Playa de Coco - Clearance
Yachtgala is a local agent based in the Galapagos Islands for cruisers, we assist cruisers in all the services they required during their stay in Galapagos Islands with the most competitive prices.
We provide services such as obtaining entry permit to Galapagos waters, technical services, tours etc.
Contact Yachtgala on Ph: +593 98 157 0856 or cruisers@yachtgala.com.ec.
WhatsApp us on https://wa.me/593981570856
Visit us at https://www.yachtgala.com.ec
CloseSee Costa Rica Formalities for full details on clearing into and out of Costa Rica.
General Process:
Checking in:
The check-in process here is reported to be straight-forward with friendly officials throughout. First stop is Immigration, then take the paperwork to the Port Captain. Fill out their forms and they will issue another form to take to Aduana (Customs) officials at the Liberia airport.
Take a bus or taxi (about US$80 for a taxi round trip) to the airport. Go to the Arrival area security desk and ask them to call Customs for a vessel check-in. The Customs Officer will take your documents and copies and return in about 15 minutes. Once you receive your import permit from Customs (for the boat), return to the Port Captain who will finalize all the paperwork. Boat permits are issued for 90 days. (Note: A cruiser report in May 2022 indicated that Customs officials could only issue a 10 day permit due to a “glitch” in their system.)
Allow up to six hours to get everything done. Three copies of all papers, including passports, will be required.
Checking out:
The international check-out procedure is Port Captain (to get the bank info as well as latest rules), Customs at the airport, bank (to pay port fee), Immigration, Port Captain (who will give you the exit zarpe).
Notes:
- While clearance is possible at nearby Marina Papagayo, it is mandatory that a clearance agent is used at the marina with associated costs in the region of $500. Arrangements for clearance at the marina must be made in advance and the decision to stay and use an agent cannot be done once you have arrived at the marina.
Last updated: May 2022
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Related to following destinations: Costa Rica, Pacific Coast (Costa Rica), Playa de Coco
Port Navigation
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It was an easy check into Costa Rica at Playas del Coco in January, 2018. Anchorage was good. The beach shallows slowly and it was easy, even as a single hander, to land the dinghy and launch it by walking through the surf. Land where the locals are picking up and dropping off. The dinghy can be secured at the top of the beach if you have a long, (2 or 3 m) cable.
The port captain’s office is a little south and about one half block inland. Immigration is on the same street about a 15-minute walk inland and on the right near the bus stop. Customs is at the Liberia airport about 25 miles away, 45 minutes by bus. The procedure was port captain – immigration – port captain – customs.
The officials were courteous, but don’t expect much English except at customs (Liberia is an international airport). The whole process took a painless three hours. The town was far touristy than I expected. Provisioning was ok. If coming from Mexico on a budget, plan on half as much beer in CR.
This anchorage has a reef right in the middle. The left side facing shore is very rolly. The right side is calmer and you can anchor out almost to the island in 30 ft of water. The middle part where there are no mooring buoys is where the reef is located, so do not go there.
Call on Ch 16 for a water taxi and save yourself the drama of a very rough surf landing. Provisioning is good, shopping is plentiful, and check-in is pretty simple except that you need to take a bus or rental car to the airport to go through customs.
As of May 2016, the office is in the airport itself, not down the road. Nice town, great restaurants, hardware store has most basics. Beware the surf!