Port report as promised
As stated before I know nothing of
Manta and Bahia de C so this is all about La Libertad and especially Puerto Lucia Marina.
Intial contact is Galo Ortiz at
marina@puertolucia.com.ec
On arrival either pick up the buoy in the entrance or
anchor nearby.
The marina will send a boat out to advise you of the plan. Typically go ashore to the office and present your papers to Diana Jose. Then at around midday she will come to your boat with immigration and aduana. That is entry covered. She charges $US 100 for this
service.
Then your yacht will be placed in its berth.
Mediterranean moors with two headlines to buoys. They will put a couple of marineros on board to assist and may take your headline from you so that they can secure it to a buoy and bring it back to you to simplify and speed up the process .
Power and
water available. Both metered . It may take a little while to rig up an adapter to suit your
plug.
Fumigation costing $150 may be required.
Key for the banos is available from
hotel reception with a $5 deposit.
Diesel available either at the
fuel dock or brought by the marina workboat to your yacht.
Two local supermarkets close handy. El Paseo is in walking distance or a $US2 taxi ride, Supermaxi is a $2.50 ride away.
Both have everything you need to store ship for the long haul south or a transpacific.
My only concern would be a slightly less than optimum range of vacuum packed meat.
Time in country for you and your boat.
You will get 90 cumulative days per annum on a visitor visa that can be extended to 180 days but only once every 5 years. Years are not calender years but are counted from the date of your first arrival in the country.
Your boat can stay for 12 months but you will only be offered 3 months on arrival and will have to negotiate with the Aduana via Diana for extra. Typical squeeze is $100 a month
Rates are $US860 a month for a 39 foot yacht with substantial discounts for longer stays.
Travelift (50 tons) is $ 662 in/out
Catamarans can be lifted out with a crane that you would have to hire in. Cost unknown.
Stewart Yates and Servicios are no longer in business. Contact Arnaud at Ecuador Sailing to organise this and that.
Andre looks after a local
Beneteau - he can arrange
propane
Viktor can help out with rides to Guayaquil and assorted visa issues
Erick Gonzales and his
family are good people to speak to if you have
engine or
electrical problems
What to do around town.
La Libertad itself is a bit of a dump but plenty of good restaurants in Salinas.
Bus terminal at Santa Elena is a $US4 taxi ride away.
Ayangue - see pic - is a nice day out, said to be a
budget Galapagos with
scuba and snorkeling charters. It a $1.30 bus fare plus $2 taxi at destination. Also worth a visit by sea is Isla de la Plata a bit further north.
Thats it.