Gunkholing the Pacific Coast of Mexico

[nonam]

I got the following from a tourist agent on Cedros.Please note that a lady was operating the Port Captains office when I visited.

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
I KNOW PERSONALLY THE PORT CAPTAIN AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS HIS
ATTITUDE. BESIDES HE VERY WELL KNOW THAT THERE ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF
IMMIGRATION ON THE ISLAND (TWO OF THEM) TO LET YOU KNOW OR CALL THEM TO
MEET YOU AND GIVE YOU THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED, WHICH THEN YOU CAN PAY AT ANY
BANK IN MEXICO (THERE ARE NO BANKS AT CEDROS). THERE IS NOT A 600 PESOS
FIEN, BUT THE ONLY LEGAL FINE IS $5 DLLS, SO OBVIOUSLY THE AGENTS YOU
FOUND ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB RIGHT. IT IS ALSO NOT TRUTH THAT IS A 2 WEEK
PROCESS, BUT AN IMMEDIATE PAPER AND THE REQUEST TO PAY IN YOUR NEXT TOWN
WITH A BANK.
MY SUGGESTION IS GET THE NAMES OF THE IMMIGRATION AGENTS AND WE'LL MAKE
SURE THEY ARE INVESTIGATED. AS FOR THE PORT CAPTAIN I WILL ASK ABOUT THE
INCIDENT AND IF NECESSARY ASK HIM TO BE NICER TO BOATERS TO THE ISLAND./
JOSE A SANCHEZ

[Dos Gatos]

Originally Posted by nonam

I got the following from a tourist agent on Cedros.Please note that a lady was operating the Port Captains office when I visited.

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
I KNOW PERSONALLY THE PORT CAPTAIN AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS HIS
ATTITUDE. BESIDES HE VERY WELL KNOW THAT THERE ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF
IMMIGRATION ON THE ISLAND (TWO OF THEM) TO LET YOU KNOW OR CALL THEM TO
MEET YOU AND GIVE YOU THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED, WHICH THEN YOU CAN PAY AT ANY
BANK IN MEXICO (THERE ARE NO BANKS AT CEDROS). THERE IS NOT A 600 PESOS
FIEN, BUT THE ONLY LEGAL FINE IS $5 DLLS, SO OBVIOUSLY THE AGENTS YOU
FOUND ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB RIGHT. IT IS ALSO NOT TRUTH THAT IS A 2 WEEK
PROCESS, BUT AN IMMEDIATE PAPER AND THE REQUEST TO PAY IN YOUR NEXT TOWN
WITH A BANK.
MY SUGGESTION IS GET THE NAMES OF THE IMMIGRATION AGENTS AND WE'LL MAKE
SURE THEY ARE INVESTIGATED. AS FOR THE PORT CAPTAIN I WILL ASK ABOUT THE
INCIDENT AND IF NECESSARY ASK HIM TO BE NICER TO BOATERS TO THE ISLAND./
JOSE A SANCHEZ

Sr Sanchez also posted the following on Noonsite. The two messages seem to contradict each other.

“You will need to officially clear into Mexico at Ensenada before stopping at Isla Cedros harbour as you cannot clear Immigration and obtain a Tourist Permit here.
Visiting yachts will need to check in with the Port Captain, come alongside the dock where the Port Captain offices are located.
Make sure you have your valid Mexican tourist permit, and your fishing permit (if you plan to fish) before stopping here.
Last updated February 2012.
Cedros OUTDOOR Adventures
Jose Angel Sanchez-Pacheco
Tel:619 793 5419
cedrosisland@hotmail.com”

I was hoping to check in at Cedros but now looking at the shuffle in Cabo.

[nonam]

I met up with Zeehag at La Cruz.When the marina started charging 20 pesos for the dingy dock we started using the beach in front of Eva's Brickhouse resturant which is just inside the breakwater.Unfortunately the gringo resturant owner did not want us there and complained and the marina sent a goon to kick both of us out.Its easy to land on the beach outside but a little more risk of having the oars stolen.

[highseas]

20 pesos for secure all day/night dinghy dock,and garbage drop.What a deal!In Gibsons BC they charge 5$ for 4 hrs.

[nonam]

Thanks for the Gibsons warning.Obviously they dont want anchor outs also.

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by nonam

Thanks for the Gibsons warning.Obviously they dont want anchor outs also.

Have you ever anchored at Gibson's? I doubt they get folks anchoring, more likely it's people coming over from Keat's Island.

[Sailor g]

Originally Posted by hummingway

Have you ever anchored at Gibson's? I doubt they get folks anchoring, more likely it's people coming over from Keat's Island.

