Marina Services & Amenities

Laundry room

We have a self service laundry room with 4 commercial washers and 4 commercial dryers. We also have an iron and ironing board for use. Tokens are $2 each for washing and $2 for drying and the tokens are available in the office. You can pay cash or on your account. 

Showers/bathrooms

We have 6 hot water showers, all separate, private rooms with toilet and wash basin. The showers are opposite the swimming pool. If you would like to shower with a partner, feel free and enjoy all the privacy of these huge private facilities.

Transportation to and from Colon

Ride on our 27 passenger, air-conditioned Coaster bus to Colon for shopping. The bus leaves the Marina at 8 am Monday through Fridays and leaves Cuatro Altos shopping center at 11.15am. The afternoon bus leaves the marina at 1pm and departs again from the Cuatro Altos shopping centre at 3.30pm. The morning trip into town and back is free Monday through Fridays. The Saturday morning trip and the 1:00pm Monday through Friday afternoon trips are $4.00 each way. He will drop clients off at the Rey grocery store at Cuatro Altos shopping center. There is a movie theater, hardware store, electronic stores, an internet café and beauty salon, Glidden paint store, three restaurants and several department stores in the Cuatro Altos Shopping Center. There is an ATM inside the Rey store. If you need to go to Novey Hardware or to downtown Colon, to the bus terminus, just ask the driver if its on his route he will drop you off. Pick-up will only be at the Rey supermarket.
The new Cuatro Altos hospital is located within walking distance for basic lab work or health needs. They have a 24 hour emergency room. 

Bar & Restaurant 

Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are tables inside the air-conditioned restaurant or you can sit out on the bay-view veranda. There is a flat screen Cable T.V. behind the bar area also a Pool table and darts area. Happy Hour is Monday to Saturday from 5pm to 7pm. Check the board behind the cashier for dinner specials. 

Ice 

We have large bags of ice cubes on site at $4.50 and small bags at $2. Ask the manager or staff in the restaurant.

Internet and WiFi

Upstairs air-conditioned room with Internet access wired & Wi-fi, flat screen T.V., library area. Comfortable lounge furniture, tables to play games or just chat. Go to the main office and sign up for wi-fi where you will be given a code and the cost is $10 per week, @1.35 per day there after. Wi-fi is available on the docks. There is an internet café at Cuatro Altos Centre.


Hotel Rooms

We have 6 rooms overlooking the marina and 5 rooms with jungle views. There are double beds in 6 rooms and 2 single beds in 5 rooms. All the rooms are air-conditioned, have flat screen Cable T.V. and en-suite hot water showers. All rooms use cards to enter, also use the card for the air-conditioner.

Swimming Pool/Jacuzzi

Enjoy our new swimming pool/Jacuzzi and deck area. There are umbrellas, lounge chairs and tables and bar service. No drinking in the pool and no swimming after mid-night.
 
Communications 

Cell phone rentals - We have cell phones for rent at $1.50 per day, incoming call are free, local calls are.35 min. Inquire in the office. A new Cable and Wireless public phone booth is now located on our grounds. Purchase a international calling card and phone home now! Phone cards are $1, $3, $5 and $10

Bilingual Staff 

Our friendly and helpful marina staff is committed to providing superior service from the moment you arrive. We want you to feel at home and secure during your stay with us. We look forward to having you as our guests in 2010. 

Medical emergencies/dental needs/eye care

There is an emergency room at Cuatro Altos Hospital. There are several excellent English speaking dentists in colon. For vision needs there are two optometrists in the 2000 shopping mall in Colon. Ask at the office for more details.

Port Captain and immigration paperwork

Bring all your pertinent paperwork to the marina office and we will “walk” it through the necessary steps in the Port Captain and Immigration offices. We can check you and your boat/crew into the country, out of the country or renew cruising permits.
Before entering Panama you should complete the Yachts Arrival Document for the Panama Maritime Authority in the following web site:
http://www.amp.gob.pa/atraque/CaptaCartaAtraqueYates.aspx If you have not completed this form prior to arrival it can be submitted from Shelter Bay Marina.
A Zarpe (sailing order from your last port of call) is required when entering Panama.
A current Cruising Permit is necessary when in Panama, whether your boat is on the hard or in the water. When sailing between ports in Panama, a Zarpe issued by the relevant port captain is required. i.e Between Colon and Porvenir, San Blas Islands, and Colon and Bocas Del Toro. 

