 Livingston : Profile
Clearance is best done here as officials are used to dealing with yachts. Fly the Q flag and the officials will come out to the yacht in office hours (closed 1300-1500), for initial clearance and inspection. Customs will take the zarpe from the last port and ship's papers, Immigration take the passports. The captain must collect these later from the shore offices, with the necessary entry stamps as well as a new zarpe and cruising permit. This can all be done in one day if arriving early enough. Quetzales will be needed to pay various fees.
La Marina, the marina in Livingston, is a convenient place to stop to complete formalities and the marina can also help with formalities and visa extensions. They monitor Channel 68 and will help with negotiating the difficult entrance.
The small town of Livingston sits at the mouth of the Rio Dulce in Honduras Bay. It has no road or rail connections to the hinterland, just boats and planes. The centre of the town is at the top of a steep hill.
It is not a port to be entered at night, as the lights are unreliable and fishermen often set their nets then, too.
The holding in the river is not good and, in addition, be aware of the significant amount of traffic on the water at night.
There is a wide sand bar at the entrance to Rio Dulce; boats with a draft of over 5 ft (1.50 m) must enter at high tide and the maximum draft that can be carried through at high tide is 7.5 ft (2.20 m). Advice on the state of the tide may be obtained on Channel 68.
La Marina
on the Rio Dulce River, (before the large pier and overhead cables)
VHF Channel 68 (range limited by cliffs)
Welcomes cruisers. Water, electricity, showers, restaurant and bar.
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