Open Bay with Nice Breezes

mapMarkerGrey Open Bay with Nice Breezes...

Serene Large Anchorage with Natural Water Ride

mapMarkerGrey Serene Large Anchorage with Natural Water Ride...

Smallish Pocket Anchorage with Excellent SE Protection

mapMarkerGrey Smallish Pocket Anchorage with Excellent SE Protec...

The Hub of BdLA Life

mapMarkerGrey The Hub of BdLA Life...

Gorgeous Nook-and-Cranny Anchorage with Something for Everyone

mapMarkerGrey Gorgeous Nook-and-Cranny Anchorage with Something ...

An Isla Carmen Classic

mapMarkerGrey An Isla Carmen Classic...

Tiny Speck on Your Way Anywhere

mapMarkerGrey Tiny Speck on Your Way Anywhere...

Off-grid Oasis

mapMarkerGrey Off-grid Oasis...

Quiet Anchorage on the East Side

mapMarkerGrey Quiet Anchorage on the East Side...

One Enormous Chunk of Rock

mapMarkerGrey One Enormous Chunk of Rock...

A Good way to Avoid the Overnight Between SR and SF

mapMarkerGrey A Good way to Avoid the Overnight Between SR and S...

Perched at The Top of Bahia Concepcion

mapMarkerGrey Perched at The Top of Bahia Concepcion...

Gorgeous Open Roadstead with Lots of Room

mapMarkerGrey Gorgeous Open Roadstead with Lots of Room...

Your Hurricane Hidey-Hole in the North

mapMarkerGrey Your Hurricane Hidey-Hole in the North...

Blustery Bay with a Drop-Dead Gorgeous Beach

mapMarkerGrey Blustery Bay with a Drop-Dead Gorgeous Beach...

One-of-a-kind-Landform with Decent SE Protection

mapMarkerGrey One-of-a-kind-Landform with Decent SE Protection...

Best North Protection in Bahia Concepcion

mapMarkerGrey Best North Protection in Bahia Concepcion...

A Dramatically Beautiful Summer Camp Setting

mapMarkerGrey A Dramatically Beautiful Summer Camp Setting...

Open Roadstead with All the Trappings of a Magical Town

mapMarkerGrey Open Roadstead with All the Trappings of a Magical...

Comfy Waiting Room on The East Cape

mapMarkerGrey Comfy Waiting Room on The East Cape...

Cheap Seats at The Gateway to The North

mapMarkerGrey Cheap Seats at The Gateway to The North...

Ultimate Peace and Quiet in Bahia Concepcion

mapMarkerGrey Ultimate Peace and Quiet in Bahia Concepcion...

Welcome Stop on the Outside of Bahia Concepcion

mapMarkerGrey Welcome Stop on the Outside of Bahia Concepcion...

A Beachy Getaway Right Next to The City

mapMarkerGrey A Beachy Getaway Right Next to The City...

Cool Wedge of Space with Excellent Snorkeling

mapMarkerGrey Cool Wedge of Space with Excellent Snorkeling...

Multiple anchorage options for all weather

mapMarkerGrey Multiple anchorage options for all weather...

The Spring/Summer alternative to San Juanico

mapMarkerGrey The Spring/Summer alternative to San Juanico...

Technical Anchoring Pays Dividends

mapMarkerGrey Technical Anchoring Pays Dividends...

Stay a While If You Can

mapMarkerGrey Stay a While If You Can...

Your Own Private Little Slot Anchorage

mapMarkerGrey Your Own Private Little Slot Anchorage...

The Central Sea Classic

mapMarkerGrey The Central Sea Classic...

Lonely Cove with North Protection

mapMarkerGrey Lonely Cove with North Protection...
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For most people splashing in Marina San Carlos (MSC) this is the first place they'll anchor. it...

mapMarkerGrey Decent Protection on a Gorgeous Shore...

Quick Escape from La Paz

mapMarkerGrey Quick Escape from La Paz...

Surprisingly Little Used Stopover

mapMarkerGrey Surprisingly Little Used Stopover...

Raw and Beautiful, With North Protection

mapMarkerGrey Raw and Beautiful, With North Protection...

Drop Dead Surroundings, Drop Jaw Pricing

mapMarkerGrey Drop Dead Surroundings, Drop Jaw Pricing...

Welcome to The Cheap Seats

mapMarkerGrey Welcome to The Cheap Seats...

Sandy Fishing Town with Mellow Vibe

mapMarkerGrey Sandy Fishing Town with Mellow Vibe...

Rowdy Days, Quiet Nights, Gorgeous Always

mapMarkerGrey Rowdy Days, Quiet Nights, Gorgeous Always...

Espiritu Vibe at its Finest

mapMarkerGrey Espiritu Vibe at its Finest...

Shockingly Good Snorkeling Right Off The Beach

mapMarkerGrey Shockingly Good Snorkeling Right Off The Beach...

