Since last year, following AMP instructions, Puerto Barillas has no longer provided services for immigration and customs following strict measures from the government. If you need to enter El Salvador, please contact us to guide you or send you information for immigration process through other APPROVED/VALID ports.
DUE TO THE GLOBAL EMERGENCY , CORONAVIRUS, ALL AIRPORTS AND IMMIGRATION PORTS ARE CLOSED FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EMBASSY OR CONSULATE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
WELCOME
After exploring the remote and beautiful Islands in Panama, and the Central American Countries to the South of us, or coming from the jet-set pace of Cabo san Lucas and her sister Mexican ports, you will find your stay at the Puerto Barillas, to be unique and enriching. We hope that this cruiser’s guide will assist you during your stay in El Salvador.
General Information
Welcome to our marina. Our marina is dedicated to the needs of cruisers and we depend on your goodwill and good-sense. Some do’s and don’ts:
PLEASE keep your pets on a leash while in the restaurant area: they can preside only with tacit agreement of the other restaurant users.
DO NOT wear expensive jewelry while walking around town.
LEAVING YOUR BOAT If leaving your boat unattended make arrangement with someone (approved by the marina) to look after it. We will be happy to recommend suitable caretakers. If leaving the country get a letter from the Marina declaring that your vessel is here so you will not require an outbound ticket on your return to El Salvador.
GENERAL NOTES: While we do provide security in keeping with our desire to maintain the informal family ambient, the ‘Club’ (Barillas Marina Club) will not be held responsible for you personally, nor your crew/guests. Neither will the Club be responsible for your property during your stay here. At all times the Captain/Owner remains responsible for all matters concerning his vessel and property (the Club is always ready to offer assistance).
PAYING THE BILL: On arrival we will set up an account which should be paid on the First of the Month or prior to departure.
Transportation
To Usulutan: A free ride by Barillas Mini-Van, departs the Marina on Tuesday and Friday at 0900 for Dispensa Don Juan, and departs the Dispensa at 1230 for Barillas; also available for short detours to specialty shops.
To San Salvador: Via Barillas Mini-Van, as requested; make arrangements with the Marina Office.
To the Airport: Via Barillas Mini-Van, as requested; make arrangements with the Marina Office.
Taxi Cab Information; Usulutan is full of yellow taxicabs; transport from town to Barillas costs about $15US; be sure to negotiate a price up front.
Bus: All kinds of bus transportation is available, to San Salvador, San Miguel and “other” locations for the adventurous. Buses are more or less clearly marked, and depart from a number of locations near Dispensa Don Juan.
Services, etc
Note: for ease of description, we have used the terms “South Main” for the street coming into Usulutan from Barillas, and “North Main” for the street leaving for Barillas.
Also, due to missing, illegible, etc street signs, we’ve used the “number of blocks from Dispensa Don Juan” or “Scotia Bank” for directions…(they’re still “approximate, but ballpark”).
Auto Parts
EconoPartes, across from Puerta Oriente Plaza (a few blocks east of Dispensa Don Juan); just about everything you’d expect to find in an auto parts store in the States
Banks/ATMs
There are a number of ATMs (Cajeros Automaticos) in the entrance to Dispensa Don Juan; Additionally there a number of large banks around the business district in Usulutan:
ScotiaBank 4 Blocks west of Dispensa Don Juan, on North Main
Da Vivienda (formerly HSBC) 2 Blocks further on from ScotiaBank, on North Main, (across from the Parque Central)
Banco de America Central 3 Blocks further on from ScotiaBank, (The other side of the Parque Central); very helpful with “card problems” or problems understanding what the ATM is asking you (or what you’re trying to tell it).
And many other banks in the general vicinity.
Batteries
Small Batteries: Impressa Repuestos in mid-town, the Barillas driver will take you there.
Large Batteries: Casa de las Batterias, 29 Calle Poinente y 21 Ave Norte, San Salvador
Sr. Jose Garcia 2235 6944
Bearings, (O-rings, gaskets, hose fittings)
See Oxgasa (In Hardware) for O-Rings
Boatyard/Haulout Facilities
Prestomar Need information, Railway up to ___ Tons, Width, …Include Catamarans; they provide bottom painting, topside painting, general marine repairs
Boat Cleaning, etc (see also General Hands)
CARPET CLEANING
DRY CLEANING
Copies
There are many places to get copies made in Usulutan; just walk up or down North or South Main
Computer Repair/Supplies
DIESEL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION REPAIR
DIESEL PARTS
Yanmar parts.
