipal Dock. As at 5-Jan-2009, there are now 3 ATM machines in Utila, One at HSBC Bank, one at Banco Atlantida and another near the Medical Store. All these machines accept a variety of major credit and debit 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.

Banks

There are 2 banks in Utila

HSBC 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 are often long queues in the Banks at Utila, be prepared for a wait.