Ferry La Paz to Mazatlán: Everything You Need To Know
If you plan to travel from La Paz to Mazatlán, located in mainland Mexico via ferry crossing, then you are in the right place.
When we took a long-distance motorcycle trip on small 125cc motorcycles from North Dakota through the entire country of Mexico, we began on the Baja Peninsula. After gallivanting through the peninsula, we finally made it to La Paz, Mexico, and navigated the confusing crossing from La Paz to Mazatlan by ferry with our motorcycles.
Ferry crossing can be tedious and challenging without the proper travel preparations. Fortunately, we went through the entire process using our trusty trial and error, so you don’t have to.
In this article, I’ll go over all of the steps and processes you need to know to make the ferry La Paz to Mazatlán crossing successfully.
Ferry La Paz to Mazatlán
Most individuals looking to travel to Mazatlán often take the Baja ferries, the leading ferry companies operating between La Paz, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, and Topolobampo.
These companies were instituted in 2003, and their headquarters are in La Paz, Baja California Sur. They are geared and dedicated to transporting passengers and vehicles to and from mainland Mexico.
Another reputable ferry provider is the TMC which is mainly a cargo ship ferry but can carry passengers.
Both TMC and Baja ferries travel overnight; depending on your situation, you can choose to board either ferry. The main difference is: with TMC, passengers are allowed to stay in their vehicles, while the Baja ferries only allow passengers to remain in their cabins while in transit.
How To Book the La Paz to Mazatlán Service
When traveling from La Paz to Mazatlán, individuals can choose to travel with either the Baja ferries fit for only passengers or the TMC ferries that provide passenger vehicle crossings.
That said, to secure your crossing reservations, you may have to provide the following documents:
- Valid passport
- Temporary import permit
- License registration
- Vehicle type
- Contact phone number
Here are some ways you make your ticket reservation.
Book Online
If you are a tourist, booking your tickets online is quite easy. Consider visiting the Baja ferries website to see your options.
The website automatically pops up in Spanish, so if you are an English speaker, you may need to translate the page.
However, you can contact the company directly through their service number, +52 (612) 1224624, and ask to speak to an English-speaking operator. If you cannot access one, grab yourself a translator or Spanish-speaking friend for help.
La Paz Ticket Office
If booking your tickets online is not an option, consider visiting the La Paz ticket office. This was the best option for us, as we were already in La Paz. Talking to people in person seems to work out best for us anyway.
You must present your paperwork to book the La Paz to Mazatlán ferry crossing. These may include:
- A Temporary Import Permit (TIP). An essential document that allows non-citizens to take their vehicle across the border while crossing to and from mainland Mexico.
- Your passport
- Vehicle registration and license plate
- Vehicle type
- Driver’s license
- Mexico tourist card
Remember, it helps if you travel with several printed copies of each document. This helps prevent any confusion at the ferry terminal. Pay close attention to the specific numbers of your passport, license plate, and TIP to ensure everything matches the documents.
La Paz Ticket Booth at Terminal Pichilingue (with Map)
A quick search on your google maps for the Baja Ferries “Pichilingue” will direct you to the La Paz to Mazatlán ferry crossing departure location and timeline. Both the TMC and Baja Ferries operate through this terminal.
The terminal Pichilingue ferry port is located north of La Paz, Baja California Sur. You must buy your tickets in person and present your traveling documents and information.
Luckily, if you have a vehicle and have pets on board, you may not be required to pay an extra ticket for your pet if you take TMC ferries.
Note that you may not be required to pay for your tickets in advance. And if you do, you will get an email confirmation as soon as you make the reservation.
Average Costs for Ferry La Paz to Mazatlán
Here are some details on how the Baja ferries and TMC ferry crossing prices differ.
Tickets
For the Baja ferries, tickets are priced at $85 per traveler. This is for general seating. You must pay extra for your cabin if you want one depending on which kinds are available when you book.
