Nicaragua: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
21 harbours
Nicaragua: 21 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Córdoba
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Anyone entering by sea sends the entry form to the tourism authority ([email protected]) seven days in advance; drones are prohibited, binoculars may be confiscated, and according to the German Federal Foreign Office entry is often refused. On the Caribbean coast clear in at El Bluff (Bluefields) or Puerto Cabezas; on Big Corn Island the port captain at the naval station clears in together with immigration, health and agriculture. On the Pacific coast at Corinto, at the Marina Puesta del Sol (the authorities come from Corinto, register a week in advance), at Puerto Sandino or at San Juan del Sur. A zarpe for every passage between the islands and 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 without a visa with a tourist card, up to 90 days in total for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua (CA-4). Boat papers, crew list, zarpe from the last country.
Fees: According to sailors on Big Corn: immigration 30 USD, agriculture 40 USD, health 30 USD, port captain 80 USD, zarpe between the islands 20 USD, double on Sundays. On the Pacific, according to sailors, in Puesta del Sol (2019) 20 USD per boat, 12 USD per person, customs 10 USD and the zarpe 25 USD, cash only; in San Juan del Sur (2018) immigration 12 USD per person and a 15 USD levy each on entry and exit, and for further ports a Permiso de Navegación for 150 USD a month.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Off the Mosquito Coast shallow banks, cays and unmarked reefs, plus many fishing boats without lights; reefs around the Corn Islands, approach Little Corn only by day. On the Pacific from December to March the Papagayo, a strong offshore wind of up to 35 kn in the south around San Juan del Sur; enter Puesta del Sol over the Aserradores bar only by day.
Nature: Cayos Miskitos (marine reserve): no fishing; around Little Corn do not anchor on coral.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November; Puerto Cabezas and the Mosquito Coast lay in the path of Eta and Iota in 2020, and there is hardly any shelter for yachts. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy. On the Pacific 15 May to 30 November, the coast mostly lies south of the storm tracks.
Emergency: Police 118, fire brigade 115, Red Cross 128; navy (Fuerza Naval) on VHF channel 16.
Sources: Noonsite: Nicaragua, Auswärtiges Amt: Nicaragua, travel and safety advice (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
Nicaragua: Caribbean coast (Bluefields, Puerto Cabezas)
Nicaragua: Corn Islands
Nicaragua: northern Pacific coast (Corinto, Puesta del Sol)
- Corinto
- Marina Puesta del Sol
- Poneloya
- Potosí
- Puerto Alegre
- Puerto El Barquito
- Puerto El Jobo
- Puerto El Zapote
- Puerto Manticá
- Puerto Sandino
Nicaragua: southern Pacific coast (Masachapa, San Juan del Sur)
Frequently asked questions
Nicaragua: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Anyone entering by sea sends the entry form to the tourism authority ([email protected]) seven days in advance; drones are prohibited, binoculars may be confiscated, and according to the German Federal Foreign Office entry is often refused. On the Caribbean coast clear in at El Bluff (Bluefields) or Puerto Cabezas; on Big Corn Island the port captain at the naval station clears in together with immigration, health and agriculture. On the Pacific coast at Corinto, at the Marina Puesta del Sol (the authorities come from Corinto, register a week in advance), at Puerto Sandino or at San Juan del Sur. A zarpe for every passage between the islands and ports.
Nicaragua: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; Germans without a visa with a tourist card, up to 90 days in total for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua (CA-4). Boat papers, crew list, zarpe from the last country.
Nicaragua: What fees apply?
According to sailors on Big Corn: immigration 30 USD, agriculture 40 USD, health 30 USD, port captain 80 USD, zarpe between the islands 20 USD, double on Sundays. On the Pacific, according to sailors, in Puesta del Sol (2019) 20 USD per boat, 12 USD per person, customs 10 USD and the zarpe 25 USD, cash only; in San Juan del Sur (2018) immigration 12 USD per person and a 15 USD levy each on entry and exit, and for further ports a Permiso de Navegación for 150 USD a month.
Nicaragua: What is the emergency number at sea?
Police 118, fire brigade 115, Red Cross 128; navy (Fuerza Naval) on VHF channel 16.
Nicaragua: Which local winds blow there?
Papagayo.
Nicaragua: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 21 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.