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Baja and Mexico Ferry
Established in 1999, Baja Ferries connects Baja California to the rest of Mexico across the Gulf of California. Baja Ferries was originally owned by Grupo Sematur who operated a small ferry service between Santa Rosalia and Guaymas; however, following the privatization of Sematur in 1989 and several years of declining profits, Sematur went out of business and the ferry routes were discontinued. In 1999, with increased demand from companies like Walmart and Costco for a modern shipping route between mainland Mexico and Baja California - Baja Ferries (a private company) took over the Santa Rosalia-Guaymas route in Mexico from Sematur.
Baja Ferries allows you to travel between Baja California and mainland Mexico without having to take the long road driving north, this saves you driving and fuel expense. Baja ferries travel from Pichilingue terminal in La Paz, BC., to Mazatlan and Topolobampo with two vessels, the California Star and La Paz Star.
California Star was built in 2001 in Italy and has been with Baja Ferries since 2003. This vessel advances at a speed of 20 knots, has a capacity for 100 cars and 900 passengers. Baja Star has been with Baja Ferries since 2016, has a capacity of up to 705 passengers with suite facilities. The Guaymas to Santa Rosalia route still runs, however it is a smaller boat. And even though there is a posted schedule it is not very reliable. For info on Guaymas Route click here
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Baja Ferries offers comfortable ferry service for both passengers, cargo, and vehicles. Services include a restaurant, bar and comfortable cabin with a bathroom with space and sleeping for 2 to 4 passengers. If you're taking a car to the mainland, you must obtain a vehicle permit before boarding and must have valid Mexican Auto Insurance papers and a tourist card. Tourism officials in La Paz recommend that you obtain the insurance, permit, and card before crossing the U.S. border into Baja, of at the border where offices are better equipped to handle the paperwork than those in La Paz. For more information visit the Baja Ferry website.
BE FOREWARNED - When traveling down the Baja Peninsula you are in a special trade zone status so that you do not pass through customs on the way down. HOWEVER, when you cross to the mainland, you will be formally entering Mexico proper. You will have to go through Customs before departing the ferry. Make sure you have the necessary permits to avoid fines.
Baja Ferries Schedule and Departure Times
California Star and Baja Star
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FROM
|
TO
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DEPARTURE DAYS
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DEPARTURE TIMES
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ARRIVAL
|
Topolobampo |
La Paz |
Monday to Friday |
23:59 hrs. |
07:00 hrs. |
Topolobampo |
La Paz |
Sunday |
23:00 hrs. |
06:00 hrs. |
La Paz |
Topolobampo |
Monday to Friday |
14:30 hrs. |
20:30 hrs. |
La Paz |
Topolobampo |
Saturday |
23:00 hrs. |
06:00 hrs. |
Mazatlan |
La Paz |
Wednesday, Friday, Sunday |
18:30 hrs. |
06:30 hrs. |
La Paz |
Mazatlan |
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday |
20:00 hrs. |
09:00 hrs. |
Important Note: Schedules may change without previous notice. Please verify the schedule before you choose the date of your trip. it is recommended that you arrive at least 3 hours prior departure. It is always a good idea to call ahead and make sure the ferries are running.
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Cost of Ferry Tickets for Passengers and Vehicles
Purchasing a ferry ticket to travel to Baja or Mainland Mexico
Baja Ferry tickets can be purchased at any of the ferry terminals or a Mexican travel agent. You can also reserve your seats in advance by faxing a payment via credit card call 01-800-FERRIES or 01-800-337 7437, no personal checks accepted. You will need to provide the following information when you arrive at the terminal:
- A copy of the deposit receipt
- Complete name and age of people who are traveling
- Date of departure (and return if it's round trip)
- If you are traveling on your car: model, year, and plate number
- Your telephone number
The following ticket prices are for one-way fares between ports. Prices are subject to change and are listed in Mexican pesos. Children under 3 years of age can travel for free. Pets are NOT allowed on board the vessel California Star. Pets are not allowed on board and must be kept in a cage during the entire voyage. A cage can be provided for an additional fee. Please select from the list below your means of travel.
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CATEGORY
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DESCRIPTION
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RATE
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Standard Cabin
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Room with four single beds and bathroom with shower.
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$860.00
|
Suite Exterior Cabin
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Room with four single beds type bunk bed, window, and bathroom with shower.
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$990.00
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Cabin Suite Exterior TV
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Room with four single beds, bunk bed, TV, DVD and bathroom with shower. Location bow.
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$1,200.00
|
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Automobiles (up to 6 meters family use)
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$2,420.00
|
|
Auto-trailers (up to 29 ft 6 in) (9m)
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$6,270.00
|
|
Buses (up to 39 ft 4 in) (12m)
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$9,000.00
|
|
Motorhome (up to 11 mts.)
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$9,378.00
|
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Pick-up truck with camper or Mini Motor home
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$7,000.00
|
|
Motorbikes
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$2,090.00
|
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Extra Metro
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$975.00
|
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Van Sprinter (up to7.5 mts)
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$6,600.00
|
|
Pickup, Van y Suburban (up to 6.4 mts)
|
$3,200.00
|
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Baja And Mexico Ferry Terminals
Topolobampo, Sinaloa
(Port is located in Los Mochis)
Instalaciones API y Muelle de Contenedores, C.P. 81370
Tels: +52 (668) 862 10 03, 862 10 04, 862 05 07, 862 05 08 and 862 05 09.
01 800 718 27 96
Fax: +52 (668) 862 10 05
Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday 9 am to 11 pm, Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm
Pichilingue, Baja California Sur
(Port is located near La Paz)
Interior Muelle de Altura API, Lt. 1, Mzn. F, C.P. 23208.
Tel: +52 (612) 125 63 24, 123 02 08 and 125 63 42
Ventas: Tels: +52 (612) 128 67 11 y 123 05 08
Fax: +52 (612) 123 05 04 , 125 63 24
La Paz B.C.S.
Hours of operation:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8 am to 4 pm
Tuesday and Thursday 9 am to 11 pm
Sundays 9 am to 5 pm
TERMINAL MAZATLÁN, SIN.
Ave. Emilio Barragán y Prolongación Carnaval S/N, Fracc. Playa Sur, C.P. 82040, Instalaciones API
Tels: +52 (669) 985 04 70, 982 55 88 and 982 58 77.
Fax: +52 (669) 985 04 71
Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm
Saturdays 8 am to 3 pm
Sundays 9 am to 1 pm
For General Questions Baja Ferry Contact Infomation
CORPORATIVO, LA PAZ, B.C.S.
Ignacio Allende No. 1025, Col. Centro, C.P. 23000, La Paz, B.C.S.
Tel: +52 (612) 123 66 00
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5 pm. Saturdays 8:30 am to 2 pm
Call Center: 01 800 3377437, 612-12-3 6397
Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 7 pm
For Sales: ventas.lapaz@bajaferries.com.mx clientes@bajaferries.com.mx reservaciones@bajaferries.com.mx
* 01 800 del Call Center Works only from a Mexican phone number.
For Groups Email: grupos@bajaferries.com.mx
Telephone: (668) 817 37 52 or 831 7 38 64 Toll Free: 01 800 012 87 70
CallCenter: 01-800-FERRIES (01-800-337 7437) works from a Mexican phone number
Facebook - Baja Ferries official
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