BajaNomad

Ferry from la Paz to Mazatlan

JRabbit - 1-15-2008 at 12:51 PM

I am trying to get the most currect information on the cost to bring a pick-up truck on the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan.

Any links or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!

vandenberg - 1-15-2008 at 01:42 PM

Try www.bajaferries.com.
It's expensive and would be cheaper to drive it to Los Mochis/Topolobampo and take the ferry from there.
Still expensive though, I think. Outrageously so...:(

JRabbit - 1-15-2008 at 02:47 PM

That is what I was hearing...

I was looking at rates for the ferry from Santa Rosalia to Guaymas and it was somewhere between 2-3,000 bucks just to take a truck across!!!

vandenberg - 1-15-2008 at 02:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JRabbit
That is what I was hearing...

I was looking at rates for the ferry from Santa Rosalia to Guaymas and it was somewhere between 2-3,000 bucks just to take a truck across!!!


I think you're talking pesos there.:biggrin::biggrin:

And that's bad enough.
But now that you had those prices in mind in turns, kind off, into a bargain.:P:lol:

JRabbit - 1-15-2008 at 02:56 PM

Ok pesos makes more sense!!! I was thinking I was spending a large chunck of my travel fund going from one side to the other!!!!

Also - what documentation should we have ready for this part of the journey?



[Edited on 1-15-2008 by JRabbit]

La Paz to Mazatlan

Cardon Man - 1-15-2008 at 03:11 PM

I made the trip in question with some friends about 4 years ago. However, we did not take the regular passenger ferry with berths and restaurants and such. We ended up on a whole different ship that transported mostly large cargo trucks. We were the only "passenger vehicle" on the boat. They strapped our pick up down on the top deck of this ship along side the big rigs and off we went. They opened a mess hall at 5pm that was simply a trailer on the deck of the ship. Here you could buy Tecate and some cafeteria type meal. We spent the night in the pick up and arrived in Mazatlan some 18hrs later as I recall. Had a good time drinking Tecates with the truckers.
We chose the freight ferry because it was a bit cheaper and leaving earlier. I have no idea what we paid or how to hook up with that boat other than to just show up there and start asking around. That's what we did. It perhaps wasn't as comfortable as the regular ferry but it was a pretty interesting experience all the way around.

vandenberg - 1-15-2008 at 03:16 PM

I'm a Baja dweller and only familiar with here.
Where are you coming from ?
Since you mentioned Mazatlan you're traveling the opposite direction most of us here do. Going from here to the mainland, we need the special permit, but since you're there you should have that already. If you're driving a US plated vehicle that is. As far as I'm aware off, no other papers needed.
Chime in Nomads.:biggrin:

Hook - 1-15-2008 at 03:37 PM

If your truck is a full-sized American pickup, I think the Topo Ferry will run about 300 DOLLARS for the truck and an additional 70 DOLLARS PER PERSON. So, not cheap. I had a camper as well and they wanted somewhere around 400.00 for that. We passed on that; too expensive.

Contact these people, they were very knowledgeable.

http://www.nativetrails.com/Baja-Ferry/ferry.htm

vandenberg - 1-15-2008 at 08:38 PM

JRabbit,
No idea what made me think you were coming from the mainland. Senior moment :?::?::biggrin:
You need a temporary import permit for your car or truck, with current registration. Also a valid US driver license. You can get the sticker at any ferry terminal, made out while you wait. Was about $ 30.00 a few years ago. They asked for both my and my wife's licences and excepted my CA. one, even as it was expired. Told me, no Baja driver licence accepted. Strange !!

JRabbit - 1-16-2008 at 09:47 AM

No worries! That is strange that a Baja license is not acceptable!

vandenberg - 1-16-2008 at 09:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by JRabbit
No worries! That is strange that a Baja license is not acceptable!


Probably because of driving a US plated vehicle, which Mexicans are not supposed to drive, but with owner's written permission :?:

JRabbit - 1-16-2008 at 11:00 AM

makes sense.....