San Juan Del Sur
We anchored at 11 15.17N 85 52.45 W
33-39ft of water - Regular Papagayo winds gusting 30-40Knots
SaN Juan Del SuR
Don’t be surprised if you pull in and the wind is blowing over 25 knots in the anchorage. We had to anchor in 20-25knots gusting in the 30s.
Do not anchor to the South of the large White Buoy you see when approaching. If you do you will be asked to move. This marks the edge of the working channel used by the tenders for the Cruise Ships as well as access for all vessels to the Fuel Dock etc.
Also note on your chart that the Northern side of the bay has “Submarine Cables” buried there and would be considered a “No Anchorage Area” as well.
If you haven’t anchored in good wind in a while there are a few things to remember.
As you approach your anchor spot you will lose control of the boat faster as you lose forward momentum.
Falling off will be faster and the load will come on the anchor and chain a lot harder.
The wind can be very loud so it will be harder to communicate with any of your crew. Make sure you have agreements on what to do if things do not go as planned.
Don’t forget to set your anchor alarm.
Once the anchor is set you are good. The wind is steady and will keep you very close to your location.
Do not anchor to the South of the large White Buoy you see when approaching. If you do you will be asked to move. This marks the edge of the working channel used by the tenders for the Cruise Ships as well as access for all vessels to the Fuel Dock etc.
Also note on your chart that the Northern side of the bay has “Submarine Cables” buried there and would be considered a “No Anchorage Area” as well.
If you haven’t anchored in good wind in a while there are a few things to remember.
As you approach your anchor spot you will lose control of the boat faster as you lose forward momentum.
Falling off will be faster and the load will come on the anchor and chain a lot harder.
The wind can be very loud so it will be harder to communicate with any of your crew. Make sure you have agreements on what to do if things do not go as planned.
Don’t forget to set your anchor alarm.
Once the anchor is set you are good. The wind is steady and will keep you very close to your location.
Getting to Shore
Water taxi “Che” can be reached VHF on 16 and by phone at
505.87.70.37.15
His is the panga with all the fenders on the bow. He will nose up to your boat and you step onto the platform that has been built on the bow. He is pretty active as there are plenty of full time crew on all the fishing and charter boats on all the moorings. If his radio isn’t working then you can always use an air horn to get his attention and once he notices you he will come to your boat.
It is 100 Cordoba/pp for the return trip and you pay on the way back to the boat. He does not speak English.
If you are using your own dingy you can expect a wet ride to the beach. From the anchorage to the docks is usually windy and splashy. Dress accordingly or bring a dry set of clothes in a dry bag.
Tie up on the floating docks past the floating barge, deep in the southern end of the bay. There will often be large Navy Pangas there as well. That’s the correct dock. When the cruise ships are in town one of the docks is reserved for the Cruise Ship Tenders .
There is a 57.50 cordoba fee which currently is less than $2US. While there is security we still locked our dingy to the cleat. You can pay at the small desk in the empty looking covered square at the top of the ramps.
There is also a small garbage bin there. It’s tucked away in the corner of a short set of stairs at the back.
505.87.70.37.15
His is the panga with all the fenders on the bow. He will nose up to your boat and you step onto the platform that has been built on the bow. He is pretty active as there are plenty of full time crew on all the fishing and charter boats on all the moorings. If his radio isn’t working then you can always use an air horn to get his attention and once he notices you he will come to your boat.
It is 100 Cordoba/pp for the return trip and you pay on the way back to the boat. He does not speak English.
If you are using your own dingy you can expect a wet ride to the beach. From the anchorage to the docks is usually windy and splashy. Dress accordingly or bring a dry set of clothes in a dry bag.
Tie up on the floating docks past the floating barge, deep in the southern end of the bay. There will often be large Navy Pangas there as well. That’s the correct dock. When the cruise ships are in town one of the docks is reserved for the Cruise Ship Tenders .
There is a 57.50 cordoba fee which currently is less than $2US. While there is security we still locked our dingy to the cleat. You can pay at the small desk in the empty looking covered square at the top of the ramps.
There is also a small garbage bin there. It’s tucked away in the corner of a short set of stairs at the back.
CHecking In
Port Captain
Go all the way out to the dirt road at the back. Go to the right down a dirt road and stay left at the gas station. Go past a bunch of abandoned boats. The Port Captains office will be at the back of all of this. Time to start practicing your Spanish. There was no fee here.
Go all the way out to the dirt road at the back. Go to the right down a dirt road and stay left at the gas station. Go past a bunch of abandoned boats. The Port Captains office will be at the back of all of this. Time to start practicing your Spanish. There was no fee here.
If you are checking in here you will also need to do Immigration, and Transporte Aquatico.
