“Go sailing now my friend,
it is later than you think”
Charter Costa Rica coast from Los Suenos Resort, Bahia Herradura to Golfo de Papagay. This would be a fantastic week with a dozen places to stop and explore
Bahia Herradura to El Salvador, as it is laid out, is 345 miles. A couple days passage unless there are, and very could be, along the Costa Rica coast.
On the Way. . .
Punta Leona
Pretty beach with good snorkeling.
Puerto Caldera
Very busy industrial port with a lot of traffic. Open to swell and SW to NW winds.
Puntarenas
Lies along a peninsula 5 miles long but only 600 metres at its widest point, narrowing to less than a 100 metres at some points. It projects into the Golfo de Nicoya on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The close proximity of several islands, uninhabited and teaming with wildlife (deer, birds, iguanas) makes this an interesting cruising ground.
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:011 506 2282-9204
Lat: 9° 58' 944" N, Lon: 84° 47' 916" W. 1.5 miles from the marina to the outlet into the gulf. 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. Authorised bonding agent.
Costa Rica Yacht Club 09º58.8''N, 84º47.8'W)
Tel:011 (506) 2661-0784 Fax:011 (506) 2661-2518 ,VHF Channel 06 - 0700 to 1700 except Wednesdays
www.costaricayachtclub.com , info@costaricayachtclub.com
In 2011 a new management team took over this yacht club following a number of complaints concerning the previous manager, Carlos Chinchilla. It is recommended not to use this yacht club as a bonding agent. The yacht club offers a range of repair facilities including a 20-ton travelift, as well as moorings, fuel and water on the dock, WiFi 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. Approach to the club is shallow and only possible at around HW.
Isla Caballo
Deserted anchorage. Good holding in mud.
Playa Naranjo
Quiet little cove. Bay is open to the North. Ferry dock from Puntarenas , nice beaches around and some shopping.
Isla San Lucas
The bay has calm water and is protected from abusive winds. The buildings on the island are protected as a National Heritage Site and the island is a National Wildlife Preserve. This is a good bay to anchor, use to be a former jail, there are some ruins and part of the facilities of the jail are in the process of become museum and has a guided tour of the island , with a lot of history , national preserve area , very well protected , and safe .
Isla Muertos
The Bahia Luminosa resort on the mainland side offers sailors a nice place to relax. Many boaters spend a week or more at Muertos when they only expected to stay a day or two. Nice beach, good holding, quite place to stay couple of days.
Isla Cedros and Jesusita
3 Anchorages:
Eastern: 09°50.83' N, 084°52.24' W
Jesusita: 09°50.44' N, 084°53.10' W
Southern: 09°50.05' N, 084°53.55' W
This is by far the best anchorage of the gulf area, gorgeous place to stay, there is a fresh water pipe to charge tanks, good holding, nice place to visit and secure.
Playa Organos
Good place to stop for an estuary tour. Anchor in about 23'. Hazardous Rock: 09°47.96' N, 084°53.34' W
Isla Tortugas
Highly popular destination for beaches and snorkling. Anchoring off Tolinga is difficult because the entire shoreline is irregular with a very sharp drop off from about 50 to 100 feet. It is also crowded with moorings and tour boats. Nice place, very good and popular destination, lots of tour operators bring charters to the islands, some souvenirs shops, kayak rentals and some other popular tourist attractions, some times very crowded, beautiful wild life and white sandy beaches.
Playa Curu
The anchorage spot is in about 20' of water and about 1000' from the northern shoreline clear of the sensitive reef area. The bay is deep and sometime rolly. This a very special national park, white sandy beach and gorgeous scenery, good place to spend day and later move to safer anchorage. Lots of wild life.
Bahia Ballena - N
Very popular anchorage with good sand bottom. Well protected. Nice beach, well protected when wind from the north is not in season. Good snorkeling area and nice wild life. Could be an over night anchorage.
Bahia Ballena - S
The Bahia Ballena Yacht Club hosts an organic market every Saturday morning. The estuary is a good place to take your dinghy and see some wildlife. You can walk the beach for miles. Fisherman's bay, full of fishing boats, fish market as well , not as nice as Bahia Ballena North, but safe to anchor. Some shopping close by and some tour fishing operators. Local airport close by with direct flights to San Jose and other cities.
Montezuma
It is a yuppie-hippy sort of place and has a ton of restaurants but it's a dinghy surf landing to get to town. Surf town, nice beaches.
Montezuma is located on the Nicoyan Peninsula's southeastern end, at the end of an unpaved road that winds down forested hillsides. The shoreline itself is largely sandy beach, as fine as any on the peninsula, interspersed with rocky outcroppings. Many come to see the popular Montezuma water falls, about a 20 minute walk from downtown. The best little inn, is at the trail head to the waterfalls and the road. A commercial area, little more than a hundred meters of shops, hotels and restaurants, has sprung up to cater to visitors.
