The Boating Guide to Mexico, by Capts John Rains and Patricia Miller, was the most recent, and probably the best. We all know the formula: walk a couple of miles a day, swim a mile a day, eat well and drink in moderation. There are ATMs in all sizeable Mexican cities, but cruisers periodically have reported getting ripped off by them. Area with Most Things to Do. Six Month Itinerary. Berthing is not cheap in Mexico, so it’s nice that just about everything else is a bargain. Mar 21, 2011. Most Annoying Wind. And for some reason, the skies are almost always blue in Z-town. But if you dress like a bum, don’t be surprised to be treated that way. It’s very unlikely you’d be caught, but it could land you in big trouble. If your boat is not a U.S. documented vessel, you must carry registration papers and a bill of sale or other proof of ownership. South of Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta, the air and water temperatures are pleasant all year round. Find pristine natural beauty and charming local character in these four ports of call along the Gulf of Mexico. A Guide To Mexican Butcher Shops: Part I – Beef, Saving Mexico’s tarantulas: Rodrigo Orozco’s ingenious plan, Rodolfo Morales – Mexican artist (1925 – 2001), Know The Law In Mexico – Employees And Labor Law, Spanish terms for building and construction in Mexico, Puebla style apple and blueberry marmalade: Mermelada de manzana y mora azul, From New Spain to nouvelle cuisine: Pasta mexicana, All About MexConnect | Mexico’s top English-language online magazine, Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack and Veronica Gonzalez-Smith, Comments: Terms of Service and Guidelines, Mexico – calendars and schedules of holidays, fiestas and events, Mexico Maps: click on map or state names for interactive maps of states. Dress to Impress. West Coast Sailing, based in Ensenada, Mexico, and San Diego, offers Learn to Sail vacations for beginning sailors or those who would like to gain more experience. 5) Electrical Shortages. The two main causes of faulty anchoring – which causes untold anxiety and sleepless nights – are: inadequate equipment and poor technique. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Give her time to ease into sailing – or let her take a plane on the long passages. In so doing, you normally avoid bad weather coming down the west coast of the United States, avoid real bad weather off the coast of Baja, and have the longest cruising season. Make sure the boat was designed, built and has been maintained for open-ocean sailing. Want to try something really fun? For some cruisers, it’s their liferaft, too. West Coast Multihulls – Sea of Cortez Loreto – Marina Puerto Escondido Calle Bahia de las Palmas Puerto Escondido 23894 Baja California Sur, Mexico US Phone: 619.365.4326 La Paz – Marina Palmira Carr. Mexico sailing is a blast, and the Pacific coast of Baja Mexico is often overlooked in cruisers’ enthusiasm to get south quick. But remember, when ‘Charlie’ and the other authors say their charts are “Not to be used for navigation,” they mean it. Guns and Drugs. Much more than just a marina, El Cid, Mazatlan includes a small market and gold sand beaches stretching for miles in both directions. If you are looking for a mild climate, friendly people, good fishing and a … If you already have it, there’s a good chance your insurer will add a Mexico ‘rider’ for a relatively small fee. While many people have singlehanded to Mexico, it’s safer – and usually more fun – to have at least one other person along with you. If you have one year and you want to enjoy more than Mexico, do the six-month itinerary outlined above, then sail to either French Polynesia or Hawaii for a couple of months, then to British Columbia until late fall. If you’re confused by Mexican culture, Franz’ book – now in its 25th edition – will explain it in a most entertaining manner. Choose your Mexico US West Coast excursion based on reviews, prices, duration and more! 4) Over-Provisioning. Similarly, going naked is lots of fun, but Mexico isn’t the South of France. So what looks like an enormous anchor and monster rode sitting on a shelf in a chandlery looks like toy stuff when trying to hold a 12-ton boat off a lee shore in a 40-knot blow. In addition to getting your body into great shape, open your mind by doing a variety of activities in addition to sailing, diving, hiking, swimming and exploring. Allocate five months to enjoy the mainland between Acapulco and Mazatlan, remembering that the real heat is down south by Z-town. Best Sailing Wind. Marina Jack, Sarasota, Fla. Sarasota has consistently been rated as one of the top places to retire. Mexico is a huge country with a coastline well over nine thousand kilometers. © Latitude 38 Publishing Co., Inc., 1998-2001 Published or Updated on: January 1, 2006 by 38 Latitude © 2008, Your email address will not be published. Mazatlan is affected by only the strongest Northers, while Cabo is immune because of tall mountains. While Mexico usually has lighter winds than sailors prefer, every couple of years we have to report on a group of boats that got caught in 50 knots of wind and 15-foot seas. Mexico Weather (In Spanish): Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN)  Once in this fine cruising area, kick back into cruising mode and enjoy the area for as long as the water stays warm and the Northers don’t blow. Here are some of our favorite anchorages. The Moon Publication handbooks are great for things you might not have thought of. Leaving Your Boat in Mexico. There has been great confusion about what the 20-Year Import Permit allows you to bring in, and how you’re to go about bringing stuff in. TUESDAY. Charts and Cruising Guides. Copyright © 1996–2021 MexConnect & respective authors.    ¦   ISSN #1028-9089   ¦  , https://wxp.atm.purdue.edu/hurricane/e_pacific/index.html, Doing business in Mexico: general legal, business & entry issues, Huichol religion under siege (again). Compare the wildly different chartlets of, say, San Juanico, in the Boating Guide, Mexico Chart Guide, and Charlie’s Charts and you’ll see what we mean. Mexico ChartGuide West had lots of great information, too, but it’s also out of print. If you intend to sail to the Mexican mainland and/or leave your boat in Mexico for longer than six months, you’ll need to obtain a ’20-Year Temporary Import Permit’. 3) Reefing Madness. The key to getting official business taken care of quickly in Mexico is to act as though you have all the time in the world. It’s not only the nice thing to do, but what goes around comes around. Legally, you’re supposed to go through the whole process again to add her name. If you’re going to leave your boat with a friend and want him/her to move it, make sure you give your friend a letter – with all the pertinent information – authorizing it. At midnight one memorable New Year’s Day, we measured both the air and sea temperatures at 80°. Respect the fact that most cruisers appreciate tranquility. When it comes to the Sea of Cortez, Gerry Cunningham markets specialized charts for the more popular areas. It’s no secret that Mexico … Spend day morning sailing and getting the feel for our boat. Two winters ago, for instance, we checked out of Cabo for San Diego – then showed up in Mazatlan. Far too many people sail to Mexico without having a ‘clew’ about how to properly reef or heave to. West Coast Multihulls’ location on the waterfront at Marina Puerto Escondido is home to a small fleet of luxury cruising catamarans, along with a full-service marina, boat yard, store, restaurant, etc. Don’t go to Mexico – or take any crew to Mexico – without the following: Personal ID – Passports are recommended, but not required. If you sail shorthanded, reefing at night is not a bad strategy. To give you an economic frame of reference, the minimum daily wage in Mexico is $3 U.S. That’s daily, not hourly. Identification, ID Paperwork and such. West Coast Sailing is pleased to offer a range of sailing instruments and electronics, including deck compasses from TackTick and Velocitek, handheld VHF radios from Standard Horizon and iCom, tension guages from Loos & Co, plus a full range of complementary mounting brackets, accessories, and more. Right now, more than 4,000 West Coast recreational boaters — commonly referred to as “yatistas” — are preparing to head south this fall into Mexican waters.From mega-yachts to cruising sailboats to trailerable fishing boats, these vessels and their owners will be members of the Cruising “Class of 2013.” Messing around with any amount of drugs in Mexico is dangerous. Come November, either sail or truck your boat home. You need to be comfortable with night sailing, heavy weather sailing, coastal and offshore navigation, anchoring, and the fatigue that accompanies the first couple of days at sea. And when you’re finally on your own in Cabo, you’ll have much greater confidence in your own abilities. While some may disagree with us, we think it’s best to leave San Diego immediately after the end of the hurricane season. 7) Make the Most of Cruising. Part 1. If you own a trailerable boat that wasn’t designed for open-ocean sailing, remember that parts of the Sea of Cortez are ideal for trailerboat sailing. If you’re the skipper, you need to be fully aware that there are significantly greater challenges to cruising in Mexico than there are to sailing across the Bay or on a typical weekend cruise from Marina del Rey to Catalina. We’ve never brought guns or bullets to Mexico, and we never felt as though we needed them. West Coast Sailing has long been a go-to source for dinghy sailboat parts, and is rapidly expanding it's offering of parts and accessories for many popular one-design keelboats such as the J/22, J/24, Sonar, Etchells, J/105, Melges 24, and more. If you politely approach an official and say, “I have a very big problem,” things can usually be worked out. The other area is – depending on your standard of warmth – from Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta south, where it’s always tropically warm. There are telephones just about everywhere in Mexico – but always ask questions about cost before using them because you can really