Visiting Mexico’s Pacific coast

After Ensenada we were in Mexico through March 2026. No two Port Captains wanted the same thing. Wherever there is one, go ashore and check in.

Things to do on Mexico’s Pacific coast From Some Tuesday

After Ensenada we were in Mexico through March 2026. The towns are the reason to stop.

Baja

At Turtle Bay we ate at Bahia Sports Bar. At Cabo the marinas were full. The arches at Land’s End are the view.

The mainland

In Mazatlán we anchored off Stone Island and took the dinghy to the Club Náutico dock. Tip the guard, and lock the dinghy. The cathedral is in the plaza. At Isla Isabel we saw whales, frigates, and boobies, and we didn’t land. Zihuatanejo was our favorite town in Mexico. Cheap tacos at the plaza with the mermaid statue, and dinner at Ristorante il Mare, in the cliff above Playa La Ropa. We were there from 6 to 14 February 2026.

At Mazunte I paddleboarded ashore for groceries. Acapulco, and the walk around Puerto Madero, are on their own pages. Puerto Chiapas is where we checked out. The Navy boards every boat, often with a dog.

No two offices match From Some Tuesday

We checked in with every Port Captain, and no two were the same. In Zihuatanejo we had to go in person. The office issued an Aviso de Salida on 12 February 2026 for a departure to Acapulco on 14 February 2026 at 12:00. Mazatlán, over VHF, basically told us to stop bothering them. La Paz was very relaxed. Chiapas was very formal.

You’re required to check in wherever a Port Captain exists. Don’t ignore this. Plan to go ashore and do it in person. If it isn’t needed, they’ll tell you. Many small towns and remote anchorages have no Port Captain at all.

The law is looser on paper. Foreign recreational boats need a formal despacho for international voyages, and they register arrivals and departures with an authorised marina. In practice the local Port Captain decides. The full official steps are on the clearing-in guide.

In this stretch

• Ensenada, where we cleared in.
• La Paz and the Sea of Cortez: the marina, Agua Verde, and the islands.
• Acapulco: the marina, and Meghan flying home. Don’t clear out of Mexico here.
• Puerto Chiapas: where we checked out. The Navy boards every boat, often with a dog.

Towns, meals, and anchorages From Some Tuesday

Between Ensenada and Chiapas. Depths are what we had under the boat.

Baja

Turtle Bay was two nights. The dinghy ties to a high old pier, and we ate at Bahia Sports Bar. Scorpion Bay was an easy hook and a beach landing. Bahía Santa Maria was one night, and we never went ashore. At Cabo the marinas were full. We anchored just outside the San José del Cabo breakwater in 24 feet, skipped a dinghy dock that wanted $57 for three hours, and left at daybreak. Turtle Bay and Cabo.

Across to the mainland

Mazatlán: we anchored off Stone Island in 17 feet of soft sand, then took the dinghy around to the Club Náutico dock. Tip the guard, and lock the dinghy. Isla Isabel’s south cove is open to the south swell and it was rolly. Whales, frigates, and boobies. We didn’t land. La Cruz: we anchored west of the marina and checked in with the Port Captain in person. The haul-out is a tight Travelift bay with no fenders. Dock 5 sits on a town drain and it stank, so we moved. Mazatlán and the haul-out.

South to Acapulco

Chamela is well protected. The river up to the dock is rocks and inches of water except near high tide. At Barra de Navidad, give Rocas Las Iglesias a mile. The lagoon channels are a few sticks. We anchored in 5.5 feet on a 4.5-foot draft, and the dinghy sat high and dry at low tide. Leave on the high. Manzanillo was Las Hadas cove. We stayed aboard. Watch for longlines a few miles offshore. Zihuatanejo was our favorite town in Mexico. We anchored off Playa La Principal on 6 February 2026, in about 25 feet, and left on 14 February. Cheap tacos at the plaza with the mermaid statue. Dinner at Ristorante il Mare, in the cliff above Playa La Ropa. Zihuatanejo and Barra.

From Some Tuesday Faith is so important in Mexican culture, and we found that refreshing. People wear their faith on their sleeve, and there are churches all over the place. Almost every time we walked by a church, we’d make a point of going in, sitting down and spending a moment with God. It became a habit.

The Gulf of Tehuantepec

Mazunte is north of the gulf, a stop on the way south before the crossing. I was alone. First Mate Meg had already flown home. I anchored in 30 feet, about 800 feet off the beach, with 210 feet of chain. I paddleboarded ashore for groceries.

Bahía Chachacual, at 15°42.6′N, 96°12.1′W, was one night before the gulf, and we didn’t land. I anchored one more night at Huatulco and waited for a good weather window. That is where I met up again with Dave and Dani of Sea Again. The crossing, and the time with them at Marina Chiapas, are on the Puerto Chiapas page. Watch the Mazunte video. Read the full story in the Captain’s Log: Mazunte and Chachacual.

Heard from Cruisers

Most of this circulates by word of mouth among cruisers. We pulled it together, organized it, and share it free. It is not official guidance, so don’t rely on it as such.

Domestic notices Heard from Cruisers

Port to port, offices want an aviso of arrival and departure. Some want it in writing, some take VHF 16, some take email, and some want the marina to send it. Some ports charge to anchor. La Cruz wants you at the Port Captain in person with your papers. Zihuatanejo can be slow, and it has charged fees. Cabo San Lucas has no Banjercito office, so a boat whose first port is Cabo needs the Temporary Import Permit before it arrives.