Crew Available: Need to Get to the Rio Dulce in November

[happyendings]

My 43' catamaran is in storage on the Rio and, as a result of recent landslides in Guatemala, I have begun exploring other ways to get back to her. I am fit, 57 years old and have experience aboard a wide range of vessels. Furthermore, I am licensed 100 ton master as well as a retired marine engineer and thus would also be willing to deliver a vessel going to the Rio or anywhere close by in the Northwest Caribbean. If this fits your needs, please contact Mark at 305-240-0424. Please do not respond soley to ask me about the landslides in Guatemala as I have only limited knowledge at this time.

[John A]

This help?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39016275/ns/world_news-americas/t/dozens-killed-missing-guatemala-landslides/#.Tp7-3d78VQU

[happyendings]

Thanks John. Like you, I have seen some news reports but have no specifics concerning the highway from Guatemala City to the Rio Dulce/Puerto Barrios area. If someone has specific information about the current status of the highway to Fronteras please send said info along.

[AnchorageGuy]

happyendings, You can go here and get answers to pretty much anything the is currently happening. Hope it helps. Chuck

[Thumbs Up]

Hi Mark, I am in Rio Dulce now. The route from Guat. city is open. Just fly Spirit airlines from Ft. Lauderdale to Guat. city and take a cab (agree on a price first) to the Litegua bus station (Litegua has a web site Litegua). It is a direct bus to Rio Dulce. The Rio Dulce buses leave at 9:00, 11:30, 1:00, and 4:30. It will take about six and a half hours. If you take the last bus you will get here at 11:00. The cost is 63Q (about $7.50, US). These are not chicken busses, you get a reserved seat and they play movies and check your luggage underneath. No bathrooms on the bus though, they make one stop for food and restrooms. Depending on how fast you get through customs you may be able to make the 1:00 bus but will most likely end up on the 4:30 and get here around 11:00. These schedules are different on Sundays. Let me know if you will need a dinghy ride to your boat as there are not many Lanchas at that time of night. You can definitely make from Florida to the Rio in one long day and you only need to book your plane ticket one week in advance to get the good price. Hope this helps, Phil

[happyendings]

Thank you Phil for all the good info--I have a friend coming down later and will cut and paste your post for his use as well. My boat is at Texan Bay so I'll probably get a room for the night in Fronteras or, alternatively, go to Puerto Barrios and take a boat to Livingston if that works out better. I have been told that the buses to Puerto Barrios are first class.

Which marina are you in on the Rio?

-Mark

[Thumbs Up]

I am at Willy's marina (next to Tijax). You got cruising plans? We're headed to Roatan then south but still have a lot to do to the boat first. It is finally cooling off here. It was too hot all summer to get much done. Good luck! See you around. Phil

[captain58sailin]

What is the maximum draft, you could get into Rio Dulce with?