BajaWaverunner - 7-5-2018 at 02:23 PM
Looking for trip planning advice on the best way to drive a car with Baja plates from Ensenada to Tepic. I will be leaving the car with family once I
arrive in Tepic. Need advice on route planning and any required documents/permits. Car is Mexican with Baja plates and I am a white American guy
with FMM. Thinking of driving down Baja and using the ferry to cross. Any help appreciated.
David K - 7-5-2018 at 02:43 PM
I don't think skin color matters, but you best have auto insurance that covers what you are driving for liability. I would think a notarized paper
from the registered owner stating you have permission to drive it anywhere in Mexico (or at least the states for this trip) would be wise.
Make sure what papers the ferry company needs is covered. They don't like shipping cars out of Baja that may be stolen.
chippy - 7-5-2018 at 03:27 PM
Is the car in your name?
BajaWaverunner - 7-5-2018 at 03:56 PM
Car belongs to mother-in-law. Delivering it to our daughter who will be staying in Tepic for one year while she completes her one-year of medical
service. Will need to bring the car back to ensenada at the end of her year of service.
wilderone - 7-5-2018 at 06:32 PM
Ferry crossing about 13 hours; cost $200 (?) or so - depends on the car and how many passengers. If you're not in a hurry, you could drive east on
Mex. 2, then south, follow the coast - stop in Caborca, Guaymas, El Fuerte, Mazatlán, then Tepic. You have to drive the 800 miles to La Paz, then
170 mi. from Mazatlan to Tepic. Google says 1,295 mi. Ensenada-Tepic– so only about 325 mi. difference if you drive the mainland. Spend the ferry
cost on hotels instead on the way down. How are you getting back?
chippy - 7-6-2018 at 08:15 AM
I would call baja ferries and ask them. They have english speakers available if needed.
Ferry cost for me last nov. was 295 usd small pickup with a private room.
I was in Tepic by noon after disembarking.
[Edited on 7-6-2018 by chippy]
bajamary1952 - 7-6-2018 at 10:57 AM
I drove the entire Pacific coast from Michoacan to Colima to Jalisco to Sinaloa then Sonora coast back across to Baja (as a solo female traveler in a
SUV with small dog camping many places). Never had any problems & everyone everywhere was super-nice to me.
Michoacan was my FAVORITE PLACE despite all the "warnings" about it being dangerous. The coast there is much less spoiled than the other states
mentioned above.
Bob and Susan - 7-6-2018 at 11:04 AM
i would check this///
baja plates from a baja importation
are different from plates from a national importation
you need to check or its illegal to drive it on the mainland
just because it has Mexican plates doesn't guarantee you can drive it on the mainland
bajagrouper - 7-6-2018 at 02:47 PM
I live on the mainland and see the Orange, blue and green Baja California plates all the time...I just drove the opposite direction from Tequila to
Tijuana via the Mazatlan ferry, cost for standard car, me and cabin was $200 USD, did everything on line, simple and easy.Make sure you have a letter
from the owner giving you permission for you to drive it.
Just saw you are a tourist, you better check to make sure someone with an FMM and drive a registered and plated Mexican vehicle...