If you take the ferry from La Paz, by all means get a cabin. It's expensive but you will get a good nights sleep and a shower as opposed to sitting up all night in a hot lounge full of crying kids. I was glad I did. My information may be a little dated, check it out.

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Jim

Alert for Erik : There is NO customs check at the BCN/BCS stateline at Guerrero Negro , hasn't been for decades, perhaps an occasional police or army checkpoint. Get the paperwork done and out of the way when you enter Mexico from USA . If absolutely necessary you can get the import permit at the ferry terminal customs in Pichilingue, but why procrastinate if you know you are going to cross?
As for getting a cabin, it depends on how much luxury and comfort you absolutely demand and the weather conditions. If you are sailing in mild dry weather there is no rule against taking your sleeping bag and finding a nice quiet corner on deck and snoozing away the remainder of the night after you do the wander around the ship, socializing etc.On some sailings you can even take a shower in the public accessible wash rooms without having a cabin as long as you bring your towel and soap. And so what if you have to go a night without a shower. Do take your bag etc. off the bike when you park it because you cannot go back to the cargo bay en route. I found this way of sleeping very satisfactory and it beats spending 50 bucks or more extra just to use a bed for 3 or 4 hours.

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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93

You can always sleep out on the deck, just have your roll mat handy. They didn't turn the lights off all night in the lounge and people step on you all the time when you're lying on the floor. I found those eye patch things you get on planes and ear plugs came in very handy! The ferry from Los Mochis to La Paz is slightly shorter too.

ps- Theres a mad dirt road all the way from Chiox (nr Los Mochis to Divisadero nr Creel, will take about 8-10 hours (I left Divisadero at 11am-ish and got to Choix just before dark). Quite hard going as the road surface is like plaster dust but its welll worth it.

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Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

Mike,
I understand that each one has it's one judgment on bad road, but can you tell a little more on this road?
I was planning on go around:
Los Mochis go north to Navojoa and Ciudade obregon,
then NorthEast to Curea (hwy 16)
then East to Yecora, Yepachic and San Juanito,
then finally south to Creel.

to avoid a very bad road ridding two up on a big GS, loaded, and some sort of not very experienced rider for dirty roads. (but I do have more then 100K miles on paved and one trip to Alaska where I got dirty with my 1200LT. So I'm assuming that will be easy with the GS).

If you or other know both ways, can you compare the North loop with the direct access to Creel?
I understand that from Yecora to San Juanito will be dirty too, but was told that maybe it will be better.

Any pictures on the road from Choix to Creel?
How manageable one can do that with 2 up?

Thank you

PS: should I re-post it on a different topic?

[QUOTE=strsout;152882]
Any pictures on the road from Choix to Creel?
How manageable one can do that with 2 up?QUOTE]

Hows these for you?

IMG_0137.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

IMG_0143.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

IMG_0155.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

IMG_0132.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

IMG_0127.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting


I thought it was a really beautiful ride. I did find it pretty slippy though but as long as you take it easy, you'll be fine. I didn't have a detailed map, just an intermittantly working GPS that didn't have the tracks anyway but was useful to at least know I was heading in the right direction to Choix. Just ask lots of locals!

I did originally think about going the tarmac route but while in Divisadero, a woman working on one of the stalls there assured me that there was a dirt road all the way to Choix- That was as much planning as I did and I was hardly going to pass that one up!

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Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

Here's my input on the paved route to Creel if you are coming up from Los Mochis. This route is very good , all excellent pavement of Mex 15 to Cd. Obregon , then ditto pavement of Mex 12 to Mex 16 through Yecora and Yepachic to Basaseachic. At Basaseachic you can either stay on Mex 16 till the paved turnoff to Creel or you can take the gravel road shortcut to San Juanito where you will regain the pavement to Creel. This section of gravel road , about 85km, is excellently laid out , all water crossings are with bridges and should be no problem for two up on a laden GS.Otherwise it is all top class pavement and some great mountain curves on Mex 16 . Personally I would be loath to take such a heavy rig ( I have an 1100GS too) on any of the so called short cuts into the interior e.g from Choix , where you will get into some real rough stuff, deep dirt, deep water crossings depending on recent rain. Down to Batopilas is somwewhat rough but possible if you take your time with care- at least there are no deep water crossings.I detest water crossings ,especially since I am a non swimmer and do most of my travels alone, no risk taker on that aspect.

