Nicaragua - Facts
- In recent years Nicaragua has been avoided by cruising yachts and for good reason, although with the changing political situation this is no longer the case. The shallow reef-encumbered Miskito Coast has many attractive anchorages, but navigation is difficult and even in the past when the area was not off-limits, most yachts restricted their cruising to the more accessible Corn Islands.
- The opening of Marina Puesta del Sol, 21 kms (13 miles) north of Corinto, marks an improvement in facilities available.
- Nicaragua’s decision to extend its territorial waters from the normal 19.3 kms (12 miles) to 40 kms (25 miles) has resulted in the seizure of some foreign flagged vessels, mainly fishing boats. In their fight against illegal fishing, the Nicaraguan authorities have confiscated boats and arrested their crews, as a result of which the USA have warned all US vessels to avoid Nicaraguan waters, both on the Pacific and Caribbean side. Cruising yachts do not appear to have been affected, but those which intend to stop in Nicaragua should proceed directly to an official port of entry.
- Even after the cessation of hostilities, provisioning in many places is still difficult. Even essential goods are difficult to obtain in some places and this includes fuel. There are simple repair facilities in most ports.
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Some recent experience with checking into the country at Puesta Del Sol.. Firstly, the marina and their staff are absolutely wonderful. Seems like they’ve fallen on some hard times since the unrest in 2017, but we felt really safe and welcome there and in the surrounding areas. Entrance to the estuary with the marina’s waypoints and Navionics was straightforward. No bar crossing – deep in the entrance channel, and I never saw less than 11 feet in the estuary. Food (and service- thanks Senar) at the marina is great – no complaints about the wifi in the office and pool. 😉
Checking in around 4/10/22 – the 72 hour PCR was still required. Ideally, this would be sent to the marina 36 hours in advance of arrival, and they’d like a 1 week notice of a planned arrival.
We were able to secure PCR tests in Puerto Amapala, Honduras by catching a water taxi to Coyolito, then a bus to San Lorenzo. Don’t expect same-day turnaround on the test results.
Juanita worked hard to support us and keep the clearance in/out of the country running smoothly. Ultimately the actual costs were a bit less than she’d advertised. No issues with Migracion and Capitania, but the Maritime Authority official gave me some grief about single-handing. After some pushback, he could not point to any regulations to support his claim.
I heartily recommend supporting this place – It’s an important pit-stop between Mexico and Costa Rica, and wouldn’t hesitate to leave my boat there for the off season if needed.
PCR tests within 72hrs of arrival are required to enter Puesta Del Sol, same requirements as El Salvador. For travelers leaving the only place to get tested is at MINSA in Managua $150 US per test.
Entrada nica en momento….. migración 86$….. efectivo. ministerio del transporte 25$ only bank.very easy. Aduana 50$ …..Franklin (no simpático el quería siempre cerveza gratis)… Is the long arm from the Aduana in Peña Blanca.(44 km from San Juan)
He wanted we go together to the Aduana Peña Blanca per taxi (one way 20$) to pay 50 Dollar ….we took the bus 1$ nice trip only 1 hour without Franklin . Very imported is bring all your papers, Dokuments. i have forgotten the driver license for the boat so we did the way twice.
I think out of covid you have nothing to do with the ministerio de salud but in our case yes.
We needed a covid Test for check in. We made the Test in Costa Rica 117 Dollar. The migración Man called an older man from the ministerio de salud and he checked the Test of the válido nothing else.he wanted that we go to the next hospital to pay 60 Dollar for his friend professor gonzales.we didn’t go … till now suerte.yesterday got we a call from the comandante capitanía,we have to come in his office….he said…I am responsible for your security you have to pay me 20 Dollar..he took the money and put it in his private wallet.thats not new for us we were long time in West Africa but the people there do it friendly…we met only arrogant military staff here…… Anyway I love nica.
Mar 03, 2019 11:06 PM
The site says winds on the Pacific side are “generally light”, but I would add, “except for the eastern third which is subject to very frequent strong offshore winds, up to 35 knots (Papagayos), in the cruising season Dec to March.
Reported on Southbound Yahoo Group:
Nicaragua is now charging $150 USD for a “Permiso Especial de Navigacion” issued by the Ministerio de Transporte e Infrastructura if one wants to anchor in the southern part of the country, excepting San Juan del Sur.
While performing my domestic check-in at SJdS I wandered into the Ice Plant, looking for the Capitania (which is now located in the boatyard). I encountered an official who told me I first needed to visit the Ministerio de Transporte. There it was explained to me that if I wanted to stay in SJdS I needed to do nothing, but if I wanted to anchor at any of the nearby beaches or coves I would need to obtain the above mentioned Permiso, which is necessary from Huehuete in the north to the southern border.
The Permiso is good for 30 days and costs $150. I had to go to the bank at the cruise ship terminal to pay the fee and make 3 copies, then return to the Ministerio de Transporte where he gave me the Permiso and a receipt to take to the Capitania.
I don’t know if the Capitania would have required this had I gone there first as I intended, or whether I just had the bad luck to wander into the wrong office, but I suspect that the former is the case.
Anyhow, just a heads up so that folks can avoid an unpleasant surprise in SJdS.