Any info on Puerto Madero Mexico?

[Rod Headlee]

I see Puerto Madero is not listed as a port of entry on noonsite.com. I'll be coming up the coast of Central America from Panama this winter and I'd like to stop and wait there for a window to cross the Gulf of T. Any info would be appreciated.

[CarinaPDX]

I sailed past, so can't help with personal experience. Twenty years ago there were a lot of problems reported with thefts, and it wasn't considered a very nice place to visit, but things can change a lot in 20 years in Mexico.

Greg

[Rod Headlee]

Thanks, were you able to sail non stop up from Panama to Puerta Vallarta? or what was you trip itenerary?

[John A]

I stopped there in 2001 headed south. The entrance was a challange with breakwaters on each side of a narrow entrance, there was a 6 to 8 foot swell running and I surfed into a small bay with limited facilities, the resort was closed. There is a ships fuel dock and a custom house. To leave, I'd strongly suggest you follow local advice from customs as to tides and which side of the entrance to favor as you redline the tach to confront the surf line found between the breakwaters.

Going north, you're traveling the "Gold Coast" of Mexico. I urge you to stop at each of the many, many crusier stops along the way. I left Mazatlan the first part pf January and arrrived n Panama after mid-August.

[donradcliffe]

Look under Puerto Chiapas

New Marina in Puerto Chiapas « Mexico Boating

[CarinaPDX]

I left from Huatulco heading south and crossed the Golfo de Tehuantepec to La Union, El Salvador, in the Golfo de Fonseca in one go. It was 1994 and the Guatemala government was spreading rumors that foreigners were coming there to steal babies for body parts; it was a gambit to keep foreign human rights workers from investigating the many atrocities, and it worked to the extent that there were foreigners mobbed by villagers. So I gave the whole country a miss. The Golfo de Fonseca was interesting, but also a bit adventurous. The tidal currents can be strong, and getting ashore (or back) at anything other than high tide is complicated by wide tidal mud flats. La Union was nice enough, but poor and lacking in services. I enjoyed the stop myself - just not for folks looking for an easy stay in a marina next to a well-stocked city.

As far as going non-stop Panama to Mexico, I guess I think that is plain nuts. Not that it couldn't be done if in a hurry, but boy do you miss some great cruising. The islands of Panama are quite beautiful. Bahia Honda is a beautiful anchorage (and buy diferent varieties of bananas). And Costa Rica is, or at least was, pretty amazing. Costa Rica is a topic all its own.

If I were doing it again I would jump from Huatulco, Mexico to Playa del Coco, CR, possibly including a stop at Fonseca (or reverse).

Greg

[Rod Headlee]

Thanks for the replies!

[settingsun]

We spent a lot of time in Puerto Madero this past spring and fall. Marina is nice. It's an awesome place to use as a base to go inland to see the Mayan ruins. I've posted some info on my blog -- waypoints to get into the marina (buoys weren't floated yet as of 8 weeks ago), plus regular travel posts about the area:

Marina Chiapas - Waypoints & Cruiser's Notes - Roads Less Traveled

Chiapas by Bus - A Day of Adventure - Roads Less Traveled

Marina Chiapas (Puerto Madero / Puerto Chiapas) Mexico

Gulf of Tehuantepec - Squeezing in a Crossing Between Blows

Hope this helps!

[settingsun]

An update -- I have posted a much more complete Cruising Guide for Puerto Madero Mexico (the new Marina Chiapas). It includes improved waypoints, info on how to get around town, where to provision, what to do locally and how to put together inland tours to the fabulous sights in the state of Chiapas (Mayan ruins, etc.):

Marina Chiapas - Waypoints, Cruising Guide & Inland Travel Guide

[zeehag]

puerto madera, aka chiapas, is a port of entry to mexico as well as an exit from mexico.
huatulco is also near there.
both are entry and exit ports.

oops sorry--didnt see the update until now--been busy here in zihuatenejo...

[Rod Headlee]

Thanks Setingsun