Acapulco 16°51.00'N, 99°54.00'W
Barra de Navidad 19°20.00'N, 104°20.00'W
Cabo San Lucas 22°52.00'N, 109°53.00'W
Ensenada 31°50.00'N, 116°37.00'W
Isla Mujere 21°15.00'N, 86°45.00'W
La Paz 24°12.00'N, 110°18.00'W
Puerto Vallarta 20°39.00'N, 105°14.00'W

Acapulco
1) INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY Anthea Cornell - Mollymawk of Vancouver

2) DATE 1996

3) HARBOUR OR AREA COVERED Acapulco, Mexico, 16°51’N 99°54’ W

4) SUITABILITY AND ATTRACTION FOR YACHTS A buzzing, lively city with many tourists. A great stopover for Canadian and US yachts coming south before going home or taking off for the Pacific.

5) MARINAS, BERTHING OR ANCHORAGE The Promotora Marina de Acapulco (Tel 52-74-83-7461, Fax 52-74-83-7505) has recently opened with 250 berths though it is not quite complete. The staff are friendly and very efficient.. La Marina has a beautiful swimming pool on the roof complete with palm trees, fountains and pool side bar. Easily identified by its lighthouse style tower. The Yacht club close by will take visiting yachts if they have room. There are also moorings to rent or you can anchor in 30 to 40 feet.

6) ENTRY PORTS Acapulco and Puerto Vallarto

7) FORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YACHTS ENTERING/DEPARTING a) from/to same country It is necessary to observe all the formalities whether b) from/to abroad from a Mexican port of from another country. If you berth at the marina they will do all the form filling for you c) visa requirements Visas and an Entry permit for the yacht will be required, also a fishing licence..

8) LOCATION/EXISTENCE OF a) harbour master Not known b) customs/immigration Not known c) health authorities Not known d) police In town

9) CONTROL OF FOREIGN YACHTS 12 months stay. Inspection by Mexican naval units on a routine basis. Beware their badly handled steel boarding craft.

10) ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS TO VISITING YACHTSMEN Courteous and helpful, but the formalities have to be completed to a certain set of rules and procedures.

11) REPAIR/HAULING FACILITIES La Marina, details not known

12) SAILING DIRECTIONS OR CHARTS Charlie’s Charts are probably the best guide but treat all information as suspect until proved otherwise.

13) PORT RADIO SERVICES La Marina responds on VHF Ch 16

14) WEATHER FORECASTS Not known

15) YACHT CLUB(S) Yes next door to La Marina

16) OTHER FACILITIES -

a) drinking water La Marina

b) fuel La Marina

c) gas (propane)/gaz/ La Marina

d) chandlers La Marina is hoping to open a chandlery soon

e) bank In the city

f) shops/market In the city

g) restaurants/hotels In the city

h) post office/telephones In the city

i) best mailing address c/o Promotora Marina de Acapulco, Costra Miguel Aleman 215, Fracc, Las Playas, Acapulco Gro, It is unwise to send anything but letters through the postal services, packets may go missing.

j) showers La Marina

k) laundry La Marina

l) transport/air services) Air services constantly improving to serve the tourist trade. Local buses are cheap and frequent. The journey to the city takes about 15 minutes.

m) hospital Not known.

n) anything else

17) FIRST HAND RECOMMENDATIONS OR WARNINGS Acapulco is a good base for taking an inland trip to Taxco and Oaxaca.

Barra de Navidad
1) INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY Stephen & Marja Vance - Twiga

2) DATE 1998

3) HARBOUR OR AREA COVERED Barra de Navidad, Mexico. Located between Puerto Vallarta & Manzmillo. 19°20’N 104°20’W approx.

4) SUITABILITY AND ATTRACTION FOR YACHTS Attractive small town.

5) MARINAS, BERTHING OR ANCHORAGE Very fancy and expensive marina at Grand Bay Hotel. Can anchor inside lagoon and out in Bay (Rolly).

6) ENTRY PORTS Not an entry Port, use Puerta Vallarta or Manzmillo

7) FORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YACHTS ENTERING/DEPARTING

a) from/to same country Must go through all officialdom

b) from/to abroad Usual clearance procedures

c) visa requirements Must have ‘Tourist card’

8) LOCATION/EXISTENCE OF

a) harbour master New office, near pier

b) customs/immigration See Port Captain

c) health authorities No

d) police Yes

9) CONTROL OF FOREIGN YACHTS Port captain

10) ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS TO VISITING YACHTSMEN Extremely friendly

11) REPAIR/HAULING FACILITIES None

12) SAILING DIRECTIONS OR CHARTS BA 516. Charlie’s charts.

