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pauldavidmena
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Location: Centerville, MA, USA
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Renting a car in the U.S. and driving into Baja
We're planning a trip from New England to Todos Santos, BCS about a year from now and are debating the pros and cons of driving versus flying - in
both cases with a 40-pound dog (see http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=89044 for that thread). As a side question, we thought we'd explore the possibility of flying into
either LAX or San Diego, renting a car, and then driving the length of Baja. This would eliminate the drive from Boston to southwest U.S. and allow us
a somewhat more leisurely drive in Mexico.
First - is it legal to rent a car in the U.S. and then drive it into Mexico, returning it to the U.S. in 3-4 weeks? Previous threads seemed to imply
that this was okay.
Second - any recommendations on air travel with a dog too big to fit on a lap but not known to do well in a crate. 
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bajaguy
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Rental Car
#1. Yes, have done it several times. Many car rental companies in San Diego to chose from.....However the rate they charge for Mexican insurance is
about $25 a day +/- depending on the company
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pauldavidmena
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Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  | | #1. Yes, have done it several times. Many car rental companies in San Diego to chose from.....However the rate they charge for Mexican insurance is
about $25 a day +/- depending on the company |
Good to know. If we limit ourselves to 500 miles a day, it's 4 or 5 days to southern Texas, and another day to Southern California. Frankly 2 weeks or
more in a car for a 4-week vacation doesn't sound like much fun to me. Eliminating a large part of the drive seems like a win-win.
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bajabuddha
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Paul, southern Texas is a big place. SoCal is 11 hours from southern New Mexico; you better plan 2 days from Texas unless you're a 14-hour driver.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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bajaguy
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Have done the drive from "southern Texas" to Tecate....quite a stretch for one day. From El Paso, TX to Tecate, CA is 690 miles.
| Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena | | Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | | #1. Yes, have done it several times. Many car rental companies in San Diego to chose from.....However the rate they charge for Mexican insurance is
about $25 a day +/- depending on the company |
Good to know. If we limit ourselves to 500 miles a day, it's 4 or 5 days to southern Texas, and another day to Southern California. Frankly 2 weeks or
more in a car for a 4-week vacation doesn't sound like much fun to me. Eliminating a large part of the drive seems like a win-win.
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BajaMama
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Can you fly into and rent a car in Tijuana instead?
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pauldavidmena
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I'm not sure about flying into Tijuana, but I can do a little research. Ideally we'd like to take a direct flight (on account of the dog), and I know
they exist between Boston and LAX as well as Boston and San Diego. A quick peek on Kayak doesn't show any non-stops between Boston Logan and TJ.
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bajaguy
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Southwest from Boston to Houston, non-stop
Overnight in Houston
Houston to Cabo non- stop
Rent a car in Cabo
3 travel days, doggie gets a break between flights
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pauldavidmena
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | Southwest from Boston to Houston, non-stop
Overnight in Houston
Houston to Cabo non- stop
Rent a car in Cabo
3 travel days, doggie gets a break between flights |
An intriguing option. Have you ever flown into Cabo with a dog? I'm not sure whether or not there are other restrictions we should know about. I've
only flown with cats, and that was over 20 years ago between Minneapolis and Boston. Tito is a trooper in the car but we've never tried him out on a
plane.
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bajaguy
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Nope, but i'm sure others will chime in.....probably a vet certificate and current vaccinations. Also check with the airline
| Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena | | Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | Southwest from Boston to Houston, non-stop
Overnight in Houston
Houston to Cabo non- stop
Rent a car in Cabo
3 travel days, doggie gets a break between flights |
An intriguing option. Have you ever flown into Cabo with a dog? I'm not sure whether or not there are other restrictions we should know about. I've
only flown with cats, and that was over 20 years ago between Minneapolis and Boston. Tito is a trooper in the car but we've never tried him out on a
plane. |
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chippy
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| Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena | | Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | Southwest from Boston to Houston, non-stop
Overnight in Houston
Houston to Cabo non- stop
Rent a car in Cabo
3 travel days, doggie gets a break between flights |
An intriguing option. Have you ever flown into Cabo with a dog? I'm not sure whether or not there are other restrictions we should know about. I've
only flown with cats, and that was over 20 years ago between Minneapolis and Boston. Tito is a trooper in the car but we've never tried him out on a
plane. |
Lotsa people fly here (pvr/zlo) with dogs. I don´t know why it would be any different to Cabo.
