San Carlos – Vista Mar Marina - General Info

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Description:

San Carlos is one of several small resort towns located about 40 km SW of Panama City in the Gulf of Panama. It is now a Port of Entry, but with just an Immigration office. The remaining clearance has to be completed in Panama City.

Cruiser Highlights:

Full-service marina; a one hour drive to Panama City; supermarkets; restaurants; medical and vet clinics; hardware stores. Facilities for storing a boat for an extended visit inland or home. There is now an Immigration office here for entry/exit. Trailer lift for catamarans and yachts up to 95 tons.

Entrance Notes and Cautions:

Beware of entering or exiting Vista Mar Marina or sailing in the area at night. Quite often there are unlit fishing nets cast directly across the entrance.

Position:

08° 29.10’N, 79° 56.40’W (marina)

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San Carlos – Vista Mar Marina was last updated 9 months ago.

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  1. April 21, 2022 at 3:28 AM
    SYNautilus says:

    After being on the hard for over two years we do not recommend this marina. Despite the staff is willing to help they are not skilled enough and still not mastering the haul out/launching technique. They’re dragging our keel on the way down to the slip. The ground is made of stones and not even paved. Condition of the hard is very poor. Some boats got infested by cockroaches while on the hard. After more than three years they still don’t know how to handle the ropes during launching/hauling out. Not familiar with basic rope handling, not understanding basic orders, not even in Spanish. Getting your boat out of the water is extremely dangerous here. Many boats have been damaged or almost sinked.

    They’re increasing the port fees at their will and without any notice. Always forcing you to pay in advance with threatening emails and never disclosing the condition of the boat during pandemic as a courtesy. Basically they don’t care the condition of the boat at all.

    Laundry machines and dryers are not working at all. They’re aware of it but just ignore the claims from customers. Basically owner is not willing to invest in the marina and everybody feels that.

    Showers are ridiculous, not designed to accommodate such a big marina. Shower doors are not closing. Showers are not even fitted with a shelf for shampoo. Toilette door should be kept open while sitting on the WC due to lack of space.

    Wifi signal is very poor or even not working.

    The small shop has high prices and very limited stock. The service is very poor. The only restaurat in the marina has very high prices and service is poor.

    Living onboard is not allowed while on the hard.

    Due to all above reasons we do not recommend this marina.

  2. December 14, 2019 at 3:51 PM
    ldorenfest says:

    Beware of entering or exiting Vista Mar Marina or sailing in the area at night. Our prop was fouled 60 meters after exiting the marina by an unlit fishing net cast directly across the entrance.

  3. May 19, 2019 at 4:47 PM
    gkmkwd says:

    Update on the damage to our vessel while being hauled out at VistaMar Marina. The Marina is going to work with us and file a claim with their insurance company and work with us to get it repaired while we are out of the country. The people and owners of VistaMar are great.

  4. May 18, 2019 at 11:38 PM
    gkmkwd says:

    VistaMar is a lovely marina with good facilities and walking distance to San Carlos for basics. We came here in May, knew the Marina’s reputation for surge, BUT we we’re unprepared for the amount of surge at high tide. Bring snubbers of some sort and plenty of extra lines and chafing gear and expect to break a line or two. Once here it is hard to find these things readily. We had our boat hauled on their new trailer. It is rated for #50,000 and our boat is about #45,000. It definitely maxed this equipment. They hold the boat to the front of the trailer with 2 ropes. They started up the ramp and the boat slipped back about a foot peeling back our bow thruster and opening the 2″ hole into the bottom of the boat filling the bilges to the floor boards. They adjusted it and got it out. The process took 5 hours. The waiting dock is in unprotected water so some swell and surge make it hard to tie up and very hard on lines. It isn’t adequately fendered and we damaged the side and top rail before they arrived with large ball fenders. Several boats before us were damaged but we hoped they had gained enough experience but unfortunately we now have about $10,000 damage and an insurance claim. The people are great and they are trying very hard. They are not responsible for any damages as stated up front so you take your chances. We lost big time!!

  5. March 28, 2018 at 4:21 PM
    Data Entry3 says:

    Reported by MV Crossroads – currently at Vista Mar Marina (March 11th 2018)
    $.40/ft/day. $.35 if you pay for a month. Marina is new and is very nice. The people who work there are very nice and helpful. The marina is a distance from shopping but marina drives you to it. There are a bar/restaurant and a mini market at the marina property.

    We are told there are winds and surge in all Panama marinas in March and maybe some of April, but it’s supposed to be nice and calm after that.

    Car rentals pick up at the marina and are about $42-$45/day or pay 6 days for 7 days. And it’s about an hours drive to Panama City. Marina is too far away for daily sightseeing in Panama City in my opinion, but good value for a rest or extended stay while heading home.

    We are doing sightseeing around Panama by car and are doing some boat work, so this marina is great for us at $25.00/ Day!!!!

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