13) PORT RADIO SERVICES None

14) WEATHER FORECASTS In Spanish but difficult to get other going to Port Captain.

15) YACHT CLUB(S) None

16) OTHER FACILITIES -

a) drinking water buy bottled water -marina supposedly safe

b) fuel Pemex Station 3 miles out of town.

c) gas (propane)/gaz/ out of town

d) chandlers No

e) bank In next town - Melague

f) shops/market small - better in Melague

g) restaurants/hotels Yes

h) post office/telephones Yes

i) best mailing address Mexico mail unreliable, use DHL or Fedex

j) showers Marina

k) laundry Yes

l) transport/air services) bus - airport

m) hospital nearby

n) anything else

17) FIRST HAND RECOMMENDATIONS OR WARNINGS Entry to marina & lagoon anchorage is dredged with normal minimum 14 ft but can vary. Check by calling other yachts on VHF 22.

Cabo San Lucas
1) INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY Mike & Pat Pocock - Blackjack

2) DATE 1990

3) HARBOUR OR AREA COVERED Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 22°52’ N 109°53’ W

4) SUITABILITY AND ATTRACTION FOR YACHTS A major port of call for yachts cruising to the Sea of Cortez. A very touristy, tinsel town but lots of fun. Not quiet.

5) MARINAS, BERTHING OR ANCHORAGE The harbour currently has two basins with a modern marina in the inner one and very crowded anchoring in the other, which is well protected except in a bad easterly. The third option is to anchor in the bay clear of the fishing boat moorings but this is open to the south east and suffers from swell.

6) ENTRY PORTS Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

7) FORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YACHTS ENTERING/DEPARTING

a) from/to same country All formalities are necessary even if coming from

b) from/to abroad another Mexican port or from abroad. Inquire from another yacht the correct order of play.

c) visa requirements Visas and an Entry permit for the yacht will be required, also a fishing licence.

8) LOCATION/EXISTENCE OF

a) harbour master Port Captain is at the back of the town

b) customs/immigration Aduana can be found about a ¼ mile from the Port Captain. Migracion is about a mile to the NE on the main road. Photocopying is readily available for all those interminable copies that you need.

c) health authorities

d) police In town 9) CONTROL OF FOREIGN YACHTS 12 months’ length of stay. Inspection by Mexican naval units on a routine basis. Beware their badly handled steel boarding craft.

10) ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS TO VISITING YACHTSMEN The officials are courteous and helpful. They understand the ramifications of the paper war marginally better than the yachtsman.

11) REPAIR/HAULING FACILITIES Limited, haul-out not recommended. La Paz isbetter.

12) SAILING DIRECTIONS OR CHARTS Charlie’s Charts are probably the best guide but treat all information as suspect until proved otherwise.

13) PORT RADIO SERVICES There is an 0800 net in English conducted by Papi’s Deli on Ch 22 US mode (not available on International channels), when all necessary information can be obtained, or you can visit Papi’s close to the harbour.

14) WEATHER FORECASTS Weather forecasts are best covered by various Amateur band (ham) nets.

15) YACHT CLUB(S) None

16) OTHER FACILITIES -

a) drinking water Very suspect.

b) fuel In 1990 fuel was obtainable but all very difficult as the yacht had to put down a bow anchor and with the aid of a stern line take the fuel pipe over the stern and this just outside the main harbour.

c) gas (propane)/gaz/ Propane - ask at Papi’s

d) chandlers Limited

e) bank In town

f) shops/market In town

g) restaurants/hotels In town

h) post office/telephones In Town

i) best mailing address c/o Papi’s Deli, M.Hidalgo, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Letters only, packets may be opened.

j) showers Only in the hotels

k) laundry Ask at Papi’s

l) transport/air services) Frequent air services, but heavily booked in advance by the holiday trade. La Paz is considered a better crew change port

m) hospital In La Paz.

n) anything else

17) FIRST HAND RECOMMENDATIONS OR WARNINGS Cabo San Lucas is a great sports fishing venue and it is quite a sight to see the huge marlin and sail fish hung up to be weighed in the evening.

Ensenada

1) INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY Mike & Pat Pocock - Blackjack

2) DATE 1990

3) HARBOUR OR AREA COVERED Ensenada, Mexico. 31°50’ N 116° 37’W

4) SUITABILITY AND ATTRACTION FOR YACHTS Ensenada is the first Port of Entry south of the US border on the Pavcific coast. In our opinion there is no other good reason to call there.