Bahia Carrilo
Long beaches with sparkling water. Many of the best anchoring spots are taken by moorings. Nice place to stop by if traveling North. There are some facilities around such as hotels and restaurants. Very nice beach and very tricky entrance as well.
Bahia Samara
Isla Chora provides enough of a swell break to make this anchorage the most comfortable along this stretch of the coast. Anchor in smooth water in 20' over sand. Nice beach with lots of movement. Very popular destiny, crowded sometimes. A beach town with facilities.
Bahia Graza
Rolly location but good surfing. A fisherman's place, lots of fishing tour operators , suplies and hotels around.
Bahia Tamarindo
The holding is good with a sand bottom and some rocks. Make sure your anchor is set and use extra rode because the Papagayos can blow hard offshore.
Tamarindo caters to foreign tastes - there are many gourmet food products available and there are a lot of nice restaurants.
Playa Las Minas
This is a great spot for snorkeling, shelling (please leave the shells behind) and walking.
Playa Conchal
Nice white sand beach , restaurants and great hotel facilities, golf course and more, little up town.
Playa Brasilito
The southernmost anchorage is good for when there's a large southerly swell running.
Playa Flamingo
This is a good spot if the Papagayos have been blowing hard enough to generate some bouncy NW chop. The beach is busy with tourists but if you want to get off the boat there are a few restaurants and bars here.
Bahia Potrero
This bay is the site for the now defunct Marina Flamingo which has been shut down for many years and was taken over by the Coast Guard. There are also some nice restaurants, cafes, and even a bakery. Gorgeous place, nice anchorage, lots of sightseeing, good for trekking and paddle boarding, good restaurant.
Playa Pan de Azucar
Good protection from Papagayos. The beach is nice at low tide.
Playa Zapotal
Nice beach, but exposed to southerly swell. Well protected from Papagayos
Bahia Guacamaya
White sandy beaches and good snorkeling in clear water.
Playa del Coco
Good anchorage though not well protected from the west
2 Anchorages:
N Anchorage: 10°33.56' N, 085°41.72' W
S Anchorage: 10°33.41' N, 085°41.73' W
Easy approach but watch for obstructions when sailing from the north.
There is a large reef to the SW of the middle of the bay towards the shore. You'll notice a central location where no boats are anchored. This reef runs approximately from the following Rock Reef Hazard waypoint SE to the beach.
Rock Reef Hazard: 10°33.30' N, 085°42.01' W
Here is where you ned to check in to Costa Rica on the north side. If you are heading south, you cannot check out however. Neat village with good restaurants and shops. Port Captain is to the right on the main drag in a greenish blue building. Immigration is located in a small white building way back from the street on your right if you are walking up from the beach. Next you have to go to the airport to get your import permit. About a 15 minute bus ride or a good cab fare. The Port Captain can arrange this for you .
Can be a little rough even in fair weather. Good holding. Running the surf can be a challenge in the dinghy.
Playa Hermosa
This beach is very popular among Ticos. The highlight for cruisers includes two grocery stores, restaurants, and intermittent WiFi out in the anchorage.
Playa Panama
The long beach of Playa Panama is nice to walk. There aren't many services but on the southern end you can find a nice bar with internet access. You can catch the bus or taxi into Playa Hermosa for shopping, or you can walk the 1.5 miles. When the NE winds blow this anchorage can become a bit bumpy.
Playa Iguanita
Isolated and protected from NE winds.
Playa Mata de Cana
White beaches with a tropical feel. Tour boats may stop for lunch. It can get busy on weekends. Anchor in 30'.
Beautiful beach and a great anchorage. Good holding in sand and decent protection from the blows that frequent. Playa Del Coco is close enough to provision or get a night out if you want.
Marina Papagayo
The northernmost point of entry to Costa Rica, this relatively new marina (opened Dec. 15, 2008) is situated on Guanacaste's Gold Coast. The International airport is less than an hour's drive from the marina. Situated below the hurricane belt and sheltered from the easterly trade winds of Papagayo, this marina should offer a safe haven (albeit a five star one!). As of 2011, this marina is now part of the IGY Network of marinas. Marina Papagayo is located approximately 4 nautical miles from the entrance of Bahia Culebra in the Northwest corner of the bay. Maintaining a center line in the bay there are 10 fathoms of water on the approach to the marina with no obstructions. Red and green (lighted) channel markers clearly identify the entrance to the marina. Marina Papagayo is a deep water marina with an average depth of 20 feet.
Clearance and Immigration facilities are available here. The Harbormaster uses the agent, Paramares SA, to clear boats in.
Paramares S. A.
