Colo Hippie
Contributor
Forgot to mention - most restaurants/shops/vendors do not want any US dollars bigger than a 20. The resorts will take 50's & 100's and usually the dive masters will take the bigger bills for tips
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Has crime come to Utila? My feel for Utila is now 10 years stale, but I wandered all over the place at all hours of the day and night for six weeks, and felt it was one of the most peaceful, friendly places I have ever visited. What could someone possibly hope to steal from the penniless backpackers in town? The 20 Lemps in the guy's pocket left after Quiz Night at Bundu Cafe?
I am still planning my next rip back to Roatan (CCV), overall I feel fine there; I feel safer than in must major US cities.
Kind of apples and oranges, an unequal comparison....
CoCoView is an unusual and exceptional situation. It is on it's own private little islet, and it's well protected on every edge 24/7 by professionals. Throughout the Bay Islands (as anywhere in the world), there is quite a degree of "security theater", which can impress tourists (or make those who are aware laugh). In this case, it isn't a performance, nor do most visitor guests even perceive it's presence. Locally it is known as "Cocotraz".
Lempiras
Converting them is no harder than figuring how much a 20% "tip" would be. A factor of 20 is close enough to know you're in the ball park. Just try to understand that what may seem like "them trying to get over on you" for something less than a US Dollar could be attributable to ten different reasons, or it could be that they are indeed trying to pad the bill by 75 cents US. When you consider the local standard of living, that might be a big deal.
A perfect example: Occasionally you will be approached by kids who have a small handful of US Coins that some well meaning departing visitors had handed them. The $.60± cents worth of coins in their hand are locally quite useless, but if you accept them and give them a US Dollar, everybody is happy.
In that US visitors are much more inclined to "tip" than those from any other country, that is a local understanding and perception which you might consider as well.
We all have different experiences and needs. I am big on AI, and CCV in particular. I can keep money in my room, not even in the rusty safe, not worrying- and the resort and dive shop knows what $100 bills are, as will most visiting merchants and artisans. Even though everything is paid for in advance, I usually carry $600+ in USD cash for tips and whatever. Two $100's, a bunch of 20's and 10's, then at least $100 in 5's and 1's. That's my experience and my needs by going AI, other versions of vacation (non-AI) will require different volumes of denominations and bills.
Credit/Debit Cards and electronic cash...
If you "must" use an ATM for whatever reason, establish a separate "vacation debit card account", so that IF it does get hacked, you're somewhat insulated by the total value. There was an ATM located on West End for many years that was universally known as a hacked machine, right next to one of the single most popular day-dive ops. It confounded me that no local ever painted a warning on it, lack of courtesy or cajones. It was eventually pulled out like a bad molar, which tells me that the problem was more endemic than location specific. But again, everybody knew it was hacked- except the tourists. There have been long standing issues with credit card use at even at some of the three upscale grocery stores, the airport and banks, too. I simply would not use plastic for any reason.