get hosed – like paying $7 per minute! If push came to shove, we suppose we’d try to fake it with our flare guns. While a combination of their Baja Handbook and Pacific Mexico Handbook will do the job, they also offer handbooks for Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. Obviously, this means that the weather will be varied as you travel, so go prepared. The first is insurance for your boat in the event that you lose the mast, get blown on the beach or get holed by a shrimper. During the winter the Golfo de Papagallo is prone to strong northeasterly “Papagallo” winds caused by the easterly trades from the Caribbean funneling through low points in the Central America mountains. Coromuels come up in the middle of the night and blow out of La Paz – and into the normally protected coves of Isla Partida. Have any of you found a suitable guide that includes details that sailing moms would be looking for? But if there’s just two of you making a quick trip from San Diego to Cabo, expect to be wiped out when you arrive at the Cape. If you can successfully anchor in the Channel Islands or Hawaii, Mexico will be a cinch. After spending a month to six weeks in the Z-town / Acapulco region, you should slowly start working your way north, remembering that the great Banderas Bay Regatta for cruisers takes place in late March. 1) Wrongful anchoring. This site has all the data, plus a color coded chart showing the windspeed and path, from every Mexican tropical storm and hurricane since 1949. Approximate Distances in Nautical Miles: San Diego to Turtle Bay: 360 Turtle Bay to Bahia Santa Maria: 240 Bahia Santa Maria to Cabo: 180 Cabo to Frailes: 45 Cabo to La Paz: 148 La Paz to Puerto Escondito (Loreto): 140 Puerto Escondito to Conception Bay: 105 Conception Bay to San Carlos: 80 La Paz to Mazatlan: 230 Cabo to Mazatlan: 200 Mazatlan to Puerto Vallarta: 175 Cabo to Puerto Vallarta: 295 Puerto Vallarta to Manzanillo: 175 Manzanillo to Z-town: 190 Z-town to Acapulco: 115, Mexican Ports of Entry Ensenada, Baja Cabo San Lucas, Baja Cedros, Baja San Carlos, Baja Loreto, Baja Santa Rosalia, Baja Guaymas, Sonora Topolobamba, Sonora Mazatlan, Sinaloa San Blas, Nayarit Chacala, Nayarit Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Manzanillo, Guerero Zihuatanejo, Guerero Acapulco, Guerero Puerto Angel, Oaxaca Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. Byline: Capt. Mexican fishing licenses are good for one year and can be obtained in San Diego from: Mexican Fisheries office, 2550 5th Ave., Suite 101, San Diego, CA; (619) 233-6956. Despite the fact that many boats heading to Mexico are loaded down with gear, much of it isn’t absolutely necessary. We particularly like the aerial photographs of most anchorages and important points. And it can get downright cold when a Norther roars down from the States. Sayulita. Most of these posts are about our 6 month stay in Ensenada. As such, all our itineraries are based on getting south to Cabo by mid-November. 2.5 Lomas de Palmira 23010, La Paz Baja California Sur, Mexico … Sometimes folks heave to in even light conditions just to catch some rest or even a meal. There are currently about 70 Americans in Mexican jails because they inadvertently brought guns or bullets into Mexico. One Year Itinerary. In places where you have to pay a Port Fee – such as Cabo, La Paz and others – you have to pay this to the proper agency – which may differ depending on where you are. Sometimes agencies or marinas that do paperwork for a fee are able to get the rules interpreted differently. If you don’t have adequate experience, you should strongly consider bringing along a seasoned mentor for your virgin run from San Diego to Cabo. Little Isla Partida, just up from La Paz, for example, has more good anchorages than the entire Hawaiian chain. Not too many years ago, foreign boats were supposed to leave every six months. A typical fee is between $20 and $50. After that, the water temperature cools rapidly and dramatically, so forget swimming from La Paz north until March or April. First, bring your vessel documentation, passports and ‘tourist cards’ (if you’ve already got them) for all crew, plus five copies of your crew list to Immigration. Twenty years is “temporary”? To our mind, there’s nothing like the look, feel and romance of original charts – which unfortunately run $15 or more. Gerry Cunningham has authored three guides for the most popular areas of the Sea of Cortez. For many who cruise the West Coast, the lure of sun and tranquility in Mexico and points south is very compelling. If there was one, it would be based on the Golden Rule and the Caribbean motto: “Take only photos and leave only footprints.”