Puerto Amistad (Bahía de Caráquez) - General Info
Description:
This port is a known hurricane hole. Puerto Amistad is located in Bahía de Caráquez, known locally as simply “Bahía” 36 nautical miles south of the Equator and 966kms (600 miles) from Panama.
Bahía de Caráquez suffered a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in April 2016, followed by at least two smaller quakes and an untold number of aftershocks. The streets and town still have a lot of rubble and re-building is on-going.
Bahia de Caraquez is a sub-port of Manta (which is a port of entry). Puerto Amistad marina in Bahia can assist with clearance, so while this is not a port of entry, clearance can be undertaken here, or you can travel into Manta and Salinas to undertake clearance yourself (with permission of the Port Captain).
Cruisers Highlights:
It is a very safe place to leave your boat while you travel inland to popular sites such as Machu Picchu and Cuzco, Peru, or return home. Because Bahía is located in a dry tropical zone, your boat will not suffer from the mold and mildew that is rampant in wet tropical locations such as Panama. Water is readily available, as are hot showers and gas refills. Good for provisioning with fresh fruits, meat and vegetables available.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
The harbor entrance is not buoyed, currents can be strong (there is an 8-10 foot tidal range here) and river shoals may not accord with published charts. It is advisable to time your arrival with high water morning for best conditions. If you arrive or leave on an afternoon high water you will quite possibly be in for rough conditions on a shallow bar.
Boats with a draft of more than 2.5m should enter with caution and only on a high Spring tide. Keep a lookout for the local fisherman in the area and their nets.
All vessels require permission from the Capitania before entering and must also have a pilot on board. Call Puerto Amistad on channel 69 and they will arrange for one of their pilots to come out.
The pilot will meet you at a launch at the ‘Waiting Room’ waypoint (00º 35.805S,080º26.832W) and come aboard and coach you into the anchorage (00º 36.400S,080º25.200W). Anchoring in the waiting area can be uncomfortable.
The fee for pilots has been established by the Port Captain and you pay the Pilot directly (see fees below in Clearance). Note, the pilot boat will bear no responsibility for damage to your boat, so fender well!
Be ready to move HW -1 hour. You do need a pilot. The sandbanks move and there is no buoyage. If your chart plotter remembers a track then you can save yourself the pilot’s fee for your departure.
If your landfall timing causes you to miss the high tide, one can anchor behind Cabo Posada 24 kms (15 miles) to the north of Bahia (sand bottom). Cabo Pasado is clear if you enter from the north or northwest. The reef runs WNW from the point and that breaks down the usual SW swell. It is not recommended to anchor at the “Waiting Room” point, as this is an open roadstead.
The river carries a lot of debris so proceed with caution. Bottom growth is also quite prolific here (black clams, barnacles and weeds).
Useful Links:
Position:
00° 35′ 24″S, 80° 25’W
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Puerto Amistad (Bahía de Caráquez) was last updated 7 months ago.
Related to following destinations: Ecuador, Puerto Amistad (Bahía de Caráquez)
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Puerto Amistad Marina and Yacht Club. As noted earlier this year and autografo is required to enter Ecuadorian Ports. This particular post is for the Coastal mainland ports. If you wish to visit Pueto Amistad in Bahia de Caraquez, we will offset your cost of the Autografo by giving you one month free on the Buoys or 2 months free on anchorage. The free time is credited to month 4 of your stay.
New Entry Requirements for Ecuador and Bahia d Caraquez
All foreign vessels entering Ecuadorian waters are required to have a special permission called an Autografo. Some port captains enforce this law and others do not. The Port Captain at Bahia de Caraquez enforces this requirement. This permission is attained from Marine Agencies (agencia naviera). You should have the application in process prior to arrival. Puerto Amistad is a marina and does not have the affiliation as a Naviera. We utilize the services of Super Yachts Agency of Manta for your arrival permissions and checkin/checkout.
The cost of the Autografo is $350. The checkin/checkout is $300 total.
If you have a stay more than 3 months on our Buoys, Puerto Amistad will discount the cost of the Ecuador Mainland Autografo from your Buoy Fees.
Here is the contact arrange an Autografo for your trip to Ecuador. (This does not include Galapagos. But the same agency can arrange the Galapagos also).
If you find this too expensive you should consider a voyage to Puerto Lucia or Esmeraldas. These ports currently do not require an Autografo and the checkin/checkout may be accomplished by the vessel captain saving you hundreds of dollars.
