Bahia del Sol - Pets

Where is Bahia del Sol?

Bahia del Sol is located in an estuary on the Costa de Sol peninsula, midway along the El Salvador coast. The Costa de Sol peninsula is about 15km long with a sandy beach on the outside and Estero de Jaltepeque on the inside. The estuary has numerous branches and boats anchor in the main section. The marinas, hotels and tourist services are located on the peninsula.

This port is a known hurricane hole.

Bahia del Sol is the only port in El Salvador that has sufficient infrastructure (marinas, boat services, fuel docks, etc.) to receive recreational boats.

Cruiser Highlights:

Immigration; Port Captain; marinas; moorings; long term in water storage; hurricane season storage; fuel; water; propane; restaurants; bars; sport fishing; tourism options; bus to larger cities for provisioning and hardware options.

Entrance Notes and Cautions:

Entry into the port is only safe at high tide during daylight hours, and a pilot is needed to transit the bar.

The sand bar at the entrance can be dangerous and can only be navigated at high tide. Entry should not be attempted without a pilot. If you arrive without previously notifying them of your arrival, hail the Bahia Del Sol Hotel on the VHF to organize a pilot. Entry is only permitted at high tide during daylight hours. Daylight hours include civil twilight (about 40 minutes before sunrise or 40 minutes after sunset). Morning tides are always better due to the absence of wind waves.

Note, however, that following the pilot boat does not always guarantee safe entry, so this port should be used with caution. In March 2024, a Panama Posse boat following the pilot boat into the estuary hit the bottom on entry and broke off its keel and sunk. A devastating loss for the owners.  See this news item for more details:  Yacht Wrecked While Attempting Bar Crossing.

Contacts:

Hotel Bahía del Sol VHF Channel CH 16 “Hotel Bahía del Sol” recepcion.hotel@bahiadelsolelsalvador.com Tel: +503 2343 3333

For more information, contact the El Salvador Yacht Rally in advance of your arrival.

El Salvador Yacht Rally VHF Channel CH 16 "Bill & Jean" Email:  Elsalvadorrally@aol.com This cruiser rally ends in Bahia del Sol. Organizers Bill and Jean are based here and happy to assist with planning and can provide up to date port information and assistance with crossing the bar. See their handy Guide to El Salvador.

Position:

13°16.6'N, 88°53.7'W (pilot meeting area)

Last updated:  March 2023