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CaboMagic
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pauldavidmena
Respectfully recommend checking with your veterinarian for the input about travel.
We never chose to give ours meds for the flight .. We would use the kennel/crate at home for 'special time' so the fur-babies didn't get freaked out
when it was time to travel.
Definitely check with whatever airlines you are considering, for their $/allowances/restrictions etc. Some limit the number of cargo hold kennels
permitted per flight .. Guessing 40# would be a large-size kennel. The dog is checked in like baggage when you check in for your flight.
Also some airlines wont allow cargo hold kennels if ambient temps get to a certain level (sorry I don't know what that is but again, airlines will
provide ...)
We avoid LAX , especially flying to Cabo with pets ..
San Diego is amazing and a breeze .. would be worth an overnight stay so you can fly out first thing in morning ..
Hope this helps - don't hesitate to contact me directly if you want to ask more .. Lori
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pauldavidmena
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Location: Centerville, MA, USA
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@CaboMagic
Thanks for your reply! We would definitely check with our local vet about air travel with our dog. In addition to not being fond of the crate, Tito
has a heart murmur that we need to pay attention to. It's never caused an issue thus far, but we'd hate to see a problem when we're taking a
once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
I realize that airlines vary widely in terms of their accommodation of pets - or the lack thereof. When I moved from Minnesota to Massachusetts, I
specifically chose Northwest because of how they would transport my cats.
Good to know about the differences between LAX and SAN, as we have relatives in the LA area who would steer us toward the former. Would I choose the
needs of my dog over my brother? You bet I would. 
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Kell-Baja
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Location: San Diego
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Car rental from San Diego to Baja
www.cabaja.com Been specializing in vehicle rentals from San Diego, CA to Baja, Mexico for almost 28 years! (619) 470-RENT (7368) Most places only let you drive about 100 miles in. California Baja,
Rent-A-Car (CABAJA) let's ypu drive all the way to Cabo San Lucas and back.
| Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena | We're planning a trip from New England to Todos Santos, BCS about a year from now and are debating the pros and cons of driving versus flying - in
both cases with a 40-pound dog (see http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=89044 for that thread). As a side question, we thought we'd explore the possibility of flying into
either LAX or San Diego, renting a car, and then driving the length of Baja. This would eliminate the drive from Boston to southwest U.S. and allow us
a somewhat more leisurely drive in Mexico.
First - is it legal to rent a car in the U.S. and then drive it into Mexico, returning it to the U.S. in 3-4 weeks? Previous threads seemed to imply
that this was okay.
Second - any recommendations on air travel with a dog too big to fit on a lap but not known to do well in a crate. |
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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1106
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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Flew once to Loreto with my dog in 2012. The requirement at that time was a health certificate from your vet indicating good health and all current
vaccinations. You must procure the certificate within 10 days of entry into Mexico. And from what I hear you need to prove no intestinal parasites
and show what your on-going treatment to prevent them is.
Good luck. I didn't like flying my dog, we always drive now BUT I live in CA, not the east.
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pauldavidmena
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Thanks to everyone for their input. We have some time to figure out the details. What we don't seem to have time for, however, is a leisurely
transcontinental drive with a dog in a four-week timeframe. Some combination of air travel and driving will have to do. Stay tuned...
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SunDevil
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We were in the SJD airport Nov 2017 and there were several dogs in crates in the oversized pickup area waiting for their owners. Everything seemed
fine.
The 'Pet travel from the U.S. to Mexico' article below from the USDA will tell you all you need to know about laws.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettr...
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pauldavidmena
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Excellent, essential information. Thank you!
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moreofless
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | Southwest from Boston to Houston, non-stop
Overnight in Houston
Houston to Cabo non- stop
Rent a car in Cabo
3 travel days, doggie gets a break between flights |
To fly on Southwest the dog must fit in a very specific size carrier which can fit under the seat.
https://www.southwest.com/pets/
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pauldavidmena
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Thanks for providing this link. Looking at the size of the carrier, as well as the room under the seat, there's no way our 40-pound pooch would fit.
That eliminates Southwest as a possibility. 
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