Puerto Amistad (Bahía de Caráquez) - Docking

Moorings

The moorings here are operated by Puerto Amistad.  They currently charge $350 per month which includes 24 hour security patrols and dinghy dock plus use of their facilities.  If staying long-term and clearing into the country here, Puerto Amistad will give the 4th month of stay free to offset the cost of the new Autografo.

The mooring field is relatively quiet, just some wash from passing boats. However, at high tide, a swell does enter as the sea level creeps over the sandbanks.

Moorings are massive in construction weighing 5000 pounds each and have ship's hawsers for pennants. Most moorings have four points (two lines for the bow and two for the stern). Check the quality of line carefully. The marina staff will help you with tying up. If leaving your boat and traveling inland, the marina offers a caretaking service.

Puerto Amistad has a maintenance dock for water fill-up (not potable - hose reported to be short) and the staff can help out with most questions/problems. There are plans to construct a dock with 15 slips and a tidal grid for drying out.

Moorings can be reserved in advance (one month payment in advance).

Anchoring

If there are no moorings available, you can anchor in good mud, but remember this is a river so the boat turns on every tide. Be sure to dig your anchor in well. The ebb with the river flow reaches 2.6 knots making the dinghy journey potentially dangerous. There is a small nightly charge to anchor or monthly it is $180. This includes 24 hour security patrols and dinghy dock plus use of the facilities provided by Puerto Amistad.

Ashore

The town of "Bahia" is within easy walking distance and has a fresh produce market and several smaller shops for provisioning. For more major shopping, Portoviejo is an hour away and Manta is 2 hours away.

There is now a bridge across the estuary above Puerto Amistad which bars access beyond the moorings.

Security

There is a night security patrol which will dinghy around the moored boats at times, and shine a searchlight on the boats from the restaurant. It is wise to chain your outboard to your dinghy and your dinghy to the dock.

Take care when operating your dinghy in the river, there is floating debris and a lot of high-speed local traffic.

Last updated: September 2023