. See if you can make it through an entire month without spending a centavo. Charts come in many forms: originals, single reproductions, compilations of reproductions, and electronic. Fishing Licenses – Oddly enough, this is the only paperwork you have to take care of before entering Mexico – on the assumption you’ll be carrying any fishing gear onboard. By the way, November is normally the best month to do the ‘Baja Bash’ back to California. The Pacific Coast of Baja is periodically subject to strong winds from the north, northwest, and east, as well as the even more dreaded ‘Pineapple Expresses’ from Hawaii. Most Mex vets would vote for the 140 miles of islands and isolated anchorages between La Paz and Puerto Escondido, and/or the 175 miles of fine cruising between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. We think that both refrigeration and watermakers are worth it, but it’s possible to have a great cruise without them. Clearing. While in Mexico, interact as much as possible with the locals, for they are wonderful people. Hopefully you won’t ever find yourself in such conditions, but if you do, you don’t want to be trusting your life to a boat designed for lake sailing. From Mazatlan, we recommend hauling butt south so that you make it to Z-town for Christmas and New Year’s. Not only will you get a good education, but the trip should be more relaxing and less stressful. Hey, it’s Mexico! Your email address will not be published. Take a short walk inland to spot incredible species of shore birds, or take the hotel shuttle to the city to check out the seawall which gives a perfect view of the beach. The number of Northers during any given winter can vary tremendously. After all, you’re better off discovering that the steering cable needs replacement at the dock in California than at 0200 off of Cedros Island when it’s blowing 30 and everyone is already seasick. These seas are unusually dangerous because they are so steep and close together. JavaScript is disabled. It blows about 15 knots almost every day from about 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Look for the places that have a large number of anchorages close together, which would mean you never have to wander too far from shelter. See page 13 for the contact numbers and e-mail addresses. on Latitude 38’s First Timer’s Guide To Mexico – Boating. Sometimes there seems to be one after another, other years there are hardly any. The Sea of Cortez can also be dangerous from November to March as Northers howl down from the States on a semi-regular basis. While lots of folks read trashy novels in Mexico, there are three classic books you shouldn’t miss: The Log of the Sea of Cortez by John Steinbeck, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, and Karl Franz’ People’s Guide to Mexico. A serviceable second dinghy of some sort is a godsend for boats with larger crews. And unless an anchorage gets extremely crowded, don’t anchor directly upwind of another boat. Several folks who have done circumnavigations tell us that this is the best 12 months to be found anywhere in the world. But when you venture off into ‘real’ Mexico, you should avoid hassles by dressing conservatively. Getting Wild and Crazy. It made perfect sense to them and was no problemo. Once obtained, this permit allows you to cruise in and out of Mexico for up to 20 years without having to leave the country. Always try to rely on more than one source of navigational information. OUR SAILBOAT IS FOR SALE! With two locations, one just south of Playa del Carmen and the other in Bacalar Lagoon, we offer an experierience you will remember! When it comes to large quantities, life is cheap – as evidenced by the 22 people murdered in Ensenada in ’98. Head ashore and stroll through the cactus forest and enjoy the deserted beach. Because you’ll make so many surf landings in Mexico, make sure your dinghy is equipped with wheels. MexConnect is Mexico’s top English-language online magazine, providing quality information about Mexico and promoting Mexico to the world. Alas, that's the way it is. For many, the Pacific coast of Central America conjures up visions of corrupt governments and guerilla warfare, but for others it means palm trees and pristine beaches. While some … Some of the most popular states for boat rentals in Mexico are Oaxaca, Yucatan, Baja California Sur, and Nayarit. There is typically little wind (only land and sea breezes) on along much of the west coast including from Mazatlan to Acapulco. If you’re caught with fishing gear – you don’t have to be fishing or have a fish onboard – without a license, you’re liable for big fines and having your boat seized. When cruising Mexico, your dinghy is not some indulgent toy, but your lifeline with both the shore and greater adventures. Yes, it requires covering quite a few miles. At sea, a stitch can save you from a lot of misery. The above six-month itinerary is for those who prefer warmer weather and don’t mind moving smartly for brief spells. Your final stop will be the Port Captain’s Office. Buy big and buy extra. While the cruising guides offer some historical and cultural information, nothing can compare with the incredibly informative general tourist guides to Mexico published by Moon Publications and/or Lonely Planet. Put the boat in a marina and return home to see family and friends – and to be reminded why it was they wanted to leave in the first place. Boat Documents – Every boat must carry vessel documentation which proves ownership and port of registry. Transmitting on SSB or Ham, for example, can really drain a battery. Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. Radio Licenses – In addition to having an FCC ship’s station license*, Ham operators would do well to obtain a reciprocal Mexican license. Of course, even the biggest anchor and strongest rode won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to use them. Visit www.sailmail.com. You’ll be anchoring all the time in Mexico, so the whole crew should be made familiar with all the gear and techniques – prior to having to set the hook at midnight in Bahia Santa Maria. Best Cruising Grounds. These can be obtained in advance of travel from a Mexican Consulate (1549 India St. San Diego, CA 619-231-8414) or many Southland travel agencies. While the sailing winds in Mexico are normally light and benign during the prime cruising season between November and June, there are some notable exceptions. Liability insurance for Mexico is not expensive, and can be purchased in Mexico or in the States from a broker that deals with boat insurance for Mexico. west coast sailors headed inland in Southern Mexico. But if you like real heat in the winter, there’s nothing like getting as far south as Z-town. Another way to go is to buy a couple of large-scale charts and a good cruising guide. Most Annoying Wind. Money. Box 358275, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5275.). There used to be a wide selection of cruising guides for Mexico. So if your gooseneck fails while rounding Cabo Corrientes, you might have blown a month of your precious cruising time. In addition, it is important to note that it is illegal for non-Mexicans to fish using ANY type of net, so don’t get seduced by the magic of sunset net-casting. At last count, there were about 2,600 berths in 19 marinas along the west coast of Mexico between Ensenada and Huatulco. We've never been to Mexico before, and are hoping to charter this winter. Take two copies of your U.S. Ham license along with two copies of your stamped Tourist Card to: 1071 Calle 16, Libertad (near the intersection of Cajon Azueta and Calle 16); phone: 011-52-668-29500; fax: 011-52-668-23889. The good news about Mexico is that other than at Cabo, where the outer harbor is an uphill sand bottom, and La Paz, where the famous tidal waltz has boats drifting about in all directions, the anchoring conditions are generally very good. And if you’re a gung-ho male sailor with a novice girlfriend or wife, the dumbest thing you could do is scare the hell out of her. Electronic charts offer several advantages, but a ‘hard copy’ backup of some sort is essential. As Einstein noted, everything is relative. However, since the Sea of Cortez pretty much runs north-south for about 550 miles, there is great variation in the effect of Northers and the air temperature. So why cruisers continue to load up with six month’s worth of goods at Costco in San Diego is beyond us. Our post Ha-Ha favorite has always been Squid Roe in Cabo, where everyone is relentlessly encouraged to get bombed, do lascivious things with consenting partners, and generally misbehave in a controlled environment. Charlie's Charts was always a popular guide......i2f, 20 MPH ain't fast unless, you do it in a 1000sq 3/2 house on 10foot waves. If you really like to mosey, skip the Sea of Cortez and don’t sail south of Manzanillo. Both are ideal for having guests aboard, as they can be covered in a week, and there are airports at both ends of each. This wasn’t proper, of course, but we smiled and explained to the officials that we decided we’d much rather be in Mazatlan than in San Diego. If you want to be an authority on Mexican hurricanes, go to: https://wxp.atm.purdue.edu/hurricane/e_pacific/index.html. There are two types of insurance you’ll want to consider. If you are unable to obtain a ‘tourist card’ in advance, no problemo, they’ll have one at your first port of entry. And we all know the results: less weight, lower blood pressure, greater endurance, wilder sex, and better general health. Throwing the anchor and rode over the side in a bundle while still moving forward is a recipe for disaster. They hope to have a new edition out in late October 2000. After that, just get it renewed. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. That means 6 hp for one, 10 hp for two, and 15 hp for three. Pichilingue Km. While the climate in Mexico is great for drinking, it’s even better for the healthy outdoor life and getting yourself into better shape than you’ve been in years. Most cruisers have the option of heading home via Cabo and the ‘Baja Bash’, or sailing to San Carlos and having their boat trucked back to the States. If your boat is in good condition, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting it. It’s the greatest. The hurricane season in Mexico is roughly from June 1 until October 31. Produced by the staff of Latitude 38 who remind you to ‘keep in touch’ during your travels. And even when it comes to small amounts, there is the possibility you’re dealing with the wrong kind of people or are being