New Arrivals in Panama: Immigration Check in with the Passport, during working hours free, $25 charge after hours. Visa for 90 days is available, ask for the current rules. Port Captain: Check in requires clearance papers from last port or “Zarpe” / Panama cruising permit for 90 days is $69. You can do the check-in yourself – or Shelter Bay staff will handle your check-in for you - $20 service fee per office. 

Storage Lockers
 
Storage lockers are available. Small lockers are $35 per month and the large lockers are $45 per month.
 
Taxi services

Whether you need to go to the international airport in Panama City, want to do some site-seeing or a major provisioning run we have a list of reliable English speaking taxi drivers. A taxi from Colon to the marina is about $15.00. A taxi ride from anywhere in Colon is $1-$2. Taxi service to Tocumen is typically $65 and the going rate to hire a taxi for the day is about $10 per hour. It is a good idea to always negotiate and agree upon a price before each taxi ride. We are located on Fort Sherman, building no.30 near the fire station. If you are coming from Panama City tell them to take you to Gatun Locks (Esclusas de Gatune) and follow the signs.
Taxi service from Shelter bay marina to Tocumen Airport is generally $80. Plan on 3-4 hours to get there, due to the possible delays at the Gatun Locks and heavy traffic on the road to Panama. Daily trips to Panama via taxi can run anywhere from $80 -$125, depends on how long you use the driver.
 
Shopping Excursions to Panama City
 
Ask in the office when our next scheduled shopping excursion to Panama City is. These have been very popular day trips to Panama City. There is limited seating on the bus to allow for provisioning. Sign up is required.
 
Water

Panama enjoys one of the best water systems in the world. It is safe to drink the tap water. The marina water is supplied by the Panama Canal plant at Mount Hope. The water is chlorinated and filtered.

Fuel Service
 
We now have full diesel fueling capabilities with our on-site fuel barge. We hold up to 60,000 gallons of diesel, so even fueling the mega yachts is no problem. Pumping rate from 3 –GPM to 150 GPM.
Please arrange fuel purchases with the office at least 48 hours in advance. Payment is required in advance. In your own interest please request a fuel sample prior to taking on fuel. You can go alongside the barge by dinghy and take on fuel in containers, also to be paid in advance. Have absorbent rags at the ready in case of spills. Gasoline, our driver can take your containers to be re-filled. There is a $8 per jug service fee plus the going price for fuel.
 
Propane

Leave your propane tank at the office and our bus driver will take it to be refilled. American or European tanks take up to 72 hours to turn around. Virtually all types of propane cylinders can be accommodated. Small tank is $20 - Medium tank is $25 and a large tank is $30. The fee can be put on your account or you can pay cash. Be sure to put your boat name on the tank

Preparation for a Panama Canal transit

We have a list of agents who take care of all the paperwork for your Panama Canal Transit. If you need lines for the canal transit, we can sell them to you, and arrange to buy back if they are returned. We charge $160 for 4 lines and when you return them, we refund $80.

Tips for a smoother transit

Stock plenty of bottled water for your pilot or advisor.
Panamanians are justifiably proud of their country. Be sure you are flying a Panamanian courtesy flag. A large one is noticed and appreciated by the canal authorities.
Order from our menu and we will pack your transit food to go. Speak with our restaurant manager and we can customize transit meals. When using tyres on fenders, remember the tyre is very strong, it will not tear away without part of your boat.
• Procedure to transit the canal: Make photo-copies of your boat registration papers and copies of your crew list. The crew list should state the persons’ date of birth, passport number. Make an appointment for the inspector to measure your boat. Your need to have 4 lines, 5/8” to 1” and each line should be 125 feet in length. You have to have sanitary facilities on board. At this Ad-measurement Office you will be given a form to fill out which has to be taken to the bank for payment. The payment has to be made in cash.
Contact Cristobal Signal on channel 12 when entering or leaving the marina.

Boat Cleaning 

We have staff who clean boat interiors/exteriors and polish stainless. Contact the office for information and requirements, at least 48 hours in advance. (See Boat Cleaning Form) 

Boat Care Service
 
While you are away, we have several boat care service plans to choose from whether you are in the water or up on the hard in the dry storage yard. The office has a form you can fill in, what you need done on your boat. Please give at least 48 hours notice. . (See Boat Cleaning Form)