Mexico Day 37: Boarding the TMC Ferry to Mazatlan

A playa way past Tecolote to the ferry port at Pichilingue //

The day we’ve all been anticipating for weeks is finally here.  After our usual morning routine we pack up camp and make the forty minute drive to the ferry terminal where we have reservations to board the TMC cargo ferry that will take us 278 miles across the Sea of Cortez to Mazatlan.  

Upon our arrival we pass through a brief inspection station where agents take a quick look inside our camper and also confirm that we have the appropriate documentation (passports and a temporary import permit for our vehicle).  Next we proceed to a weigh station where we get weighed and pay a $10 port fee, then it’s over to the ticket office to purchase our official ticket.  

This is the moment we’ve all been holding our breath for.  Online reviews have been mixed on whether or not minors are allowed on the TMC ferry.  Will Josh & Darci be able to get a ticket with four year old Hannah?  We had no idea.  And if they can’t, then what?  We walk into the ticket office hoping for the best.  Ten minutes later, not only do we all walk out with tickets in hand and smiles all around, we are elated to have been granted the much cheaper truck rate not the RV rate that we were originally quoted.  So far the entire process is going smoothly, all the research we’ve done leading up to this moment is paying off.  

The next step is to get in line at the dock and wait.  It’s only noon and boarding doesn’t begin until 2:00, or maybe 3:00, it wasn’t quite clear.  We make ourselves comfortable on the shaded side of our trucks and celebrate the fact that we’ve made it this far as a group without any hiccups.   However, there are a few more potential problems ahead.  

There are two levels to the ferry and being that this is a cargo ferry* that primarily transports semi-trucks, we want to be on the open air upper deck.  Many of the semi-trucks are refrigerated and need to be running for the duration of the 16 hour overnight passage, the fumes and noise on the enclosed lower deck could be horrendous.  But we don’t get to choose, we have to go wherever they put us.  The other potential obstacle is being tucked in so close to the other trucks that we’re unable to get our camper doors open.  We’ve seen on various YouTube videos just how tight vehicles are arranged on the ship, not even shoulder-width in places, and so being blocked from access to our homes feels like a real possibility.

Boarding finally begins at 3:30 and after three and a half hours of waiting patiently we’re all eager to find out how this is all going to play out.  For over an hour we watch semi trucks be strategically loaded onto both decks.  When it’s finally our turn we sigh a giant exhale as we’re directed to the upper deck. Deck hands direct each driver into place and though there’s only an inch or two to spare, we all have enough room to open our camper doors.  

There are semi-trucks on every side of us, just inches away, and it takes a minute to figure out how to exit the maze so that we can make our way to the observation deck.  We eventually figure out that ducking underneath the tractor trailer beside us is the easiest way out.  With this being our living situation for the next sixteen hours, I’m feeling grateful that I’m not claustrophobic.

It’s a beautiful sunset from the observation deck and while we wait to disembark, all seven of us are buzzing with excitement.  We had a lot of nerves about getting on the ferry and it couldn’t have gone any smoother.  As we pull away from port it hits me that we’re leaving Baja and I feel my eyes well up with tears.  I could not be more excited for this new chapter of our travels but I have a lot of love for Baja and it’s hard to say goodbye.

We make our way back to our camper to make dinner and just as I’m starting to eat is when the ship picks up speed and begins rocking side to side.  A little bit of nausea creeps in and I realize that between the motion of the sea and the loud drone of all the running semi-trucks that surround us, it’s going to be a very interesting night.  

*We chose the cargo ferry because unlike the passenger ferry (run by Baja Ferries) we were allowed to sleep in our campers.


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About

We’re Mark & Michele, modern-day nomads perfecting the art of slow, full-time travel.  Our tiny home on wheels and slow-paced travel style allows us to minimize our expenses while maximizing our freedom.  May our unconventional way of life inspire you to design a life that you love.

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We're spending the winter of 2025 exploring all that mainland Mexico has to offer. To follow along on the adventure subscribe to receive a daily photo and story directly to your inbox.

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