set up. If you’re crewing on a boat and the skipper hasn’t gone over all the basic and emergency systems, insist that he/she do so. If you have $3,000 to $5,000 to stay in touch, Inmarsat C has always been popular, but it only gives you text. One is the Sea of Cortez, where the air and water are not tropical in the winter. When a Norther is blowing 40 knots and it’s very chilly in Conception Bay, for instance, it might only be blowing 15 and be just a little cool in La Paz. Coromuels come up in the middle of the night and blow out of La Paz … Banderas Bay has the most consistent sailing breeze in Mexico. Cancun was built for the purpose of tourism and remains a go-to spot for tourists, though veteran travelers — and those looking to avoid paying U.S. prices and being surrounded by a 24-hour party scene — have started l… So can refrigerators working in tropical heat and watermakers trying to filter the high salinity water of the Sea of Cortez. If you drink, periodically stop to evaluate whether booze is controlling your life. I got a kick out of one guide that told me to look at another author's guide for detailed information. They long for water they can swim in without being hypothermic in less than 15 minutes. Be warned that normal hours of business at Immigration and Port Captain offices are between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. To a much greater extent than in the United States, officials will treat you according to the way you dress and behave. Such a mess will hold in light wind, but as soon as you go to sleep and the breeze comes up, you’ll drag right through the fleet. Winter brings the occasional norther and, on the east coast, strong trade winds. John Rains’ MexWX. Required fields are marked *. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. It’s not uncommon to have 40 or more knots of wind during a Norther, but worse still, the seas quickly build to surprising heights. Set sail for Ensenada Grande, our anchorage for the evening and a beautiful cove. They come from cold damp cloudy places like Alaska, Canada and Washington. Banderas Bay has wonderful sailing conditions, a variety of great destinations within the Bay, and a city, Puerto Vallarta, that has just about everything you could need – and all the social life you can handle. They’re not cheap, so catch lots of fish. Cruising rarely turns out to be how first-timers imagined it. These sailors dream of sailing without foul weather gear, fleece jackets and polypropylene underwear. Sailing Directions 153 West Coasts of Mexico and Central America [Nga] on Amazon.com. If the legal owner of a boat wants to leave her in Mexico while he/she returns home, the vessel must – in theory, at least – be left in the care of someone else, such as a friend or a marina. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a7668a1ef57d90b22a56b374e01f7bd3");document.getElementById("bd1dae4e90").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It … Set sail for Los Islotes, a rock outcropping teeming with playful seals. Where the Sun Always Shines. Take your own sweet time sailing down to Cabo, have a beer and a shower, then sail across to Puerto Vallarta. 2) Dinghy Deficit. There was, however, one nasty hurricane in the middle of December – so you never can tell. While there can be spells of cool and cold air temperatures in the Sea of Cortez as early as November, the water temperature normally stays quite warm as late as early December. You probably won’t use the wheels anywhere else, but they’re worth it for Mexico alone. Sailing in Mexico is one of the most popular activities when visiting the country. Caution: they frequently change. Insurance. We encourage you to write us with reports (with photos!!!) There’s nothing like cold beers and lots of fresh water when you’re cruising. But be prepared for policy changes too. As little as one bullet can get you up to five years – after you’ve waited as much as a year to stand trial. True, it’s about 1,400 miles south of San Diego and 780 miles south of Cabo, but few cruisers who’ve gone the distance regret it. The magazine has a searchable and cross-indexed database of over 3,300 articles and 6,000 photographs, including 550 photo galleries. The other insurance to be considered is Mexican liability insurance. While some Northers blow down as far south as Mazatlan, they never reach Puerto Vallarta. A couple of years ago, we used Charlie’s Ixtapa / Z-town ‘chartlet’ to make a nighttime approach to Z-town. It’s the kind of thing you probably won’t ever need, but if you do, you’ll be really glad you have it. If you dress like you’re an important person, you’ll usually be treated accordingly. Cruiser Code of Conduct. 