 Bartica : Profile
Note: There have been recent attacks (Spring 2008) by armed criminal gangs in the vicinity of the town of Bartica. You should exercise caution.
Full clearance facilities are now in place at Bartica and involve a simple one page form. Cruisers should proceed straight up the river and anchor off Bartica and contact the Customs office. All the necessary officials will come aboard.
If choosing to anchor at the river mouth before heading up river, everyone should remain on board and must clear Customs at Bartica before landing.
Customs Office
Bartica
Tel:(592) 664-3465 or (592) 684-4054 or (592) 225-4698
Local Contact
Kit Nascimento
Tel:(592) 226-0240 / 225-3557/ 455-3200 / Mob. 640-4497
kitnasc@gol.net.gy
Worth contacting before reaching Guyana. He can arrange a local and knowledgable guide for navigating the river and for Customs and Immigration to meet the yacht at Bartica.
Bartica is a small, safe mining town in the heart of the rain forest, 40 miles up the River Essequibo where it is joined by Mazuruni river. It is becoming more widely known as a cruising destination and most services can be found here.
Entering the river Essequibo on a rising tide in order to safely clear the shifting sand bar at the entrance, is recommended. Also beware of the strangth of the tidal stream in the river as it can reach over 3.5kn on the ebb,
There are several resorts where yachts can anchor close off. None are particularly commercial and each offers different views of the local wildlife; exotic birds and butterflies, sloths, parrots, monkeys etc. In particular, Hurakabra, Banganara and Shanklands are very welcoming, helpful and offer a range of facilities.
One thing to remember is that the afternoon rain storms are often are accompanied by wind of F5 or more, although the anchorages in the river are safe and the holding is good.
Lashleys Boat Park
(between Cool Breeze Bar and the dock)
A safe place to leave the dinghy. Also supplies lovely chicken.
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