Cuba to Mexico – Crossing the Yucatan Channel

It is time to leave Cuba and continue our journey south before the hurricane season starts in the Caribbean.

Also, it has been over 2 weeks since we checked out of the country in Cayo Largo. Officials in Mexico are ‘definitely’ going to ask us why it took so long to sail to Mexico. Your really not supposed to stop along the way once you have checked out.

Most of the squally weather has cleared and it is time to tackle the crossing of the Yucatan Channel.

We have about 190nm to cover from the Cayos de San Felipe, Cuba to Isla Mujeres, Mexico and we would prefer to make port in the daylight hours, so we are leaving at 5pm hoping we have used the weather forecast, our predicted sailing speed and the effects of the north setting current to time our arrival correctly. Who knows?

At least it will be down wind sailing all the way.

We saw some thunderstorms on the horizon and some lightning behind us, but we were very lucky to scoot around all of the disturbances and have a lovely night sail in the lee of the Cuban south coast.

The next day the predicted light and variable winds seriously freshed. We were soon scooting along at over 7 knots. This was going to affect our timing if we were not slowed later by the north setting current. The increased hull speed did mean our fishing improved and we caught a few Mahi Mahi (also called Dorado and Dolphin fish in the Caribbean).

We were doing so well that we did not slow the boat suspecting we might actually get into port before dark. But then things would have gone too well, and my humans rarely get that kind of luck.

No, instead they got hit with both a wind shift and an adverse current together. The winds shifted to come out of the north east. This happened just as we hit a 3-4 knot current running north. Wind running one way and the current the opposite, is called wind against tide, and is renowned for creating rough seas. Don’t get me wrong, we were not in any trouble, just rolling around like a cork ‘this way and that’.

After we missed our window to make port in daylight hours I checked all the buoyage on the charts and made the decision to try and make port in the dark. All the dangers were supposed to have lite buoys and the anchorage area looked a large and unobstructed at Isla Mujeres.

For once the humans luck held!

They got through the well marked entrance in the reef and into the mouth of the harbour. They headed around some shallow spots and dropped their hook behind the other anchored vessels already anchored. We made it safe and sound! In the flat calm waters we caught a few hours kip before heading in to check into the country.

In the morning I got the humans to quickly tidy the boat, we heard we were going to get inspected, and head to town to check into the country.

We heard that the process would take a long time, we would have many officials to visit and that we needed 6 copies of all paperwork. To prepare we found a sample copy of a crew and boat list in our cruising guide. We filled this out and made six copies. We really did not have to do that as the officials at Isla Mujeres have done their best to simplify Mexican bureaucracy.

Check in procedure

Show up at Port Captains with:

-Boat registration papers

-All passports of crew

-Pet passports and most recent vet medical certificate

-Written reason for taking over 2 weeks to sail there from Cuba (just say engine troubles).

Check into the Port Captains office and he will call in officials to handle your check in procedures (they are not usually at the office).

In the mean time the Port Captain will direct you to the stationary shop 2 blocks away to get 6 copies of all the paperwork I have listed above (remind the clerk you need both sides of your vessel registration papers).  It was 1 peso/copy (very reasonable rate 14+pesos/$1 US).

When you return you will be directed next door to meet officials. The medical officer will check your paperwork is all there and send you 3 blocks down the road to see immigration. Keep a keen eye out as it is easy to miss with all the tourist shops crowding it.

Immigration will check that you do not have a criminal record and send you to the bank next door to pay for your VISAs. The humans paid 332 pesos each. You return with your receipt and they stamp all six of your copies and keep one. They welcome you to Mexico and you head back to the Port Captains.

By now you will have the Medical Officers, Customs and the Agricultural Officers on hand at the office (having them all in the office for you is new).

Medical will take your temperature and you must tell them no illnesses to report aboard. He fills out his paperwork, stamps everything and keeps a copy.

Customs never asked us any questions. He just checked everything, stamped everything and kept his copy.

The Agriculture lady had a lot of questions and paperwork to fill out. My humans told her we had no fresh food aboard but could not lie when she asked them directly if they had me (pets) aboard. A load more paperwork and she photo copied the passport and medical certificate, but in the end it was not a problem. And no vet visit or additional costs.

The humans were told to hold onto the remaining copies of their paperwork and receipts for check out and welcomed to Mexico. Go enjoy yourself.

No inspection and no other hidden fees….lovely!

So we have made it to Mexico and have lots to see in the country. First job I had for the humans was to get some internet and update you guys.

P.S. After check in we found that there ‘may be’ additional procedures that you could have included in your check in procedure.

-An inspection of your vessel by a representative of Agriculture, no cost to you, but they may confiscate any fresh fruit and veg and any frozen products with out brand name labels or USDA stamps.

-Importation permit for your vessel from Customs.  $50

-Veterinarian inspection of your pet(s).  $20

Not exactly sure why we did not get any of these.  Maybe my humans are just lucky B*****ds!