BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURE
NOTE: IF YOU ARE ONLY TRAVELING TO BAJA ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CABO, YOU DON'T NEED A T.I.P. (Temporary Import Permit)
PASSPORT: You will need your current passport or passport card to travel in Mexico. Failure to carry a passport will result in you being denied reentry into the USA. Double check the expiration date and make sure it will be valid through your entire stay! (Remember that passport cards are only valid at land borders, so if you plan to fly in and rent a bike, you will need your regular passport.)
INSURANCE: You will need insurance coverage for Mexico, which is not offered by most US-based insurance companies. This can be purchased online from several reputable companies, including Mexpro, Sanborns, & Baja Bound.
IF YOUR BIKE IS FINANCED: You will need to show your credit contract along with a notarized letter of permission from your finance company to bring the bike into Mexico, otherwise your TIP will be denied. This can take some time to obtain, so plan ahead.
PREPARE YOUR DOCUMENTS: You will need your original vehicle title, current registration, and Mexico insurance policy. Make two color copies each of the title, current registration, passport, and drivers license. You will need these at the border. If your vehicle is registered and/or titled in your spouses name, you will need to bring your original marriage certificate and copies as well. If your bike is financed you will need the original notarized letter of permission and a copy of your credit contract. You will also need printed copies of the documents outlined below.
APPLY FOR FMM ONLINE: This immigration form can be completed online HERE.
Trips less than 7 days are currently free; trips up to 180 days are $43, which you will pay online at the time of application. Your FMM will typically receive approval fairly quickly. You MUST PRINT BOTH the FMM and your payment receipt and bring them with you. These must be physical prints; saving the documents on your phone will not suffice.
APPLY FOR TIP: After your FMM is approved, you can apply for a Temporary Import Permit for your motorcycle through Banjercito, the official Mexican government bank.
There is a Free Zone within 20km of the US border; if you are staying within the Free Zone, you do not need a TIP (mainland Mexico). However, there is no way to obtain a TIP once you are beyond the border, so if you’re unsure where your travels will take you, err on the side of caution and obtain the TIP.
THE VEHICLE MUST BE IN YOUR NAME. If it is in your spouses name, you must present a marriage certificate along with your application. If it is in someone else’s name, your TIP will be denied. If it is financed, you will need a copy of your credit contract and a notarized letter of permission from the finance company. If your vehicle has a salvage title, you may be subject to additional inspections or possibly denied entry. The TIP costs about $50us, and there is also a deposit of $200-$400us depending on the age of the vehicle.
After your online application is approved, your TIP will be emailed to you. PRINT OUT BOTH the TIP and the payment receipt.
BUT YOUR WORK IS NOT DONE!
You MUST stop at the border to validate the FMM and TIP and get the final stamp of approval. Be aware that not all border crossings have a Banjercito, and the ones that do are not always open 24 hours. Plan ahead and make sure there is a Banjercito at your planned crossing, and make sure you arrive during business hours.
Your first stop is at immigration (INM) to validate your FMM.
After your FMM is validated, go to Banjercito (usually in the same building) to validate your TIP. They will inspect your vehicle to confirm the VIN, plate number, etc. Bigger border crossings have a booth to drive through for the inspection, while at smaller crossings an employee will walk out to your vehicle.
Hooray! You’re all legal and ready to rally! Be sure to carry your validated FMM and TIP with you at all times.
AFTER THE RALLY/TRIP:
YOU MUST STOP AT THE BORDER WHEN LEAVING MEXICO IN ORDER TO GET YOUR DEPOSIT BACK!
Every rally/trip, someone forgets to check out at the border and it’s a huge hassle to resolve. Don’t do that to yourself! You will have another vehicle inspection, then officially cancel your TIP through Banjercito. You will receive a credit receipt showing the deposit refund, which usually shows up in your account in a week or so. Again, remember to check the hours of operation at your planned border crossing. Some larger border crossings have Banjercito booths in the line to cross back into the US, so you can cancel your TIP without making a separate stop.
Wendy Crockett- World Traveler.
Traveling Mexico by motorcycle can be an adventure of a lifetime – so here’s a short checklist of the most basic do’s and dont’s!
Mexico is an amazingly diverse country: from deserts to beautiful mountains, small villages in the middle of nowhere and bustling cities, Mexico is a must-see destination for any adventure rider. But if you’re headed that way, make sure you…
⚠️ TOPES (Speed Bumps)
Gotta watch for topes down here. Basically, the roads in and out of a city or small towns will have large speedbumps to force people to slow down, and they'll absolutely launch you if you miss the warnings (the paint on them is frequently faded, and harder to spot in the dark).
