BajaNomad

PICHILINGUE PIER - LA PAZ

bajalinda - 3-9-2009 at 05:31 PM

Has anyone been out to Pichilingue recently to meet passengers from a cruise ship? Is there a parking area? Is it easy to meet people getting off of a ship? I have family members arriving in a couple of weeks on a cruise ship for a day stop-over in La Paz. Apparently the cruise line does not provide transportation into La Paz (at least that's the info they have given us). I'm debating whether to go and pick them up at the pier myself or have them get a taxi in to town. Any advice out there? Thanks!

vandenberg - 3-9-2009 at 06:13 PM

Go pick them up. The cruise ships dock on the west side of the harbor. Should be no trouble. Trying to catch a cab could be time consuming, not to mention outrageously expensive.
And you can count that lay over in hours that during a visit evaporate rapidly.

Paulclark - 3-9-2009 at 09:38 PM

We have picked people up at the dock. You go to the west side and tell security at the entrance gate you are picking someone up and they direct you where to go and wait. Well organized and no problem. The west side means you follow the road around to the left past all the ferry terminals and past the marina, up the hill and then you will run into the security gate -- easy to find as you will see the cruise docked there.

Bajahowodd - 3-9-2009 at 11:29 PM

The cruise line will obviously provide transportation as part of an expensive shore excursion.

Leo - 3-10-2009 at 10:49 AM

Picking up is a no brainer.
Saving your guests time and money they can spend on your lunch.

CaboRon - 3-10-2009 at 03:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
The cruise line will obviously provide transportation as part of an expensive shore excursion.


If it is Holland America, they offer a complimentary shuttle to the Malacon .......

bajalinda - 3-10-2009 at 08:19 PM

Well, it is Holland America and they have told us that at the present time, there is no shuttle - if that should change, there will be an announcement on board.....we'll see.

In any case, thank you all for your advice and info - I've pretty much decided to just go ahead and meet them at the pier.

Bajahowodd - 3-10-2009 at 11:22 PM

Sounds like a cutback in service to me. That particular cruise itinerary is rather unique. Too bad they only offer it in the winter months. They go from LA all the way up to Topolobampo, allowing for a rather long single day trip into Copper Canyon. It beats the Hell out of the very tired LA-Mazatlan-Puerto Vallarta-Cabo -LA trip. Apparently, they make more money taking people to Alaska in the summer.

bajalinda - 3-23-2009 at 01:27 PM

Just FYI - yesterday I went out to the pier and picked up the arriving passengers/tourists - it was a breeze! It really IS very easy and well-organized.

CaboRon - wouldn't you know it, but there WERE free shuttles to La Paz and back. I guess it just goes to show you that the front office doesn't always know what the heck they are talking about.

CaboRon - 3-23-2009 at 02:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalinda
Just FYI - yesterday I went out to the pier and picked up the arriving passengers/tourists - it was a breeze! It really IS very easy and well-organized.

CaboRon - wouldn't you know it, but there WERE free shuttles to La Paz and back. I guess it just goes to show you that the front office doesn't always know what the heck they are talking about.


I only knew because I have sailed on the Ryndam when it docked at La Paz during one of it's ten day Sea of Cortez cruises.

And I have recently met passengers on the malacon who have said the same.

CaboRon