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Where are the Vacant Berths in Mexico?

If you’re taking your boat to Mexico and need a berth, there are limited options, and you need to get on top of it right now. Here’s our review, with the information being good as of today:

THE CAPE

Marina Cabo San Lucas – Starting at noon on November 8, all the vacant slips will be reserved for Ha-Ha boats. Nonetheless, many boats will have to anchor out. Cabo is sportfishing country, so not only will this place probably be packed most of the season, it’s also very, very expensive. Fortunately, there’s lot of room to anchor in the bay, the further east you go, the calmer it normally will be.

Puerto Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo – Harbormaster Jim Elfers reports that they’ve finally broken out into the sea and there are currently seven boats in the marina. While all 70 berths in Phase One are in contract, they can be rented out short term on a transient basis. Note that this is a work in progress. Elfers doesn’t need any boats, but will try to help people in dire need. Some might even be allowed to anchor or Med-tie in the basin. While not quite as expensive as Marina Cabo San Lucas, the rates will rock you. Unlike Marina Cabo San Lucas, which is 19 miles to the west, Puerto Los Cabos is much quieter and is striving for a ‘country club’ ambience.

LA PAZ

Marina de La Paz – Booked for the season. As is the case with all booked marinas, if you’re right there, you might call to see if they have a cancellation.

Marina Costa Baja – Booked for the season following the Governor’s Cup for Ha-Ha boats and other cruisers on November 17.

The lovely pool at Costa Baja Marina in La Paz. While booked for the season after the Governor’s Cup for Cruisers, you could always call to see if there is a cancellation.

latitude/LaDonna
© Latitude 38 Media, LLC

Marina Palmira – Booked for the season.

Marina Fidepaz – There are approximately 38 slips available from 39 to 99 feet at this brand new Singlar Marina, complete with nice facilities, fuel dock, and Travel-Lift. If you want a berth in La Paz this winter, get on the phone or email right now. Not half an hour from now, but right now. Call Rodrigo at 011-52-6121242153 or 011-52- 612-124-2206. For prices on all Singlar Marinas and facilities in Mexico, visit www.singlar.gob.mx. And yes, it’s ‘gob’, not ‘gov’.

PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Singlar Puerto Escondido Moorings – Singlar has about 170 moorings in Puerto Escondido, and they’ll have one for you. They also have a Travel-Lift and dry storage.

SAN CARLOS / GUAYMAS

Marina San Carlos – Booked. But check if you’re in the area.

Marina Seca Dry Storage – With 600 (!) boats on the hard already, they are full. However, they are buying adjacent land and should be able to take more boats in a month or two.

MAZATLAN

Marina El Cid – Booked for the season.

Marina Mazatlan – Office Manager Eldira Lizarraga tells us they have 35 open slips from 41 to 48 feet, but none of these slips have power. For many people seeking to leave their boats to fly home for Christmas and such, this is much better than nothing. Call her immediately at 011-52-669-669-2936, or email her.

Singlar Boatyard Mazatlan – This facility is now open and hauling boats. You may be able to dry store your boat on the hard.

SAN BLAS

The Singlar facility at San Blas has been delayed and won’t be ready to accept boats for six months or a year.

BANDERAS BAY

Paradise Marina – Booked through April.

Vallarta Marina – Booked for the season.

Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz a.k.a. La Cruz Marina – This new marina won’t officially be open until December 15, but Manager Christian Mancebo says that lots of Ha-Ha boats will be moving in starting November 15. While the basic facilities will be in by the official opening on December 15, this will still be a work in progress. Contact Christian at 011-52-322-293-4064 or www.marinarivieranayarit.com.

BARRA DE NAVIDAD

Marina Puerto de La Navidad – The 207-berth marina is booked for the season. Once again, not everyone shows up, so if you’re in the area, call and see if they have a cancellation.

IXTAPA / ZIHUATANEJO

Marina Ixtapa – Berths are available in all sizes. In addition, they have a boatyard with a 250-ton Travel-Lift. 

There are a few other smaller marinas and options in Mexico, but the above ones are the biggies in the most popular areas. Most folks doing the Ha-Ha and needing a berth for their boat should immediately make arrangements with Fidepaz in La Paz, about 135 miles from Cabo; Marina Mazatlan, about 250 miles from Cabo; or Marina Riviera Nayarit, 300 miles from Cabo.

If you’re returning home for several months, having your boat hauled is an option. There are many places with dry storage space. Puerto Escondido and the new Singlar spot in Mazatlan are two of them.

If you don’t need a marina, no sweat – there are many places to anchor, often times right next to a marina. In some spots –  such as Puerto Escondido, La Paz, La Cruz, Tenacatita Bay, Barra, and Zihua – folks will take turns watching other people’s boats on the hook, allowing them to go home. This is very common almost out of necessity in Mexico.

For a complete list of numbers and email addresses of the marinas, refer to Latitude’s First Timer’s Guide To Mexico.

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