BajaNomad

Travel from Ensenada South

prorader - 9-8-2012 at 02:38 PM

Going to Guadalajara, which is the best way to go with a dog? Baja to LaPaz and the ferry or around and down on the mainland? I guess to La Paz is a 2 day trip.

woody with a view - 9-8-2012 at 02:48 PM

depends on your sitch. take the ferry down and come back up the other side, or the other way around......

Mula - 9-8-2012 at 02:53 PM

http://www.bajaferries.com/

responds rapidly and in English and has all the ferry info in English.

David K - 9-8-2012 at 03:02 PM

If you don't care about seeing Baja beyond a blur in your side window, go down the mainland and save the ferry cost. La Paz is 3 days of hurried travel without night driving... IMO. That is if you get started near dawn.

If you have a desire to see the wonders of Baja California on your way south, then take 4 days to get to La Paz or more. Otherwise, the narrow Baja highway, construction, farm traffic, military checkpoints, are just going to irritate you.

[Edited on 9-8-2012 by David K]

prorader - 9-8-2012 at 03:33 PM

I forget seeing the posts from down there it almost seems next door. I guess it is much more down the road.

DavidE - 9-8-2012 at 04:05 PM

I Go south through Ajo to Lukeville, then Sonoyta over to Santa Ana, hang a right on Mex 15-D and follow the highway all the way to Guad.

I use the FLAMINGOS HOTEL on the northern outskirts of Guaymas. Continue on missing the bypass around the city and go past the airport. When you start to encounter the "big sweeping curve" to the left, the hotel will be on your left. I Backtrack in the morning up to the bypass to miss the morning rush hour.

In Tepic is one of my favorite splurge hotels in Mexico -- the Las Bugamvillas. Any gasolinista can tell you where it's located which is near the highway and easy to find.

prorader - 9-8-2012 at 04:27 PM

Your good thanks, a little more detail on stopping points, we have a dog so? I have always traveled by air never driven, a long way we are really going 2 hours past Guad to Masamitla

David K - 9-8-2012 at 05:00 PM

Remember you need a car permit to go south of Guaymas.

DavidE - 9-8-2012 at 06:19 PM

A car permit is necessary to transit past Sonoyta, or past the Agua Zarca km 21 checkpoint southbound on Mex 15. Prorader will need to purchase an all-of-Mexico 180 day car permit, and deposit 200 - 400 dollars with Banjercito on his credit card or ATM card. The refunds have been flawless, money returned to the bank account 12- 48 hours after the car permit is cancelled returning to the border.

I don't like the idea of having to leave a pet in a vehicle for 18 hours on the La Paz / Mazatlan transbordador. The crossing takes less than that, but from the time the doors are locked on the cargo deck until the car is driven off into the huge ferry lot in Mazatlan you can bet your sweet bippy that at least 18 hours will have passed.

With a car you can drive the speed limit on 15-D which is usually 100 or 110 kph.

Guaymas to Los Mochis makes for a decent 2nd day's drive. The third to Mazatlan. Take the PLAYAS NORTE exit and the seaside boulevard will take you past at least 2 dozen hotels. Continue on all the way, some 15 miles to the OLAS ALTAS section and check out the EL SHRIMP BUCKET restaurant and adjacent hotel. There are lots of hotels in the older section of Mazatlan.

The NO-TELL hotels alongside the highway have security so discreet, you'll be able to sneak a dog in. Just look for a roadside motel looking gizmo where you can't see where people park. My favorite sign is in Guacamayas Michoacan "ĦEl Conquistador!" portraying an armored Spaniard carrying a nubile Aztec princess.

Don't forget, the town of TEQUILA lies between Tepic and Guadalajara. Try to take time and divert off Mex 15-D to go see MORELIA and PATZCUARO. These are favorite hangouts.

?????

bajaguy - 9-8-2012 at 07:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by prorader
Going to Guadalajara, which is the best way to go with a dog? Baja to LaPaz and the ferry or around and down on the mainland? I guess to La Paz is a 2 day trip.





Leaving already??????.....you just got here!!!! :?:

prorader - 9-9-2012 at 08:06 AM

Not leave going because of family problems, also I dont need a permit I have a Mexican Baja National plated car and a Mexican drivers license

Bajatripper - 9-10-2012 at 07:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by prorader
... also I dont need a permit I have a Mexican Baja National plated car and a Mexican drivers license


You will need a permit, unless your car is plated in a state in Mexico not along the border. But since you say you have a "Mexican Baja National" plated car, your car is likely permitted for driving in the border states and the Baja peninsula. Any travel to other places in Mexico will require a temporary (180 days) permit.

Marc - 9-10-2012 at 10:00 PM

Take Mex 2 to Sonoyta. Go south 16 miles to get car permit. Continue south.

Stay away from ferries when traveling with pets. It's a long 16 hours from L Paz to Maz for a dog in the car and they will not let you down in the hold to check once you exit your car.