Golfito : Profile

Location

Located just north of the Panama canal, Golfito is a convenient and very attractive port at which to clear in or out of Costa Rica.

Position 8°38.16'N, 83°10.0'W.

Clearance

On arrival, hoist the Q flag and call Base Naval (Naval Base) on Channel 16.

The captain will be required to give his name and passport number, the vessel's name and registration number, the name of the last port, and zarpe number. Normally boats are directed to the quarantine area, near the commercial dock. Immigration, customs, quarantine and port officials normally visit the boat. Occasionally one may be asked to visit their offices. On completion of the formalities customs will issue a three-month cruising permit.

Yachts can also call Banana Bay Marina on VHF Channel 12 or 16; the marina staff will arrange for the officials to come to the marina.

Boats that have already cleared into Costa Rica at another port must visit the port captain's office to present their zarpe. The port captain should be contacted on channel 16 for clearance arrangements. Customs will either board the boat on arrival or the captain has to go ashore to complete formalities. The offices of the port captain, customs and immigration are all near the big dock directly in from the channel entrance.

Port Authorities are closed on Saturday and Sunday, and Customs is closed on Monday. Check-in can still be done on a Mondays but keep this in mind for your departure schedule. Official hours for these offices are Monday through Friday, 0800-1600 hours. Overtime charges apply outside of these hours.

Last updated August 2009.

Docking

This is a useful port of call and good for repairs and provisioning. There are no haul-out facilities here. The nearest is at Puntarenas.

Banana Bay Marina offers a range of facilities, such as floating docks with water and electricity, as well as duty-free fuel for boats in transit.

There are also moorings available.

Arena Alta K&B Marina
Aptdo 202, Playa Zancudo, Golfito, Puntarenas 8021, Costa Rica
Tel:011 506 775 0741
email@costaricasailfish.com

Banana Bay Marina
Apartado Postal #159-8201, Golfito, Costa Rica
Tel:011 506 2775 0838, Fax:011 506 2775 0735, VHF Channel 12, 16
info@bananabaymarina.com
A sport fishing centre with all facilities. Manager, Bruce Blevins has information on the customs bonding scheme and the marina is an Authorised bonding agent.

Fish Hook marina
Golfito Bay, Glofito
Tel:011-506-2-775-1624, Fax:011 506 2775 0616
info@fishhookmarinacr.com
A small marina aimed mainly at sports fishermen. Electricity, water, clearance services, WiFi, bar and restaurant.Authorised bonding agent.

Marina Somoa del Sur
P.O. Box 55-8201, Golfito, , Puntarenas, CR
Tel:(506) 2775-0233, Fax:(506) 2775-0573
samoadelsur@racsa.co.cr
A small marina offering full marina and boat facilities with Customs authorization, laundry, hotel and restaurant. Authorised bonding agent.

Yacht Clubs

Land Sea Services
in Golfito Bay, Golfito, Costa Rica
Tel:011 (506) 2775-1614, Fax:011 (506) 2775-1300
landsea@racsa.co.cr, ,, golfitotim@yahoo.com
"The place" hosting sailors in Golfito for more than a decade. Very limited med-tie space at the dingy dock plus moorings. Comprehensive range of services, including WiFi, for the self-sufficient cruising sailor who prefers to be on the hook or an economical mooring.

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