Spectacular Setting for Settled Weather

mapMarkerGrey Spectacular Setting for Settled Weather...

It’s a Roller Coaster of Red Rock

mapMarkerGrey It’s a Roller Coaster of Red Rock...

Wow! Just…. Wow.

mapMarkerGrey Wow! Just…. Wow....

The Espiritu Classic

mapMarkerGrey The Espiritu Classic...

A Little More Privacy, But Mind The Bar

mapMarkerGrey A Little More Privacy, But Mind The Bar...

In The Heart of This Lively City

mapMarkerGrey In The Heart of This Lively City...

An Incredible Beach, and Welcome West Protection

mapMarkerGrey An Incredible Beach, and Welcome West Protection...

The Heart of Cabo Craziness

mapMarkerGrey The Heart of Cabo Craziness...

A Mellower Alternative to Cabo Craziness

mapMarkerGrey A Mellower Alternative to Cabo Craziness...

More Room Than You Need, With a Wind Machine

mapMarkerGrey More Room Than You Need, With a Wind Machine...

A Short Hop, But a World Away

mapMarkerGrey A Short Hop, But a World Away...

Sweet Mile of Sandy Anchoring, But Open Roadstead

mapMarkerGrey Sweet Mile of Sandy Anchoring, But Open Roadstead...

Shallow SE Protection with a Wifi Bonus

mapMarkerGrey Shallow SE Protection with a Wifi Bonus...

An All Time Favorite, But Technical Anchoring

mapMarkerGrey An All Time Favorite, But Technical Anchoring...

A Gorgeous Classic That Checks a Lot of Boxes

mapMarkerGrey A Gorgeous Classic That Checks a Lot of Boxes...

Big Pocket Anchorage with Colorful Bluffs and Nutty Snorkeling

mapMarkerGrey Big Pocket Anchorage with Colorful Bluffs and Nutt...

Small Pocket with Big Fish

mapMarkerGrey Small Pocket with Big Fish...

Easy Anchoring for an Entire Armada

mapMarkerGrey Easy Anchoring for an Entire Armada...

Your Return to The World of Connectivity

mapMarkerGrey Your Return to The World of Connectivity...
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We stayed at this wonderful anchorage for three nights. It was beautiful, offered good protecti...

mapMarkerGrey Your Private, Perfect Nook...

Remote and Beautiful Beach with Good Snorkeling

mapMarkerGrey Remote and Beautiful Beach with Good Snorkeling...

Gorgeous, Quiet, and Multifaceted

mapMarkerGrey Gorgeous, Quiet, and Multifaceted...

They Don't Call it The Aquarium for Nothin'

mapMarkerGrey They Don't Call it The Aquarium for Nothin'...

Gorgeous, Good Surf, But Mind the Bugs

mapMarkerGrey Gorgeous, Good Surf, But Mind the Bugs...

A Keyhole Anchorage With Great South Protection

mapMarkerGrey A Keyhole Anchorage With Great South Protection...

An Unexpected Irish Connection

mapMarkerGrey An Unexpected Irish Connection...

Surgey But Lovely Resort Marina with Poolside Fun

mapMarkerGrey Surgey But Lovely Resort Marina with Poolside Fun...

Great Value in a Protected Marina. Good Food Too.

mapMarkerGrey Great Value in a Protected Marina. Good Food Too....

Banana Tows, Music and Jet Skis, Oh My!

mapMarkerGrey Banana Tows, Music and Jet Skis, Oh My!...

Kid Boat Center of Universe. Fun for Adults, Too

mapMarkerGrey Kid Boat Center of Universe. Fun for Adults, Too...

A Dream Around Christmas, Nightmare in Spring

mapMarkerGrey A Dream Around Christmas, Nightmare in Spring...

Accessible Beach Town with Imposing Swimming Guest

mapMarkerGrey Accessible Beach Town with Imposing Swimming Guest...
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So nice to have that local knowledge of the Western coast of Mexico and Sea of Cortez. Sailing ...

mapMarkerGrey A Surfing Break for a Day or a Week...

Rare Mid-Coast Island Anchorage

mapMarkerGrey Rare Mid-Coast Island Anchorage...

Sweet Mexico Beach Town with Just Enough of Everything

mapMarkerGrey Sweet Mexico Beach Town with Just Enough of Everyt...

Your Peaceful Sleeping Oasis

mapMarkerGrey Your Peaceful Sleeping Oasis...

You Thought THIS Was Your Dream Destination?

mapMarkerGrey You Thought THIS Was Your Dream Destination?...

Get Out of The Weather, Discover a Whole Other World

mapMarkerGrey Get Out of The Weather, Discover a Whole Other Wor...
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We snuggled up the small mountains on the west to hide from the 20-30kt continuous winds coming...

mapMarkerGrey Excellent, Well Protected Bay with Room for The Si...

