What's the deal with Luperon, DR?

[clifflyon]

I hear so much negative stuff from cruisers in the Exumas about Luperon.

But the active Capitain reviews are mostly positive.

It ain't easy to skip headed SE. The FreeCruisersGuide 7.0 says go west around Haiti. Seriously?

Any and all advice appreciated.

[kiltym]

Originally Posted by clifflyon

I hear so much negative stuff from cruisers in the Exumas about Luperon.

But the active Capitain reviews are mostly positive.

It ain't easy to skip headed SE. The FreeCruisersGuide 7.0 says go west around Haiti. Seriously?

Any and all advice appreciated.

The first question I would ask the negative reporters is "have you been there?" .

We were there 8 years ago. A lot has changed I suspect, now they have a boat yard with haul out. Spent a hurricane season there, and one passed by 30nm north of the DR (and Luperon). Had 35 knots inside the bay, wrecked havoc in Haiti. Would not hesitate again to spend hurricane season there. It gets a bit boring after 3-4 months, but rent a car, go see the country.

One thing to note, there is a relatively high monthly fee as I remember to anchor in the bay so it added up after 5 months. But other than that, we had a decent time, and felt 100% safe during hurricane season without having to go back to the US or head to Grenada.

[pete33458]

I will never return there. I think a lot of live-aboards like it because there is a big community. But aside from that (or being a hurricane hole), it has nothing going for it. No services (or at least nothing in any way reliable), nothing. In contrast, we went to Cofresi/Ocean World Marina (after being trapped in Luperon for 3 days waiting for a customs agent to show up) and while it is certainly a lot more touristy, we got a very professional sail repair on site in one day, and we had power at the dock, and internet. None of which were available in Luperon. Customs agent and military representatives came to us at the dock when we were departing for the USA, at 630am, no less (of course, they wanted money for this, but it's better than mañana or whenever...).

Other people love it, but not me, I will pass it by. Pete

[svHyLyte]

Based upon negative reports by cruisers making their way back to the US, friends of ours sailing a sister-ship to ours to the BVI chose to by-pass Luperon and instead stopped at the Ocean World Marina in Cofresi about 16 miles along the coast to the east of Luperon. While a bit costly, they raved about the place, the facilities and the staff. During their stay they also rented a car and drove over to Luperon where they inspected the place and met and spoke with several people from the US that were staying there. While they didn't give us any specifics, they did say that their visit and conversations confirmed for them the wisdom of their decision to choose Cofresi.

FWIW...

[kiltym]

I will add the caveat that if you were not going there for hurricane season, I would agree there is no reason to go. I assumed (perhaps mistakenly), that is why you asked.

There is nothing there worth a tourist visit if that is what you are looking for, but for a hurricane hole in the hurricane belt, it can't be beat.

[Simonsays]

Originally Posted by kiltym

There is nothing there worth a tourist visit if that is what you are looking for

sounds like heaven?

[kiltym]

No, far from heaven . But as I wrote, very safe for hurricane season.

I guess it depends what you are looking for and the time you are looking. For us it was perfect for a hurricane season, and we had a good time while there (some of our longest lasting cruising friends were people we spent the season there with). We like to go out and explore the country, and we did that while being "stuck" in the bay for 5 months. But if just dropping in a for visit on the way East (or West), not really worth the time.

[nautical62]

The Bahamas is very easy and relaxed in terms of customs and immigration. One single stop to clear both and you are good for a very large cruising area with no need to clear out. The D.R. is not quite as simple and English isn't the native language.

I considered Ocean World, but ended up going to Luperon. While it was a bit of a hassle, I didn't think it was really that bad. It's certainly cheaper. The harbor is very protected and you can get fuel, water and some basic provisions delivered right to your boat. Having a beer and a meal was certainly cheaper than the Bahamas. I was able to clear out the night before for a first light departure.

I'd much rather be anchored off a remote island in the Bahamas, swimming off the boat in beautiful clear water than be in Luperon harbor, but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to avoid Luperon if I was heading that way again. It's nice that you can choose between the convenience and nicety of a marina like Ocean World or a protected harbor like Luperon to anchor in.

[robgrant1]

Some do favor the windward passage between Haiti and Cuba. You might take a look at "A Thinking Man's Guide To Voyaging South: The Many Facets of Caribbean Cruising" by Frank Virgintino. Frank recommends it as a Caribbean entry point. You can download the first chapter for free on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Mans-.../dp/B005DAX2SO

[jupiow]

we went there from Samana Bay stayed 3 days on the dock next to the navy
and had a great time ...left directly to the Bahamas .

[Looking4Neptune]

I was there for a few days in December. As others say, it depends on what you are looking for.
Plus side: A great hurricane hole.
People will deliver water, fuel, food to your boat.
Good cruiser's community.
Inexpensive

Negative:
I would not swim in the water unless I had to. (like many marinas)
Everything is a bit run-down.
Not at all a 'touristy' place. (although that is a plus in my mind - mostly)

The DR is a great place to tour "off the beaten track" if that is your thing. Knowing some spanish helps a lot but can get by without.

Here is a great book that we used in going south from the Bahamas.
"The Gentleman's Guide to Passages South: The Thornless Path to Windward"
He (Bruce van Sant) has good info about Luperon and the DR in general. He has spent much of the past 20 years there.

Pat

[akprb]

We were there ages ago (1996) and had a great time. Love to know how it's changed but at the time was the real run down third world port with a fun spirit. The locals were all friendly along with good enough little restaurants. Just fun reminiscing about the same :-)

The only place we really didn't care for in the Caribbean was Samana, as far as a feeling of safety, for what it's worth.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by akprb

We were there ages ago (1996) and had a great time. Love to know how it's changed but at the time was the real run down third world port with a fun spirit. The locals were all friendly along with good enough little restaurants. Just fun reminiscing about the same :-)

The only place we really didn't care for in the Caribbean was Samana, as far as a feeling of safety, for what it's worth.

===

Samana has a new marina since you were there, Puerto Bahia, a few miles west of the main harbor. It opened in 2010, is first class, absolutely safe, and the staff can arrange anything you need including trips into town and guided tours of the country side. It has become our favorite stop in the DR. The marina arranges for customs and immigration to come to the dock and everything is handled very professionally and expeditiously.

Regarding Luperon vs Ocean World: as others have said it depends on your priorities, and to a certain extent on the weather. In a strong northerly swell the marina has a large surge inside the breakwater which can be uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst. There are many stories of boats breaking dock lines and fenders. In extreme cases boats have been forced to leave in the middle of the night because they risked being damaged at the docks. In settled weather Ocean World is a wonderful facility however with all the amenities that you'd expect at a large, modern marina. Customs has an onsite office and bilingual marina staff will assist with the process. They can also arrange trips into a large, US style supermarket in Puerto Plata. There is a casino and restaurant onsite.

Luperon on the other hand is more of a small, third world harbor, albeit convenient and well protected. Facilities are minimal, the harbor water is dirty, and the town will make some uncomfortable with its obvious poverty. The people are friendly however and will try to be helpful. Most are not bilingual so speaking a bit of Spanish can be a big help. Customs clearance is haphazard and takes patience coupled with a sense of humor.

[latka]

[QUOTE=akprb;2048608]We were there ages ago (1996) and had a great time. Love to know how it's changed but at the time was the real run down third world port with a fun spirit. The locals were all friendly along with good enough little restaurants. Just fun reminiscing about the same :-)

Sounds so much like home!

[Cheechako]

I thought Luperon was great years ago. But it is a cesspool as far as the water goes.