Puntarenas : Profile

Location

Puntarenas lies along a peninsula 5 miles long but only 600 metres at its widest point, narrowing to less than a 100 metres at some points. It projects into the Golfo de Nicoya on Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

The close proximity of several islands, uninhabited and teaming with wildlife (deer, birds, iguanas) makes this an interesting cruising ground.

Clearance

Call the International Port Authorities in Caldera on VHF Channel 16. Anchor or pick up a buoy in front of the fish port, inside the mangrove. Wait to be boarded. After this international clearence, the zarpe can be obtained from the National Port Authorities whose office is behind the fish port.

It is now not always possible to obtain clearance through the yacht club (CRY).

Docking

This is primarily a fishing port, and as such, can be a little rough, but it offers a good range of services and low cost moorings.

The estuary leading to the yacht club is continuing to silt up, and it is necessary to enter near high tide.

A new resort/marina opened at the end of 2008 - the Puerto Azul Resort & Marina.

Puerto Azul Resort & Marina
Tel:011 506 2282-9204
sales@puertoazulcr.com
Lat: 9° 58' 944" N, Lon: 84° 47' 916" W. 1.5 miles from the marina to the outlet into the gulf. 90 slips for boats up to 60 feet in length. Water, electricity, full facilities and Wi-Fi available. Protected with 8 ft of water at MLLW. Authorised bonding agent.

Yacht Clubs

Costa Rica Yacht Club
P.O. Box 151, Puntarenas, 5400, Costa Rica, , ( 09º58.8''N, 84º47.8'W)
Tel:011 (506) 2661-0784, Fax:011 (506) 2661-2518, VHF Channel 06 - 0700 to 1700 except Wednesdays
www.costaricayachtclub.com, info@costaricayachtclub.com
In 2011 a new management team took over this yacht club following a number of complaints concerning the previous manager, Carlos Chinchilla. It is recommended not to use this yacht club as a bonding agent. The yacht club offers a range of repair facilities including a 20-ton travelift, as well as moorings, fuel and water on the dock, WiFi and 24-hour launch service. The cost of repairs carried out here has risen recently due to a fee now having to be paid by contractors who work at the club. Approach to the club is shallow and only possible at around HW.

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Costa Rica – December 2010 (15 Feb 2011)

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