BajaNomad

Driving from Phoenix to Guaymas for ferry to S.R.

Phil S - 10-15-2010 at 07:56 AM

We are considering all options. We've never done the ferry. We've read recent posts about price, days, etc. Where would you recommend border crossing ? Are there some options? Time driving/motels/food on the way.? Anyone recently taken the trip? How have the accomodations been on the ferry? Dirty? Clean? O.K.? We are still adverturers in our hearts, but now senior citizens. I love the Tecate Xing. Then south to Ensendad. But you've scared me off that route until the road is done. Afraid it might be too hard on my new Toyota Sienna and it's windshield. Still also considering Tecate then Blvd 2000 down to Ensenada, but not excited about it. Will be crossing in about 3 weeks into Baja. any chance the road construction might be almost done???????
Thanks to those who respond

rhintransit - 10-15-2010 at 06:45 PM

for the ferry from Phoenix, you'd cross at Nogales, the Mariposa crossing is the better choice I understand. I gave up on the idea after trying to work out the logistics. I've driven to San Carlos many times, back when one had to import your vehicle. even with that time consuming chore no longer required, it's a long drive from Phoenix. the ferry leaves at 8pm, but you have to be there at 6:30pm so doing it in one day is not for most people. which means one night on the road, Tucson or somewhere in USA first night, or maybe Hermosillo or ??? add in the possibility of a weather delay, and only three trips a week, it could be a gamble as to when you'd cross. check out santarosaliaferry.com.mx if you want to contact them, they answer email questions, inquiries promptly, in English. good luck and report back if you do it.

Udo - 10-15-2010 at 07:11 PM

We all have that same wish.:bounce:

Probably another 10 months!:(
Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
Any chance the road construction might be almost done???????
Thanks to those who respond

Phil S - 10-19-2010 at 07:00 PM

Well, shoot. If not this trip, then most likely, like you said Udo, maybe ten months. I can deal with that. looks like Tecate then Blvd 2000 then Ensenada. If not the ferry. I do love that drive to Loreto however. Hmmmm. Wonder how slow I'd have to drive (that would be something new) if I were to take the old highway from Tecate to Ensenada? Who said that when you retire you no longer have a care in the world???????

BajaBlanca - 10-19-2010 at 07:13 PM

FYI we took the ferry and got ourselves a cabin. it was small but spotlessly clean. bunk was comfortable (we overnighted). food is included in the ticket and was good. all in all I wd rate the trip an 8 outa 10.

why not a 10?

well, we didnt, but if you have a vehicle, only 1 person can go to the car, the other has to wait in another line - exit independently and meet up later. Two, no one told us the food was included, we discovered for ourselves after going down the cafeteria style line. three, we had some drinks and snacks for the next day's trip on the train and they confiscated everythign til we arrived in Topolobambo on the mainland (no problem - just an inconvenience), Four, upon arrival you have to remember to negotiate prices with the taxi drivers before you get in, we did, but others got fleeced..... ergo RATED 8.

oxxo - 10-20-2010 at 03:47 AM

We took the Tecate/Ensenada road in a two wheel drive 2 months ago. It was the middle of the week about 9am. We didn't think it was that bad. I would avoid the road if it has been raining recently.

Bob and Susan - 10-20-2010 at 07:01 AM

i've driven the tecate road 4 times recently

it's bad...but a new truck will survive without damage

you'll loose about an hour drive time

i wouldn't take a trailer on it right now
it will damage those things

David K - 10-20-2010 at 10:26 AM

"Still also considering Tecate then Blvd 2000 down to Ensenada, but not excited about it."

Why not? It is an excellent 4 lane, free highway.. and the Free road (Mex. 2) from Tecate to the Corredor 2000 is also 4 lanes wide and easy.

Spend an extra hour on a dirt detour or fly along on asphalt and concrete... :?: Hmmm, what is there to think about? When you reach the coast and turn south on Hwy.1, it is also now a 4 lane road all the way past Cantamar... there or a few miles south at La Fonda, you can hop onto the toll highway, or just continue on the free road all the way to Ensenada.

rts551 - 10-20-2010 at 12:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
"Still also considering Tecate then Blvd 2000 down to Ensenada, but not excited about it."

Why not? It is an excellent 4 lane, free highway.. and the Free road (Mex. 2) from Tecate to the Corredor 2000 is also 4 lanes wide and easy.

Spend an extra hour on a dirt detour or fly along on asphalt and concrete... :?: Hmmm, what is there to think about? When you reach the coast and turn south on Hwy.1, it is also now a 4 lane road all the way past Cantamar... there or a few miles south at La Fonda, you can hop onto the toll highway, or just continue on the free road all the way to Ensenada.


There is a lot to think about. I for one don't feel the need to "fly along on asphalt and concrete" while in Baja. Why can't you just give the info and let others make up your mind.

David K - 10-20-2010 at 12:41 PM

That's what I was doing...

BajaBlanca - 10-20-2010 at 04:48 PM

gotta say, I read it the same .... David K was just giving out the info and choices .... you can spend an extra hour and take it slowly OR fly.

rts551 - 10-20-2010 at 05:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
gotta say, I read it the same .... David K was just giving out the info and choices .... you can spend an extra hour and take it slowly OR fly.


Until he said "what is there to think about" . as if there was no choice.

David K - 10-20-2010 at 05:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
gotta say, I read it the same .... David K was just giving out the info and choices .... you can spend an extra hour and take it slowly OR fly.


Until he said "what is there to think about" . as if there was no choice.


He knows the choices... and given his opening post about the type of car he was driving and conditions he wanted to avoid... the one best option of the other paved ways south is the best... but not the only.

Again:

Phil: "Still also considering Tecate then Blvd 2000 down to Ensenada, but not excited about it."

Me: >>> "Why not? It is an excellent 4 lane, free highway.. and the Free road (Mex. 2) from Tecate to the Corredor 2000 is also 4 lanes wide and easy.

Spend an extra hour on a dirt detour or fly along on asphalt and concrete... Hmmm, what is there to think about?"<<<

[Edited on 10-21-2010 by David K]

Phil S - 10-21-2010 at 06:25 AM

Well, Phil says, "I acknowledged David's comment to 'crawl on dirt' or fly on asphalt' rts551 I didn't read it as being the way you did. But then again. I've never had any issues with David K as what appears as some other nomads have with him. Thanks David. I'm still on the edge right now. But looks more like I'll be driving slowly on the construction part, and 'flying' on the asphalt' The persception of 'flying on asphalt' after 'crawling on dirt' is all in the eyes of the driver. 55mph could seem 'flying' to some drivers, where other would consider it 75mph as 'flying'. And that is how I see it. (tihisi) Peace & good will to all men.

David K - 10-21-2010 at 08:15 AM

Have a fun and safe trip!

BajaBlanca - 10-21-2010 at 01:24 PM

alls well that ends well .....have a safe trip and bring me 10 bikes ( just kidding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

but I do really need bikes as new kids keep coming and coming and coming and I do not have the heart to say - nope - we have reached the limit in terms of getting bikes :))))

so, on that note .... anyone coming down south, please, please, please consider donating a bike or 2 or 10 (jeez, didn't I just say I was kidding and here I renig on it ????). Or any bike part. Especially tires and rims for 26 " mountain bikes (these are the ones we use to race).

rts551 - 10-21-2010 at 01:40 PM

Have a good trip. I will taking the crawl route next week! Enjoy

Phil S - 10-21-2010 at 05:18 PM

rts551 Drive with caution. Have a safe trip. How far south will you be going? How long down there. Will I be seeing you in Loreto in November?