BajaNomad

Ferry from La Paz?

Howard - 5-18-2014 at 01:05 PM

Thinking about putting together a trip in January leaving from Loreto. I will be crossing the boarder the first couple of weeks in October from either Tecate or TJ.

I am interested in taking the ferry to Mazatlan and exploring some of the mainland and have many questions. I went up on the Baja Ferries web sight and got some basic questions answered but was looking for recent first handed information.

What about the dog on the trip? Is there pet walking allowed or does the pooch have to stay in the camper the whole time?
Can I go to the camper to visit him?

Can I stay in the camper? If not, do you recommend a cabin and if so, about how much $ is it? It should be a little chilly in January so I do not know about staying/sleeping on the deck.

The pick up/camper is in my name and plated in South Dakota. What type of permits do I need? Do I have to get them in TJ and the approximate cost excluding any refundable deposits? Can I get the permits 3 months in advance if I need to get them at the boarder? What type of paperwork do I need to show them? My passport, registration?

I have a Permenente Resident card, is that going to screw things up?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Here are some facts.

I will be driving with my dog to La Paz in a self contained cab over camper that is 24-26 feet bumper to bumper.

I am flexible on the departure date on the ferry but probably sometime the beginning of January.

Thank you,

Howard

[Edited on 5-18-2014 by Howard]

bill erhardt - 5-18-2014 at 01:31 PM

"I have a Permenente Resident card, is that going to screw things up?"

With your RP green card you will not be able to get on the ferry in your car/truck with U S plates.

Talk to your neighbors Bob and Jane on this board.....

[Edited on 5-18-2014 by bill erhardt]

rhintransit - 5-18-2014 at 01:59 PM

yep...all questions irrelevant due to RP card and non-nationalized car. wish I could figure out a way around it myself but that's the way it is.

Spelling

Howard - 5-18-2014 at 02:53 PM

What if I spelled the word "border" correctly, would it make a difference in my being able to take the ferry with S.D. plates? :biggrin:

Thank you for the input.

Bob and jane - 5-18-2014 at 03:18 PM

Yup, Howard. As I read your post I was thinking I was going to have to write a book in reply and then I got to the part about being "residente permanente." You have to have the truck nationalized and have Mexican plates to get on the ferry now that you are permanente. We nationalized our truck at the border in Otay Mesa last September. I can give you the name of a great agent right at the Otay border if you want to nationalize your truck. Otherwise, you won't be able to take that truck to the mainland, no matter where you enter the country.

DianaT - 5-18-2014 at 03:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and jane
Yup, Howard. As I read your post I was thinking I was going to have to write a book in reply and then I got to the part about being "residente permanente." You have to have the truck nationalized and have Mexican plates to get on the ferry now that you are permanente. We nationalized our truck at the border in Otay Mesa last September. I can give you the name of a great agent right at the Otay border if you want to nationalize your truck. Otherwise, you won't be able to take that truck to the mainland, no matter where you enter the country.


Meantime, do you know about the dog situation? We traveled on the old ferry many years ago, but did not have our dog with us?

Thanks

[Edited on 5-18-2014 by DianaT]

durrelllrobert - 5-18-2014 at 03:36 PM

How would they know that you have a RP card unless you tell them? Couldn't you just show your US Passport to get on/ go to the mainland?

ncampion - 5-18-2014 at 04:00 PM

Does the same problem exist for someone holding a Residente Temporal (RT) card?

Howard - 5-18-2014 at 04:04 PM

I would ASSUME that one would have to have some type of Mexican identification such as an FMM (or whatever they call it now days) or some type of paperwork to travel that far past the border towns. I really don't want to get into hiding my PR card and getting another type of 180 day pass. (Or whatever they call it)

David K - 5-18-2014 at 04:33 PM

It was a long time ago... but our little dog was not allowed in the people section. We were allowed to go check on it during the crossing. This was the Santa Rosalia to Guaymas ferry, in 1973. :spingrin:

Bob and jane - 5-18-2014 at 07:29 PM

Diana T,
The old ferry allowed you to kennel your dog on the deck during the voyage. Visiting privileges were allowed. Last January they started running a new ferry. I don't recall seeing any dogs or a dog space on deck, so I can't really answer your question. If you have to leave them in your vehicle, then you will NOT be allowed to visit them during the voyage. The upside is that the new ferry is faster. Instead of 16 hours the voyage now lasts 12. Assuming good weather of course.

bigmike - 5-18-2014 at 08:47 PM

You need to import your car temporarily and to do so you must have a Tourist Visa,
not a permanent Residence card, it is all done on line and mailed to you in the states and then when you leave the country you must turn in your paperwork.

rhintransit - 5-19-2014 at 09:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigmike
You need to import your car temporarily and to do so you must have a Tourist Visa,
not a permanent Residence card, it is all done on line and mailed to you in the states and then when you leave the country you must turn in your paperwork.


for those with FMMs not holding RP status...remember
'when you leave the country' means when you cross the US/Mexico border. or Guatamala/Mexico or Belize, Mexico. you won't get your money back for the temporary import in La Paz when you return to La Frontera.