Marina Puesta del Sol Resort

On the North Pacific coast of Nicaragua...

Getting there...

Although Marina Puesta del Sol is located in a fairly remote region of the country, it is easily accessible by automobile and sea. Newly improved highways make travel in Nicaragua quite a bit more comfortable, and safer than in the past. Major airlines such as Continental, American, and Iberia as well as Central American based airlines Taca and Copa have daily service to the capital city of Managua. From Managua to the marina by taxi currently costs about $100.00 USD. Also, rental cars are available at the Managua airport. Check with Budget Rental for service to the marina; they sometimes offer a discount to Marina Puesta del Sol guests.

Central America

Channel entrance

Location Information

Marina Puesta del Sol is located on the north Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. It is just south of the Golfo de Fonseca which "joins" El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. The marina falls within the province of Chinandega, and the county of El Viejo. El Viejo is the closest large town and is about 30 kilometers away, with Chinandega just 8 kilometers further. Travel time by car is about fifty minutes from the marina to El Viejo - the first ten kilometers by dirt road. Travel from Chinandega to Managua is about 133 kms, or 2 hours by car. The marina is just 9 kms from the major port of Corinto by water, but some 40 kms. by land.

The marina is situated in a beautiful lagoon called El Estero de Aserradores that is fed by two rivers and connected to the Pacific Ocean by a deep, clear channel.

Marina Puesta del Sol is the only tourist marina in Nicaragua. Construction began in July of 2002. The first phase of construction; yacht club, restaurant, harbor master facility and dock structure concluded in 2003. The second phase is now completed which includes a two building, three story 20-suite hotel, swimming pools, tennis courts, and beach house.

Getting there by vehicle – Chinandega to Marina Puesta del Sol

• From Leon, turn right at the rotunda with “Star Mart” in Chinandega
• Turn left at the sign “El Viejo Potosi”
• Turn right at “Instituto Nacional Autonoma de Chinandega”
• Continue past business, “La Virgen, S.A.” on left
• Continue past “Texaco” station on right
• Continue past “zona franca ARNECON” on left
• Turn immediately left onto highway toward “Cosiguina”
• Continue past tall statue of Virgin Mary on right
• Stay on highway for 20 kms.
• Turn left at red sign indicating “Marina Puesta del Sol”
• Continue on unpaved road for 9 kms.
• Signs will indicate direction to arrive at the resort

Road Map - Chinandega to Marina Puesta del Sol

view across peninsula to ocean

Channel entrance

Important Information for Sailing Guests

Arrival and departure clearance
All boats and crew arriving from, or departing to foreign ports must be cleared by immigration, customs, and port authorities.

Vessels arriving from Nicaraguan ports do not need to check in. Vessels departing for national ports need only a clearance from the port authority.

Personal Visa
Your tourist visa is for 90 days. It can be extended without leaving the country. A fee is charged based on the number of days extended.

Permission to leave boats for extended stays
No special permit has been required and no maximum length of stay is specified for a vessel. No fee is charged other than the entrance and exit fee.

One of our first visitors, "Jubilee"

The Quicksilver trawler pays a visit

Sailing Directions:

1. The following waypoints should be entered in your GPS:

Waypoint A: Lat. 12° 35.653’ North; Long. 087° 25.563’ West
Waypoint B: Lat. 12° 36.570’ North; Long. 087° 22.430’ West
Waypoint C: Lat. 12° 36.830 North; Long. 087° 20.930 West

Waypoint A is about five miles offshore. Waypoint B is the location of our entrance buoy. The entrance buoy is eleven feet high with red and white vertical stripes and has a flashing white light with a 3 mile range. Waypoint C is the location of the green #1 buoy marking the beginning of the navigation channel to the marina.

2. If you are coming from the northwest, steer a course to Waypoint A that will keep you at least 5 miles    offshore. This course avoids several reefs in the vicinity.

3. The approach from the southeast is free of any known hazards and you may steer a course directly for Waypoint B if you wish.

4. The distance from Waypoint A to Waypoint B is 3 nm on a course of 072° True.

5. The distance from Waypoint B to Waypoint C is about 2 nm on the same course of 072° True.

6. Once in the channel of El Estero de Aserradores, follow the buoys marking the channel for 1.36nm. (2.52 km.) to the marina docks. You will never have less than eight feet of water in the channel even at low, low water.

7. Channel 16 will be monitored by an English speaking person during daytime hours.