22 April 2007
Checking-Out of Mainland Ecuador
In Salinas, Ecuador, we sought an International Zarpe prior to departing for the Galapagos Islands. Intending to leave the Mainland, a day before our visa expired, we checked out with the Port Captain and Immigration Office on a Saturday, but we started the process on a Friday afternoon.
Due to statewide elections, the Port Captain's office was closed from Friday noon until Monday. Anya and I arrived at 3 pm. Another cruiser arrived at 2 pm and received their zarpe and salida (exit papers). A sign clearly stated the change of office hours, however, we were verbally told to come back on Saturday. So, we did. And of course, there was no Port Captain at the office. Ultimately, the Port Captain was called and he came in to assist us. It took two hours and four phone calls, to find the
key to the desk with the official stamps. They love their stamps and carbon copies (yes, carbon paper was used) in triplicate copies; a left over of the era when Spain ran the country. Once the key and stamps were found, he processed our forms in triplicate, using a Selectric typewriter and computer and then he sent us on our way to the Immigration Office. He sternly asked us to return promptly at 2 pm for the final stamps and payments. We said we would run very fast to the Immigration Office. "Corremos
muy rapido." To which we added a bunch of facial expressions, hand gestures and giggles. The Port Captain was chuckling as we left, probably thinking, "Those are some very silly cruisers."
We jumped in a taxi and we were off to the Immigration Office in La Libertad. Downtown La Libertad was celebrating their Independence Day. Miles and miles of children dressed in school uniforms accompanied by solemn band members, marched down Main Street. We briskly walked through the crowds to the Office. Of course, the officials were young men standing on the sidewalk enjoying the parade. They invited us into the office, stamped our papers and then offered us to stay and enjoy a drink. We politely
declined and went on our way. We think they were so distracted by the parade and us, that they kept the original zarpe instead of keeping a copy. After making copies of the zarpe and our passports, we returned to the Port Captain where we received a scolding for having given up the original zarpe.
In total, we paid the Port Captain, $53, while the day before another boat paid $50. All we can figure is that we paid $3.00 more as the Port Captain had to work on a Saturday when the office was closed. He made an exception for us and therefore used a taxi to reach the office. Normally, he would have asked us to wait until Monday, but the day before he had asked us to return the next day. His own error, but alas, for $3.00 it was worth being done with the clearance process.
We did not go to the Custom's Office nor were not asked to go to the Custom's Office. We wanted to avoid the Custom's Office, as there were rumors that this particular office had a certain way of "interpreting" the requirements for exiting the country that could be very costly.
Once cleared of the official paper work, we returned intending to raise the anchor the next day. Judy had only one day left on her 180 days/year visa so we had to leave ASAP. However, boat woes delayed our departure by seven days. So, we were all "illegal aliens" during our extended anchorage time at Puerto Lucia Yacht Club prior to leaving for the Galapagos.