Dominican Republic
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Duane Siegfri
My apologies if this sort of post is too off-topic.
We're preparing to leave the Bahamas for the Dominican Republic. They have some pretty restrictive allowances for "boat stores" which we exceed by magnitudes (especially the wine and beer!). The guide books note that they will "inspect" your vessel. These are the same guide books that advise you to stock up. Can anyone advise me on what to expect from Customs in the DR? I'm thinking of just sailing past it to Puerto Rico, but that's a longer sail than I prefer. Thanks, Duane Wanderer, SM#477
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Duane,
We sailed from T&C to PR without stopping at the DR. The DR government officials are corrupt, the smelly bays are polluted and the islands offer nothing that cannot be found elsewhere in the Carib. Others will most likely disagree but my point is, if you do skip it, don’t feel bad about having to.
With best regards,
Mark
Skipper Sailing Vessel - Cream Puff - SM2K - #275 Currently cruising - San Blas Islands, Panama www.creampuff.us
From:
main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io [mailto:main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io] On
Behalf Of Duane Siegfri via Groups.Io
My apologies if this sort of post is too off-topic.
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amelforme
Hi Duane and Peggy. I can echo Marko CREAMPUFF’S sentiments. I have been to the DR several times. I could hardly wait to leave. Other than Haiti, it is the most unpleasant place in the Caribbean from my experience. Officials are quick to let you know you are at their mercy and that is unsettling. I can only imagine what their legal system and eventual prisons are like. The previous owner of Marks boat took over a failed building project for a resort and regretted it every day there-after. You won’t like it there.
All The Best, Joel
JOEL F. POTTER-CRUISING YACHT SPECIALIST~L.L.C. THE EXPERIENCED AMEL GUY UNSURPASSED AMEL MARKETING EXPERIENCE AND PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE Office 954-462-5869 Cell 954-812-2485
From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io <main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io> On Behalf Of Mark Erdos
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2019 6:10 AM To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Dominican Republic
Duane,
We sailed from T&C to PR without stopping at the DR. The DR government officials are corrupt, the smelly bays are polluted and the islands offer nothing that cannot be found elsewhere in the Carib. Others will most likely disagree but my point is, if you do skip it, don’t feel bad about having to.
With best regards,
Mark
Skipper Sailing Vessel - Cream Puff - SM2K - #275 Currently cruising - San Blas Islands, Panama www.creampuff.us
From: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io [mailto:main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io] On Behalf Of Duane Siegfri via Groups.Io
My apologies if this sort of post is too off-topic.
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Rainer Huthmacher
Hi Duane, I had a very good time in La Bahia de Luperon in 2014. Officials were coming aboard but they were very friendly and professional. Compared to the rest of the Caribbean it’s rather cheap and you can buy fresh veggies which are locally grown and not imported from the US. Also a good place to get Trojan Batteries at a very low price. For me the DomRep was one of the best places in the Caribbean, but I do speak Spanish.... Fair winds Rainer Huthmacher
On 10. Apr 2019, at 18:38, Duane Siegfri via Groups.Io <carlylelk@...> wrote:
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Wolfgang Weber <webercardio@...>
Hi to the group, I stayed 3 weeks in the Puerto Bahia Samana Bay. The marina has all you need for Immigration. No inspection on board, very safe, clean and secured marina in a resort,so I could leave the boat there for 2 weeks and fly to US. Nice restaurant at the resort.Still another world to the rest of DR. Www.puertobahiasamana.com . Thay have fuel and water. The marina is not on my C-map, But you will find it on the DR www.freecruisingguides.com Luperon is a safe bay, but immigration and all the officials are another stuff - but also not a big problem.you will find moorings for 2$ and helpful people, food for 3 $. Have save trip Wolfgang Weber SY Elise Amel 54 #162 Bahamas Georgetown heading north
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Alexandre Uster von Baar
Back in Feb 2016, I sailed from Turks & Caicos and also stayed in the Puerto Bahia Marina in Samana Bay.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I had no problem. I read that there is a government law that when you check in a Marina, only 2 officials are allowed to board your boat. Only 2 did, they did not search the boat, was more to seat down and fill up the paperworks. One of the official was amused by a stuff monkey I had. The “Commandante” made his speech that he accepts donations, etc. I said thanks and didn’t give anything. Several weeks later when I checked out, 3 (instead of the 2 allowed came) but no issue either. I heard from many other sailors that did not check in a marina their horror stories… so I highly recommend checking in a Marina… Work done by the local at first was good (cleaning the stainless), but as they did more work the prices increased and the quality decreased… I remember the last job was an offer to clean the water line, I don’t remember the amount they ask, but it was insane and I said I would do it on other boats being paid for less. Sincerely, Alexandre Formerly SM2K #289 NIKIMAT --------------------------------------------
On Fri, 4/12/19, Wolfgang Weber via Groups.Io <webercardio=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
Subject: Re: [AmelYachtOwners] Dominican Republic To: main@AmelYachtOwners.groups.io Date: Friday, April 12, 2019, 10:54 AM Hi to the group,I stayed 3 weeks in the Puerto Bahia Samana Bay. The marina has all you need for Immigration. No inspection on board, very safe, clean and secured marina in a resort,so I could leave the boat there for 2 weeks and fly to US. Nice restaurant at the resort.Still another world to the rest of DR.Www.puertobahiasamana.com . Thay have fuel and water. The marina is not on my C-map,But you will find it on the DR www.freecruisingguides.com Luperon is a safe bay, but immigration and all the officials are another stuff - but also not a big problem.you will find moorings for 2$ and helpful people, food for 3 $.Have save trip Wolfgang Weber SY Elise Amel 54 #162 Bahamas Georgetown heading north
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Thomas Kleman
We've been to Samana twice and also Luperon. It definitely feels like a police state and this is the last place in the Caribbean I would want to have a problem with customs. The Army, Navy, immigration, and others inspected and asked/demanded bribes. The marina in samana is quite nice but we only went there out of logistical necessity......
Thomas Kleman SV L'ORIENT SM2K 422
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