Puerto Vallarta/ Banderas Bay - Clearance
See the main Mexico Formalities for detailed clearance information.
General Clearance:
Procedures are known to change so check with the marina. Marina Vallarta is a convenient place to complete formalities, as is Paradise Village Marina.
Port captain and customs offices are in the terminal building by the cruise ship dock. Immigration is in town.
Obtaining a Temporary Import Permit here, if this is your first Mexican port, is reported to be straightforward.
International Clearance:
All vessels clearing out of the Banderas Bay area for international destinations are cleared through Nuevo Vallarta. Vessels in La Cruz and Puerto Vallarta need to first clear out domestically with their local port captain and then proceed to Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta for their international Zarpe.
One day before departure:
1) Clear out domestically if required.
2) Go to the Port Captain’s office in Nuevo Vallarta between 9:00-11:00, or call the Port Captain on the phone (see listing below) to provide the following information:
- Boat name
- Captain’s Name
- All the crew names
- Destination (city and country)
- Departure date and time (exact hour they are leaving)
After the phone call e-mail the Port Captain all passport copies, with a subject line: Zarpe and boat name.
If you do not have a scanner take originals and copies with you the next day.
Day of departure:
For vessels coming from other marinas in the bay call the Port Captain on VHF channel 16, 30 minutes before arriving at Marina Nuevo Vallarta for a slip assignment.
Important: The process takes 10-15 minutes, and this slip is only free for 1 1/2 hours. If you stay beyond that time you will be charged.
Go to the Port Captain’s Office to fill out the form for the zarpe and pay the fees there:
- Boats from 3 to 20 tons of weight pays $227.00 pesos
- Boats from 21 to 100 tons of weight pays $343.00 pesos
Note: It is more convenient to pay with a credit card, if you pay cash you will have to go to the bank for a receipt and it will take longer.
Provide the Port Captain all FMM tourist cards that you received when you entered the country.
Note: During the Puddle Jump season (March/April) multiple boats will be clearing out on the same day, it’s important to follow this procedure to ensure everyone can be cleared out in a timely manner.
Last updated: February 2019
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Related to following destinations: Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, West Coast (Mexico)
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2018 – Marina Vallarta, wifi must be paid for but a good price at 25.00 per month for unlimited use. Toilet and shower facilities are not in keeping with the high cost per foot. Beware, crocodiles are in the marina waters. The marine store located at the fuel dock is not a marine store but more a collection of used odds and ends.
In 2014, both Marina Nuevo Vallarta and Marina Vallarta have new owners, and both marinas have been renovated with new docks, gates, power, water.