5) MARINAS, BERTHING OR ANCHORAGE Anchor or take a mooring, NE part of harbour. Water taxi service available. Small primitive marina may improve.

6) ENTRY PORTS Ensenada.. Next Port of Entry is Cabo San Lucas 800 miles to the south.

7) FORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YACHTS ENTERING/DEPARTING

a) from/to same country ) It is possible to clear and in and out to the next Mexican port in one operation.

b) from/to abroad ) Six copes of entry document and seven copies of crew list for departure, whether to another Mexican port or not, are required. Supplies of blank forms can be obtained in San Diego and this saves a good deal of trouble.

c) visa requirements Visas and vessel Entry Permit can be obtained from any Mexican consulate before leaving for Mexico. San Diego is well used to this. A fishing licence is reaquired if there is any fishing gear on board the yacht. It can be obtained on arrival. By any standards entry into Mexico is expensive. For 2 persons in a 37ft yacht including the fishing licence it cost $130 (1990).

8) LOCATION/EXISTENCE OF

a) harbour master Port Captain, Migracion and Aduana all within

b) customs/immigration 5 minutes walk from dinghy landing.

c) health authorities

d) police In town.

9) CONTROL OF FOREIGN YACHTS 12 months length of stay. Inspection by Mexican naval units on a routine basis. Beware their badly handled steel boarding craft.

10) ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS TO VISITING YACHTSMEN The official are couteous and helpful. They understand the ramifications of the paper war marginally better than the yachtsman.

11) REPAIR/HAULING FACILITIES 100 ton haul-out listed but would advise against except in emergency.

12) SAILING DIRECTIONS OR CHARTS Charlie’s Charts are probably the best guide but treat all information as suspect until proved otherwise.

13) PORT RADIO SERVICES VHF Ch 16 in Spanish

14) WEATHER FORECASTS Weather forecasts arebest covered by various Am ateur b\\ d (Ham) nets.

15) YACHT CLUB(S) None

16) OTHER FACILITIES -

a) drinking water Be careful of drinking water in Mexico.

b) fuel Yes

c) gas (propane)/gaz/ Not known

d) chandlers No

e) bank In town

f) shops/market Not good for food shopping

g) restaurants/hotels Not used

h) post office/telephones Yes

i) best mailing address Not used

j) showers None

k) laundry No

l) transport/air services) Not good for crew change much better to use San Diego.

m) hospital Not known

n) anything else

17) FIRST HAND RECOMMENDATIONS OR WARNINGS Do not judge Mexico by Ensenada and move on quickly.

Isla Mujere
Contributed by Alan & Jan Pulfrey, Yacht - Coral Moon

June 2005
INTRODUCTION

The purpose of these notes is to supplement the out of date information provided by Calder’s Cruising Guide to the NW Caribbean. The guide, although written in the early 90’s is still very useful. Unfortunately, it is out of print now but it’s worthwhile obtaining a copy if possible. Rauscher’s Cruising Guide to Belize and Mexico’s Caribbean Coast including the Rio Dulce is also a useful document.
RADIO NETS AND WEATHER INFORMATION

The NW Caribbean Net at 0800 CST (UTC-6) on 8188 KHz is an informal net that normally includes a useful amateur forecast. Chris Parker on 8104 at 0630 CST mentions the western Caribbean briefly. Navtex transmissions from Miami cover the NW Caribbean. We also downloaded weatherfax from New Orleans - 24, 48 and 72hr Wind and Wave charts are transmitted on 4316.1, 8502.1 or 12788.1 every 6 hours starting 0035 UTC.

- We cleared out of San Pedro direct to Isla Mujeres because otherwise, at that time, you were obliged to check into all Ports of Entry visited in between – a costly process. We decided therefore to check in just the one time. From Jun 05, the rules changed to require just one international check-in and check-out with no intermediate national check-ins. Leaving San Pedro it is easy to break your journey in several place – we planned to stop at Hut Point but, in the event, with lively SE winds and strong following current we were flying and continued on to Isla. The 225-mile passage was completed in 25 hours – for us, a record 216 GPS miles in 24 hours.

Isla Mujeres 21°15’N86°45W approx

- Approach. The latter stage of the leg north from Cozumel to Isla can be rough if there is a strong easterly component to the wind. Steep, short-period waves build up on the bank off Cancun – Coral Moon’s stern was pushed violently from side to side so we used a little engine power to help maintain steerage. The entry into the harbour area is straightforward and could be undertaken comfortably at night.