Volvo parts.
Cummins, Caterpillar,
Perkins parts.
Dive Tanks
Email, WiFi, and Internet:
Free Wi-Fi at the Marina; as you get farther down the anchorage, the coverage gets poorer; reception is great in the swimming pool area and the restaurant; there are 115V outlets at each table in the palapas.
Electrical
STARTER MOTORS & ALTERNATORS
Solar Panels can be found at Ferreteria El Conecte, which is just one block beyond the Sherwin Williams Paint Store on North Main (just beyond Parque Central); they have a 75-watt model on display, but can get any size panel down from San Salvador.
Fiberglass, Minor Repairs & Materials (See also:Woodworking)
Marinsa (see “Chandleries, below) has a good supply of Polyester Resin and Filler
(PrestoMar???) Hull repair, modifying chainlockers, propane tank boxes, etc.
Filters
Fire Extinguisher Recharging
Oxgasa (See Hardware)
Fuel (Diesel and Gasoline)
Barillas Fuel Dock
Check with the Office for current pricing
General Hands
For boat cleaning, varnishing, head overhaul, running errands, piloting, underwater work, obtaining parts and general repairs, there are local workers ready, willing and able to
Help; ask at the Marina Office
Haircuts, Manicures, Pedicures
Beauty Shop located in Dispensa Don Juan
Peluquero Richard, walk to ScotiaBank, turn left walk one block, located on the corner.
Numerous other barber/beauty shops located along both main streets
Hardware and Chandleries
Marinsa: Only “Marine Store” in Usulutan, caters mostly to fishermen, but worth a visit; walk a block from Dispensa Don Juan westward on South Main, take a left, walk 2 blocks, take a right, walk 2 blocks and Marinsa is on the corner; also has mechanics who work on Outboard Motors (see below)
2M Ferreteria: They have most everything, including small galvanized chain, stainless hose clamps, lots of other stuff, some English spoken. Big Ferreteria, Located about 3 blocks east of Dispensa Don Juan, across the road to Puerto Parada, near the Puerta Oriente plaza
Ferriteria El Baratillo (Orange Building) about 2 blocks East of Dispensa Don Juan; they have most everything
Ferreteria Avila, between La Pirraya and EconoPartes, across from Puerta Oriente; there is an English Speaker here.
Ferreteria San Rafael; located outside of town, near the Hospital; Large, construction-oriented hardware store; Barillas driver will stop there on the way back to Barillas if requested
Oxgasa: Walk past ScotiaBank to Pollo Campero/Da Vivienda, Turn left and walk two blocks to Oxgasa; you will find medical supplies, Stanley, Skil and Bosch hand and power tools, safety gear and shoes, welding machines, cutting and burning rigs, motors, generators, pumps, O-Rings, the list goes on and on…and, they will sell you a new fire extinguisher, or recharge your old one.
Others…
Importing Parts into El Salvador
Fedex
DHL
Trans Express (mail forwarder): Shipping every Friday from Miami (3 days to San Salvador).
Clear Freight (Cargo Forwarder): Shipping every Friday from Miami (7 days to San Salvador); ClearFreight contact info:
Kattia E. Fandino
Ocean Export
Clearfreight Inc.
9704 NW 17th St.
Miami, FL 33172
Ph.305-592-4446 ext.1311
Fax.305-592-3139
www.clearfreight.com
e-mail: kattia@clearfreight.com
Coordinate your shipping with the Marina Office
Liferaft Inspection
Machine Shop
Taller Merced, a full-service machine shop complete with lathes, milling machines, presses, etc.; very good quality work. There is a weld shop associated with this shop (see below)
MARINE ELECTRICIANS
Mechanics
Medical
Pharmacies are everywhere and you will find most of your prescription needs available and reasonably priced. Prices vary considerably among the pharmacies, and even among branches of the same pharmacy. It pays to shop around. Many drugs that are prescription only in other countries can be purchased over-the-counter in El Salvador. Most pharmacies have reference books to find a generic equivalent of name-brand drugs.
