Tips for Cuba, Mexico

[camo89]

Hello,

Two friends and myself are Kiwis and are on board "Lousie" a 36 ft Catalina registered to New Zealand. We are about to set sail and start our adventure from Florida to Cuba to Mexico and then south down Central America. We are leaving Florida at the beginning of May.

We have been doing a lot of admin in front of the computer looking at noonsite.com and we have an up to date Central America cruising guide. We are after some advice about these areas, where to go and where to avoid.

We are looking to enter Marina Hemmingway Cuba, I have heard that the entrance to Hemmingway is quite shallow. Also is clearing customs, immigration etc an easy process here or does anyone have any good tips/advice.

Our next stop was originally going to be Isla Mujeres however after researching we have found people have had troubles with port captains, clearing customs, immigration etc...

So now we are thinking of skipping Isla Mujeres and heading straight to Isla Cozumel instead?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated

Regards
Campbell

[bobconnie]

Just my opinion, but don't skip Isla M. You only need a Zarpe from Cuba. The Isla is the main entrance to the east coast of Mexico ! They get all upset when ya try going to the main land without ckin into Mexico at the Isla M first ! Im sure others have info thats newer then mine, but 5 yrs ago I had no trouble ckin into Mexico after having to have repairs done in Cuba.

[camo89]

Cheers Bob and Connie

We will just have to be fully prepared with our paperwork

Thanks
Campbell

[Matt Johnson]

Isla can take a few days to get fully checked in. Customs has to come from Cancun, and unless the marina schedules it for you, you may not see them right away. Its all up to luck catching them. Cozumel was pretty quick for us in December.

Matt