Xcalak - Port of Entry for Mexico

[Bugged]

Hi - does anyone have any recent knowledge of Xcalac as a port of entry into the sout of Mexico?

Thanks
Jeff

[GordMay]

Xcalak, Mexico (Lat 18̊ 16’ 04.50” N x Lon 87̊ 50’ 09.17” W), is approximately 60 kilometers (37 mi) south of the Costa Maya cruise port.

Evidently, Xcalak is the entry point for Mexico from the south Caribbean.

There are two passes in the reef. The southern pass is to be preferred to enter Xcalak because this pass is the deepest of the two. Take the north side of this pass, on the south side there large coral heads. Entering Xcalak can be done on a coarse of 238 degrees. On the approach the two lighthouses have to be in line.

On arrival visit the port Captain Jorge Ivan Avila Morales to enter Xcalak clear customs. The port captain can be found on the north side of town just past the navy base The port captain can be contacted on VHF channel 16. You need to present a copy of the crew list. The port captain will sign your cruising zarp.

To clear customs visit the immigration office on the south side of town. The immigration office can be found next to the football field. See the immigration section of the community pages for the guidelines on immigration. During your visit you can be inspected by the navy.

More ➥ Costa Maya, Xcalak and Mahahual (Majahual) Visitors pages - Sailing & Yachts near Xcalak

[clausont]

When we were there a year and a half ago, we noted one mooring ball near the concrete pier in town. Town is pretty small but quite a nice little place.
There are a number of expats in the area if you need any local information.
Sylvia's is a good place to eat that is only a couple of blocks from the pier.
There was no taxi service in the area as of the time that we were there. There was a "vegetable truck" that went by a couple of times a week at that time and there was a small tienda in town where you may be able to pick up a couple if necessary items - you need to ask for anything you want.
When we were there, the town's population was about 400 people.
Note: we were not there on a boat.

[Relaxoffshore]

Xcalak Up Date December , 25 2009

Entering the cut in the reef at Xcalak.

The main cut is at a heading found by lining the range maker on the public jetty/dock/pier with the light house. Do not use the pier itself is as alignment. The cut is quite narrow and there is a rock just inside the cut at a depth of 12 feet at medium tide. Be aware of strong currents.Keep the range marker and the lighthouse in line. This will be very difficult to see at sunset! Once inside, past the swells (about 1/2 way between the cut and the end of the pier), head north a few hundred meters/yards, there are three mooring buoys (though quite close together) to tie onto. Do check these when you tie up as they have been there for several years now and may be showing signs of wear. There are local high speed navy vessels that travel through the cut, and head south to their base about 5 km south. They are not always considerate boaters. Do not anchor south of the pier for this reason, as well there are several coral heads and a huge sand bar in front of the village.
The Port Captain office is north of the pier and lighthouse, about 300m, white with green & blue stripe. This office also functions as immigration as well. The Port Captain, Susie, lives in the apartment upstairs, but isn't always there. Call on channel 16 to confirm if she is in. Jorge, the previous Port Captain, has been transferred to Mahajual.
When you are contacting or speaking with anyone onshore, make sure they have identified themselves to your satisfaction. When the Port Captain is not available other parties will speak with you including one of the local dive shops (who have assisted with piloting vessels in), as well as some of the residents and fishermen. Wireless internet may be available on a limited basis by contacting The Upper Deck on channel 8 in addition they may be available for general advice in English, German and some Spanish.

Travel Safe!
The Crew at the Upper Deck

[phiggins]

Can you get diesel fuel there?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Relaxoffshore.

Thanks for sharing your expert local knowledge!

[Relaxoffshore]

Thanks for the welcome!
There is no fuel available in the village in a formal context . On occasion there maybe a few "jerry cans" ( 5 gallon) of gasoline of unknown quality to be negotiated from the locals. Otherwise the nearest Pemex Fuel station is 60m km north by Taxi or hitch hiking. Some have hired the locals to take them north and return with what ever is possible to organize for containers. Diesel falls into the same category.
Hope this helps.

[clausont]

Relaxoffshore - can you confirm if I am correct in that there is still no taxi service in Xcalak?

[Relaxoffshore]

There is one possibly two taxi's based in Xcalak. The primary owner is Marcello. If there is a cruise ship in Mahajual, he probably will be there and not in Xcalak as they tend to chase the business. That said, " T.I.M. "........... (This is Mexico) anything is possible.

[Relaxoffshore]

[IMG][/IMG]

Stuck in the mud bar in front of then Port Captain's Office.

[phiggins]

We are currently in Isla Mujeres and will leave for Rio Dulce next week. We have been told that Xcalak is no longer a port you can check out of Mexico. Does anyone know if this true or not?

Also we were told that we can check out here in Isla and still enter Mexican ports with no problems. ??

[Relaxoffshore]

If your voyage is time sensitive, it is wiser to exit from Isla , as some times the port captain is absent in Xcalak, other wise it is a port of entry and and exit in operation. Please read this entire thread before attempting an entry through the cut. Re entry is a thing of local interpretation...........I have seen both situations work .........checking out in Isla maybe answered by the port captain there.

[Relaxoffshore]

Added note.....many have arrived with numerous questions regarding the town. I will answer the most asked question , that is where do go to eat as in a restaurant. There are several however one that has had awesome reviews consistently is The Leaky Palapa, it is next to the port captain's office you can not miss it. They take reservations on Channel 13 and are great fun to deal with......if you require more info email them (Linda and Marla) at marlin1305@yahoo.com. Safe voyages!

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by phiggins

We are currently in Isla Mujeres and will leave for Rio Dulce next week. We have been told that Xcalak is no longer a port you can check out of Mexico. Does anyone know if this true or not?

Also we were told that we can check out here in Isla and still enter Mexican ports with no problems. ??

We cleared out in Isla and made three stops before Belize and was checked by the Mexican Navy once. They had no problem as long as we did not go ashore. We found the port at Xcalak very rolly in anything but settled conditions and with any seas running, downright scary. WG

[phiggins]

Thanks for the information. Some friends of mine just confirmed the difficulty of checking out in Xcalak. They waited a couple of days there and the officials never showed up. They finally moved on to Belize with no zarpe. Will have to see what happens to them in Belize.

I think I'll check out in Isla.