tim40
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Registered: 3-29-2004
Location: Manhattan Beach
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Baja to Mainland Ferries
It has been a longggg time since I knew the then rates for one way vehicle/person passage from departures to mainland arrival locations.
IF, I am reading the data correctly, the current rates have become very expensive (at least in relative terms).
For us to take our vehicle towing a small boat (total of approx 34 feet) it is 650 - 1000.00 USD depending on the route.
Questions to those of you more in the know:
1. Am I looking at the rates correctly?
2. Are there any methods (tour operator or whatever) to lower the rates?
3. Has anyone ever take their pet and do they really police keeping the dog only in the car?
Thoughts and insights as always are greatly appreciated.
Tim
When searching for the end of your rainbow you only have until dusk....
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Pescador
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I don't know which ferry you are looking at of the three that service Baja but yes they charge by the foot of length and trailers as well as boats
really add up the expense.
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bajamigo
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Some good info in this thread:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=24968#pid2328...
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tim40
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Most interested in the La Paz to Topolo... route. From what I could find from reading all the posts I could find and many other websites, it appears
that for a car and boat trailer measuring 34 feet with 4 passengers it will cost at today's exchange rate 940.00 USD. This seems very high even with
the increases of costs in MX. On another post it was suggested that better rates may be available. All ideas are appreciated. We can do the
above route or to Mazatlan out of La Paz or even SR to Guaymas if one is less expensive.
Very hard for me to believe, but currently it is cheaper for wife and I to fly to baja Sur round trip, rent a car, complete some business that is
pending and then drive from Los Angeles down the mainland (to include the cost of fuel....less value of time).
Insights are greatly appreciated.
When searching for the end of your rainbow you only have until dusk....
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Hook
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The cost of the Topo-La Paz ferry (and weather related issues) prevented me from trying it from the mainland to La Paz this past June. I think you are
figuring the costs about right. The nativetrails.com site is pretty clear. I talked to them at length and compared their prices to the ferry website
and they were the same. I actually show the costs for your rig and 4 people to be over 1000.00US, but maybe you have kids in that.
Yes, it seems unrealistically expensive for all of them, if you have a lengthy vehicle. You probably traveled on it originally when the ferries were
subsidized.
Persons who have traveled on all three ferries definitely prefer the Topo route. The vessel is much newer and the cruise is not too long. I've heard
the Mazatlan route feels REALLY long.
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comitan
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Hook
The ferry to Mazatlan is long, and when you clear the end of the peninsula you get the Pacific roll,and roll and roll did you take your Dramamine?
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Cervisin
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Baja Ferries raised the prices substantial when Aerocalifornia was grounded. The got the monopoly for passenger transport to the mainland so they are
like the famous dog that sniffs his tail because he can.....
The owner, a algerian-french guy sits in Miami and counts the dollars (of course their are mexican partners, got to be legal 'eh) - last year a mere
45$ US million profit, new headquarter in La Paz in dimensions that are un-usual for here and the "California Star" purchased now and under mex. flag,
( until the last years leased from an italian company - that was another buy in the 35 million dollar range as far as my inside information goes).
The short trip is with the "California Star" +/- 6 hr. to Topolo/Mochis, the older ship the "Sinaloa Star" does the Mazatlan route, pending on
conditions in the 15 hrs. range.
You can try asking at SEMATUR office, but official they are not allowed to take passengers - they do only trucks + their drivers. You will get no
information on phone in this regards yet in office you may lucky. You just have to hang out with a few truckers during journey in not such nice room,
no food service etc.
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edinnopolo
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Took the California Star to Topolobampo r/t a couple of years ago and the fare for a Toyota Corolla ,the wife and I was around $ 400.00. Nice ship
though.
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