CCruising the East and West Coast of Central America

[carstenb]

Hi all,

we're considering cruising down the west coast of central america, then through the canal and up the east coast (eventually getting out to Cuba then up to Bermuda and over to Europe)

Can anyone recommend some good cruising guides (either on-line ala Soggy Paws compendiums) or in book form (that we can buy from Amazon)

WE're on our way from the marquesas to hawaii then north ot Alaska and then south to Mexico - so we'll be looking at making that run in about 1-2 years.

thanks ahead of time.

[carstenb]

Is there really nobody on this site that has ever cruised central america and can help with some cruising information?

hard to believe

[Dsanduril]

Carsten,

we haven't been in a while, but here's the things I had for Mexico:

Check Latitude 38 for their "First Timer's Guide to Mexico". They run a rally every year in November (the BajaHaHa) so usually have the most up-to-date information on ever changing formalities. The rest of that guide is only moderately useful to someone who has already spent time cruising.

We used Rains' Mexico Boating Guide and found it quite useful if a bit expensive.

I have always liked Charlie's Charts and they do a Mexico guide, but I fear they are probably somewhat out of date. Haven't looked at a recent one for Mexico, but that is what I have found in other regions.

Don't know of any guides a la Soggy Paws but maybe someone else will jump in.

When you get to Panama the Bauhaus guide seems to be the standard but you may already have that one? For the rest of central America it's been too long to recommend anything.

If you're in Alaska next summer PM me, too much to see up here.

[rbk]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

Carsten,

we haven't been in a while, but here's the things I had for Mexico:

Check Latitude 38 for their "First Timer's Guide to Mexico". They run a rally every year in November (the BajaHaHa) so usually have the most up-to-date information on ever changing formalities. The rest of that guide is only moderately useful to someone who has already spent time cruising.

We used Rains' Mexico Boating Guide and found it quite useful if a bit expensive.

I have always liked Charlie's Charts and they do a Mexico guide, but I fear they are probably somewhat out of date. Haven't looked at a recent one for Mexico, but that is what I have found in other regions.

Don't know of any guides a la Soggy Paws but maybe someone else will jump in.

When you get to Panama the Bauhaus guide seems to be the standard but you may already have that one? For the rest of central America it's been too long to recommend anything.

If you're in Alaska next summer PM me, too much to see up here.

I think we passed each other in the spring south of Haines. Don’t see too many Cats up here.