gansita - 11-27-2003 at 05:06 PM
i'm driving from mexico city to topolobampo and i have a few questions about ferry transportation.
i have looked into bajaferries (bajaferries.com) and their price seems reasonable, $1700 pesos to la paz.
they don't have info about pets, or about ticket prices for passengers, or how long the trip lasts.
are there any other ferry companies besides this one?
any experiences with pets on the ferry?
any info on this would be appreciated!
Baja ferries
bajagrouper - 11-27-2003 at 06:54 PM
try :
www.sematur.com
I think this ferry goes between La Paz and Mazatlan...good luck
The Sematur ferry is a desmadre. Don't take it!
Stephanie Jackter - 11-27-2003 at 11:18 PM
The Baja Ferries boat out of Topo is only about 6 months old with very modern and dependable service. You'll be very satisfied. They do take animals
aboard but the animal has to ride in the hold inside the car. You need to time the feeding of your animal so he's ready to do his business outside
just before you get on as he'll be stuck there for about 5 to 8 hours.
It is worth driving to Topolobampo to avoid the absolutely atrocious Sematur ferry out of Mazatlan. It breaks down in the middle of the Sea of Cortez
regularly and is as filthy and nasty and poorly maintained as you can imagine. The only thing it would be good for in my opinion, is a good scuttling
to make a nice barrier reef.
Baja Ferries leaves out of Topo around 11 at night 6 days a week and has a huge cargo hold of a couple of stories. You generally won't need a
reservation unless maybe if you're travelling during the Easter holidays. Be there by about 3 in the afternoon to buy your tickets with proof you've
registered your car to drive in Mexico, your I.D. and the ticket price. You won't need to cue up to get on board until around 7 at a port down the
road from where the tickets are sold. They do an inspection and then you drive right on. They include a meal at the cafeteria in your ticket price.
If you tend toward sea sickness, as I do, it's good to take a little dramamine an hour before you go on, eat the meal right when you get on and then
hit the sack for the whole crossing. I highly recommend paying the 70 bucks for a room as you get your own room with 4 bunks, toilet and shower. The
beds are quite comfortable and you'll get a good night's rest and wake up just before sunrise in La Paz. If you need more info on Baja Ferries
proceedures, let me know.
Thanks!
gansita - 11-29-2003 at 07:48 PM
thanks stephanie, you have given the most detailed info i have read regarding the ferries to la paz!!!
and im more inclined to use the topolobampo-la paz route for the sake of time (the dog in the car).
i have one more question, do i need to buy a cage for the dog to be placed in the car or can the dog just ride in the car?
thanks so much!!!!!!!! 
Stephanie Jackter - 11-29-2003 at 11:44 PM
I just put my dog in the car with the windows rolled up, a little bowl of water in the floor just in case the boat breaks down or something and he
needs hydration for a longer period of time and a blanket to lay on with a favorite chew toy or bone. The reason for rolling the windows up is in
case you aren't among the first to be let down to the hold whn you arrive, the gas fumes of the big diesel trucks starting up can really get funky and
you don't want him to be breathing too much of that stuff. Keep the windows closed and the interior air remains breathable till you get there. Be
sure and give him a good meal an hour and a half or so before you go and a good potty break just before you board. - Stephanie
Great tips!
gansita - 12-6-2003 at 12:15 PM
excellent info Stephanie, thanks so much!
my dog will be a bit freaked out, but she has her toys and her bed, and hopefully that will keep her calm.
is it true that if you get a spot on the top deck, one can stay in the car?
Bajabus - 12-6-2003 at 12:38 PM
I used to bring my bus accross from topo and regularly snuck back down into it an hour or so after getting underway. We always had a nice party,
cooking in the kitchen and great snooze time. No one seemed to mind but we kept it discreet.
Dog on the ferry
Cardon Man - 12-8-2003 at 09:52 AM
Last year I took the "cargo" ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. It's far from luxury, but it had it's benefits, particulary if you had a dog. We got there
early and were placed on the top deck. I spent the night under the stars on top of the truck, pretty cool as long as you don't mind the rumbling
engines all night. The deck was huge and largely empty, only a few Mexican commercial trucks. Tons of room for dog walking. In fact on my trip there
was a Canadian women traveling alone with a dog. She kept the pooch leashed on the deck while she slept on a bench a few feet away. She was able to
get up and walk the dog whenever she pleased. And the dog had fun meeting and greeting everyone wandering the deck. Seemed like a good way to go with
a dog. Keep in mind this boat was industrial to say the least, no or very few berths available, no restaurant, discos etc. At 6pm they opened a
cafeteria where they served up some carne, rice, and spaghetti. They also served beer. Which helps pass the time as we all know. All in all, a fun
trip, and definately something different. Maybe next time I'll try the "fancy" ferry.