Costa Rica: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
24 harbours
Costa Rica: 24 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Colón, US dollar widely used
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Notify customs and immigration 72 hours (at the latest 48 hours) before arrival, usually through an agent. On the Caribbean coast Puerto Limón is the only port of entry, a commercial port without a marina; on the Pacific coast Playas del Coco, Marina Papagayo (only with an agent), Puntarenas, Quepos and Golfito. Port captain, immigration and customs, which issues the temporary import of the yacht (TIP) for six months, extendable up to two years, after which the yacht must leave the country for 90 days. A national zarpe between ports.
Ausreise: Clear out before departure and get the zarpe: without it the next state will not clear you in.
Documents: Passport valid for six months; Germans visa-free, immigration sets the length of stay (up to 180 days). Boat papers, crew list, zarpe from the last country.
Fees: According to sailors no official fees for clearing in, in Golfito 20 USD for the port captain; agents charge a fee (Marina Papagayo, according to sailors, 450 to 550 USD). Entry to the national parks per person and day.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. The Caribbean coast is straight and open, apart from Limón there are hardly any harbours for yachts; fringing reefs off Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. On the Pacific from November to March the Papagayo, a strong offshore wind of 20 to over 50 kn in the Gulf of Papagayo and off the Santa Elena peninsula; the Gulf of Nicoya with banks and tidal streams, the Golfo Dulce deep and sheltered.
Nature: Parque Nacional Cahuita (coral reef) and Tortuguero (turtles): do not anchor on coral, entry fee per person. On the Pacific the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (Uvita), Manuel Antonio and Corcovado; Isla del Coco only with a permit from the conservation authority SINAC, apply 15 days in advance.
Tropical storm season: On the Caribbean coast 1 June to 30 November, the coast mostly lies south of the storm tracks. On the Pacific 15 May to 30 November, hurricanes are rare there, tropical storms bring heavy rain. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: 911; coast guard (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas) on VHF channel 16.
Sources: Noonsite: Costa Rica, Auswärtiges Amt: Costa Rica, travel and safety advice, Ley 9977: Fortalecimiento de la competitividad del turismo náutico (El Financiero) (as of 2026-10-20)
Local winds
- Papagayo: north-easterly to easterly gap wind across Lake Nicaragua, November to April; freshens mostly at night and in the morning, gusting well above the mean wind, and reaches far out to sea; west-facing bays stay calm, a short, steep sea offshore
Harbours by cruising area
Costa Rica: Caribbean coast (Limón, Puerto Viejo)
Costa Rica: Guanacaste (Gulf of Papagayo, Playas del Coco, Tamarindo)
Costa Rica: Gulf of Nicoya and Central Pacific (Puntarenas, Los Sueños, Quepos)
- Bahia Playa Agujas
- Chomes
- Club de Yates
- Dique Seco Samy Manley
- Inversiones Cruz
- Manzanillo
- Marina Los Sueños
- Marina Pez Vela
- Marina Punta Leona
- Mata de Limón
- Muelle Conchal
- Muelle del Mercado Municipal
- Playa Manzano
Costa Rica: south (Osa, Golfo Dulce, Golfito)
Frequently asked questions
Costa Rica: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Notify customs and immigration 72 hours (at the latest 48 hours) before arrival, usually through an agent. On the Caribbean coast Puerto Limón is the only port of entry, a commercial port without a marina; on the Pacific coast Playas del Coco, Marina Papagayo (only with an agent), Puntarenas, Quepos and Golfito. Port captain, immigration and customs, which issues the temporary import of the yacht (TIP) for six months, extendable up to two years, after which the yacht must leave the country for 90 days. A national zarpe between ports.
Costa Rica: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; Germans visa-free, immigration sets the length of stay (up to 180 days). Boat papers, crew list, zarpe from the last country.
Costa Rica: What fees apply?
According to sailors no official fees for clearing in, in Golfito 20 USD for the port captain; agents charge a fee (Marina Papagayo, according to sailors, 450 to 550 USD). Entry to the national parks per person and day.
Costa Rica: What is the emergency number at sea?
911; coast guard (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas) on VHF channel 16.
Costa Rica: Which local winds blow there?
Papagayo.
Costa Rica: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 24 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.