Follow the dirt road a hundred yards and turn left at the gas station back towards the water. You will be looking at the back of a building that says “Terminal Pesquera” with a large security gate and guard. Tell him you are going to “Migration” or “Transporte Aquatico” and he will let you in.
There is a passageway in the middle leading to the front of the building. Enter here and turn at the first hallway to the right. Migration should be the first door on the right. They are quite nice and helpful. The fee for two people was $39USD. You could pay in Cordoba as well but we didn’t go to an ATM yet and they were fine with USD.
Once you are done with them have them lead you to “Transporte Aquatico”. It is in the same building but in the hallway closer to the water.
Follow the dirt road a hundred yards and turn left at the gas station back towards the water. You will be looking at the back of a building that says “Terminal Pesquera” with a large security gate and guard. Tell him you are going to “Migration” or “Transporte Aquatico” and he will let you in.
There is a passageway in the middle leading to the front of the building. Enter here and turn at the first hallway to the right. Migration should be the first door on the right. They are quite nice and helpful. The fee for two people was $39USD. You could pay in Cordoba as well but we didn’t go to an ATM yet and they were fine with USD.
Once you are done with them have them lead you to “Transporte Aquatico”. It is in the same building but in the hallway closer to the water.
You need all your paperwork and your Boat Documentation or Registration. You fill out a form and then are given a simple deposit slip to take to the bank next door to deposit the payment.
They will ask for your ID (passport) and who is depositing the money. (You). You then return to the “Transporte Aquatico” office with the original receipt of deposit from the bank and 3 copies. We were allowed to submit a picture of the receipt to the officers email address but it isn’t clear if this is always the case. They also asked for copies of our passports and a picture of the boat, which we were able to submit by email as well.
Customs or the Navy may or may not come out to do an inspection of the boat at some point as well.
They will ask for your ID (passport) and who is depositing the money. (You). You then return to the “Transporte Aquatico” office with the original receipt of deposit from the bank and 3 copies. We were allowed to submit a picture of the receipt to the officers email address but it isn’t clear if this is always the case. They also asked for copies of our passports and a picture of the boat, which we were able to submit by email as well.
Customs or the Navy may or may not come out to do an inspection of the boat at some point as well.
Fuel Dock at Terminal Pesquera
Concrete sea wall.
$125 Cordoba dock fee
Diesel – 28.83/liter
Gas – 33.63/liter
They have water here as well. $1 Cordoba/Gallon - We did not try it.
Concrete sea wall.
$125 Cordoba dock fee
Diesel – 28.83/liter
Gas – 33.63/liter
They have water here as well. $1 Cordoba/Gallon - We did not try it.
In town
This is a great little backpacker/surfer town. There is lots of restaurants/bars/cafes and things to do. Things change quickly so track down the local tourist newspaper to see what is going on in town this week.
Fish market on dirt road to Port Captain.
Claro Store for local SIM card
15 days – 1.5 Gig (Free WhatsApp & Facebook) = $230 Cordoba = approx. $7.50USD
Post Office is right next door
Great selection of reasonably priced Restaurants and Bars
Pizza was very good at Pizza Terazzo
Most have WiFi
German Bakery
This is a great little backpacker/surfer town. There is lots of restaurants/bars/cafes and things to do. Things change quickly so track down the local tourist newspaper to see what is going on in town this week.
Fish market on dirt road to Port Captain.
Claro Store for local SIM card
15 days – 1.5 Gig (Free WhatsApp & Facebook) = $230 Cordoba = approx. $7.50USD
Post Office is right next door
Great selection of reasonably priced Restaurants and Bars
Pizza was very good at Pizza Terazzo
Most have WiFi
German Bakery
- Good Bread, Croisants etc
Services
Fuel - Fuel Dock w concrete wall
Cell Service - Yes
Wifi - Yes Onshore in most bars and restaurants
Dingy Landing - At floating docks. Cost in 2018 - $57.50 Cordoba
Garbage - Yes - At the back of the dingy landing area.
Potable Water - Yes - At Fuel dock (we did not try this one.)
Showers - No
Laundry - Lots of options in town
General Store - yes - Lots of mini markets.
Water Taxi - Yes
Fuel - Fuel Dock w concrete wall
Cell Service - Yes
Wifi - Yes Onshore in most bars and restaurants
Dingy Landing - At floating docks. Cost in 2018 - $57.50 Cordoba
Garbage - Yes - At the back of the dingy landing area.
Potable Water - Yes - At Fuel dock (we did not try this one.)
Showers - No
Laundry - Lots of options in town
General Store - yes - Lots of mini markets.
Water Taxi - Yes
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A quick Video 360 of the anchorage. |
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Download our Google Earth KAP files for use in OpenCPN. | ||
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Download our gpx track to approach this area
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