BajaNomad

LAX to La Paz to Loreto

capn.sharky - 11-21-2011 at 03:29 PM

I have been hearing about a cheaper way to get to Loreto. Anyone had any experience with flying to La Paz and taking a short flight to Loreto?

gallesram - 11-21-2011 at 05:56 PM

I think the only way to fly from LAX to La Paz non-stop is on Alaska, so you're stuck with the same high fare you'd pay if you flew non-stop to Loreto. AeroCalafia flies 3X/week from Tijuana non-stop to Loreto and it's a bit less than $300 R/T. Their website is www.aereocalafia.com.mx. That's the cheapest way I have found to fly to Loreto.

The other option is to fly on Volaris from Tijuana to La Paz (you can get some great deals) and then either fly up to Loreto or drive; unfortunately, however, the flight connections don't work so you 'd need to overnight in La Paz each way, which is a hassle. At that point it's better to just drive up from La Paz.

wakemall - 11-21-2011 at 06:09 PM

Russ,

The cheapest flight I found from LAX to LAP is $430. LAX to LTO during the same time is $423. The cheapest from LAX to SJD (Cabo) is $399. The absolute cheapest flight anytime from LAX to LTO is $416.14. The flights for under $200 to LTO are gone until somebody starts competing with Alaska/Horizon.

I tried researching bus fare but was not able to come up with a price.

wakemall - 11-21-2011 at 07:52 PM

Is anyone able to determine the bus fare online from TJ to Loreto? I looked and could not find anything other than the trip time of 17 to 18 hours.

DaliDali - 11-21-2011 at 07:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wakemall
Is anyone able to determine the bus fare online from TJ to Loreto? I looked and could not find anything other than the trip time of 17 to 18 hours.


1500 pesos in October.

djh - 11-21-2011 at 08:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wakemall
Is anyone able to determine the bus fare online from TJ to Loreto? I looked and could not find anything other than the trip time of 17 to 18 hours.


I did it 2 years ago and I swore then . . . NEVER Again. My 18 hour trip took almost 24 hours in a freezing bus, with 5 stops at military checkpoints - everyone out, ALL bags out, luggage out, ALL hand inspected while the boys with the guns give you the evil eye....

30 years ago, I considered it an adventure.... Now, you can keep the adventure.... I didn't save any $ (when factoring in the taxi from TJ to the border, Trolley and Bus to SD Airport, the meals, and a night in SD, etc.) I didn't plan to really, it was just a reminiscing trip from my early adventures in Baja...

NOW, I'll just admit it, I'm older and need a bit more warmth and comfort, and a bit less of the cold, the dust, and the 2 am shakedowns by the guys with the machine guns...

ie. I'd like to suggest you spend the extra hundred bucks or so . . . and fly !

wakemall - 11-21-2011 at 08:28 PM

Thanks DJ. I heard the newer buses are suppose to be great and on time. I am only looking for another way around Alaska/Horizon screwing everyone on the airfare. Guess you cannot walk across the border and get on a bus any longer. Your experience does not sound like a financial gain?

Thanks for the response?

LaTijereta - 11-21-2011 at 08:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DaliDali
Quote:
Originally posted by wakemall
Is anyone able to determine the bus fare online from TJ to Loreto? I looked and could not find anything other than the trip time of 17 to 18 hours.


1500 pesos in October.


AeroCalifia oneway fare is $1700 +/- pesos from TJ/ LTO..
Save yourself 17hrs on the bus... for $200 pesos..

wakemall - 11-22-2011 at 06:05 PM

Thanks for the responses.

rhintransit - 11-22-2011 at 06:55 PM

you have to get a really good price on a flight LAX to LAP to make the bus to LTO worth while. Alaska knows that, I think. a taxi from LAP to the bus station is, minimum, 300 pesos, probably more. the bus runs about 600 pesos. and takes 5-6 hrs.
here's my favorite route...Phoenix to Loreto. (this obviously only works if you are in that area)
Tufesa express bus to Guaymas. direct thru border, only three stops. one of which is Tucson, so you could make that the start point if that works for you. about 60 bucks. half of that with my INAPAM card. collectivo to Guaymas airport. about 150 pesos. AeroCalafia puddle jumper 16 seater to LTO, 1300 pesos including taxes. coordinating times is tricky, you have to leave plenty of time to make the flight, which is notoriously late. or early. and only runs three or four times a week. (North bound is much easier as there are frequent buses, every one or two hours)
an alternative I haven't tried yet but plan to check out is Hermosillo instead of Guaymas, which cuts off about two hours of the bus trip and only costs maybe 200 pesos more for the airplane. this route stops in Guaymas for the same flight but they only do the Hermosillo run once a week or so, while the Guaymas flight is 3 or 4 times a week.
one drawback is the luggage limit...15 kilos. the tiny plane is a kick, I like watching the GPS over the pilot's shoulder.


[Edited on 11-23-2011 by rhintransit]

bajafreaks - 11-22-2011 at 07:18 PM

A little highjack here but I've been checking flights from Reno to LA to San jose del cabo and Alaska doesn't offer hardly anything thats not a next day layover, besides their prices being nuts as always, I'm not seeing any decent flights.

wakemall - 11-22-2011 at 08:00 PM

Looks like we are stuck with Alaska/Horizon from LAX to LTO. Remember when Delta jumped in for the short stint??? Prices dropped. It is typical supply and demand. I am still not comfortable allowing and tolerating Horizon screwing the consumer. The tourism in Loreto is far and few as a result of this single air carrier's prices. My thoughts only. My Mexican business owner friends are having a really rough time. The town is empty.

Bet the Super Burro stays open....................

Don't Confuse The Chicken With The Egg

Bajahowodd - 11-24-2011 at 05:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wakemall
Looks like we are stuck with Alaska/Horizon from LAX to LTO. Remember when Delta jumped in for the short stint??? Prices dropped. It is typical supply and demand. I am still not comfortable allowing and tolerating Horizon screwing the consumer. The tourism in Loreto is far and few as a result of this single air carrier's prices. My thoughts only. My Mexican business owner friends are having a really rough time. The town is empty.

Bet the Super Burro stays open....................


Airlines don't make money if they fly empty seats. Conversely, if a demand is identified, they will add seats.

As an example, hotel occupancy rates in Los Cabos are hovering in the low 60% range, which is actually a slight improvement from prior year.

Not too many years ago, there were flights from LAX to SJD , and in some cases multiple flights daily, from Alaska, American, United, Continental, Frontier, Delta, and Mexicana.

That was when the occupancy rates were much higher.

Pompano - 11-25-2011 at 02:42 PM

I just checked with AeroCalifia on their 1-way flights from Loreto to TJ.

Tuesay = $2760P (pesos)

Friday = $2000P

This next Sunday is sold out. I'm assuming that's the cheap flight at $1770P.

Just some info for you.

[Edited on 11-25-2011 by Pompano]