Welcome to our Ports of Call Page...
In this section, we plan to provide information on required documentation to enter foreign ports and which ports are the best entry locations in the different countries we visit. Since we've not been everywhere, we're relying on our visitors to provide us with information on their personal experiences to add to our site. So please visit our Visitors Log and let us know what you know
In this section, we plan to provide information on required documentation to enter foreign ports and which ports are the best entry locations in the different countries we visit. Since we've not been everywhere, we're relying on our visitors to provide us with information on their personal experiences to add to our site. So please visit our Visitors Log and let us know what you know
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Country Information (Free)
Although Noonsite focuses primarily on European markets, nothing beats them for providing good, solid information on worldwide ports of call. It provides not only entrance requirements, but weather and cultural information, as well. So be sure to check it out.
Although Noonsite focuses primarily on European markets, nothing beats them for providing good, solid information on worldwide ports of call. It provides not only entrance requirements, but weather and cultural information, as well. So be sure to check it out.
Where to go to find more information...
The US Government website is pretty up to date on what is required for US citizens sailing to foreign ports. It is always advisable to call a consulate or embassy of the country to which you are sailing to double check requirements. Make certain that you emphasize that you will be entering the country on a private boat. We found out the hard way that the requirements for individuals entering on public carriers (planes and cruise ships) and individuals arriving on private vessels are often vastly different. We suggest you call two different consulate offices and compare the instructions. Be sure to get the name of the representatives you spoke with. You might find, as we did, that the consulate workers are not fully informed on what is required and can make mistakes. You get to pay for their mistakes and it can be a very expensive lesson. If possible get the instructions in writing.
The US Government website is pretty up to date on what is required for US citizens sailing to foreign ports. It is always advisable to call a consulate or embassy of the country to which you are sailing to double check requirements. Make certain that you emphasize that you will be entering the country on a private boat. We found out the hard way that the requirements for individuals entering on public carriers (planes and cruise ships) and individuals arriving on private vessels are often vastly different. We suggest you call two different consulate offices and compare the instructions. Be sure to get the name of the representatives you spoke with. You might find, as we did, that the consulate workers are not fully informed on what is required and can make mistakes. You get to pay for their mistakes and it can be a very expensive lesson. If possible get the instructions in writing.
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Bahamas - Entry requirements differ depending on country of residence or citizenship. US citizens do not need to obtain visas to visit the Bahamas, but it is always advisable to carry a valid passport. However, US citizens planning on an extended stay of several months may be asked by Bahamian immigration authorities to provide evidence of financial solvency upon entry to the Bahamas. Travelers arriving via private watercraft are charged docking fees. You can link to the Bahamas website for information on entrance requirements.
The Bahamas are beautiful and the people are wonderful. We spent at least 2 years there, on and off over a 5 year period. With no national income tax, government revenues are obtained through hefty import duties. As a result, we found that goods and services are expensive for US and Canadian citizens, so be prepared to come with your ships stores fully loaded or expect to spend 50% or more over US prices for any goods you purchase. We cleared in Both Grand Bahama Island and Green Turtle (Abacos) and found both ports to be quick, easy entry locations. Grand Bahama is much more commercial than Green Turtle and since we always chose the road less traveled, we chose Green Turtle for our favorite port of entry.
The Bahamas are beautiful and the people are wonderful. We spent at least 2 years there, on and off over a 5 year period. With no national income tax, government revenues are obtained through hefty import duties. As a result, we found that goods and services are expensive for US and Canadian citizens, so be prepared to come with your ships stores fully loaded or expect to spend 50% or more over US prices for any goods you purchase. We cleared in Both Grand Bahama Island and Green Turtle (Abacos) and found both ports to be quick, easy entry locations. Grand Bahama is much more commercial than Green Turtle and since we always chose the road less traveled, we chose Green Turtle for our favorite port of entry.
Cayman Islands - All Americans traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service, by the summer of 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea must have government-issued photo identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization), or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport card for entry or re-entry to the U.S. Sea travelers should also check with their countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
Visas are not required for U.S. citizens traveling to the Cayman Islands for short-term visits. There is a departure tax for travelers age 12 and older, which is regularly included in airfare. For further information travelers may contact Cayman Islands Department of Tourism offices in Miami at (305) 599-9033, New York (212) 889-9009, Houston (713) 461-1317 and Chicago (630) 705-0650; or via the Internet at http://www.caymanislands.ky.
