Baja to Mainland Ferries: More Popular Than Ever
Although this information was updated in November 2014, please confirm travel plans with ferry employees or travel agents prior to traveling. Prices, departure times, and other facts may have changed.
The California Star, built in Italy in 2002, travels the La Paz--Topolobampo route in six or seven hours. The Mazatlan Star connects Mazatlan and La Paz; the overnight crossing takes about 16 to 17 hours. (These vessels sometimes switch routes but have the same travel time and keep to the schedules listed below.) Basic cabins have four bunks as well as sink, shower, and toilet; they cost 770 pesos plus the walk-on fare. Pay another 130 pesos for a TV with DVD player. You can rent movies or bring your own.
Both vessels accommodate walk-on passengers as well as cars, motorcycles, RVs and larger vehicles. Pets must be crated. The first pet (one per family) is free; additional cost is 205 pesos per pet, plus tax. Pets are not allowed in the vehicle or in the guest cabins but are kept in their crates in a separate part of the boat.
Many Mexicans pay by bank deposit, but as this is not a usual form of payment for most foreigners; they usually choose cash or credit card. You can use your MasterCard or Visa at ferry landings or pay by phone through the call center or ferry offices at La Paz/Pichilingue, Los Mochis/Topolobampo, and Mazatlan (see below). The affiliated travel agencies listed at the bottom of the page may not accept credit cards. It’s a good idea, if possible, to pay several days in advance to avoid surprises. Even if you’ve paid early, travelers should arrive at the ferry three hours before departure. Your car may need to be inspected by customs officials, and of course foreigners and nationals with foreign plates must have a Vehicle Importation Permit.
General information
www.bajaferries.com (English-language option for most pages)
Call center tel. 612/123-6600 (La Paz, Baja California Sur) and toll-free within Mexico 01800/FERRIES or 01800/337-7437.
It’s not unusual to get no answer at the above numbers. Don’t wait until the last minute to phone. If you can’t get through, try calling the phone numbers for specific ferry landings and travel agencies listed below. Each location usually has at least one telephone representative that speaks basic to good English.
Baja Ferry schedules & fares (please confirm ahead of time!)
La Paz—Topolobampo—La Paz - (cruising time, 6 to 7 hours)
One-way Fare
To change pesos to US dollars or another currency, click here.
Adult: 878 pesos
Seniors (with Mexican Senior Citizens Card): 838 pesos
Kids (age 3--11): Half the adult fare
Children under 3: Free
Cabin: 770 pesos (plus walk-on fee for each of 1 to 4 passengers); add 130 pesos for a TV/DVD player
Vehicles
The driver’s fare is included; additional passengers pay walk-on rate.
Car: 1,960 pesos
Motorcycle: 1,698 pesos
Car with tow (to 9 meters): 4,600 pesos
RV (to 12 meters long): 7,788 pesos
Each additional meter: 820 pesos
La Paz--Mazatlán--La Paz Ferry (cruising time, 16 to 17 hours)
One-way Fare
Adult: 1,078 pesos
Kids (age 3--11): Half the adult fare
Children under 3: Free
Cabin: 770 pesos (plus walk-on fee for each of 1 to 4 passengers)
Vehicles
The driver’s fare is included; additional passengers pay walk-on rate.
Car: 2,303 pesos
Motorcycle: 1,963 pesos
Car with trailer (to 9 meters): 7,669 pesos
RV (to 12 meters): 15,128 pesos
Each additional meter: 1,950 pesos
Baja Ferry Locations
La Paz/Pichilingue, BCS
Interior Muelle de Altura
Lote 1, Manzana F
20 km from La Paz at
Pichilingue, BCS
Tel. 612/125-6324
Hours: 8AM to 2PM
Closed Sunday
Topolobampo, Sinaloa
Muelle de Contenedores (Container Dock)
Tel. 668/862-1003
01800/718-2796 (toll-free in Mexico )
Hours: 9AM to 11PM
Closed Saturday
Mazatlan, Sinaloa
Malecon s/n
Tel. 669/985-0470
Mazatlán, Sinaloa
Hours: Daily 8AM to 3:30PM
Purchasing tickets
Pay in cash, by bank deposit, or with MasterCard or Visa; no checks. Or, visit these affiliated travel agencies in Baja and mainland Mexico for information and to purchase tickets.
Baja California
Ciudad Constitución, BCS
Agencia de Viajes Pedrín
Domicilio Conocido
Tel. 613/132-1012
Loreto, BCS
Agencia de Viajes Pedrín
Domicilio Conocido
Tel. 613/135-0204
La Paz, BCS
Calle Allende 1025 at Calle Marcelo Rubio, Centro
Tel. 612/125-7443
Fax 612/125-7444
San José del Cabo, BCS
Plaza Guaymitas, Local 6
Tels. 624/142-4610 or 624/142-4291
Mainland Mexico
Los Mochis, Sinaloa
Blvd Centenario at Blvd Rosales
Plaza Encuentro, Local 5
Tels. 668/817-3752 or within Mexico only, 01800/012-8770
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Agencia Plaza Independencia
Calzada Independencia Norte 3295
Loc. 13, Zona B interior, Plaza Comercial Independencia
Tels. 33/3674-2067 or within Mexico only, 01800/570-1068