Note that the marina is staffed 24/7/365, but outside office hours (and sometimes during office hours, if the staff have stepped out) the yard staff only have a handheld VHF radio. They will not hear a hail from a boat until it is well within the harbour.

Reported by Brock & Jamie:

Marina Chiapas is operational after the earthquake and damage from the surge which followed. The travel lift will be back in service in the next week or so. Docks are still being repaired but most are functional. Electrical & water service is fine (water is portable and not bad tasting). Marina staff took us through the process of checking in, giving us a ride to Immigration, Aduana, and the Port Captain’ office. This was after the Navy and the narcotics dog inspected the boat at the marina. Very easy process. Tapachula (with Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc) is only a 25 peso collectivo ride away and makes provisioning straightforward.

I made a mistake with our TIP. We were travelling from the south (Panama, Costa Rica) and I attempted to complete the TIP online. What happens is that the TIP is then sent to your US address. When we went to the Guatemalan border, they were unable to help us and insisted that we acquire that original. So we had DHL ship it down from Washington state. The better option would have been to not do anything in advance and just apply for it once you arrive in Mexico. It’s a 1000 peso ride to CD Hidalgo where the Banjercito office is. I suspect the process would have been easy, had I not tried to get ahead of things. Looking forward to exploring nearby Puerto Madero and Playa Linda.

The most powerful earthquake to hit Mexico in 100 years struck off the nation’s Pacific Coast on 7 September 2017, killing at least 32 people and levelling some areas in the southern part of the country, closer to the quake’s epicentre. Reports from cruisers in Chiapas Marina are that the docks have been badly damaged and the travelift had water to above the engine. Repairs will likely take months.

Marina Chiapas is a lovely marina, however, they do not have a laundry room, though service is available. They also don’t offer a shuttle into Tapachula. You may easily get a “collectivo” for 16 pesos by walking to the road at the entrance. When returning from Tapachula, if you stand on the main road & flag an orange taxi (servicing Puerto Madero) you can usually get a return ride for 50 pesos. The white taxies will cost you 20 bucks. The marina staff is extremely friendly & helpful. S/V Moondance