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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93

One thing to remember: You must RETURN your temporary vehicle import sticker.

Upon returning to the boarder after a 10 hour ride I was on top of the bridge to cross the Rio Grande after sitting in line for a while in the heat and realized I forgot to visit the Banjercito and return my sticker. No one/sign reminds or asks you to do it, you have to remember yourself. I was so tired I decided to say f'it and do a quick boarder trip the following week. I needed to stock up on Hot Nuts anyway.

If you don't return the sticker (THEY have to peal if off your windshield and you can't do it at the Consulate), you get charged $100-300 USD depending on the year of your bike.

Also, if any of ya'll are going to cross in Texas, use the Colombia crossing that is just north of Nuevo Laredo/Laredo. There is never any traffic, the Banjercito is right next to customs, and there is pretty secure parking.

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http://davegtravels.com - RTW on a DRZ
All the way south - Texas to Tierra del Fuego in '08-'09

Hey Dave, there seem to exist different ways in Mexico. When I left to Belize, nobody took off this sticker from my Bike (in fact it is still on) and I got my papers cleaned of the KTM...
So can I expect a fine now the next time I am in MEX?
Rasmus

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Rasmus
www.panamericana.info

If you properly cleared your bike with the Banjercito, then there should be no problems regardless of sticker or not. I'm pretty sure they are the only organization/people who can check your bike out of Mexico.

My understanding regarding fines is that the credit card that you used to "guarantee" you wouldn't sell the bike should be charged $300 after the permit is not checked back at the Banercito.

I just met a person here in Houston who did not check out their bike from a permit from about 7 months ago and he hasn't seen any charges yet. Who knows how well the permits are _actually_ enforced. I'm still waiting to hear back from him to see what the Mexican Consulate says.:confused1:

DAveg

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http://davegtravels.com - RTW on a DRZ
All the way south - Texas to Tierra del Fuego in '08-'09

I buy insurance on the net at this site.

They sell regular insurance and motorcycle driver's license policies too, so the insurance follows your license and not the bike.

Pretty convenient if you own more than one bike cause you dont have to buy two policies!

I found them here: Mexican Auto Insurance | Compare Your Choices At The STORE!

Rocket , strsout wound up not doing the Baja at all during his trip , details on other threads by him, just check his posts list..
Now as to your question if you can do it in 3 or 4 days please say you do not intend to do the entire Houston -Creel-Durango-Mazatlan-ferry-Baja trip in that time !
The entire trip should take up 10 to 14 days, more if you can afford the time.
Assuming you really meant to ask if you could do Baja from La Paz to Tijuana in 3 to 4 days , then yes that is possible, all on pavement and basically a steady ride north. But again if you can swing it and get more free time then you can easily fill a week- plus with the same main plan and you will have a much better chance to explore all the various side excursions e.g the loop around the south end of Baja through Cabo San Lucas via Mex 1 and Mex 19

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http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93

Sjoerd knows what he is talking about. I would heed his advice. I went through Mexico back in August, and entered at Tijuana. The vehicle import office is to the right of the entry point, near the macdonalds arches you can see. I went up the wrong way of the two lane highway just after the checkpoint and it gets you there in seconds.. hear the actualy legit way is a little longer.

But if you are taking the ferry you can get the import document at the ferry terminal, (you will need proof of insurance) I got mine on the web from Baja Bound, proved fine. I think you can buy it by the day if you wish.

You will be checked before you get on the boat but that is the only time. As mentioned the checkpoint at Guerra Negro is not checking for bike papers, but they will check for a visa in your passport, remember you will need this stamp if you pass the 30km free trade zone around the border.

Hope it helps.

Summary:

Insurance : - Yes!! (get on web first its cheaper)

Permit yes: - Costs about $30 get at Tijuana or at the La Paz Ferry, (you dont need the permit for Baja but you do for the rest of Mexico)
and HAVE FUN!!

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http://www.celticadventurer.com