Dora Mac spent four months in Puerto Bahia Marina beautifully supervised by our US sailing neighbours, Nicole and James Helms.

The marina is located in a beautiful and tranquile resort and as a cruising guest all facilities of the resort are available (swimming pools,gym, restaurants, mini market etc). Punta Cana Marina,which is much bigger, is just a huge “Disneyland” and not at all as nice for cruisers. The harbourmaster,Gavi and his team, is lovely to work with and although not a cheap marina it still has more competitive prices than Punta Cana. If you leave your boat for a longer period of time,then arrange a place in the east part of the marina. Although unusual, southerly gales create quite a swell in the west part of the marina with all that it means for mooring lines and fenders.

The Armada is another chapter and one major reason for cruisers to avoid the Dominican Republic. Once checked in to the country you need to report to the Armada in every anchorage and show your “despacio” from last port. Before departure you need to see the Armada again for a new “despacio” and then depart immidiately. This is a very complicated and demanding system. Moreover we were told that after three months in the country (for the boat) we needed an extended cruising permit. To apply for the permit we needed to go to Santo Domingo (3hrs driving one way) and with appropriate authorities arrange documents regarding criminal records. When receiving documents all ships papers and application needed to be translated by notarius publicus again in Santo Domingo. The whole procedure would take at least three weeks which would be impossible.

“There was however a solution “. There is an agent (a retired armada captain) who can solve this issue much faster. (No price was mentioned but rumours among cruisers in the marina told us around 1.000Usd). Through a sailing friend to Mercedes we managed to get in touch with the direction of the port authorities. From there we learned to know we did not need a cruising permit and they promised to contact armada officer in charge in Puerto Bahia who would be ordered to issue a Zarpe upon departure free of charge.

Puerto Bahia Marina is highly recommended,but the Armada is a nuisance for cruisers all over the country.