Mexico Check-In: Cabo or Ensenada?
One of the decisions facing the 70 boats that have signed up for the 2020 Nada Ha-Ha is where to clear into Mexico. Traditionally, past Baja Ha-Ha participants have cleared in en masse after sailing all the way from San Diego to Cabo. However, as the Grand Poobah wrote in September when deciding to cancel the Baja Ha-Ha, “There were going to be logistical hurdles, too. Cabo officials are apparently now requiring health clearances, which could be very time-consuming for a group. In addition, ship’s agent Victor Berreda, our good friend who normally checks in about half the fleet, advises us that he would not be willing to do that this year for a typically large Ha-Ha fleet.”
The election of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was the impetus for some of the changes, while the pandemic has created additional changes in check-in procedures. Fito Espinoza of Marina Coral and several other Mexican harbormasters have suggested cruisers take care of all their Mexican customs and immigration paperwork in Ensenada, rather than waiting until Cabo. The customs process is far simpler in Ensenada, with all the required documentation handled in one building, and if there’s a problem, you’re not already more than 750 miles from home!
The weather appears to be moderating, and all of Mexico is ready to welcome the cruising class of 2020. The first wave of cruisers sailing south with the Nada Ha-Ha is sure to be followed by many more who are extending their cruising season in Southern California as they get ready to continue southward in November and December. For now, you can check the list of those who are ready to depart this coming Monday, November 2, on the Nada Ha-Ha website. The November issue of Latitude 38, coming out on Friday, includes profiles of a few of these early Nada Ha-Ha adventurers. We’ll share more stories of Nada Ha-Ha participants in upcoming ‘Lectronic Latitude newsletters and in Changes in Latitudes.
If you’re in San Diego now, our friends at the Panama Posse have a seminar scheduled tomorrow:
Thursday Oct 29, 2020, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at Ullman Sails Harbor Island San Diego, 2040 Harbor Island Drive, 32° 43.50′ N 117° 12.38′ W. Masks will be provided. Physical outdoor gathering. Attendance space is limited and subject to local ordinance. MUST RSVP via email [email protected].