Get the latest savings by email
Your privacy is always protected. See our
Privacy Policy.
Ensenada
Ensenada Overview
Ensenada, known as Baja's "Love Boat" port, is no longer a sleepy resort town. Each year, some 4.5 million visitors descend on this seaside city 68 miles from the border, joining 325,000 residents. Fishing, processing and shipping have made Ensenada Mexico's second busiest port.
It's quite a change from 1542 when Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into the sheltered bay in his quest for the mythical Northwest Passage, or sixty years later, when Sebastian Vizcaino named the area Ensenada de Todos los Santos after All Saints' Day. Over the centuries, many have left their mark here, from Spanish missionaries and Russian settlers to gold miners and gamblers.
The result is eclectic mix -- from Mexico's oldest winery and Baja's first cantina to a plaza featuring statues of national heroes. In addition to expected attractions like the large tourist shopping area and fish market, Ensenada also offers the unexpected - an elegant Prohibition-era casino and a blowhole that spews water sixty feet into the air.
Ensenada Quick Facts
Don't Miss
Best Choice for Movie Buffs: Foxploration, 20th Century Fox's working movie studio is located in Rosarito, an hour's drive north of Ensenada. Props, sets and costumes are on display from movies like Titanic and Planet of the Apes. At Cinemagico, visitors try their hand at film-making and special effects. Duration: 5 1/2 hours. Price: $29 for adults; $24 for children.
Best Choice for Nature Lovers: Feel the ocean spray from La Bufadora, one of just three continuous tidal blowholes in the world located south of town. Caveat: while the blow can be dramatic, Mother Nature does not always cooperate. Price: $25-$27.
Best Choice for Golfers: The rugged coastline twenty miles north of Ensenada supplies a dramatic ocean views at Bajamar, dubbed "Pebble Beach South of the Border." The twenty-seven-hole, Scottish links style layout includes the Lagos, Vista and newer Oceano courses. Duration: approximately 5 hours. Price: $97 - $125.
Language
Spanish is the official language, with English spoken throughout the tourist areas.
Getting Around
The cruise ship pier is within easy walking distance of Avenida Lopez Mateos, the main tourist zone for shopping and dining. Alternatively, taxis and shuttles are available at the dock to take passengers on the short ride downtown. Taxis are also available at corner stands along Avenida Lopez Mateos.
Where You're Docked
Cruise ships share an industrial harbor with commercial and sport fishing fleets, shipping containers and tankers.
Staying in Touch
Several downtown Internet cafes offer affordable access: Internet Cafe (Av Juarez 1449-8); La Casa de Internet (Av Madheros 275 at Calle 3); KFE Internet (Av Riveroll 724). Typical charges are $3 to $5 per hour.
Lunching
Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, enjoyed between 1 - 4 p.m. Restaurants catering to tourists use menus printed in English; local eateries combine Spanish and English. No menus are necessary for the popular street vendors selling churros (deep fried dough dipped in sugar and cinnamon) and fish tacos.
Seafood: For fine seafood and dramatic ocean views, reserve a table at Punta Morro (1.5 miles north of the city at Punta Morro Hotel 800-526-6676).
Mexican: Hungry vaqueros head to Bronco's for breakfast, lunch and dinner where mesquite-grilled steaks are the specialty (Av Lopez Mateos 1525).
Happy Hour: Near Hussong's Cantina, Papas & Beer (Av Ruiz 102) attracts a rowdy college crowd and stays open until 3 am. For a quieter setting, visit the Bar Andaluz at the Riviera del Pacifico.
Brunch: The restaurant at Las Rosas Hotel is a local favorite, serving Mexican and international dishes (north of town on Highway 1, 174-4360).
Currency & Best Way to Get Money
Mexico's currency is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. In addition to the peso, US dollars are widely accepted in Baja, as are credit cards. ATM machines for withdrawing pesos are available in several downtown banks.
Hanging Around
Ensenada's cruise dock features a market with numerous vendors. In addition to souvenirs, there's a pharmacy and liquor store.
Port Profies are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community, giving you objective, unbiased information to help you choose the right cruise.
