kiterkip
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Topo vs Mazatlan Ferry & Travel Time/Miles?
This subject came up on another thread, but I'd like to clearly settle this. With my 6 years of crossing from the Baja to the Mainland southbound to
Manzanillo... I've always done my math and figured Mazatlan to be the best crossing. Going to Topo/Los Mochis just added on an extra hotel night,
hours, tolls, gas to where the $$ was nearly the same... with more wheel hours.
Am I correct?
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chippy
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Yes.
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surabi
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It depends on what you factor in to what you call "best". I prefer the short ferry ride to and from Topo as well as the more modern ferry, altho it's
been awhile since I made the trip, so may no longer apply. I had a nice room, with a hot shower for the o'nite trip from Topo to La Paz and got a good
night's sleep. The Mazatlan ferry I took was a scow- the rooms were old and grubby with mattresses that should have been chucked overboard. The steep
stairs from the car deck were nearly impossible to climb with luggage and a small cooler.
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kiterkip
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The quality of the ride varies. Each year on the La Paz-Maz run I've been on a different boat over the years since 2009. But always the beds were
clean and nice. I can't say that the quality of the vessel would factor into my decision, only time & cost. These images were from 2012, the rooms
I've had on newer vessels have been similar or better:
$70 room:
$40 room:
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surabi
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I must have had the bad luck to get their oldest still-running vessel. My room was nothing like that, it was like a seedy room in an ancient Motel 6,
only about a tenth the size. My journeys have been from my home in Sayulita to visit my daughter who lives in Baja. I'd definitely take the Mazatlan
ferry if it looked like your photos. I've never liked driving through Gusave-it feels really sketchy to me.
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kiterkip
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I'm thinking Baja Ferrys has sold or scrapped those older vessels. Last year they had a new (2nd hand from Norway) larger faster boat. Super nice
rooms, more room to roam around the passenger areas, big dance floor with live dancing music. Food has always been about the same. Think college dorm
cafeteria.
Oh, and this newer vessel made the La Paz-Maz in 12 hours. Back at the wheel at 9AM in Mazatlan.
Many years ago they had a boat with a bad main cargo door/ramp. For departure and landing they brought in two cranes to open the ramp. Was not off the
boat until 2PM.
Still not thrilled about their strict dog/pet rules. In 12 hours I visited my sweet little schnauzer for one 5-minute visit.
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