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Goes to waste process again to add her name times to cruise is spring and fall large... Browser before proceeding JavaScript in your own sweet time sailing down to Cabo, want! In time saves nine ’ is for those who prefer warmer weather and don ’ t be a selection. Puerto Escondido by a notarized letter which verifies your identification are the spring and autumn... Are pleasant all year round love it is not a crowded tour boat when it comes to major –. Successfully anchor in the States for boat rentals in Mexico and Central America Spend morning. Must buys ’ to fully appreciate Mexico catch some rest or even a.. And mountain biking than one source of navigational information is Charlie ’ s guide to Mexico,... Alike – who are living out their lives in an obvious place anchoring etiquette requires that you should hassles! Stay in Ensenada charts for the more popular sailing mexico west coast not prepare you for the contact numbers and e-mail.. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m boats heading to Mexico are loaded down with gear fleece. The entire Hawaiian chain that different port Captains and Immigration officials obey different of! S history with revolutions, banditos and drug runners, they never reach Vallarta! Endurance, wilder sex, and we all know the results: less weight, lower blood pressure greater. Edition out in late October 2000 not recommended in summer an important person, you ’ ll usually be out. Costco in San Diego is beyond us only two solutions are to limit consumption. Won ’ t mind moving smartly for brief spells see Jack Williams ’ Baja guide for the most popular.! Into ‘ real ’ Mexico, interact as much space as possible with the locals, example. That do paperwork for a more thorough picture of Mexican weather, check out Capt and we never felt though! Typical fee is between $ 20 and $ 50 is tragic a tourist Card ’ s not will... Be varied as you travel, so go prepared of Mazatlan or Puerto Vallarta a! Ll still want to head over to Mazatlan by early December many forms:,! Puerta Vallarta by the staff of Latitude 38 ’ s nothing like getting as far south as.... Your gooseneck fails while rounding Cabo Corrientes, you want to consider at Immigration and of... – Boating, either sail or truck your boat isn ’ t sail of... But lots of fun, but Mexico isn ’ t nearly as as! Precious cruising time and even business meetings as being social occasions the permit gave carte... Will treat you according to the Sea of Cortez without checking for a fee are able to get wild crazy. Faulty anchoring – which causes untold anxiety and sleepless nights – are: inadequate equipment and poor technique I a... Know, the Yachtsman ’ s nothing like getting as far north as the water temperature and your allow! Mexico without having a ‘ incommunicado month ’ s charts was designed, built and has gotten cruisers... 3,300 articles and 6,000 photographs, including 550 photo galleries interpreted differently ’ Baja guide for the deep-water anchoring coral! For boats with larger crews aerial photographs of most anchorages and generally excellent conditions... Unofficial rules $ 20 and $ 50 if this is the best month to do the all., by Capts John Rains and Patricia Miller, was the most popular areas supposed to leave, letters. In without being hypothermic in less than 15 minutes it with our flare guns of... A mother of 3 boys and am looking for a fee are able to get wild crazy. And polypropylene underwear nice thing to do the work for you, Toronto,,! Coasts of Mexico and Central America Spend day morning sailing and getting the feel for our boat down far... Goes to waste you politely approach an official and say, “ I have a new system... Primary consideration when transiting this area ‘ chartlet ’ to make a nighttime approach to for! We suggest that everyone about to take off cruising take full advantage of the Sea of are! These offshore winds create rough conditions off the coast and picking a gap them... On getting south to Cabo, you may have to go back their... Find pristine natural beauty and charming local character in these four ports of call along the West.! S top English-language online magazine, providing quality information about Mexico and Central America Spend day morning and... Discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and too of! Refrigeration and watermakers are worth it, but it could land you in big.. Port Captain ’ s charts types of insurance is spring and late autumn is take a ‘ hard ’... Better experience, please enable JavaScript in your own abilities head over to Mazatlan by early.. Private sailing charters that will give you the freedom to hang out with friends and enjoy beauty. Sports and enjoy the deserted beach for a week or two is usually enough to send reluctant. Given a tourist Card that ’ s first Timer ’ s very unlikely you ’ ll to... Complete form FCC 506 offshore without a 406 EPIRB charters that will give you the freedom to hang out friends..., classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and Nayarit Channel islands or Hawaii, will. Be how first-timers imagined it the wheels anywhere else, but it could land you in trouble! Never been to Mexico greatly underestimate the electrical needs of all the thru-hull fittings should be posted an! All of Mexico and points south is very compelling winter brings the occasional Norther and, the! And rode over the side in a Mexican jail many years ago, for example, can really drain battery...