Vehicle prices are as follows:
- Cars/SUVS: $268
- Motorcycles: $210
- Buses and Trailers: $1,000-$1,500
For TMC ferries, tickets are:
- Motorcycles: $185
- Passenger cars (with passenger): $250
- Larger vehicles (with passenger): range from $700 to $1,050
- Extra passengers (i.e., if two or more people travel in the car instead of one): $67 per person
Cabins
If you are boarding a Baja ferry, you may want to choose a cabin comfortable enough for the 13-hour ferry journey. Or to ride on the standard passenger seats.
The cabins differ in size and quality. They vary from the least expensive cabin, standard cabins, to Junior suites, executive suites, and VIP suites cabins. The VIP cabins are the most expensive ones.
Note that the prices are for the cabins, not per person, and each cabin can accommodate up to four people. So if you are splitting the cost with friends, divide the prices by 4.
They are quite comfortable and have single beds, so you can relax and sleep during the ferry crossing. Also, if you want a cabin, remember to book a cabin ahead of time. You must reserve it about seven to ten days before boarding the ferry.
PRO BUDGET TRAVELER TIP → If you are a budget traveler like me, forget the cabin. We got our tickets to the ferry late. And there were no more cabins available, so we booked 4 general seating tickets.
We did end up sleeping on the hard floor which was about as comfortable as it sounds. However, we had our fill of drinks at the ferry bar before laying down to get some shut-eye. So that helped quite a bit.
Temporary Vehicle Import Permit
A Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP) is a crucial document that non-citizens must carry when crossing to and from the mainland. Tourists with their vehicles should have a TIP when driving in Mexico during their stay, except the Baja Peninsula.
You must present the original and a copy of the following documents to obtain the TIP permit.
- Valid traveling Visa or Mexico Tourist Card (FMM)
- Vehicle registration
- Passport
- Vehicle loan permits in case you have a loan on your vehicle.
The TIP permit is mostly valid as your FMM visitor’s permit timeline, preferably 180 days. However, if you have a temporary resident visa, the TIP remains valid for up to one year before renewal. Typically, travelers organize their TIP in La Paz before purchasing a ferry ticket.
We got our TIP when crossing the border from California to Baja California. We knew we would be leaving the peninsula to continue our adventures on mainland Mexico.
Note that the TIP regulations are only favorable for small vehicles. However, if you are traveling in a motor van and it exceeds the gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons, there is a chance it may not be allowed to cross the border.
PRO TIP → If your vehicle violates the GVWR restrictions, as a tourist, argue that the van is a motorhome during your stay in Mexico. Ensure that you provide proof that the vehicle is your temporary home.
Vehicle Insurance to Drive in Mexico
To legally drive in Mexico you need to get auto insurance. Luckily, you can easily get a free quote and grab your Mexico vehicle insurance online quickly.
I strongly recommend using Baja Bound Mexican Insurance for your vehicle or motorcycle insurance in Mexico. They provide insurance for every type of vehicle you can think of and make the process quick, smooth and simple. Also, their customer service is top-notch.
Baja Bound is trustworthy and they offer great affordable rates. Click below to check it out and see how simple the process is for yourself.
La Paz to Mazatlán Service Timetable
The ferry companies offer regular services throughout the year. Whether you are traveling from La Paz to Mazatlán or Mazatlán to La Paz, individuals get three crossings a week. Depending on the route.
The La Paz to Mazatlán ferry runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Departing from La Paz port after 6 pm and arriving approximately 13 hours later the next day at Mazatlán.
Note that the departure and arrival time depends on the season you are traveling. You may expect to leave and arrive at your destination at different times.
Day of Departure
On your departure day, here are a few other things you need to know before boarding and making the ferry crossing to Mazatlán.
Going Through Customs
Ensure that you arrive at La Paz ferry port before 1 pm to beat the long waiting lines at the ticket office. Make your way to Banjercito, a small ticket booth at the port, to obtain your TIP permit if you have a car.