Visas are not required for U.S. citizens traveling to the Cayman Islands for short-term visits. There is a departure tax for travelers age 12 and older, which is regularly included in airfare. For further information travelers may contact Cayman Islands Department of Tourism offices in Miami at (305) 599-9033, New York (212) 889-9009, Houston (713) 461-1317 and Chicago (630) 705-0650; or via the Internet at http://www.caymanislands.ky.
Central America - El Salvador, Guatamala, Honduras, and Nicaragua - In June 2006, the four countries entered a Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement. Under the terms of the
agreement, citizens of the four countries may travel freely across land
borders from one of the countries to any of the others without
completing entry and exit formalities at Immigration checkpoints. U.S.
citizens and other eligible foreign nationals who legally enter any of
the four countries may similarly travel among the four without
obtaining additional visas or tourist entry permits for the other three
countries, but it is always advisable to carry a valid passport. Immigration officials at the first port of entry determine
the length of stay, up to a maximum period of 90 days. Foreign tourists
who wish to remain in the four country region beyond the period
initially granted for their visit are required to request a one-time
extension of stay from local immigration authorities in the country
where the traveler is physically present, or travel outside the CA-4
countries and reapply for admission to the region. Foreigners expelled from any of the four countries are excluded from the entire region. In isolated cases, the lack of clarity in the
implementing details of the CA-4 Border Control Agreement has caused
temporary inconvenience to some travelers and has resulted in others
being fined more than one hundred dollars or detained in custody for 72
hours or longer.
El Salvador - To enter the country, U.S. citizens must present a current U.S.
passport and either a Salvadoran visa or a one-entry tourist card. The
tourist card may be obtained from immigration officials for a
ten-dollar fee upon arrival in country. U.S. travelers who plan to
remain in El Salvador for more than thirty days can apply in advance
for a multiple-entry visa, issued free of charge, from the Embassy of
El Salvador in Washington, DC or from a Salvadoran consulate in Boston,
Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Long Island, Los Angeles, Miami,
New York City, or San Francisco. Travelers may contact the Embassy of
El Salvador at 1400 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel. (202)
265-9671, 265-9672; fax (202) 232-3763; e-mail: correo@elsalvador.org
or visit the Embassy's web site at http://www.elsalvador.org.
When applying for a visa, travelers may be asked to present evidence of
U.S. employment and adequate finances for their visit at the time of
visa application or upon arrival in El Salvador. For passengers
departing by air, El Salvador has an exit tax of $32.00 which is
usually included in the price of the airline ticket.
Travelers should
be aware that El Salvador's entry requirements vary in accordance with
agreements the country has with foreign governments (see Central America, above). Citizens of
several countries in addition to the United States may enter El
Salvador with a current passport and either a visa or tourist card.
Citizens of many other countries, including many Latin American and
western European nations, may enter with only a current passport.
However, citizens of most nations are required to present both a
current passport and a visa to enter El Salvador. Non-U.S. citizen
travelers are advised to contact a Salvadoran embassy or consulate to
determine the entry requirements applicable to them.
Belize - All U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for the duration of their visit to Belize. U.S. citizens do not need visas for tourist visits of up to thirty days, but they must have onward or return air tickets and proof of sufficient funds to maintain themselves while in Belize. Visitors for purposes other than tourism, or who wish to stay longer than 30 days, must obtain visas from the government of Belize. All tourists and non-Belizean nationalities are required to pay an exit fee of U.S. $35 (payable in U.S. dollars only) when leaving Belize. Additional information on entry and customs requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of Belize at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, Tel. (202) 332-9636 or at their web site: http://www.embassyofbelize.org. Information is also available at the Belizean Consular offices in Miami, and Los Angeles, or at the Belizean Mission to the UN in New York. Visit the Embassy of Belize web site at http://belize.usembassy.gov for the most current visa information.
Costa Rica - For entry into Costa Rica, U.S. citizens must present valid passports that will not expire for at least thirty days after arrival, and a roundtrip/outbound ticket. Some U.S. airlines may not permit passengers to board flights to Costa Rica without such a ticket. Passports should be in good condition; Costa Rican immigration will deny entry if the passport is damaged in any way. Costa Rican authorities generally permit U.S. citizens to stay up to ninety days; to stay beyond the period granted, travelers must submit an application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is a departure tax for short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days may experience a delay at the airport when departing. Persons who overstayed previously may be denied entry to Costa Rica.
