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WideAngleWandering
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Heading to Oaxaca via La Paz
Some friends wanted to visit Oaxaca at the end of October for some cactus juice, cricket topped tacos, and some spicy chocolate sauce. I figured
great idea, let's drive! They figured, hell no, we're flying. I figured screw you guys I'm driving anyway because I have the best ideas.
So, some time in the next day or two once I have finished reassembling my truck, I plan to head south through Baja to La Paz, catch the ferry to
Mazatlan, and make my way to Oaxaca City via highway 200 along the coast and then highway 131 north through the mountains. Goal is to meet friends on
Oct 29 in the city.
I did this once before about 12 years ago. I remember it was pretty easy to get a TIP and buy a ferry ticket in La Paz. I remember the road from the
coast to Oaxaca City was steep and twisty. I remember highway 200 took waaaaay longer than I expected but was really beautiful.
Best guess - is it better to get a vehicle TIP at the ferry terminal in Pichilingue? Or is it better to do in Tijuana at the
border crossing? I've heard they won't issue one at the border. I've also heard stories of people being turned way from the ferry and sent back to
the border. I already have an FMM but I'll stop at customs if I need to for a TIP.
Does anyone have any recommendations on forums / groups with travel info on the mainland? Last time I did this I used some forums/communities
that no longer exist.
I'm not usually one to get nervous about cartel violence, but the chit kicking off in Culiacan this past month seems a bit different. Thoughts?
I'm hoping that starting the mainland trip in Mazatlan will let me avoid getting caught up in anything.
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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Tioloco
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-I would try getting the TIP in TJ just for the peace of mind so you dont have to worry about it in Pichilingue.
- I think your route starting in Mazatlan will avoid the Sonora,Chihuahua and Culiacan narco traffic. Good idea to me.
- Driving vs flying? I agree with you. You are going to have a way bigger adventure and much more fun! Enjoy!
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BooJumMan
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Sounds like an awesome trip!
In that pre-Google Earth and social media epoch, The Code was adhered to. It was based on a simple verity: if a locale had been transformational for
you, and you had put the hard yards in to get there and to learn it, to know it, why in god�s name would you broadcast the news, thus ruining the
future experience not only for yourself, but for future adventurers?
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chippy
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You might want to check Zihua Robs and Tomzap Puerto Escondido boards to get some road reports.
The roads in Guerrero and Oaxaca got pretty beat up this rainy season. Last I heard it´s all drivable now but lotsa of road rebuilding.
The new toll road Lencho linked has been really slow due to so many landslides.
You might want to book your ferry now so you don't get hung up in La Paz for days.
If you have a pet and can sleep in your rig I would use the TMC ferry,If not then I would book a cabin on Baja Ferrys you won´t get much sleep if
you don´t.
The Michoacan coast will be more beautiful than normal right now! Green and the Barcinos will be flowering.
I should be at my place in Melaque when you pass thru PM me if you need a place to camp or info.
Good Luck
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Ateo
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WAW: Sounds epic. I did this solo in my early 20's back in '95.....(down to Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca City). I don't remember much about that
trip or the TIP but I think I got mine in La Paz at the terminal. Good idea to take the ferry to Mazatlan and avoid northern Sinaloa and Culiacan.
Lots of new roads now. Live now before we all die!
[Edited on 10-16-2024 by Ateo]
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AKgringo
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A warning about stopping in Melaque!
W.A.W., If you take Chippy up on his offer of hospitality, you may have a very difficult time getting back into your rig and driving to Oaxaca! I
love that place!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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surabi
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Quote: Originally posted by chippy  |
The roads in Guerrero and Oaxaca got pretty beat up this rainy season. Last I heard it´s all drivable now but lotsa of road rebuilding.
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To add, don't assume that rainy season is "over". There have been hurricanes and flooding in November on the mainland.
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WideAngleWandering
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Thanks all for the advice. This is great.
Would love to find some recent experience on getting the TIP but I suppose I can just stop in Tijuana and make the attempt.
Good to know about the new road to Oaxaca city. The old one was fun / challenging, especially in the rain. When I did this way back when it was
raining and gusting so hard coming down the mountain that one of my windshield wipers flew off. Finding that on the side of a twisty mountain road in
a storm was fun.