While your TIP permit is being processed, parking is free at the inspection point. Remember to carry both the original and copies of the required documents to obtain your TIP permit.
Later, proceed to the inspection area, where an agent will cross-check your vehicle registration, passport number, and TIP permits to ensure they match the paperwork provided.
Weighing Vehicles
Since you are charged by the weight of your vehicle, you are required to drive past the Baja ferries and TMC office to the weight station.
- You may be required to pay a tax to enter the port terminal.
- Verify your traveling destination.
- Drive onto the weighing scales, where the attendants will check the vehicle’s weight. If it fits the pricing standards of a trailer, bus, SUV/car, or any other motor vehicle accepted, you may be required to pay for the vehicle crossing ticket.
- You are required to proceed to the nearby parking spot after driving off the scales and wait for your boarding pass from the TMC ticket office.
Whether you had called or booked the ticket online in advance, if you have a car, you may need to present the document with your car’s weight and length details and booking pass at the TMC or Baja ferries ticket office.
Boarding
After receiving your ferry ticket, you must proceed to the loading area on the specific ferry you are supposed to board. Ensure you follow the ferry staff’s directions to eliminate confusion.
At the boarding area, the attendant may ask for the names and ages of the passengers aboard your vehicle and cross-check your tickets before letting you proceed to the loading deck inside the ferry.
If you do not have a car, you may board the Baja Ferries and will be directed to the common sitting area or your assigned cabin.
The staff will also inform you of their sales services, where they offer free meals included with your ticket. But you should present it at the restaurant on the ferry before departure.
On departure, you can treat yourself to incredible views of the Baja California Sur coastline. Grab a meal and a drink as you watch the sunset before embarking on your 13-hour journey.
Boarding the Ferry with a Motorcycle
If you are taking the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan with your motorcycle as we did, there are a few important things you should remember to bring along.
If you are documenting your trip, remember to grab your cameras from your bike! We were able to get some good footage from the ferry as we took off.
We were told ahead of time to make sure we had to bring along at least 3 extra straps per motorcycle. We were directed where and how to securely strap our bikes down once we were aboard the ferry.
We bought a couple of packs of ratchet straps for situations like this ahead of time. After strapping down, we grabbed our bags that had our packed overnight stuff and sleeping gear from our motorcycles.
I definitely made sure to grab our camelbacks and water bottles as well. After traveling through and living in Mexico for more than three months, I always make sure I have a good supply of drinking water.
It is important to grab anything you might need on the 13-hour overnight ferry journey.
Once you strap down your bike and the ferry ships off, you will not be able to go back to your bike or vehicle to get any packed belongings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about traveling from La Paz to Mazatlán.
How far is La Paz from Mazatlán?
The distance from Mazatlán to La Paz is 411 kilometers, equal to 255 miles. If you are boarding the Baja ferries, your journey to La Paz from Mazatlán can take up to 12 hours.
However, you must understand that some ferries can arrive slightly later or earlier than scheduled, depending on the circumstance.
Does the La Paz to Mazatlán service embark on pets?
If you are boarding the Baja ferries, you can bring your pets along for the ride.
However, remember that before your journey, you need to call and book tickets for them. The good news is that the price remains the same regardless of your pet’s size and weight.
Are there bars or restaurants onboard?
Baja Ferries have a selection of bars and restaurants where passengers can pass their time during the crossing.
If you are hungry, you can get something to eat at the restaurant and buy a drink at the bar to reduce boredom. We passed the time by playing cards and enjoying drinks in the main restaurant/bar where they even offered us a free meal.
Final Thoughts
The process of getting from La Paz to Mazatlán by ferry is pretty straightforward. However, there are a few things you need to take into account before making your reservation and setting sail.
In this post, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about booking the service, what documents you’ll need to have in order when you arrive at the dock, and how to make sure your vehicle is ready for the trip.
We hope that this information helps make your journey as smooth as possible. Just be sure to get your temporary vehicle import permit and Mexican vehicle insurance before you go!
Happy travels my friends.