Pre-arrival:
Agree terms with a maritime agency. All non-colombian flagged vessels are required to use an agent to assist with entry and departure formalities. Establish a VHF contact channel to call them when you arrive at the anchorage. You can choose your agent on arrival but it is good to be clear on costs and procedures beforehand.
We (Club Nautico Marina) can assist on VHF 69 (English spoken between 08.00 and 17.00 most days).
Currently maritime agencies with the most competitive rates appear to be from Agencies: Rymar (Jose,David, Nicole, Alaida), and also Logimar (Maria) Fallon (Ocean Blue) and Eduardo (Alpemar)
For recreational vessels to 60 ft LOA expect charges close to 350 usd for all boat paperwork for a stay of up to one year including Certificado de Permanencia (Permanent Stay certificate)(valid one year with possibility to extend a further year), exit zarpe and departure immigration stamps.
A short stay not requiring the provision of a Certificado de Permanencia (aka Cruising Permit) should be significantly less.
There may be extra charges for tourist visa extensions beyond 90 days
Visitors are allowed a maximum stay of 180 days per calendar year.
A visiting yacht, after completing the temporary importation process and obtaining a Certificado de Permanencia, may stay a year with the possibility of a one year extension. This applies to the boat only.
Note that if you plan to stay no longer than 60 days if may be possible to avoid the process to obtain the Certificado de Permanencia thus reducing charges significantly. However there is an associated risk. You cannot extend your boat stay, for whatever reason, without paying a fine (which will be significantly higher that the agency fee saved!)
If arriving from another Colombian Port, having completed the mainland check-in process (including the Temporary Importation and the Certificado de Permanencia) you will still need a maritime agent acting as your legal representative to check into the Port of Cartagena.
In this case the agency fee will be in the 150 usd range (check with agent beforehand). This should include the Port check-in and the zarpe to leave with immigration exit stamps.
Ideally you should send the following to your agent before arrival:
1. Copies of crew list and corresponding passports (principal page)
2. All vessel documentation including ownership papers.
3. Completion of health certificate.
If you forget don't worry! There is almost always a work around with a decent agency.
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Approaching Cartagena:
Make sure you have all routine boat papers on board including the above (or similar) health certificate.
Crew list, passports and departing zarpe (sailing orders). Stay onboard until your Maritime agency advises otherwise.
List the last 3 ports visited before arrival in Colombia.
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Call Cartagena Port Control (Estacion de Control San Jose) approaching the entrances (Boca Chica or Boca Grande) on VHF 16/14. They speak English.
Your vessel should be flying the Q flag.
Use of bio security face masks if you are suffering from a cold or flu like symptoms
Cartagena Port Control (estacion de control San Jose) listen on VHF 16/14/13. English is spoken.
BocaChica:
Main Ship entry channel
The main ship channel is Bocachica. Controlling depth 40ft.
Clearly marked by channel buoys.
Convention: Red Right Returning.
Until you have some local knowledge keep within the buoyed channel as you go around the inside of Tierra Bomba island.
Passing Punta Arenas you may well go aground if you go just outside the Green channel buoys.
BocaGrande:
Small craft only entry channel
One set of channel buoys only.
Channel is only 50 mtrs wide passing over submerged defensive wall joining the Bocagrande peninsula with the island of Tierra Bomba
Prudent to approach at right angles to entrance from 200 mtrs outside.
Max suggested vessel draft 8 ft. Actual depth crossing the underwater barrier (La Escollera) may be close to 11 ft but low tides and swells should be considered carefully.
Note: entering the Inner bay there is a coral shoal marked by the statue of the Virgin. Ships can pass either side within the buoyed channels.
Arriving Bocagrande Entrance
A note on Maritime agents.
Officially they are needed when dealing with the Port Captain's office. However, you may need them to assist with all matters (Customs, Immigration and Port Captain's office). It is sensible to check charges before contracting a particular agency.