Port guide · UN/LOCODE CR GLF
Golfito, Costa Rica
Costa Rica · 8.63° N, 83.17° W
The World Port Index classes Golfito as a natural coastal harbor on the North Pacific Ocean. It records a channel depth of 7.3 m and a cargo pier depth of 9.5 m. Norfolk is 3,210 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 7.3 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.5 m
- Max vessel length
- 250 m
- From Norfolk
- 3,210 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Puerto Limon150 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 250 m and a maximum draft of 9 m.
- Channel depth
- 7.3 m
- Anchorage depth
- 13 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 9.5 m
- Tidal range
- 3.1 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 250 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 9 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Golfito is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- No
- Tug salvage
- No
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Good
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- No
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: breakbulk and liquid bulk.
- Breakbulk
- Yes
- Liquid bulk
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- No
- Mobile cranes
- No
- Floating cranes
- No
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- None
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated moderate.
- Repairs
- Moderate
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Costa Rica
- US exports, 2025
- $10.2BLed by mineral fuels and oils
- US imports, 2025
- $13.9BLed by optical, medical and precision instruments
Other ports in Costa Rica
The nearest is Puerto Limon, 150 km away in a straight line.
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.