Baja question from Baja newbie
Replies: 15 - Last Post: Dec 4, 2012 9:04 PM Last Post By: dlglidden
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Baja question from Baja newbie
Hey All,Newbie to this part of the world and was just wondering how i go about this as it doesnt mention it in Search or books i have read..........
If i hire a car say in TJ and drive the complete Peninsular i dont want to drive all the way back to TJ just to return the car. I was hoping to then get a ferry to the mainland Mexico and continue on Sth on buses etc.
How do i get around this...or like some countries is there a big fee for not returning a car to its original destination?
Thanks for any tips on this :}
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I just checked Avis and the additional cost of dropping the car off at San Jose Del Cabo would be 712 USD (which is actually less than I thought it would be). Maybe you should consider heading by bus (or air) to San Jose and hiring a car from there (and then returning it there).3
As mentioned there are companies that will let you drop the car but you have to pay a big drop fee. I believe, if I'm correct, the ferry goes from La Paz so you perhaps would want to drop the car there, if they'd let you? Give yourself plenty of time to drive down the coast, by the way, it's too marvelous to rush. and you can only plan on making about 30 mph because you can't drive at night and you have to drive slowly a lot on the highway due to cows on the road and washouts, mountain passes with no guardrails, etc. Get a good guidebook to advise you. Great trip. I've only been 2/3 of the way down personally but I want to go all the way one of these days. There are buses that run the entire length of the peninsula so that is also an option for you.5
Back in the day... Rent-a-wreck in San Diego used to allow Baja travel with their beaters. I meet someone who took one to La Paz and even got it on the ferry to the mainland for only $20 extra. BTW, it was a Oldsmobile that blew a valve and a junkyard mechanic fixed it with a junk head in 48 hours - side of the road service included.6
If you want to rent a car just to get to La Paz for the ferry and are concerned about drop fees, why not consider taking a bus down the peninsula? So much cheaper, zero hassles, no worries. You can easily catch a bus after crossing into TJ from San Ysidro. Do as the Romans do.7
The only "sane" way to see the entire peninsula is to drive it (and see sights along the way). Bussing is unbelievably boring, tiring, and rather pointless. And a one-way car rental is, as others have explained, prohibitively expensive. I'd fly to Los Cabos or La Paz, rent a car and drive all over BCS (where all the "good stuff" is). Then return the car where you rented it and fly or ferry to the mainland and get on with your trip to Mexico.9
Well thanks all for the great tips !!! It definately is the way to go....hiring a car to get to those places buses dont get to.I will run with what Diglidden suggests i think. Fly to Los Cabos or La Paz.
So if my International flight arrives in LA it would be great if i could connect with a flight same day to LC or LP however how would i go with the relevant forms for entry that you normally fill out down at the border crossing in TJ??
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To amplify what Quetaro said: The immigration and custom forms are included in the price of your ticket, so they are "free." Be aware that the Mexican government has just issued new immigration forms and regulations that are causing some confusion (but should not have any effect on you and your trip). A couple of days ago a flight (Alaska Airlines) from the US to Mexico landed in Mazatlan and the airline had passed out the "old" forms to passengers. There was a two hour delay clearing customs because passengers had to complete the new forms and there was a problem finding enough of the new forms for all tbe passengers. This situation, I am told, has been rectified. Have a great vacation! But make sure you surrender your tourist permit to the Mexican authorities when you leave the country.14
I wouldn't recommend renting a car and driving in Baja. Did that a couple of times and ended in disaster. The rental company tried to take advantage of us by saying there was problems with the motor and tried to charge our credit card.Then another time the roads were so bad it just wasn't fun. Why not go down if it's your first time with other people? That way you'll get some experience and know how to navigate around Baja. For a place that is so close to California it is sooooo much different. Check out Green Tortoise or Baja Trek. They 're budget and have experience. I done both and have had an awesome time and met some really nice people, toohttp://www.bajatrek.com
http://www.greentortoise.com
