The Expensive and the Free In Mexico

One of the not-so-good things about cruising in Mexico is that all the newer marinas are muy expensive. But this is trumped, in the good sense, by the fact there are so many free places to anchor. And in many cases, you can anchor for free right next to the expensive marinas.

This came to mind when we saw the above photo, provided by Scott and Cindy Stolnitz of the Marina del Rey-based Switch 51 Beach House, of the Grand Hotel Marina at Barra de Navidad. The Grand Hotel is one of the highest rated in Mexico, according to Condé Nast Traveller magazine, and if you take a slip there, you are entitled to use all the hotel’s facilities. That’s all great. But if you’re on a budget or just don’t like marina life, no worries, as you can anchor in the lagoon, a stone’s throw from the marina, with the folks on 30 or 40 other cruising boats.

Other places where you can anchor for free near expensive marinas are La Paz, La Cruz, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Escondido, Zihua . . . in other words, just about everywhere.