PHONE NUMBER:+593 99 948 0859
E-MAIL:ricardo@superyachtgalapagos.live
The Pandemic protocols restricting tourist vessels in Ecuador have finally been lifted. Ports are all open. The following applies to all international vessels. As of July 1, 2022 the following will apply.
Puerto Amistad is located in Bahia de Caraquez. If you wish to attempt to self checkin this must be done in Manta or Salinas. We are a sub port of Manta. For this reason we do not have Immigration or Customs here and you must have a representative. Puerto Amistad will act as your laison for checkin. Checkin fee is $180 or we can recommend an Agent.
Upon arrival a Pilot will guide you in. This fee is $35. You will be guided to a Quarantine anchorage. You may not leave your vessel until the Health department meets you. Upon entry to Ecuador, all travelers 3 years and older must provide either:
A COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing the traveler received a complete series of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Ecuador, or
Proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test. These tests may be administered in anchorage with a 20 minute result.
Any needs prior to your health check we are happy to bring to your boat.
Not much more.
Hope all is well
Gene
Here is an update on Puerto Amistad.
Three years ago we suffered a very strong Earthquake in the coast of Ecuador. Buldings and homes were tumbled, services were cut and people died.
It has been a very difficut and expensive task to rebuild the city. I am happy to report that most of the damage of the past is now history. Roads are repaired. Even better than before as now all the electrical is being placed underground. Water, Sewer, and Internet are online and dependable. Shopping centers, stores and hardware stores are now back and open for business.Communications between government agencies has been restored thus making a streamline process for yachts to check in and out of Bahia de Caraquez.
Shrimp farms are now back open on the river where Puerto Amistad is located. An Oyster farm project has been started by the University now that the waters have been cleaned up.
The entrance is still shallow but we are able to sustain vessels with up to 2.5 meters on the strong lunar tides and 2 meters daily on normal high tides for entering and exiting the river. We do strongly suggest using a pilot to help bring you in but mark your waypoints and you should be able to leave on your own.
Gas and Diesel are still cheap compared to other countries. Ecuador offers free Yellow Fever Shots if you need one for traveling on.
We hope you decide to visit us. Here are 2019 pricing updates for you
Anchor is free but dinghy dock, security, and showers are $150 per month.
Buoys are $300 per month. We have both fore and aft or swing.
Agency checkin is $180 international.
Agency Checkout is $180 international
Self Checkout is much less.
Best to all,
Gene
Troubles with the Owner Gene Tatum. I’d like to inform other cruisers to not send money in advance to Gene Tatum/Perto Amistad Marina.
I planned to sail from Panama to Bahia. I contacted Gene about dockage from mid March for about 6 months. he told me, I have to send $ 300 in advance for a safe booking. I did so and Gene sent me a confirmation that he received the money. So far so good. But after transiting the canal of Panama I had some technical troubles with my sailboat. So I sent an email on February 5th 2019 to Gene to inform that I have to cancel my reservation and asking about a money refund. No answer. A few days later I sent the same message to dockmaster@puertoamistad, with no answer. Then I sent again the message by using the web page. Now Gene answered, “I am traveling, I have forwarded your message to the dockmaster”. No answer was coming from there. End of February I sent again a message to Gene and cc to the dockmaster with the same information and asking about the money refund. Again no answer at all. I really feel bad treated from the management of this marina. This is the reason I say be aware.
Jurg Gilomen
SV Kjaloha
Jurg is correct. All reservations are non refundable due to our limited space. We held his reservation for months. When finally he advised us that he was not coming to Bahia, I offered him a 50% discount and offered to refund 50%. He declined calling me several names. Here is the resolve. Don’t make a reservation if you are going to be more than a month late. We hold your mooring not allowing others to take it for 30 days.
Our experiences in Bahia from March 2018.
The entrance to Bahia is not recommended for boats with more than 2m draft. The sandbanks are shifting regularly because of spring tides and heavy rain. Bahia de Caraquez is a sub-port and all officials (except the port captain who has an office across the road from the anchorage) come from Manta, so you might be waiting for days on the anchor before anybody comes to clear you in.
The river is very polluted and barnacles grow quickly on the hull. The town is still under construction after the last earthquake, with dusty streets and big potholes. The port captain will provide you with your international or national Zarpe, but you have to have patience and go many days in advance of your departure as most of the officials have no training or any idea how to make a Zarpe on the computer.
