EL SALVADOR
Puerto Acajutla (anchorage)
Latitude: 13’34.66N
Longitude: 89’50.21W

Acajutla is El Salvador’s principle shipping port and also the first official port of entry into the country.

Puerto Acajutla was built to accommodate container ships not recreational craft. El Salvador is a prosperous Central American country with a fast growing economy. On average between 5-7 container ships enter and depart Acajutla daily; a vital part of the regions economy.

Unless you have a good reason for going to Acajutla, it is recommended that you pass it by. The port is industrial and offers few amenities to yachtsman, both power and sail.

If you should need to pull into Acajutla you will find the commercial area well protected from the sea by a 2 mile long breakwater at the entrance. The western breakwater shifts to the east which neutralizes swell action.

Large swell out of the south west breaks on the beach all the way up the coast. Therefore anchoring any where outside the commercial zone is not recommended.

Anchoring can be taken inside the inner harbor in 20 feet of water (6.1 meters). There are usually several fishing trawlers anchored in the basin. It has been reported that the bottom is fouled with rubbish. Several sailboats in the 2005 fleet, anchored in Acajutla with no reported ground tackle problems.

After you have set anchor, you are required to clear in with Immigration and the Port Captain. Unlike other entry ports along the coast, officials in Acajutla do not come out to your vessel to process zarpes and visas. Officals are occupied with commercial shipping traffic. Therefore you will need to go ashore to have your papers processed.

There is no safe place ashore to land an inflatable. The only place to tie up to in order to get shoreside, is on cement stairs leading to the water. The stairs are located on the west side of the outer commercial dock. The immigration office is located at the entrance to the dock. Immigration officials are friendly and professional. Several of them were stationed at Bahia Del Sol and are accustomed to greeting arriving yachts into El Salvador. The Port Captain’s office is located in the town of Acajutla 1.2 miles to the west. You can either get your exercise and walk the distance, or if you’re lucky you can flag down a taxi or mini-moto passing by.

A taxi shouldn’t cost more than $2. The mini-motos are 3 wheeled motor-cycle like taxis. They are red in color and charge .50 cents per ride. The Port Captain, Carlos Antonio Torres, studied in the USA and speaks English. He is well respected in the community. There is no cost for an entrance / exit zarpe in El Salvador, however a small fee may be charged to anchor within the port facility.

The actual town of Acajutla is not known for being a jet setters holiday destination. It could have tourist potential but a serious attempt would have to be made to clean up the littered beaches and shoreline. There is however, excellent surf for those with boards.

A few years back, crime was a major problem in this port town. Recent crime fighting programs endorsed by government and local municipalities have since made Acajutla safe to walk around by day at somewhat safe at night, though not recommended. There is a heavy presence of police and military soldiers patrolling the streets day and night.