- Anchorage. The main anchorage is in the southern half of the bay but beware the shoal areas to the far south. We found the holding good in soft sand and weed though some boats, from experience, had laid 2 anchors in a Bahamian moor (strongest anchor to the north) to cater for wind reversals associated with the passage of a front. During our stay, a passing squall produced 30 kt winds from the south and 2 boats using Bahamian moors dragged – their secondary anchors on mainly rope rodes had been set to the south. We preferred to stick with one anchor but to back down on the anchor following a wind reversal.

- Communications. A net of sorts is run daily at 0800.

- Clearance. At Isla, it is mandatory to use an agent and Miguel at Marina Paraiso seems to be the man. Take your documents, plus the following copies: insurance certificate x 1, boat registration x 3, passport x1, crewlist x 5 (if coming from Belize, use their stamped crewlist) and zarpe x 3. He will arrange for the Health and Agriculture inspectors to visit his office but first the entire crew must walk or dink into town to visit Immigration – here you will be charged Pesos 214 (Pesos 10.8/US$ May 05) a head to be paid at the HSBC Bank a few doors down the road. Returning to the marina, Miguel completes the rest on your behalf – this includes clearance with the Port Captain and arranging with Customs the temporary importation of your boat. The latter is compulsory and is valid for 10 years. For these services, Miguel charges a total of about US$110 but this varies with your boat’s gross tonnage. The cost overall including Immigration will be in the order of US$150 for a moderately sized boat. You are expected to have boat insurance – if not insured, we understand you could be forced to buy local insurance but we cannot confirm or deny this requirement. Clearing out involves a trip to Immigration and Miguel does the rest for about Pesos 400.

- Ashore. Isla Mujeres is a tourist-oriented town and you will be hustled here and there, but the locals accept no for an answer and are very polite in the process. Indeed, we were made to feel very welcome. You can walk around the island safely by day or night – there are several circular walks, mainly on roads, but these are not busy.

-- Cash. There are numerous ATMs in town. The HSBC Bank is located on the waterfront.

-- Laundry. Take it to Marina Paraiso – inexpensive service.

-- Cooking Gas. Marina Paraiso takes bottles to Cancun to be filled. They require a minimum of 6 bottles to justify the journey and so you may have to wait. Better to make sure you are full before arriving here.

-- Provisions. Super Express in the main square is a well-stocked supermarket and reasonably priced.

-- Restaurants. There are too many to list here but the following were noteworthy.

--- Freddy’s. Situated on the main street towards the northern end, Freddy’s serves delicious seafood at moderate prices. Wine is also reasonably priced.

--- Fayne’s. On the main street, Fayne’s is a popular restaurant offering good food at average prices. The coconut shrimp is delicious. Wine goes for Pesos 200 a bottle and the bar next door serves 2 for 1 Margaritas for Pesos 55 - good

La Paz
1) INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY Mike & Pat Pocock - Blackjack

2) DATE 1990/1991

3) HARBOUR OR AREA COVERED La Paz, Mexico, 24° 12’ N 110° 18’ W

4) SUITABILITY AND ATTRACTION FOR YACHTS This is the principal city of Baja California Sur. It is more Mexican and less tourist dominated that Cabo San Lucas. A good stop over for taking on stores, having a haul-out, crew changes and the usual starting place for cruising north into the Sea of Cortez.

5) MARINAS, BERTHING OR ANCHORAGE Choice of three marinas. Marina de La Paz is the most convenient or one can anchor off the town. The anchorage has a strong tidal current running through it and in some wind over tide conditions, the ‘La Paz Waltz’, as it is called, makes the anchorage very difficult indeed. Allow lots of space when anchoring.

6) ENTRY PORTS La Paz.

7) FORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YACHTS ENTERING/DEPARTING

a) from/to same country All formalities are necessary whether coming from

b) from/to abroad another Mexican port or from abroad. c) visa requirements Visas and an Entry permit for the yacht will be required, also a fishing licence.

8) LOCATION/EXISTENCE OF

a) harbour master The Port Captain is 12 blocks of very hot walking away to the north

b) customs/immigration In town near the Hotel Los Arcos on the waterfront

c) health authorities

d) police In town

9) CONTROL OF FOREIGN YACHTS 12 months stay. Inspection by Mexican naval units on a routine basis. Beware their badly handled steel boarding craft.

10) ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS TO VISITING YACHTSMEN The officials are courteous and helpful. They understand the ramifications of the paper war marginally better than the yachtsman.

11) REPAIR/HAULING FACILITIES Choice of 3 yards for haul-out. We were hauled out in a cradle on ways at Varadero de La Paz, close to Marina de La Paz. - charges were reasonable. Very little English spoken.

12) SAILING DIRECTIONS OR CHARTS Charlie’s charts are probably the best guide but treat all information as suspect until proved otherwise.

13) PORT RADIO SERVICES There is an 0800 net conducted by Marina de La Paz on Channel 22A in English which is the main information service.

14) WEATHER FORECASTS Weather forecasts are best covered by various Amateur band (Ham) nets.

15) YACHT CLUB(S) Yes, social only.

16) OTHER FACILITIES -

a) drinking water Marina de La Paz

b) fuel Marina de La Paz

c) gas (propane)/gaz/ Marina de La Paz

d) chandlers Marina de La Paz

e) bank In town

f) shops/market In town - good food shopping

g) restaurants/hotels In town

h) post office/telephones Towards the Port Captain’s office, but nothing like so far.

i) best mailing address c/o Marina de La Paz, Apdo. Postal 290, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico. Packets may be opened en route, safer to have just letters sent to Mexico.

j) showers Marina de La Paz

k) laundry Ask at marina

l) transport/air services) La Paz is a popular change over port, the air connections with the States are good.

m) hospital Yes

n) anything else Book swapping at the marina

17) FIRST HAND RECOMMENDATIONS OR WARNINGS There is a courier service for obtaining parts from Downwind Marine in San Diego. Make sure you are in La Paz when the parts arrive or they will get sent back again.

Puerto Vallarta
1) INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY Mike & Pat Pocock - Blackjack

2) DATE 1991

3) HARBOUR OR AREA COVERED Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 20° 39’N 105° 14’ W

4) SUITABILITY AND ATTRACTION FOR YACHTS A popular port of call for yachts cruising south towards Acapulco. A vibrant resort town with good supplies.

5) MARINAS, BERTHING OR ANCHORAGE Choice of two marinas, the Iguana close to the Terminale Maritime, the other (much cheaper) out of town at Nuevo Vallarta but draft is limited here. Otherwise one can anchor with a stern line to shore close to the Terminale, dirty but convenient and free.

6) ENTRY PORTS Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco

7) FORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YACHTS ENTERING/DEPARTING

a) from/to same country All formalities are necessary whether coming from

b) from/to abroad another Mexican port or from abroad.

c) visa requirements Visas and an Entry permit for the yacht will be required, also a fishing licence.

8) LOCATION/EXISTENCE OF

a) harbour master Port Capitaine is by the Terminale Maritime.

b) customs/immigration Aduana & Migracion are in town, a bus ride away. You will need endless copies and the patience to go to all the offices in the right (unknown) order..

c) health authorities

d) police In town

9) CONTROL OF FOREIGN YACHTS 12 months stay. Inspection by Mexican naval units on a routine basis. Beware their badly handled steel boarding craft..

10) ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS TO VISITING YACHTSMEN Courteous and helpful, but the formalities have to be completed by a certain set of rules and procedures.

11) REPAIR/HAULING FACILITIES In 1991 limited facilities and no haul-out.

12) SAILING DIRECTIONS OR CHARTS Charlie’s Charts are probably the best guide but treat all information as suspect until proved otherwise.

13) PORT RADIO SERVICES Iguana marina - Ch 22A US mode.

14) WEATHER FORECASTS Best covered by various Amateur band (Ham) nets.

15) YACHT CLUB(S) None 16) OTHER FACILITIES -

a) drinking water Iguana marina

b) fuel Iguana marina

c) gas (propane)/gaz/ Propane obtainable by taking a bus to Ixtapa beyond the airport. The driver will assist.

d) chandlers None

e) bank In town

f) shops/market In town - good.

g) restaurants/hotels In town

h) post office/telephones In town

i) best mailing address Amex, letters only, packets not safe in post.

j) showers Iguana marina

k) laundry Not found

l) transport/air services) Local buses constant and cheap

m) hospital Yes

n) anything else

17) FIRST HAND RECOMMENDATIONS OR WARNINGS Except for the Saturday disco, it is quiet in the anchorage across the bay at La Cruz de Huanacaxtla. Puerto Vallarta is a good base where one can store up for Pacific voyaging.