BajaNomad

Ferries from La Paz, crossing at Tecate, solo travel

Faithness - 8-29-2023 at 08:41 PM

HI! I'm driving from Portland, OR to La Paz, then planning on taking the car ferry to Mazatlan, then driving to Puerto Vallarta. Wisdom on this forum says take 3 days through Baja to La Paz... where are good dog friendly places to stop en route? Are there parks where the dogs can run?

Also, I can't figure out if the dogs are allowed on the ferry?

Any help appreciated!

Ateo - 8-29-2023 at 08:48 PM

Hello Faithness,

I did the same trip, from San Fran back in the 90's, down to Vallarta. It's gonna be a blast! I didn't have a dog on the ferry thought so I'm not sureonthat one but someone will hopefully chime in on that soon.

Los Jardines in San Quintin is a good dog friendly hotel. Gosh, most places are (some will disagree) but when I had my golden for years on trips it was hardly EVER an issue.

Parks are on both sides of the roads as you leave any town = meaning just pull over in a spot with no barbed wire and let them run. Just be careful when you're close to the highway as a trucks horn or backfire could spook the dogs, as is what happened to mine in Catavina.

Have fun.

Welcome to the forum!

AKgringo - 8-29-2023 at 09:19 PM

I wanted to do the same thing four or five years ago, but based on what I found at the time, I changed my mind.

From what I was told, my dog would not be allowed to remain in my vehicle. I would have had to obtain a kennel which would remain on the cargo deck for the entire trip, and I could not determine if I would be allowed access to the kennel during that very long voyage.

My Spanish is not that great, so I may have misunderstood what I was being told in La Paz, but I did not want to put my dog in that situation.

SFandH - 8-29-2023 at 10:38 PM

https://www.bajaferries.com.mx/prepara-tu-viaje

Google translation:

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"Can my pet travel?

Yes, each passenger can take a maximum of two pets per trip. Your ticket has an additional cost of $590.00 (five hundred and ninety pesos 00/100 MN) per pet and travel route.

In order for your pet to be able to board, it is essential to have a transport cage with enough space that allows it to move freely inside and lie down in a natural position.

Your pet travels in a special area of ​​the ship and you can visit it during the voyage with prior notice and accompanied by a member of the crew or security personnel. However, for the safety of the passengers, crew and your pet, it is forbidden to remove them from their cage at any time during the trip.

No pet transfer service is offered without a passenger on board. If you travel by car, your pet cannot stay inside it as it represents a danger to your health. The number of pets on board is subject to availability.

Required documentation

The client must bring the original and a copy of the vaccination certificate (rabies, parvo virus, distemper, etc.) and health certificate (health status and deworming) issued by a Veterinary Doctor with a professional license stating their contact information. If the pet is in the gestation period, the Client must carry a note or certificate issued by a Veterinary Doctor in which the general state of health is evaluated and recommends its transport. If the pet is less than 8 weeks old, the Client must have a note or certificate issued by a Veterinary Doctor in which the general state of health is evaluated and its transport recommended."

------------------------------------------------

Detailed info here: https://www.bajaferries.com.mx/TerminosMascotas

It's best, maybe required that the Veterinary document is in Spanish. Perhaps use a vet in La Paz.

I've stayed in a few hotels on the peninsula with my dog. There is usually a 200 peso fee for the dog.

I suggest a dog tag with your cell phone number on it.




[Edited on 8-30-2023 by SFandH]

US 41 - 8-30-2023 at 01:58 AM

Personally I'd want at least 4 days to get to La Paz. Baja is kind of one of those weird places in the world that is so remote that you want to stop early to make sure you're able to get a hotel / not be driving around at night.

I drove solo to Cabo last year and have drove to Mazatlan solo from Texas. I had a fabulous time both trips. I've never taken a trip with a pet, so unfortunately I don't have any advice on that.

Tecate is definitely the best crossing to use coming into Mexico. I've heard that the police sometimes harass Americans there, but I didn't personally have any issues. They don't really have any parking at the Tecate POE to get the FMM Visa, so I parked a block west by some school. Not sure if I was supposed to, but I did do it on a Sunday so there's that.

Here's the stops I made (towns).
Night 1) El Rosario de Arriba
Night 2) Guerrero Negro
Night 3) Mulege
Night 4) Los Barrilles (couple hours SE of La Paz)

BooJumMan - 8-30-2023 at 05:22 AM

I don't think I've ever heard anyone call it El Rosario de Arriba. Interesting that Google Maps has that labeled as the town name.

chippy - 8-30-2023 at 07:17 AM

The TMC ferry allows pets and passengers to stay in their vehicles on deck. I'm not sure the ferry goes to Maz anymore but it's still going to Topo.

[Edited on 8-30-2023 by chippy]

AKgringo - 8-30-2023 at 07:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
The TCM ferry allows pets and passengers to stay in their vehicles on deck. I'm not sure the ferry goes to Maz anymore but it's still going to Topo.


Thanks for the information! I checked with Baja Ferries when I wanted to cross.

https://blissordie.com/2019/05/13/la-paz-to-mazatlan-tmc-fer...

chippy - 8-31-2023 at 04:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
The TCM ferry allows pets and passengers to stay in their vehicles on deck. I'm not sure the ferry goes to Maz anymore but it's still going to Topo.


Thanks for the information! I checked with Baja Ferries when I wanted to cross.

https://blissordie.com/2019/05/13/la-paz-to-mazatlan-tmc-fer...


I usually use Baja Ferries and get a cabin but when they aren't available I use TMC and sleep in my camper.

David K - 9-1-2023 at 06:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
The TCM ferry allows pets and passengers to stay in their vehicles on deck. I'm not sure the ferry goes to Maz anymore but it's still going to Topo.


Thanks for the information! I checked with Baja Ferries when I wanted to cross.

https://blissordie.com/2019/05/13/la-paz-to-mazatlan-tmc-fer...


Great link!

US 41 - 9-12-2023 at 06:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BooJumMan  
I don't think I've ever heard anyone call it El Rosario de Arriba. Interesting that Google Maps has that labeled as the town name.


That's what it's labeled as in my Rand McNally too. Do most people just call it El Rosario or something else entirely?