BajaNomad

Rosarito to La Paz driving south in early June

surfcruzin - 4-15-2021 at 10:34 AM

I will be making the drive south to take the ferry to Mazatlan in early June. What advice do travels want to provide? Please no negative comments, just good advice and steadfast warnings if needed. I plan to surf/camp on the Westcoast along with the 1 until I have to follow the 1 through Baja Sur, then plan to head straight for La Paz. I have a large 2014 Silverado and will be pulling a small 4x6' camping/utility trailer. All your positive comments are very welcome and appriciated.

IMG_5052.jpg - 91kB

David K - 4-15-2021 at 01:48 PM

What do you want advice on: points of interest, places to stay, etc.?

"Straight for La Paz" means what, exactly: The fastest route, no side trips, ??

I have some pretty detailed trip reports here on Nomad from 2017-2018 when I drove over 12,000 miles in Baja making road logs and GPS maps for Baja Bound Insurance.

More Baja travel details, photos, links, and maps: www.vivabaja.com

History of any interest? I wrote 'Baja California Land of Missions' and I have a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bajamissions

BajaMama - 4-16-2021 at 08:32 AM

I believe you need a TIP before you board the ferry (if your car is plated in the USA) to take it onto the mainland. I don't know if you can get the TIP in La Paz or if you must obtain it at the US/Mex border.

apple - 4-16-2021 at 02:25 PM

The Surfer's Guide to Baja is good primer and companion for this kind of trip: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-surfers-guide-to-baja_mike...
Worth it at twice the price

As BajaMama mentioned, your need a Temporary Import Permit to get your vehicle on the ferry. I'm pretty sure you'll need to get that in Tijuana, as there isn't a way to get one in La Paz.

If I were you I'd try avoid bringing the trailer if you can. That truck looks plenty big to haul your gear and sleep in...

Tioloco - 4-16-2021 at 03:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by apple  
The Surfer's Guide to Baja is good primer and companion for this kind of trip: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-surfers-guide-to-baja_mike...
Worth it at twice the price

As BajaMama mentioned, your need a Temporary Import Permit to get your vehicle on the ferry. I'm pretty sure you'll need to get that in Tijuana, as there isn't a way to get one in La Paz.

If I were you I'd try avoid bringing the trailer if you can. That truck looks plenty big to haul your gear and sleep in...



I agree, if you can ditch the trailer way easier trip.

tip in LaPaz

mikekary - 4-17-2021 at 11:13 AM

Yes, there is a banjercito at Pichilingue {LaPaz} where you can buy your TIP.

surfcruzin - 5-19-2021 at 04:29 PM

Thank you all for your responses. Unfortunately, the trainer has all my tools and personal belonging. I am traveling with 3 others as we plan to arrive in Costa Rica after our trip through Mexico and the rest of Central America. But the trailer is lite and easy to move, we have plenty of spare wheels/tires and supplies. I know the trailer isn't the best for this trip but its going to have to do I guess.

pacificobob - 5-19-2021 at 04:38 PM

you likely know you will need all documentation and copies [several]for the vehicles.
the TIP office closes earlier than you might guess. i had to run down the gal on her way out and get her to reopen and issue our permits. some recommend getting the permits the day before sailing.

motoged - 5-19-2021 at 11:07 PM

Getting all your documents re: vehicle ownership and registration copied in triplicate before you leave US would be a good start, and to get the TIP then as well as I have heard stories about doing it in La Paz can take a few days.

Insurance info for each country in CA as well as import permit knowledge is a must before you leave US.

Covered trailer (trucker tarp) is less tempting....

Good luck.....have fun:coolup:

TLBaja79 - 5-20-2021 at 07:03 AM

Awesome trip! Did this 20yrs ago!
Patience and no real strict plans on that one! Sometimes just getting though a central American border takes the whole day...sometimes an hour...back then sometimes a Playboy would be all it takes!

We had some sketchy events happen but for the most part we encountered nothing but great people!
In a pinch we found sleeping/camping at a military stop was safe and convenient. Also sleeping in peoples yards/farms turned out to be a fun safe way to find a camp spot! Every time it ended up with a lot of fun interaction.

We got tons of awesome surf, other surfers were appreciated, as we usually surfed by ourselves.....though I know that has changed at most spots by now....

I know things are a lot different now (desolate surf spots are now surf resorts, different political situations, etc....) but enjoy, the less strict your plans are the better!