BajaNomad

Guaymas-Santa Rosalia Ferry Car Permits

jaymtb - 5-17-2007 at 10:16 PM

I took the ferry from Guaymas to Santa Rosalia in March. I would call them before making plans 622-222-0204 (Mexico number). It is a 40 meter boat, not big-often less than ten vehicles. (Not the big boat pictured on the posters.) They strap all vehicles down to car deck, because the boat may roll a bit. The good news is that they bought it used from some place on the North Sea, where it was designed for rough water, with aluminum superstructure so it can roll to 55 degrees without capsizing-according to Diego at the office.

You should make a reservation-no credit card required- and show up early to kill time hanging around until the Army arrives with the dogs to sniff your car.

The old Guaymas Ferry terminal left over from Fonatur days is deteriorating. It is best to bring along food for the wait-and maybe some Dramamine for the trip if it is looking like rough weather. Sometimes they cancel if it will be too rough, as the trip will take too much fuel if they are having to buck rough water.

When heading down from Nogales, I checked with Aduana at K21 and they told me I had to get a car Permit to go over to Santa Rosalia -even though it is not required in Sonora- or Baja. Well, that was BS. The permit was not required to board the ferry. To make matters more interesting, the Banercito office at Tecate had been closed for three months when we wanted to return the car permit. This meant a trip to TJ or Mexicali, so we hopped on the toll road and made it through Mexicali before 8PM when the Banercito office closed. The new checkpoint there can take some time to reach from the toll road, and the lines can be long. Locals told me that if you don't turn in the car permit, they will hit your credit card for a penalty or make it bad if you come back to Mexico. I'm not sure if their computers are that smart, but you never know. They could have picked up some used computers from Big Bro. in US.

Incidentally, we took Sonora Rte. 118 and Mex 14 south to Hermosillo through some old colonial towns and ranching country. A pretty drive, if you have the time- few tourists on this route. Rte 118 is best for smaller vehicles.
That's how it was.
Cheers,
Jay

David K - 5-17-2007 at 11:06 PM

Thanks Jay... first hand reports are the best! Over on Fred's board they often ask about that ferry route... Last time I took it, it was 1973!!!

Hook - 5-17-2007 at 11:21 PM

What was the cost and what is the length and type of your vehicle? Did they measure it?

capt. mike - 5-18-2007 at 05:28 AM

Jay, can i talk with you by phone? to get some more details?
i want to take a truck and trailer w/ furniture and appliances on the ferry guaymas to mulege via sta rosalia either over summer or fall.
have some Qs.
my email to trade ph nos. is
n7369p at earthlink dot net
thx.

osoflojo - 5-18-2007 at 11:56 AM

You can get all their info on their web-site at www.ferrysantarosalia.com . If you can talk to Diego, he is the man. Prices are posted on the site. Large vehicles should definatly plan ahead especially if there is any commerical trucks scheduled.

Hook - 5-18-2007 at 12:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by osoflojo
You can get all their info on their web-site at www.ferrysantarosalia.com . If you can talk to Diego, he is the man. Prices are posted on the site. Large vehicles should definatly plan ahead especially if there is any commerical trucks scheduled.


Well, if those prices are correct, it makes much more sense to take the Topo-La Paz ferry, if you can afford the time. New ferry, too, and much bigger. Topo is not that far below Guaymas and it is an easy drive. Prices appear to be less than half for a full sized truck......read AMERICAN truck, here.

I knew the prices on the website; just cant believe they are charging that much more.