Pharmacia Brasil: There are a number of these around town, one is next to Dispensa Don Juan; the staff in this one are very friendly and helpful, and accustomed to dealing with Cruisers
HOSPITALS & EMERGENCY (Sala de Urgencias):
| DOCTORS USULUTAN | |
| MEDICINA INTERNA | |
| ALVARADO VILLEDA MANUEL ANTONIO | 2A CALLE ORIENTE #1 |
| MEDICINA GENERAL | |
| MARTELL RUIZ BENJAMIN ANTONIO | CA GRIMALDI M 22 |
| CASTILLO PERDOMO PEDRO ANTONIO | 4A C PTE NR 13 |
| DUANES PALOMO LUCIA CLARIBEL | 4A C OTE 20 |
| LOPEZ VEGA EDGARDO ARMANDO | CALLE DR. FEDERICO PENADO # 4 EDIFICIO ANDA |
| EAR NOSE THROAT | |
| GARAY CACERES JOSE VIRGILIO | 1A CA PONIENTE 13 |
| UROLOGIST | |
| BERNABEL CAÑAS LUIS GERARDO | 6A CL OTE N 10 |
San Salvador
CARDIOVASCULAR
DERMATOLOGIST
DENTIST
EAR NOSE AND THROAT
GYNOCOLOGY
OPTOMETRY
ORTHOPEDIC
PLASTIC SURGERY
UROLOGY
PHYSICAL THERAP
Laboratories:
There are many labs from which to choose. Here are some suggestions:
Hemo Plus Blood Testing, next to the Banco de America Central, across from the Central Park
Others:
Outboard Motors, sales, parts, repairs
Marinsa: (Get info from Gabriel)_________
Taller Lizama: Propeller Repair; replace worn out rubber insert with a bushing and set screws. Located about a block West of Ferreteria San Rafael, near the Hospital…Barillas driver will take you there
There is also an outboard Mechanic in Puerto Parada
Paint & Painters
Sherman Williams (Source of Antifouling Bottom Paint): Located a block West of the Parque Central, on North Main (closed for siesta)
Comex; Across the Street from ScotiaBank; English Spoken Here
Other?
Painters:
Keep a close eye on your project and an excellent job should be your reward at less than US prices. These men can do excellent finishing work (although at times may indulge in short cuts so be warned).You may have to explain “cutting in” and masking to the painters
Please draw up a written agreement before starting any major project. Be wary of the lowest quotation since when a project starts it may be difficult to maintain the original agreement.
Remember, you get what you INspect, not what you EXpect…
Ask the Marina Office for more information
Photo Shop
Photo Expo, A Half-Block beyond ScotiaBank, on North Main; photo and camera supplies, passport photos, etc
Post Office
Propane
Make arrangements with the Marina
US-type valves can be filled
Provisioning
Dispensa Don Juan: The Barillas Mini-Bus destination, “US-Style” Supermarket, is quite fully stocked.
Super Selectos: Two locations, one a few blocks East of Dispensa Don, in Puerta Oriente shopping center (just beyond the Ferriteria 2M), and one a few blocks back toward Barillas from Dispensa Don Juan on “South Main”, just beyond Dispensa Familiar; These are also “US Style”, and you may find items here that are not available in Don Juan
Dispensa Familiar; on “South Main”, just across from the new vegetable market; veterans of the Rio Dulce will recognize this store.
Tienda GALO: Similar to Dispensa Familiar, One is across the street from Dispensa Don Juan, another is a few blocks further East, sort of across from the Ferreteria 2M
Central Market: Impossible to miss; the older section goes on for blocks along and North of North Main, and the “new” section, enclosed by chain link fences, is between North and South Main, near Pizza Hut, Wendy’s and Pollo Campestro
There are also Walmart, Sears, Radio Shack, Office depot, Price Club, and other like stores in San Salvador
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Restaurants
Wendy’s, Burger King and Pollo Campestre are near Dispensa Don Juan
“Biggest” Hamburger is about a block and a half beyond ScotiaBank
There is a small cafeteria inside of Dispensa Don Juan
La Pirraya Restaurant and Hotel is located across from the Puerta Oriente Plaza
There are numerous small “Comedors” in the area, as well as sidewalk vendors
Rigging
There is no professional rigging shop in Usulutan
Sail Repair, Canvas, Upholstery & Fabrics
Dispensa de Telas: Here’s one for the Ladies: Large fabric store, across from Dispensa Don Juan, and another one of the same name about a block up from Dispensa Don Juan on North Main. A huge selection of fabrics, and 3” foam for cushions
No info, yet, on Sail Repair…
SEWING MACHINE REPAIRS AND SERVICE
Confecciones Granados (it says “Almacenes Granados” on the portico), 3 Blocks west of Dispensa Don Juan, on North Main; in addition to fabrics, cushion foam, and other items, they repair sewing machines, and have a large supply of Polyester thread, in an assortment of colors.
