La Paz to Topolobampo tickets

About the ride from La Paz to Topolobampo

Perched on a crescent near the southern tip of the Sea of Cortez, La Paz is the perfect place to soak in the best of Baja California. But suppose you're ready to explore Mexico's striking interior. In that case, your best bet is to head east across the water to Topolobampo.

Still a somewhat sleepy town, Topolobampo is starting to come into its own. 

It's most famous as a gateway port for the El Chepe train, which brings visitors through one of Mexico's star attractions: The Copper Canyon. 

But even if you just stick around town, you'll find the eight-hour ferry ride worth the effort. 

Plus, you're in an excellent position to explore a wide section of Mexico's Pacific coastline.

Top attractions in Topolobampo

Topolobampo is just now starting to appear on international travelers' maps. 

Below is a list of some of the top things to see and do while in Topolobampo:

1. Prepare to ride El Chepe. Coming from Baja California, Topolobampo is the closest port to the town of Los Mochis —  a terminus on the famous Copper Canyon Train, or El Chepe.
   
   Crossing some 405 miles (651 kilometers) of the Sierra Madre Mountains, the Copper Canyon Train passes through 86 tunnels and 37 bridges on its way to Chihuahua in the north. Along the way, you'll be treated to some of the most stunning scenery in Mexico's interior. This is one of the world's great train rides and should not be missed.

2. Stroll the malecon. As in many other Latin American towns, the star attraction is the waterfront promenade or malecon. Here, colorful houses line the shore while dazzling sunsets await on the opposite side. 

Food vendors will happily stuff you with seafood and other Sinaloan treats. 

For a fun, festive, and scenic outing, make time for a stroll, particularly around the evening.

3. Go diving on El Farallon. This giant rock off the coast of Topolobampo offers clear water, a rocky underwater landscape, and the opportunity to observe marine life up close. 

Home to sea lions, turtles and even dolphins, divers and snorkelers can get their nature fix on this easy excursion.

4. Have a beach day at Maviri Beach. While not quite on par with La Paz's beaches, visitors and locals converge on Maviri Beach, just seven miles (11 kilometers) away. 

Dine on fantastic seafood at one of the restaurants that line the strand. 

Midweek, you may very well have the beach to yourself. 

How to get from La Paz to Topolobampo

Unless you feel like driving for well over 24 hours, a ferry is the only practical way to get to Topolobampo from La Paz. Here are some valuable points to keep in mind.

Departures are generally once daily, so you don't want to miss your ship. 

Ferries offer amenities like TVs, reclining seats and air conditioning. Some have complained that the air conditioning is a little too cold, so have a hoodie or light jacket ready in case you feel chilled.

Food and drink are served on board (for an additional fee), so you can stay refreshed as you cross the generally calm waters of the Sea of Cortez. All this will set you back around $78 per person and includes one large bag of up to 44 lbs (20 kg), plus your hand luggage. 

Note that at times, the authorities will ask to see your visa, so if you're from a country that requires one to visit Mexico, be sure to have it handy.

Ferries depart from Baja Ferries Pichilingue, in the port of Pichilingue, just north of La Paz. This means you'll need to either take a taxi or an Uber to get to the port.

The ferry arrives at the Topolobampo Ferry Terminal, really close to the main part of town. You can take a short taxi ride or a long walk over to the malecon or your accommodations in the city. 

If the El Chepe train is your final destination, you'll need additional transportation to take you to Los Mochis, which is just 15 miles (24 kilometers) up the road and should take less than a half hour.

What to expect when traveling from La Paz to Topolobampo

The only practical way to get from La Paz to Topolobampo is to take a ferry. The ride across the Sea of Cortez takes about eight hours and can serve as a little mini-cruise on your Mexican itinerary.

Sailings usually occur once daily, departing La Paz in the early afternoon. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy the sun and watch it set during your journey. 

By the time you get to Topolobampo, it will be dark — the perfect time to hunt for some delicious street food on the malecon.

When is the best time of year to visit Topolobampo?

October can rightly be considered the best month to visit Topolobampo. At this point, the rainy season has ended, and the normally arid landscape turns a lush green. 

The weather is generally warm all year, though the late fall and winter months can get a bit cool at night (67°F/20°C). 

Summer has the hottest temperatures by far (upper 80's°F/low 30's°C/) and the most rain. 

September wins the award for being the hottest and wettest month of all. Avoid it if you can.

Even though spring and fall receive the most visitors as they pass through the Copper Canyon, Topolobampo doesn't have the same crowding issues as other places in Mexico. 

How much time do I need in Topolobampo?

If all you're doing is passing through to the Copper Canyon, an afternoon or evening in Topolobampo will be enough. 

But if you've got the time, stick around for a couple of days; you just spent eight hours getting here.  

Where to go after Topolobampo 

Well, assuming you are on your way to the Copper Canyon Train, you'll need to make your way to Los Mochis.

After that adventure, you'll probably need a little downtime, so head to the beaches of Mazatlan next.