Velas Latinoamérica 2018, Port Don Diego, Santo Domingo

The 3rd edition of “Velas Latinoamérica 2018” / “Candles Latin America 2018” are here and in Port Santo Domingo.

The beautiful training ships from all over Latin America participating in Velas Latinoamérica 2018 arrived in port on August 8, 2018. These sailing ships are moored at the terminal Don Diego on Rio Ozama until August 13. The public is welcome to visit and speak with the crew. Visiting hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM daily.

Panorama of the ships in port Don Diego, Santo Domingo, for Velas Latinoamérica 2018.

Panorama of the ships in port Don Diego, Santo Domingo, for Velas Latinoamérica 2018.

The fleet includes school ships

*”Cisne Branco” from Brasil
*”Libertad” from Argentina
*”Esmeralda” from Chile
*”Cuauhtémoc” from México
*”Simón Bolívar” from Venezuela
*”Unión” from Perú

There is a total of more than 1,500 men and women, who will sail about 12,000 nautical miles (about 19,312 kilometers). These ships will dock in different parts of South America and the Caribbean where different activities will be held.

Ships in port Don Diego, Santo Domingo, for Velas Latinoamérica 2018 as seen from a distance.

Ships in port Don Diego, Santo Domingo, for Velas Latinoamérica 2018 as seen from a distance.

The regatta “Velas Latinoamérica 2018” departed on March 25 from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and has already passed through Montevideo (Uruguay), Buenos Aires, Ushuaia (Argentina), Cape Horn, Punta Arenas, Talcahuano, Valparaíso, Antofagasta (Chile). Also, the ships have touched port in Callao (Peru), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Balboa (Panama), Curacao, La Guaira (Venezuela) and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). After visiting Santo Domingo, the ships will depart for Cozumel and their last destination will be Veracruz (Mexico) where the crossing will end on September 2. The regatta is held every 4 years.

Ships in port Don Diego, Santo Domingo, for Velas Latinoamérica 2018.

Ships in port Don Diego, Santo Domingo, for Velas Latinoamérica 2018.

The coordinator of the event in Santo Domingo is Captain Beni Bautista. He hopes that both Dominicans and tourists have the opportunity to visit the ships and share with their different crews. The Captain says “Que aprendan de la cultura marinera y que vean cómo se navegaba en la antigüedad, visitando nuestros buques” (translated – That they learn of the marine culture and that they see ships were navigated and sailed in ancient times, when visiting our ships).

Visiting hours – 9 AM to 6 PM daily while the ships are in port.

Resources – El Economista America