Visit our Popular Forums

urs.tanner · 23-02-2020, 06:11

Dear Cruiserforum
I plan to sail with my Sailing Catamaran from the BVI directly to Puerto Plata, and plan to do the immigration / customs there.
Has anyone in this forum done this before, and if so, can you explain the procedures you were following?
As far I have seen, there is no marina (like in Punta Cana) which offers immigration services.
Thanks Urs

Zanshin · 23-02-2020, 10:05

The best resource I know of for situations like this is Noonsite. See Noonsite Dominican Republic for current information

Paul L · 23-02-2020, 16:53

OCEAN World Marina is there. I was in Puerto Plata long before the marina, so can't comment on it.
Ocean World Marina – A full service caribbean yacht-boat marina in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

**GordMay** · 24-02-2020, 01:28

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Urs.

Free Cruising Guide ➥ http://freecruisingguides.com/dominican-republic
Entry requirements begins on page 54.

chico17 · 24-02-2020, 11:52

In 2018, we checked in and out at Ocean World Marina and at Cap Cana on the East coast with little hassle. It is a process and you will be boarded by Immigration, Customs and a military person and you eventually pay them all. They were very friendly even though we checked in and out twice in one day (ran low on fuel and couldn't make it to Puerto Rico). They also did a short search of the boat. I hope this helps.

wayne.b · 26-02-2020, 05:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by urs.tanner

Dear Cruiserforum
I plan to sail with my Sailing Catamaran from the BVI directly to Puerto Plata, and plan to do the immigration / customs there.
Has anyone in this forum done this before, and if so, can you explain the procedures you were following?
As far I have seen, there is no marina (like in Punta Cana) which offers immigration services.
Thanks Urs

===

Puerto Plata is a busy industrial port with minimal amenities for cruising yachts. A much better choice would be Ocean World marina about 5 miles to the west. Ocean World has bilingual staff that will walk you through the customs and immigration process with no hassles. They will also provide you with ground transportation to supermarkets, etc. if you need supplies.

Dulcesuenos · 27-02-2020, 02:04

Two years ago a friend of ours ended up there, in Puerto plata, we had cleared in Luperon. He had huge headaches and was charged a lot of "extras" by officials I forget the exact amount but it was 3 or 4x as much as we had paid.. Much better to avoid this port in a cruising boat

PBM · 20-04-2020, 06:59

Only Ocean World or Luperon for check-in.

wayne.b · 20-04-2020, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBM

Only Ocean World or Luperon for check-in.

===

Ocean World is a first class facility and makes check in very easy. It should be avoided however if a strong northerly swell is running because the surge at the docks can be intense.

PBM · 20-04-2020, 07:42

You are so correct re Ocean World that can have large Northerly surge inside the breakwater that can be uncomfortable at best and dangerous at worst. There are many stories unfortunately of boats breaking dock lines and fenders. In extreme cases boats have been forced to leave in the middle of the night because they risked being damaged on the docks and I know of one who surfed in through the entrance!

Luperon is an easy point for check in once things return to normal. Just radio Puerto Blanco Marina Safe Yachts on ch 68 2nm out and we will guide you into the harbor at no cost and find you a mooring, anchor spot or space on our marina if available and then dinghy on over to the Puerto Blanco Marina Cruisers Information Center and we will also assist at no cost with official check in procedures as the office for the SSCA and OCC plus we welcome any others who do not belong to these associations.

**GordMay** · 20-04-2020, 10:38

Check out Frank Virgintino’s Free Cruising Guides (Caribbean)
➥ We make cruising the Caribbean possible! | Free Cruising Guides

Specifically, The Dominican Republic
➥ Dominican Republic | Free Cruising Guides
➥ http://freecruisingguides.com/sites/...puplic_7.0.pdf

PBM · 20-04-2020, 11:48

Your expert on Luperon and so much more of the DR and further afield is our long term friend Bruce van Sant The Thornless Path who often comes to join us for lunch and does seminars at the Puerto Blanco Marina, Hotel & Las Velas Restaurant when we can get a decent group together. We also have excellent FB groups with admin on there that are auxiliary, Navy, Tourism, Sailing Association etc. who can answer all of your questions. Luperon DR cruisers and the Dominican Republic Cruisers FB groups.