Puerto Amistad (Bahía de Caráquez) : Profile

Location

Puerto Amistad is located in Bahía de Caráquez, known locally as simply "Bahía" 36 nautical miles south of the Equator and 600 miles from Panama. It is a very safe place to leave your boat while you travel inland or return home. Because Bahía is located in a dry tropical zone, your boat will not suffer from the mold and mildew that is rampant in wet tropical locations such as Panama.

Clearance

An agent is not required here as Puerto Amistad is allowed to represent the yachts without actually being a ship's agent.

Tripp Martin of Puerto Amistad will assist with clearance at a cost of $50 each way. The whole process is dealt with in a few moments in the marina restaurant. Contact him in advance on puertoamistadecuador@yahoo.com

A visa is not required ahead of arrival. Likewise, a cruising permit is not needed to cruise the coast of Ecuador. On arrival the yacht will be inspected by the navy.

Last updated January 2012.

Docking

The harbour entrance is not buoyed, currents can be strong (there is an 8-10 foot tidal range here) and river shoals may not accord with published charts.

All vessels require permission from the Capitania before entering and must also have a pilot on board. Call Puerto Amistad on channel 69 and they will arrange for one of their pilots to come out. The pilot will meet you in a launch at the ‘Waiting Room’ waypoint (00º 35.805S,080º26.832W) and come aboard and coach you into the anchorage (00º 36.400S,080º25.200W). The fee for pilots has been established by the Port Captain and you pay the Pilot directly.

NOTE - The moorings here are massive in construction weighing 5000 pounds each and have ship's hawsers for pennants. Very secure

See the web site for Puerto Amistad for more information www.puertoamistad.com/.

There is now a bridge across the estuary above Puerto Amistad which bars access beyond the moorings.

Last updated January 2012.

Puerto Amistad
Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
Tel:593-5-269-3112, VHF Channel 69
www.puertoamistad.com, PuertoAmistadEcuador@Yahoo.Com
Approx. 20 moorings. Dinghy dock. Anchoring charge covers cost of security. This includes access to all services such as the wireless internet, restaurant/bar, water, bathrooms and hot showers, cruiser's lounge, book exchange, satellite TV, etc. Also workshop for cruisers to use.
Last updated February 2011.