Shopping
A walk down either of the “main” streets, and the side streets will expose you to all kinds of shopping opportunities, from furniture stores, to sporting goods, clothing, hardware, household goods, and the like; the central market is huge, with way too many items available to be listed here, but here are some choices:
Artesenias Helen: Flags of all sizes, T-Shirts, Ball Caps, and hand-made souvenir crafts by local Artisans; walk to ScotiaBank on North Main, take a right, walk two blocks, take a left, the shop is just a couple of doors down on your left…
Payless Shoe Source: Another one for the Ladies…one block further down the street from ScotiaBank
Libreria Montenegro: All kinds of paper and office supplies; about 5 blocks West of Dispensa Don Juan, on South Main.
Ice Cream Parlor: There are a number of these around town, the Heleria Niveria right next door to Dispensa Don Juan is a welcome place to wait on the departure of the MiniBus.
Spanish Lessons
Stainless Steel & Aluminum
See “Welding Shop”, below
Tailoring / Sewing:
Bazar Nelson; pass by Scotia Bank, take a right at Payless Shoe Source, walk a few doors up the street, the Bazar is on the right; Alterations, etc, Singer treadle sewing machine, prices very reasonable.
Telephones
The main TIGO store and the main Digicel store are located on South Main about 3 blocks from the Dispensa Don Juan, just down the street from Peluqueria Richard
The main CLARO store is on North Main, about 4 ½ blocks from Dispensa Don Juan
There are numerous kiosks that can sell you minutes, but for full service, computer modem “sticks”, etc, go to the main store.
Phone cards can be purchased in Pharmacies, grocery stores and from street vendors wearing advertisement aprons.
The following needs to be reviewed, changed, etc:
El Salvador Country Code: ____ .
A call can be made to the U.S. or other countries using one of El Salvador’s long distance direct-dial companies (005+1+area code+number).
A cell phone can be purchased at many places.
You can make international calls using the internet through the Skype service.
Each cell phone company has a different access code for int’l calls:
TIGO: 00 414 (then country code and number)
Movistar: 00 9 (then country code and number)
Theater & Movies
Travel Agencies & Airlines
Out-of-town
If you are planning to travel within El Salvador, it is important to keep in mind that while security has greatly improved throughout much of the country, some journeys by road continue to present a risk! It may be safer to fly, and/or make arrangements with a tour operator.
Veterinary Clinics
Welding Shop:
Located adjacent to, and affiliated with, Taller Merced (the machine shop), this shop can weld mild steel, stainless, aluminum, and also work with brass or bronze.
Prestomar: Boatyard next to Barillas
Woodworking
Wood Supplies (I saw a small “lumber yard) up the street across from the Dispensa…
Barillas Activities
Swimming: There are three pools at Barillas Marina Club; the main pool is about 5 ½ feet deep at the far end, there is a shallow Kiddie Pool, and a Jacuzzie-style pool,
Horseback Riding
Nature Walks
Monkeys
Beach Excursions
Floating Restaurant
Puerto Parada is an interesting side trip by dinghy from Barillas; it’s a 5-mile, 20-minute trip in a planning dinghy, and should be scheduled around high tide, as the water gets pretty shallow on each side of the Lows; see the map, below
Puerto Parada is about 5 miles south of Usulutan (the road starts at the intersection near Ferreteria 2M and terminates at Puerto Parada).
At the Port, you will find a ramp with 15 or so pangas, which ferry people and material to and from the various islands in Bahia Jiquilisco; in addition to the transportation activity, there is a small tienda, a couple of small restaurants, and some very friendly local folks; some English spoken here. Land your dinghy on the small ramp beyond the nest of moored pangas.
As an additional attraction, when returning from the Port, the first large river, on the west side of the main river to Barillas, cuts through the mangroves South of the Marina and comes out on the “shrimp boat side” of the estuary; it is a very scenic ride. This river can be identified by a large fishing shack on the North side of the entrance; the river is wide, deep and winding.
USULUTAN CITY STREET MAP
PUERTO PARADA
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