BajaNomad

San Diego to Mazatlan by way of La Paz ferry

nobaddays - 1-3-2013 at 10:06 AM

What are the requirement to take my car to the mainland by ferry from Baja. I hear a car bond is needed and can be gotten in La Paz. How about getting required paperwork in San Diego or Tijuana? How much time and costs? Also I hold an FM2, does this help?

Hook - 1-3-2013 at 12:45 PM

I've never done this from your point A to B, but THEORETICALLY you will need to pay the refundable bond and get an All of Mexico permit. I have no knowledge about the La Paz end doings.

Bond amount depends on the year of your car. 200-400 US. Use a credit card!!!! Paying cash can be a nightmare as the Aduana offices never have that amount and there you are, standing there, wanting to leave Mexico right now and the system still has your cash. I havent heard of anyone who RETURNED THE BOND STICKER ON TIME, not getting their credit card credited the amount. In many cases, it's only a week or so. Amazingly fast for Mexico.

I think the AOM is about 40 bucks US. Both of these will only be valid till the expiration date on your FM2. So, the bond MUST be turned in on time at one of the border crossings. And the AOM must also be turned in or you may be denied entry into the country (with a car in your name) in the future. I really dont know if you can do all this returning of permits in TJ, Tecate or wherever in Baja. Just havent heard much about that. But I have heard that persons even a day late, lose the bond.

Mula - 1-3-2013 at 01:56 PM

We did La Paz to Mazatlan by Ferry in November.
This is what I wrote up about the experience.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=64076#pid7788...

twogringos - 1-3-2013 at 05:46 PM

Consider the ferry to Los Mochis (Topolobampo), and then drive 300 mi south to Maztalan. Ferry ride is only 8 hours instead of 20 and is a much nicer ferry. Cheaper overall if you compare a ferry cabin to a hotel in Topo (try Hotel Marina, just outside the terminal).

JZ - 1-3-2013 at 11:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by nobaddays
What are the requirement to take my car to the mainland by ferry from Baja. I hear a car bond is needed and can be gotten in La Paz. How about getting required paperwork in San Diego or Tijuana? How much time and costs? Also I hold an FM2, does this help?


You need to get an all Mexico permit. If it isn't busy and you have all your paperwork straight, it doesn't take long at all (15mins?).

Btw, it would be a million times easier to drive to AZ, cross at Nogales, stop at San Carlos, and then head to Mazatlan. I've driven to SC a million times. Pretty easy 4-5hr drive. Pretty easy, straight, good road, from SC to Maz.

The roads to LA Paz is a b-tch and the ferry is an all day ordeal. You'll love SC. Better than any town in Baja. Probably what Cabo or La Paz was 40 years ago.

JZ - 1-3-2013 at 11:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I've never done this from your point A to B, but THEORETICALLY you will need to pay the refundable bond and get an All of Mexico permit. I have no knowledge about the La Paz end doings.

Bond amount depends on the year of your car. 200-400 US. Use a credit card!!!! Paying cash can be a nightmare as the Aduana offices never have that amount and there you are, standing there, wanting to leave Mexico right now and the system still has your cash. I havent heard of anyone who RETURNED THE BOND STICKER ON TIME, not getting their credit card credited the amount. In many cases, it's only a week or so. Amazingly fast for Mexico.


I just had to get a bond on my car to take it to SC because I had dirt bikes with me. I got the credit back on my CC almost immediately.