Dusty Funky Quiet Expat Surf Haven

mapMarkerGrey Dusty Funky Quiet Expat Surf Haven...

Surfers and Whale Watchers, Look No Further

mapMarkerGrey Surfers and Whale Watchers, Look No Further...
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We really enjoyed our time in Bahia Ascension! Shari, who owns the Bufadora (blowhole) Hotel, w...

mapMarkerGrey Quiet Baja Beach Town with Expat Cruiser Community...

All Weather Anchorage with Dusty Funky Town

mapMarkerGrey All Weather Anchorage with Dusty Funky Town...
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We anchored on the south side of the harbor. Anchor holds great in about 30 ft of water. Offers...

mapMarkerGrey A Bustling Town with Just About Everything...

A Lovely Oasis on a Rocky Shore

mapMarkerGrey A Lovely Oasis on a Rocky Shore...

Dusty Town Built on a Bluff

mapMarkerGrey Dusty Town Built on a Bluff...

Gorgeous Remote Bay and Challenging Inlet if You Dare

mapMarkerGrey Gorgeous Remote Bay and Challenging Inlet if You D...

Hang Out Just Below the Nose

mapMarkerGrey Hang Out Just Below the Nose...

Full-Time Summer Camp for Adults

mapMarkerGrey Full-Time Summer Camp for Adults...

Eery and Gorgeous, But Noisy Chain

mapMarkerGrey Eery and Gorgeous, But Noisy Chain...

The Galapagos of Mexico

mapMarkerGrey The Galapagos of Mexico...

Longboard Surf Haven with Identity Crisis Ashore

mapMarkerGrey Longboard Surf Haven with Identity Crisis Ashore...

Photogenic Mellow Jungle Beach Town

mapMarkerGrey Photogenic Mellow Jungle Beach Town...

Mexico – Pacific Coast

Mexico’s pacific coast is a well-deserved magnet for cruisers from all over the world, in particular those from the west coasts of the US and Canada. It’s common to find crews down here that left the states for a short trip through Mexico on the way to the South Seas, and are still here a decade or more later. It’s “easy living” at it’s finest: Good food, friendly people, a tight and ever changing cruising community, excellent anchorages, natural wonders, and the currency exchange rate makes it hard to find another place with more bang for your buck.

Clearing In

Checking in to Mexico on a private vessel is often a more arduous task than any other country in the Caribbean or Central America. It’s actually the most difficult, next to the United States. There are a number of steps to go through, which may include: Aduana (customs and immigration), Port Captain, Agricultural Inspection, Health Inspection, Temporary Import Permit for your vessel.

It is expected that you will clear into Mexico at the first available port, so these services are more available, and more streamlined, at select ports North and South, with limited availability at the more interior ports. Best spots to stop are Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Huatulco, Chiapas, Puerto Angel. (there may be more)

The old system of Port Captain “fiefdoms,” which had to be checked in and out of at each segment of coastline, almost like a new country border, has given way to a more civilized check in/out procedure at the Port Captain level. These interactions with the Port Captains is typically short and quite pleasant, with no cost. It keeps you on the right side of their ledger, and should make help more available to you, if you should need it.

Finances and Logistics

While credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and large town in coastal Mexico, it’s still very much a cash economy, and exclusively so in the smaller villages. ATMs attached to actual banks are typically safe, while those at gas stations or convenience stores, or in an alley somewhere, should be eyed with due suspicion. Fraud and theft is rare, but does occur. Mostly it’s best to have a bank to go to if the machine eats your card, or lacks the funds you requested. The exchange rate is typically quite favorable for most western currencies, making Mexico an excellent bargain.

Marine services and parts are available in a scattered fashion, and getting items shipped into and around Mexico still poses some issues, notably loss of valuable items in transit. It is often best to have guests bring items with them in their checked baggage, to save the hassle and get access to items not found in Mexico’s chandleries. Labor and common parts can be quite inexpensive, including stainless fabrication and canvas work. But marinas, boat yards, and specialty marine parts (notably bottom paint) can be more than US prices.

Insurance

Technically insurance isn’t required to sail in Mexico, but you’ll find it nearly impossible to stay in a marina, and you can find your boat impounded and your carcass in jail if something goes wrong and you cause damage to a dock, another boat, reef, etc.  At the very least, get a liability-only Mexico policy from any number of providers. They are typically under $200 US per year, and will give you, marina operators, and authorities piece of mind.

More to come…

Quick links to Pacific Mexico cruising areas:

Recent Posts From Pacific Coastal Mexico

Printed Cruising Guides to Pacific Mexico

Contrary to popular belief, we’re HUGE fans of printed cruising guides, and consider them essential gear for cruising any coast. Below are the OCG recommended cruising guides for this area. Following the links and purchasing these cruising guides (or anything else) helps fund OCG through a small commission. Thanks!

Charlie’s Charts – Pacific Mexico

Rains Guide to Pacific Mexico