We arrived in Luperon in March 2018 and have spent nearly a month and a half here. The people are some of the friendliest that we have ever encountered. No issues with theft or safety whatsoever. The pricing is a welcome break after coming from the Bahamas. We pay $2 a day for a mooring, $1 per 5 gallons of water and lunch at Las Velas is $3.

We have also used one of the local canvas shops for a $300 dinghy chaps. Patulas Restaurant has become one of our favourites along with Wendy’s Bar and Las Velas at Puerto Blanco. Kat, the owner of Paula’s has been very helpful in recommending and even organizing some of the trips throughout the Island.

The waterfalls are only a short ride away from the harbour and are a must do. One of the best beaches we have ever seen is also a relatively short, yet beautiful ride to Cambioso. La Isabella is another short ride with a fun beach. Santo Domingo, although on the south side of the island is about a days trip on what are surprisingly modern busses.

We have done so much here in the Dominican Republic and all the while safely moored in Luperon Harbor. Don’t just stop at Georgetown in the Bahamas, come down to Luperon!

I was not suggesting the extortion was part of the holdup. I was just writing these facts as a result of our detention.

My point is only if you go to DR be careful, you won´t sail the way you want. That’s it.
I’m sailing for nearly 30 years all over the world, so I’m quite aware of what should happen or not.

Anyway, thank you for justifying the DR point of view as you did, but I’m quite sure there are more reports of robbery and attacks than disasters at sea.

There is a new administrative disposition in the DR. It is supposed to protect the sailors and the fishermen from bad weather risks.

The Armada is still giving the «despacho» but now, under the order of a «weather coordinator». Colonel Perratas Mieres is the official in charge for the time being, and believe me, he will protect you more than any «mother hen» could ever think of.

For example, when 25 knots of wind is forecast at Puerto Plata and Samana (Atlantic coast), he will hold all despachos for the Caribbean Coast too, even if it´s forecast 5 to 8 knots gusting 12! The result is you cannot leave the place you’re in! It´s like if someone, in your birth land, says: «Fresh wind forecast in the Great Lakes – California Coast is closed.»
This is why we had to stay 4 supplementary days in Salinas.

To get an international despacho, we had to go to Barahona, an easy 30 miles step from Salinas.
There, same story. 7 days and 30US$ for prolongation of the stay! Winds between 5 to 15 knots, seas 1 to 2 feet. And it lasted 7 days.

We tried to explain the «boat is built to cross oceans» and we have «weather knowledge and facilities to get forecasts», but the commandants of the Armada are totally afraid of Mieres, and would only check the SMS sent by the colonel, answering us: «Mañana… maybe».

Colonel Mieres sees no difference between a light fishing boat and a 40-foot long-range cruiser. I really believe he sees no difference between 10 knots and 35 knots of wind either.

At least, when the wind started to blow a little, Mieres decided everything will be delivered soon.
It took 1 more day to get everything in order -40 US$ of mandatory propane included (but not due), to be freed from our chains, and I mean it because you really feel like in prison in your boat.
Thank you to Sarayu for their support all along this unsupportable episode. This is an experience I’ll hope to never experience again.

Hi everyone, I am looking for somewhere to buy some basic emergency flares in the DR, preferably in Samana or along the North coast. We are on a charity kayak expedition and unfortunately were robbed of our flares and a number of other items. Also looking for somewhere to make some basic fibreglass repairs (or at least buy the supplies for).

ANCHORING!
Engine failed and sailed into the pretty bay in the South near El Soco, Romana. Moored in front of the top-end hotel. Within half an hour friendly policeman arrived in the hotel dive boat. Told us we had to leave and I explained engine kaput. Gave him $20.00 and he said we could stay only behind the little island in the centre of the bay. So he towed us there and we sailed off in the morning. Anchored off Isla Catalina, no problem, likewise Isla Saona.

Engine broke off Boca de Yuma and anchored 50 yards upriver in 2 meters, delightful place. Again policeman arrived with fisherman gave him $30.00 and coffee, Very helpful guy and called a mechanic for us. Left 2 days later. Anchored in Miches and early morning taken off to Police station. Usual transaction all very nice and dropped back to the boat after checking despacho and stuff.

Anchored in Sosua North end of the beach. Fair swell. No official visitors here. It is a shame they have this unusual policy about no anchoring in the DR, but great officials. Recommend smiling and being friendly!

I arrived in Luperon in 2009 by sea, and have swallowed the anchor and moved inland. So I cannot provide a first-hand account of check-in and check-out as currently practised, but several Luperon expatriate residents have recently reported that very few boats are visiting Luperon. Some that have reported being charged undocumented fees by the current port captain.

For example, one recent boater reported being charged for only staying a few days and “not spending enough money in town”. Naturally, such rumours are difficult to substantiate. Port captains change every six months or thereabout and some are honest – but since the traffic rate is now so reduced it will be relatively difficult to obtain current information.

On the bright side, the Puerto Blanco marina has had a facelift and is under new and invigorating management (NW corner of the bay).