Galerias Mazatlan

Ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan

 dutchiesgoglobal.com/ferry-from-la-paz-to-mazatlan/


We took the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. There are two options to get across to the mainland of Mexico. One is with Baja Ferries, which is the more luxurious option on an actual cruise ship and the other is the TMC Ferry, which is the truck ferry.

If you have a normal car, I do not think the prices are very different, it will be around 3000 pesos, without a cabin.

We do not have a normal car though, plus we have a dog. On the Baja Ferries, dogs must be in cages in the pet area and we heard several stories, from not being able to go and see them to being allowed once to give them water. 16 hours and only being able to give water once? We decided to go with the TMC ferry.

The advantage of the TMC ferry is that first of all, for us it was much cheaper. They calculated by the meter and we paid 5050 pesos, including two persons. Not too bad. Baja Ferries would have most likely calculated us as a motorhome which would have been around 15.000 pesos. Plus on the TMC ferry you have access to your car whenever you want. You can choose where you want to sleep. On the deck, in the lounge area (= sort of airplane chairs with a television) or in your car.

We wanted to sleep on the deck, but the stairs were quite narrow and high and we could not get Dunya up. It was quite hot inside the car with the doors open, so we decided to sleep in the car with the doors open and Dunya outside under the truck next to us.

Dunya sleeping under the truck

You are also allowed to walk the dog on the deck to do their business. Dunya did not want to go though. Did not really have her sealegs I think.

With the ticket, meals were included. Fajita’s for dinner and eggs for breakfast. Not bad at all.

Dinner on the ferry

We were told that the ship sails only on Saturday, which is not true if you look on their website. But, we did not mind to go on a Saturday, arriving in Mazatlan on a Sunday seemed like a good idea.

We did not need to make reservations. We just showed up at the ferry terminal by 11 am. Went through customs with the car (to the right after the fence). Had the car checked by customs and proceeded to the bascula to have Panda weighed and measured. With that information on a little piece of paper we went to the office to purchase the tickets. Since Panda did not fit in any of the normal categories, we had to pay by meter.

We received an invoice, two meal vouchers and a voucher to get on the ship. We then had to wait in line until loading (at 2 pm). The trucks with drivers go on the upper deck, the trailers loaded by the harbour personnel go on the lower deck.

Tiny Panda with her neighbours

The ship was supposed to leave by 4pm, ours left by 5.30. We hung around on the deck for a while, practised our spanish with some of the truck drivers and watched some movies in our car.

We arrived in Mazatlan by 10 am. Off the ship by 10.30. Passed through the militairy check who just peaked inside the car for a second and we were good to go.

Expert Vacation Rental Tips

 

 

By Ann Levin

Associated Press

 

Tips from the Better Business Bureau, travel experts and seasoned renters to ensure you are not cheated when you rent a home for your vacation:

• Get a written agreement spelling out terms and conditions. Never wire money or write personal checks. A credit card is the way to go because the card's issuer may offer some protection. If you can show that promised goods and services were not provided, you may be able to get a refund.

• Do not trust an owner who will communicate only via e-mail, and do not hesitate to pick up the phone to ask the owner/property manager detailed questions or even request more photos than those displayed in the online ad.

• Find out how you will get back your security deposit, if there is one, and what it covers.

• Ask friends for recommendations. If you decide on a house or condo belonging to a stranger, ask for references from others who have stayed there.

• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In most cases, you get what you pay for.

• Plug the property owner and address into a Web browser and see what comes up. You may discover complaints from previous renters. Make sure you are dealing with the real property owner. Scammers can steal information to create phony listings.

• Seasoned renters suggest negotiating with owners/managers on price if vacancy rates in the area are high. You also can inquire about perquisites to sweeten the deal, like free tickets or discounts to local activities.

• Be skeptical of glowing online reviews, especially if the reviewers are anonymous.

• Ask the owner/property manager to define nebulous terms like "oceanfront property" and "5-minute walk to the beach." Make sure you are clear on such things as how far the house is from the center of town.

• If the owner does not live in the area, find out if there is a local caretaker who can deal with problems like blown fuses or an overflowing toilet. Find out whom to contact in case of an emergency.

• If you have physical limitations, ask about handicap accommodations including elevator service. Everyone, with or without disabilities, is likely to want to know about noise levels, air conditioning and heating and mattresses.

• If your group plans big communal meals, make sure there are enough pots, pans, utensils and table service. Inquire about essentials like coffee makers, cutting boards and good knives.

• Ask what the cleaning fees will be, and try to determine whether any fees have gone unmentioned. Pauline Frommer of Pauline Frommer travel guides notes that in some European countries you may have to pay extra for electricity or other utilities. Ask about phone service, Internet and Wi-Fi.

• If possible, visit the property before renting it.

• If a property does not live up to its billing, document problems with pictures or videos. Complain immediately to the owner or property manager. Keep receipts. Compile a meticulous record of all transactions and what went wrong. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, you may be able to seek recourse in court. Check your state's consumer protection laws to see what you may be entitled to and whether there are deadlines for filing.