Persons traveling to Costa Rica from some countries in South America and Sub-Saharan Africa must provide evidence of a valid yellow fever vaccination prior to entry. The South American countries include Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela..
Persons traveling to Costa Rica from some countries in South America and Sub-Saharan Africa must provide evidence of a valid yellow fever vaccination prior to entry. The South American countries include Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela..
Guatamala - Guatemalan Customs regulations often change without notice. For specific customs questions, please check with a local Guatemalan Consulate in the United States or your country of origin. The website was not as informative as we would like so we sent off a quick email requesting specific information for clearing customs/immigration in 2009. As soon as the specifics are received, we willl post them on the site.
The Rio Dulce is a very popular place for cruisers. You'll find cruisers from all over the world and a large US ex-pat community. It's a very economical and fun place to visit.
The Rio Dulce is a very popular place for cruisers. You'll find cruisers from all over the world and a large US ex-pat community. It's a very economical and fun place to visit.
Honduras - A U.S. passport valid for at least three months from the date of
entry is required to enter Honduras. Though not required by law, some
travelers have reported difficulty departing Honduras using a passport
with less than three months of validity beyond the date of departure. A
visa is not required, but tourists must provide evidence of return or
onward travel. Parents should not rely on birth certificates for their
children's travel; rather, prior to travel they should obtain U.S.
passports for infants and minors born in the United States. U.S.
citizens are encouraged to carry a photocopy of their U.S. passports
with them at all times, so that if questioned by local officials proof
of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available.
In June 2006,
Honduras entered a Central America-4 (CA-4) Border Control Agreement
with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Under the terms of the
agreement, citizens of the four countries may travel freely across land
borders from one of the countries to any of the others without
completing entry and exit formalities at Immigration checkpoints. U.S.
citizens and other eligible foreign nationals who legally enter any of
the four countries may similarly travel among the four without
obtaining additional visas or tourist entry permits for the other three
countries. Immigration officials at the first port of entry determine
the length of stay, up to a maximum period of 90 days. Foreign tourists
who wish to remain in the four country region beyond the period
initially granted for their visit are required to request a one-time
extension of stay from local immigration authorities in the country
where the traveler is physically present, or travel outside the CA-4
countries and reapply for admission to the region. Foreigners expelled from any of the four countries are excluded from the entire region. In isolated cases, the lack of clarity in the
implementing details of the CA-4 Border Control Agreement has caused
temporary inconvenience to some travelers and has resulted in others
being fined more than one hundred dollars or detained in custody for 72
hours or longer.
Mexico - To enter Mexico, you will need either a valid passport or your original birth certificate along with a valid
photo ID such as a drivers license. Citizens other than U.S. or
Canadian may have other requirements such as a visa. Please contact a
Mexican consulate or embassy near you.
NOTE: If you are entering
Mexico by any means other than airlines or cruise ship and
staying for over 72 hours and/or traveling more than 20 miles beyond
the border, you will need a Tourist Card.
Nicaragua - For entry into Costa Rica, U.S. citizens must present valid passports that will not expire for at least thirty days after arrival, and a roundtrip/outbound ticket. Some U.S. airlines may not permit passengers to board flights to Costa Rica without such a ticket. Passports should be in good condition; Costa Rican immigration will deny entry if the passport is damaged in any way. Costa Rican authorities generally permit U.S. citizens to stay up to ninety days; to stay beyond the period granted, travelers must submit an application for an extension to the Office of Temporary Permits in the Costa Rican Department of Immigration. Tourist visas are usually not extended except under special circumstances, and extension requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is a departure tax for short-term visitors. Tourists who stay over ninety days may experience a delay at the airport when departing. Persons who overstayed previously may be denied entry to Costa Rica. Persons traveling to Costa Rica from some countries in South America and Sub-Saharan Africa must provide evidence of a valid yellow fever vaccination prior to entry. The South American countries include Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
We have many friends who have purchased or built homes in Nicaragua and they find it to be a delightful, inexpensive place to vacation and live.
We have many friends who have purchased or built homes in Nicaragua and they find it to be a delightful, inexpensive place to vacation and live.