Recommendations for Marinas in Columbia?

[Rivers2Seas]

Hi Cruiser's Forum,

We are about to cross to Colombia from St. Lucia and are planning on leaving our boat for a couple of months to return to the States to make some more money to support this habit of ours. We need to leave our boat at a secure location in Columbia from May 15th to August 15th. Does anyone have any ideas/experiences/recommendations/things we should think or worry about? Anything is welcome! Thanks for your time!

Cheers,
Lindsey
Rivers2seas

[colemj]

Your only choices are at the marina in Santa Marta, the marina in Cartagena, or at anchor in Cholon. If more than a couple of weeks, I wouldn't leave it at anchor in Cholon. If you leave it in the marina in Cartagena, you will need to haul out and renew the bottom when you return. You will not be hauling your catamaran in Cartagena, so that means you will be going to Colon Panama for bottom work. The marina in Santa Marta is nice, but can get rough if a strong weather system moves through.

Personally, I would keep it in Aruba and sail to Columbia when you are ready to cruise again. The airline arrangements, marina arrangements, language, customs and immigration are all much better and easier in Aruba than Columbia.

Mark