Stick to the main roads, watch out for dogs and livestock.
TOLLS: Make sure you bring PESOS, even tho some tolls in the center of Mexico take cards, there's always the risk that the card reader is not working, so just bring pesos.
⚠️ Don’t Dismiss Warnings
If local police or people tell you to stay out of certain areas, listen to them and don’t try to be a hero. Traveling Mexico by motorcycle is generally safe, but do heed the warnings.
You can ride 10 mph over the limit, just be safe. 70/75MPH is good on main highways.
Most roads have a shoulder, if you see a car/truck coming your way, move over to the shoulder.
⚠️ Stay away from the 18 wheelers
GAS STATIONS
Mexico still have gas attendants who will help you out to put gas on your bike, just make sure to keep an eye on the nozzle to make sure they don't spill gas all over your tank.
to say :
Full please = pronounced "Yeno por favor" (lleno por favor).
How much is it? = Quanto es?
Coming soon
Would you like to participate in a Iron Butt Mexico qualifier motorcycle rally? Click HERE to see what we have for this year.
The ferry that operates on the Mazatlan to La Paz route is known as the “Baja California Ferry.” This ferry has the capacity to carry up to 600 passengers and has comfortable cabins, common areas, restaurants, and shops on board. It also offers services such as Wi-Fi, a movie theater, a game room, and a swimming pool.
The duration of the trip may vary depending on the itinerary and the speed of the ferry. Typically, the ferry departs Mazatlán in the afternoon and arrives in La Paz the next day in the morning after 15 hours. It is important to note that schedules may vary, so it is advisable to check availability and updated schedules when booking your trip.
Tips for enjoying the ferry trip
Arrive early at the port to avoid setbacks and ensure you have enough time to board the ferry.
Pack what you need for the trip, including comfortable clothing, toiletries, and entertainment.
Take advantage of all the amenities and services offered by the ferry, such as restaurants, a pool, and entertainment areas. Check the ferry's baggage policies before you travel to avoid surprises and make sure you are within the allowed limits.
Ferry departure times and frequency
The ferry operating on this route has a set schedule for departures and arrivals. Below is the ferry departure time and frequency:
Monday to Friday: The ferry departs every hour from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: The ferry departs every hour from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: The ferry departs every hour from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Ferry ticket types
Here are the prices and ticket types available for taking the ferry:
Single ticket
The single ticket allows you to take a single ferry ride. This type of ticket is ideal if you only need to cross the sea once.
Round-trip ticket
A round-trip ticket allows you to take one ferry ride and one return ride. This is a convenient option if you plan to return to your starting point within a given time period.
Multi-ride ticket
A multi-ride ticket is a flexible option that allows you to take multiple ferry rides within a given time period. You can select the number of rides you need, either to take multiple trips in one day or to use them over several days.
Vehicle ticket
If you wish to take your vehicle on the ferry, you can purchase a special ticket for this. This type of ticket includes the transport of the vehicle, whether it is a car, motorcycle or bicycle, as well as the passengers travelling in it.
It is important to mention that ticket prices vary depending on the mode selected, the distance of the journey, the season of the year and other factors. In addition, some ferries offer special discounts for children, students, senior citizens or large groups.
We recommend checking the ferry's official website or contacting the company for up-to-date information on prices and ticket modalities.
Routes, Fares and Schedules – Baja Ferries
Can I bring my vehicle on the ferry?
Yes, it is possible to bring your vehicle on the ferry from Mazatlán to La Paz. However, it is important to note that a special reservation is required for vehicles and there is an additional charge for this service. In addition, it is important to make sure that you comply with the requirements and documentation necessary for the transfer of vehicles.
Are there food options on board the ferry?
Yes, the Mazatlán to La Paz ferry has food options on board. You can find restaurants and bars where you can enjoy food and drinks during the trip. In addition, there are also options to purchase food and drinks in the shops on board.
Are there entertainment options on board the ferry?
Yes, the Mazatlán to La Paz ferry offers entertainment options on board for passengers. You can find common areas with comfortable seating, televisions with varied programming, and some ferries even have children's areas and game rooms.
What documentation do I need to travel on the ferry from Mazatlán to La Paz?
To travel on the ferry from Mazatlán to La Paz, you will need to have your personal identification, passport WILL BE GOOD. If you are traveling by vehicle, you will also need to have the vehicle documents, such as the registration and circulation card and Permits.
COMING SOON