I've never taking the TMC ferry. No pets and while I could sleep in my rig, it would be uncomfortable if I couldn't put the top up. I am guessing
there isn't enough height in the vehicle hold for that.
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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chippy
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You can pop the top. I do with my alu cab camper. You park topsides on the deck. Fresh air,starlink and access to my fridge make it my prefered
ferry .
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Ateo
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AI search and Google show you can supposedly apply online too or pick up at border crossing at Bajercito. No idea if the Internet is telling the
truth though:
https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/
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WideAngleWandering
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I know some folks who get them online but they told me you need at least 10 days lead time.
Chippy, that sounds like a great way to cross. Do you book in advance? And thank you for the offer to visit. I hope to do so but I need to get
further underway before I know when and where I need to be.
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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surabi
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I got a TIP at the ferry, but that was many years ago, and things may certainly have changed. One thing I remember is that they wanted copies of all
my paperwork and we had to go back to La Paz to make copies, because there was nowhere there to do so. Hopefully that has changed, but you might want
to make sure to have copies of all your car paperwork and passport and drivers license and insurance before you get to the ferry to get the TIP.
What was funny was that my daughter, who was about 21 at the time, and spoke good Spanish, was with me, and when the guy said we'd have to go make
copies, she pointed to the photocopier we could see right behind the guy and asked, "But isn't that a photocopier you have right there?"
He said yes, but it wasn't for making copies of our paperwork. Typical Mexican pointless absurdity, gotta love it.
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pacificobob
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Wherever you get the tip, the above council for copies is spot on.
Title, registration, insurance.... everything.... And lots.
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chippy
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| Quote: Originally posted by WideAngleWandering | I know some folks who get them online but they told me you need at least 10 days lead time.
Chippy, that sounds like a great way to cross. Do you book in advance? And thank you for the offer to visit. I hope to do so but I need to get
further underway before I know when and where I need to be. |
I have only booked tmc while in La Paz at their office on Olachea blvd. Baja ferries I've booked in advance many times using their website.
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advrider
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Sounds awesome, keep us posted. I would do the TIP in TJ just to be safe. My friends did it earlier this year and were glad they had the TIP
beforehand, as they asked at the terminal and received several different answers.
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baja-chris
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Most likey that folks who reported having to go back to the border were missing required paperwork. You will need it all and in duplicate.
Nevertheless, I'd try to get the TIP at the border, just to remove uncertainty.
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WideAngleWandering
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Looks like I'll be reaching the border Sat morning. I hope aduana and banjercito are open then.
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WideAngleWandering
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Well getting my slightly unusual vehicle imported was a hassle because I don't have all the expected VIN plates but after striking out at San ysidro I
was able to get it done at Otay. Took a while and I suspect they were getting approvals or something in the background.
Anyhow I made it to San Felipe after a marathon drive.
Now to figure out the ferries. There are no cabins available on the Tues ferry. The Thurs ferry would be seriously cramping my schedule.
So I am trying to decide if I should haul burro to La Paz and attempt the TMC ferry at 5pm on Monday.
Only problem is I slept way too long. Needed it. But we will see.
One thing's for sure - being in a hurry in Baja feels so wrong.
[Edited on 2024-10-20 by WideAngleWandering]
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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AKgringo
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Is the Santa Rosalia to Guaymas ferry still available, and would that even be helpful? The Benchmark Atlas (2021 edition) shows departures from S.R.
on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but that still leaves a long drive to Oaxaca.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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WideAngleWandering
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Appreciate the tip. I promised my girl i wouldnt drive through Culiacan hence the ferry to Mazatlan. I have never been through a cartel checkpoint
before. Im sure it wouod be fine. But I'm gonna keep my word.
I do want to take that ferry some day for a copper canyon trip.
But for now since TMC is not answering on a Sunday, I am just gonna hoof it and see what I can make happen. Aside from watching all this gorgeous
scenery fly by, the worst part is the stomach bug I picked up back home. Doing this drive on a steady diet of yogurt licuados and coffee. I want
some birria damnit.
I'm hoping to get to the main land with enough slack that I can find a beach camp to set up my hammock and maybe do some fishing on my way to Oaxaca.
Worst case I have more long driving days down and can have a more leisurely return.
[Edited on 2024-10-20 by WideAngleWandering]
[Edited on 2024-10-20 by WideAngleWandering]
Traveling the Americas via my old land cruiser
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