Luperon
PUERTO BLANCO (LUPERON)
Once inside, at the fork of the channel, take the fork to starboard to avoid the built-up silt and low water.
19°55.33N 70°56.48W
The entrance to Luperon anchorage can be challenging since apart from one white buoy there is no marked channel. Proceed with caution preferably on a rising tide and if you do hit the soft mud bottom it should not be difficult to back off and get unstuck.
Inside this ‘Hurricane Hole’ you will find many yachts dotted about the anchorage. There are many shallows. The area seldom gets ‘flushed’ and as a result the water is muddy and brackish. This harbor is a mangrove backwater that was opened to the sea. It is possible to take a draft of 5 feet all the way to the far end of the lagoon where there is a long concrete dock. There is also a dinghy dock at the town end to starboard. There is water at the dock and fuel can be bought from a small fuel barge, which also sells water. The local officials in this harbor have a reputation for “inventing fees”.
If you like to be anchored in an area ‘bumper to bumper’ with many other cruising boats, and do not mind the foul water, this is your stop.
Inside this ‘Hurricane Hole’ you will find many yachts dotted about the anchorage. There are many shallows. The area seldom gets ‘flushed’ and as a result the water is muddy and brackish. This harbor is a mangrove backwater that was opened to the sea. It is possible to take a draft of 5 feet all the way to the far end of the lagoon where there is a long concrete dock
. There is also a dinghy dock at the town end to starboard. There is water at the dock and fuel can be bought from a small fuel barge, which also sells water. The local officials in this harbor have a reputation for “inventing fees”
Very common anchoring space inside the harbor
The town of Luperon itself is a hive of activity with many small food shops, restaurants, laundry facilities, internet cafes and a disco. A couple of blocks up from the water is ‘Steves bar and restaurant’, the haunt of many yachtsmen and a centre for information. There are plenty of activities in the area such as white water rafting and horseback riding. You can easily get to Mount Isabel and Puerto Plata town by local buses which meander through the hillsides. The journey is worth the small fare for the scenery alone.
Steves Bar
The restaurant is located straight up the road, six blocks or so from the dock, on the right. Steve, an American, will probably be busy in the kitchen as he cooks and his wife serves wonderful food with a Mexican flare, burritos being a specialty. Large orders of food can be ordered to go. At the back of the building is a swimming pool with an overhanging double hammock for your relaxation. His bar/restaurant has foosball, pool, and many tables including one long ‘conference’ table fit for a large party. Also within the airy, open sided restaurant are internet facilities. He rents out motorcycles and can offer horse riding excursions and many other activities. Steve has a wealth of information to help you sort out any problems you may have with your boat especially since he is also a yacht captain. There is an ATM another three blocks up the road from Steves and two large supermarkets, all in the vicinity of the park.
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I second Capt. Steve’s place. The food is good, and fairly quick. El Presidente’ beer is a little pricey. You might have to climb up on the railings to plug in your laptops
They also do laundry there. There is a shower next to the pool, and it sure beats a shower on the boat.