Puntarenas - Clearance
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We provide services such as obtaining entry permit to Galapagos waters, technical services, tours etc.
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CloseSee Costa Rica Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of Costa Rica.
Call the International Port Authorities in Caldera on VHF Channel 16. Anchor or pick up a buoy in front of the fishing port, inside the mangroves. Wait to be boarded. After this international clearance, the zarpe can be obtained from the National Port Authorities whose office is behind the fishing port.
The port captain is located in the town near the cruise ship dock. Immigration faces the water, a 10-minute walk from the port captain.
Customs is on the road to El Roble, on the right past the turn to the hospital, and not well marked.
It is now not always possible to obtain clearance through the yacht club (CRY).
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Related to following destinations: Costa Rica, Pacific Coast (Costa Rica), Puntarenas
Port Navigation
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Feedback from Mike Milota of s/y Alpha Leonis:
PUNTARENAS
In Puntarenas, Costa Rica, I had a slip at the Puerto Azul hotel and marina in January/February, 2018. The staff, headed by Giuseppe, was very supportive. Giuseppe speaks English well, not so for the rest of the staff. The marina is associated with the hotel which has clean showers, an outdoor sitting area, and a bar. The sitting area is shaded and far cooler than the boat in the afternoon.
This is a well-protected place to leave the boat while going inland because of the protective spit. There was a security person walking the three docks 24/7. It would be easy to ground during the three- or four-mile motor behind the spit. Ask for a pilot if you are uncertain and don’t put a huge reliance on the chart plotter. I was never in less than nine feet at high tide with a pilot.
The pilot is probably unpaid, so a tip would be in order. The water in the marina is very dirty, partly silt and partly pollution. My boat’s bottom required extensive cleaning after we left, even though it was cleaned just before arriving. Noise from the outdoor bar could be heard at the boat, but never before 10 am or after 6 pm. Overall, this was a great experience.
Posted on behalf of SY Wings (USA)
We went to Puntarenas to get some engine work done. We anchored overnight near the end of the spit and came into Puerto Azul on the last of the flood tide the next morning. We followed the waypoints in Sarana’s guide, but the CM93 chart we had would have served as well. With our 8ft draft we went slow, (the estuary is not dredged) however we had at least 1.5 feet under our keel at all times, usually more, on a 2.5-meter tide.
Costa Rica Yacht Club had told us via telephone that they could not accommodate our draft, and anyhow, we needed power since we had an engine problem which precluded charging our batteries. Puerto Azul welcomed us and helped us into a berth with enough water for our draft. The rate at Puerto Azul was fair (if you buy a monthly berth) and water, power, and all hotel facilities were included.
The facility was clean, well cared or, and the staff excellent. The pool and bar are a luxury.
Puntarenas is a delightful little town, a working town, not a tourist town, and we found it to be inexpensive and friendly. You won’t however, find western style beach bars and billibong surf clothing stores. You will find local restaurants with typical Costa Rican food at a fair price, cold beer, and many shops with inexpensive clothing and other items. It is a fishing town and there are great mechanics available and many parts available, but no west marine style stores. Provisioning is fine in Puntarenas with its several large supermarkets, but not as good as Panama.
The current in the estuary runs several knots, so take care docking and tie your boat securely. We don’t recommend long term anchoring, there is really no good dingy access and the shoreline is rough and dirty, to say nothing about the alligator infestation (we saw them every time we went out in our dingy, big ones) and theft is reputed to be a problem.
We took bus trips to San Jose, Poas Volcano, Jaco, Quepos, and Manuel Antonio National Park. The buses are excellent and cheap, although not air conditioned.
Fred & Judy, SV Wings, Puntarenas