La Paz to Mazatlan Ferry with Motorcycle

Mexico | Oct 2025 |

On-board with my Tenere 700

I recently took the Baja Ferries route from La Paz to Mazatlán with my Yamaha Tenere 700. It was a smooth, scenic crossing — but also a shockingly expensive one. Here are a few key takeaways that might save you some time (and pesos).

Takeaways

Cost:

You’ll want to ask yourself if the Baja route south is worth it given the steep ferry price — but it’s arguably the safer and more scenic route compared to riding through Sinaloa and Sonora.

Pre-booking:

Despite what the website says, there was plenty of space for bikes. I doubt you need to book weeks ahead; you could likely get a ticket within 24 hours of departure.

Route:

La Paz → Mazatlán is the pricier option, but it’s door-to-door and well worth it in my opinion. If you’re solo, a capsule cabin is a good middle ground between comfort and cost.

Route Overview

I entered Mexico at San Ysidro/Tijuana and rode south through Baja without giving much thought to the mainland route — Baja was always my plan. It’s the logical choice too, given that Sonora and Sinaloa are still considered higher-risk areas.

From La Paz, you have two ferry routes to the mainland:

• La Paz → Mazatlán (longer, more expensive, but direct)

• La Paz → Topolobampo (cheaper, faster, but you’ll land ~430 km north of Mazatlán and face a 5-hour ride south through Sinaloa)

Strangely, Google Maps hides the Mazatlán route unless you toggle “Avoid Highways” in Route Options — only then does it appear as a crossing option.

Booking & Planning

I had taken this same ferry decades ago (as a walk-on in 1986) when it was cheap and simple to book. Foolishly, I assumed not much had changed. Halfway down Baja, I finally checked the website and was hit with reality:

• Sailings are only 2–3 times per week

• The site recommends booking weeks in advance

To make matters worse, a hurricane was on its way, so I grabbed the next available ferry to avoid getting stranded in La Paz.

Cost Breakdown

The total price — bike + capsule berth — was just over 7,000 pesos (≈ $500 USD).

I expected something around $150. For context: a similar 12-hour bike ferry I took in Indonesia (Sumbawa → Flores) cost about $15.

Here’s what adds up:

• Capsule or VIP seat= modest comfort (private pod, shared room)

• Cabins = extra cost

• Regular chairs = cheapest option

• Bring your own tie-down straps (they don’t supply them). I bought a set at Walmart for ~$20 — worth keeping for future transport.

Boarding & Crossing

Arrive at least 3 hours before departure. The process includes multiple checkpoints: customs, port, and ticketing — about an hour total. Once cleared, a deckhand will help secure your bike.

I left my panniers and helmet on the bike, just taking essentials in a backpack. A fellow rider from Alberta parked his Tenere beside mine.

The ferry departed right on time at 7 PM. It’s modern, clean, and surprisingly comfortable. One catch: once you’re up on the main deck, you can’t return to your vehicle — not even for a forgotten bottle of wine (I tried).

There’s a small bar scene onboard and a free dinner service. Most people seemed to embrace the fiesta vibe. I headed to my capsule by 9 PM — only a few were occupied, but they grouped us close together, which meant hearing my neighbor snore all night.

The sea was rough (courtesy of the incoming hurricane), and I rolled around most of the night, but we arrived on time at 9 AM in Mazatlán. Disembarking was quick and easy.

Final Thoughts

The La Paz → Mazatlán ferry is modern, safe, and direct — but the price is eye-watering. If you’re on a budget, it may feel hard to justify. Still, as a rider looking to avoid the riskier mainland states, it’s a fair trade-off for peace of mind.