For immigration and customs, you need to go to Manta which is 2 hours by bus at a cost of 3 dollars per person. You must get a letter for immigration first from Puerto Amistad and pay the 15.65usd at the Banco Pacifico in Manta before going to the immigration office. Customs is free of charge and very easy. We cleared out ourselves and found it very easy. We paid 15usd for our international Zarpe. Customs was free. Immigration cost 15.65. Transport to Manta return was 12usd for 2 people.
In total checkout cost us 42.65 as opposed to 180 USD that Puerto Amistad charge.
If we were to return to mainland Ecuador with our boat we would go to Salinas. Salinas has beautiful water, beaches, and easier check-in and out procedures.
Yes, Much cheaper to DIY on checkins without using us as an Agent. However we must prepare Documents for your checkin regardless of your decision to make the 2 hour journey to Manta. We are a sub-port of Manta. Thus Immigration and Customs have to travel to Bahia to check you in. They charge $50 each to travel to Bahia. in addition there is a $15 charge for immigration stamps. The health department has a $5 charge The port captain charges vary from $15 to $45 depending on your vessel. Our Buoys are $300 per month and Anchorage is $150 per month with 24 hour security. We are located on calm bay at the mouth of the Chone River. No storms to speak of and rarely lightening. Puerto Amistad is only 200 meters from the Main Shopping Areas.
Puerto Amistad is now able to offer Diesel at $1.53 per gallon, Gasoline prices at $1.99/gal. We offer total prep service for your voyage to the Galapagos and South Pacific.
Update from Gene Tatum – Puerto Amistad:
We now have our maintenance dock ready (power washers, Pumps, Electric, Water – fill your tanks).
Our Dock with 15 slips is currently under construction.
Puerto Amistad: 2017 Prices
MOORING: (Front and Aft Buoy)
$300.00 (prepaid monthly Postpay add $50)
$100.00 (Prepaid weekly)
$ 18.00 (per day*)
SPIN MOORING: (Single Buoy)
$360.00 (prepaid monthly Postpay add $50)
$ 20.00 (per day*)
UPDATE on Puerto Amistad
I am Gene Tatum, the new owner of Puerto Amistad. Following the Earthquake on April 16th, 2016, we closed the bar and restaurant for 6 weeks as it needed a bit of work. We are now open with full service in the Marina and Bar/Restaurant. We have lowered prices and added services such as repair services and woodworking. Here are the new prices for Puerto Amistad.
2016 PRICES
MOORING:
$300.00 (month)
$ 15.00 (per day)
SPIN MOORING:
$365.00 (month)
$ 18.00 (per day)
Anchor $5.00 (per day)
Purified water: $2.00
Laundry: $0.60 (per pound)
Cleaning of exterior sailboat: $1.15 (per foot of vessel)
Agency Internacional Check In or Check Out $180.00 (it includes port captain, migration, customs, taxi driver, agency)
Agency National Check In or Check Out $120.00
Pilot for entry or entry or departure $35.00
Report on Southbound Group – June 30th, 2014
Cruisers visiting Puerto Amistad in Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador should be aware that there has recently been a theft of several electronic devices to a boat staying on one of the marina’s moorings. The thief entered through a forward hatch that had been left cracked open for ventilation. The boat’s owners were away at the time of the theft.
Posted on behalf of SV Sundancer
Another great spot to leave your boat is at Bahia de Caraquez, at the mouth of the Rio Chone. Approach (from the north): 00º 36.6′ S 080º 28.2′ W – this keeps you away from Shoals
“Waiting Room”: 00º 35.8′ S 080º 26.8′ W – anchor or wait for pilot here for entry over bar.
The anchorage is very calm, and boats are able to either get on a mooring ball (Puerto Amistad: $370/month, includes hot showers, dinghy dock, wifi, and nighttime security. The town of “Bahia” is an easily walkable village, which has a fresh fruit/vegie mercado, and several smaller tiendas for provisioning.
For more major shopping, Portoviejo is an hour away ($2) and Manta is 2 hours away, ($3) and will have most everything you want. Bahia is a more affordable option for people than Salinas, due to the costs involved. As well, Salinas has quite a surge, so anchoring is more difficult.
Should you wish to anchor in Bahia, the cost is $240/month, which includes all the above services. We have left our boat on the anchor for months at a time, without issue. The only thing to be aware of is the barnacle growth on the chain.
Costs for arrival into Ecuador at Bahia, using Puerto Amistad as an agent.
$50 – agent fee
$20 – immigration
$40 – taxi fee for paperwork
$45 – Capitania
Total cost – $155
Should you wish to know anything else, contact Heather Reimer on sv Sundancer at heatherreimer@live.com.
Open roadstead but relatively calm at most times of the year.