Puntarenas : Profile

Location

Puntarenas is laid on a long peninsula that measures 5 miles long but only 600 metres at its widest point, narrowing to less than a 100 meters at some points. Puntarenas beach is a public park with souvenirs and local food stores in the middle of beautiful palms. Puntarenas has wide streets, spacious sidewalks and the Paseo de Los Turistas can offer traditional sea food restaurants. Puntarenas has a hospital and airport.

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).

Problems or questions for aduana or port captain can be handled by DIAMAR - Ramon Suarez Rojas, Tel. 661-4263. He is knowledgeable about what is available in Puntarenas, and is very helpful and friendly - speaks English well.

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:+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. New Marina estimated to open late 2008. 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.

Yacht Clubs

Costa Rica Yacht Club
Tel:(506) 661-0784, Fax:(506) 661-2518, VHF Channel 6
info@costaricayachtclub.com
The yacht club is particularly helpful and offers a range of repair facilities including a 20-ton travelift, as well as moorings, fuel and water on the dock 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. The club monitors VHF Channel 6 from 0700 to 1700 every day except Wednesday.

Related Reports

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Central America Cruising Guides  (01 Nov 2008)

Costa Rica Pirates – Cruisers Be Aware (09 Jun 2008)

USA, South Florida to Costa Rica  (15 May 2008)

Costa Rica Yacht Club Puntarenas Clearance Updates (06 May 2008)

Report On Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador (29 Aug 2007)

PAPAGAYO SAILING CUP 2007  (25 Jan 2007)

Cruising Notes Costa Rica, Cocos Island (24 May 2005)

New expanded "Cruising Ports: Florida to California via Panama" now published (07 Jan 2003)

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