Shipping Agency & Ship's Chandler
Tel:(506) 2661-0948 / Cell: (506) 8811-7290 Fax:(506) 2661-3762
Customs must be notified 72 hrs in advance of arrival to report a firm arrival location and ETA. The agent will also require a crew list to verify nationalities and visa requirements (if any).
The marina is part of Peninsula Papagayo - a luxury resort/residential community with a Four Seasons Resort hotel, a top class golf course and a Beach Club & Spa. The marina has 350 wet slips for yachts ranging in size from 35’ to 240’ in length. Reports are that the marina is very exposed to the trade winds which can make berthing tricky. Chafe gear and sturdy spring lines are recommended to minimize the effects of the surge. The harbormaster is reported to be very friendly and helpful, as are the staff.
Marina Papagayo
PO Box 339-5000 , Liberia, Guanacaste
Tel:+506 2696 2266 ,VHF Channel 16, 23
Bahia Huevos
Well protected bay with 3 anchorages:
Eastern: 10°38.36' N, 085°40.70' W
Northern: 10°38.5 N, 085°41.13 W
Southern: 10°37.89 N, 085°41.18 W
The offshore approach is clear of hazards. The points on the northern and southern edge of the bay are rock strewn. Give the visible rocks off of Punta Mala about 1/4 of a mile of room and stay at least 1/4 mile away from the points approaching the bay.
Bahia Puerto Grande
Nice remote beach. Great surfing.
The best spot is on the southern side of the bay. You'll be mostly out of the swell and it will feel quite protected, a rare thing when there is a surf spot nearby.
Islas Murcielagos
The anchorage is more exposed to NE winds and there is a large shoal along the W and S shores. Anchor in about 28 feet at low tide. The anchorage is more exposed to NE winds and there is a large shoal along the W and S shores. Anchor in about 28 feet at low tide.
Key Point
Part of the Parque Nacional Santa Rosa - sometimes the rangers come out to charge park fees. The diving at the rocky reef is very good.
Don't try rounding Cabo Santa Elena if the Papagayos are blowing. The wind easily reaches 2x the predicted strength all around Cabo Santa Elena and south along the shore. Round the cape about a mile off and stay south of the rocky reef waypoint and approach the anchorage from the SW.
Bahia Santa Elena
Most popular first stop in Costa Rica. This bay is inside Parque Nacional Santa Rosa and is surrounded by nature. Whales, dolphins, fish, and numerous birds all congregate around this park.
Three beautiful anchorages:
Northern: 10°55.35' N, 085°47.53' W
Eastern: 10°55.1' N, 085°47.35' W
Southern: 10°54.7 N, 085°47.54' W
The depth upon the approach ranges from 120 to 90 feet far into the bay. Stay in the center of the channel and you will be clear of all the hazards.
Bahia Tomas
Nice all-weather anchorage.
Bahia Junquilla
Well protected bay from swell and predominant wind direction
Alternate Town Anchorage: 10°56.7' N, 085°42.3'W
Give Punta Descartes a wide berth when heading south.
Approach Waypoint: 10°59.0' N, 085°46.0' W
Playa Zacata
Little cove that goes unnoticed. If coming from the south make sure you give Punta Descartes a wide berth then turn NE and you will be able to see the sandy beach inside the cove. Once clear of the rock you can turn into the cove. If you are coming from the north you can approach the bay once you are clear of the visible rocks off Punta Zacata.
Bahia de Salinas
Massive bay with very little swell reaching into it. Anchor just about anywhere as holding is good.
Alternate anchorage:
Puerto Soley: 11°02.58' N, 085°40.6' W
Barillas Marina Club, El Salvador
Clear customs and immigration. Take on fuel.
Torn by violent civil war from 1978 until 1992, El Salvador is now rebuilding and attempting to encourage tourism as an environmentally friendly industry. Completed in 2000 Club Barillas, under the direction of owner Juan Wright and manager Heriberto Pineda, is a shinning example of how well this can be accomplished. Call on the telephone (011-503632-1802 or 011-503-871-1738or http://www.puertobarillas.com/en/) for reservations or on channel 16 approximately one hour before reaching the waypoint shown above. An English-speaking radio operator will request information about your vessel and your ETA to the waypoint so that a pilot panga will be waiting for your arrival. Follow the panga around the sandbar and about nine miles up the estuary to the beautiful marina grounds. A mooring (at a very reasonable daily rate) entitles you to membership privileges and complete use of club facilities. These include swimming pool, restaurant, snack bar, convenience store, internet access (either with your laptop or one of 10 computers in the computer room), hammocks under the shade trees, free shuttle bus to town, port clearance, and access to a private landing strip and heliport. A most welcome and friendly stop on the long leg from Acapulco to Los Suenos, Costa Rica.
Tamarindo Surf Forecast and Surf Reports (Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