I looked & looked in my book and could not kind Gibson's OR Keat's Island in Baja California!! Then I realized the Canadians have hijacked the Mexico thread!! The Canadian crime rate just doubled!! LOL

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by Sailor g

I looked & looked in my book and could not kind Gibson's OR Keat's Island in Baja California!! Then I realized the Canadians have hijacked the Mexico thread!! The Canadian crime rate just doubled!! LOL

It's the ol' bait and switch!

[Sailor g]

Originally Posted by hummingway

It's the ol' bait and switch!

Ya gotta watch out for those wandering minstrel sailors!!

[highseas]

A wandering minstrel eh! It was purely for comparison,as to what good value still exists in Mexico.Having just undergone back surgery my winter season aboard(Gunkholing the coast of Mex) is postponed till the fall.The best places are where there is no dinghy dock.

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by highseas

A wandering minstrel eh! It was purely for comparison,as to what good value still exists in Mexico.Having just undergone back surgery my winter season aboard(Gunkholing the coast of Mex) is postponed till the fall.The best places are where there is no dinghy dock.

In Barra de Navidad cruisers are highly valued for the money they bring. The Sands is really accommodating.



Piper Lovers Barra's Cruiser Bar. It's right on the beach, that's rust making the front of the speaker cabs red!



Raymond's.



Sunday jam at the Sand's. They love cruisers.

[highseas]

Barra is great,and the "secret anchorage" nearby is a must visit.

[Mexdon]

Originally Posted by nonam

I met up with Zeehag at La Cruz.When the marina started charging 20 pesos for the dingy dock we started using the beach in front of Eva's Brickhouse resturant which is just inside the breakwater.Unfortunately the gringo resturant owner did not want us there and complained and the marina sent a goon to kick both of us out.Its easy to land on the beach outside but a little more risk of having the oars stolen.

If it was a beach you and Zee were on the only people that can kick you off are the Mexican authorities as there are no PRIVATE beaches in Mexico without exception. A person or corporate body may own the land that blocks access from the land but they cannot block you from landing and using the beach up to springs. Many people have the misconception there are private beaches but it is simply not true.

Read the following extract from Baja expo website.

Mexico, however, is a whole different enchilada. Many years ago the Mexican government established a law that stipulated that no coastal land could be privately owned within 20 meters inland of the Mean High Tide Line. For those of you who aren't keen on the metric system, that's about 60 feet. For those of you keen on beach access, that means you have a right to walk on any beach in Mexico without any restrictions. That's pretty cool if you like exploring beaches, not quite so cool if you own beachfront property and want a little privacy.

As with many laws in Mexico, this one also has a little twist. This 20 meters (60 feet) above the Mean High Tide Line (also known as the Federal Zone) can be leased by individuals or companies. Those who choose to lease this stretch of land (usually those who own the land behind the Mean High Tide Line) cannot obstruct public access to this property and cannot build permanent structures on this property.

Over the years this beach access issue in Mexico's Federal Zone has gone through a few tests, including the leasing of the Federal Zone by individuals. Ultimately the courts have upheld the fact that vehicles can be prevented from accessing the Federal Zone, but individuals cannot. Since beaches are theoretically off limits in Mexico for vehicles anyway, this is not much of a restriction for most people who want beach access.

What does all of this mean for the average Mexico visitor? Basically it's great news! This means that you can walk on, hang out on and take a nap on any beach in Mexico within this 20 meter zone. Even those beaches in front of the swankiest hotels and houses on the Mexican coastline. Pretty cool, huh?

[zeehag]

sounds like i shoulda gone to barra instead of la cruz de huanacaxtle..
la cruz, the town , is cool place, but there is the greed of the marina is going to ruin this cute and affordable place.....the restaurants on the malecon are not affordable to normal folks, but the restaurants in town mostly are, with few exceptions.

the beach is on the other side of the malecon from the restaurants claiming ownership of the public beach-- was declared public in the meeting i attended for the dinghy docking fees...i love consistency.....

[deckofficer]

zee, my dear, that is why when you make the turn to go north, you go 1/2 way up and reach areas that love the poor and earthy cruisers like you and I. The good folks of Mulege never see the high roller mega yachts, so when they charge a dollar for a Corona, they are happy you can pay it.

Plus, us cruisers of this area have a history of fund raising for community projects and participating on the local football (soccer to some) teams.

If one only frequents the tourist area of La Paz, Cabo, even Loreto, then you will pay what they have become accustomed to by the wealthy clientele, and miss the friendships of average Mexicans in the non-tourist areas. I strongly recommend by-passing the "known" areas.

Anchorage south of Mulege, known as Santispac, my all time favorite.


Zoomed out a bit.


Zoomed out more.....


Should be able to get your bearings from this one.