Anything fun to do in Ensenada?

My mom and I are going in March, I'm trying to see if there is anything to do fun?

We went on the Baja California, 4-day cruise in 1995. I'd like to hear some feedback from someone who found something to do in Ensenada. We would have been happier just staying on the ship! We went to a shopping area at the Blow Hole , LA BUFADORA.Snore. Lots of boothes selling the same ole stuff (a lot of ponchos and pinantas)! The blow hole was kinda cool, but not worth a hot bus ride out there. Anyway - for future reference - I'd like to know if anyone has something to share here.

I just came back from a 3 day baja cruise on RCCL Monarch of the Seas. 1/21-1/24/05. Also back in May 04. In May We did the Buffadora tour and it was nice. Air conditioned bus to and from La Bufadora, Lots of little shops with a lot of vaiours curios and Traditional items to buy. Great Fish taco restaruants. Free samples of Churros (mexican pastry). You can find just about anything there. Well worth the trip. The specific tour we took was the one offered on the ship for $27.00. It included the trip to the Bufadora, a visit to the "Casino" (not gambling, in Mexico, a Casino is a ballroom, convention center type of place) whre we had a margarita or beer (free) and Mariachi Music with Foklorico dancers. I thought it was very much worth the price and the trip. Back in 1999 I did this same cruise/tour and it too was nice, it has very much improved since then.

On this last trip we did the wine tasting tour. It too was well worth it. Very interesting. I myself had never gone on a wine tasting anything and I loved it. We visited 2 wineries. I toatlly forgot that we were in Ensenada, it looked like if we were in Napa Valley. This tour was also with the cruise line and it too was $27.00.

But yes, there are fun things to do in Ensenada.

betslil: I was just looking at this cruise today for Memorial Day weekend. What did you think of this ship? What category cabin did you have? Do you know what it is like to get to the ship from LAX (this airport is the most economical for us by far)? Would you or anyone else know what the earliest flight out from LAX would be recommended? Thanks!

I'm local so I just drive to the port. But, I have seen and heard that alot of people use the airport shuttles (Blue vans) to and from LAX. The ship leaves at 5:00pm and you most defenitely have to be on by 4:30pm, I think if you take a morning flight where you would arrive before or at noon, it would be fine. that way you can get right on the ship. (boarding starts at about noonish.) Since I do this cruise quite often, i always go for the least expensive and go inside cabin. I try to always get deck 5 or 6. it is right in the middle of the ship both up/down and side to side. If the elevators are a bit too full, then you can just take the stairs. decks 5 and six lead right into the centrium and there too there are glass elevators that take you to the 7th floor. on the 4th and 5th floors are the dinning rooms on deck 5 are the shops and casino $$$ and on deck 7 is a really nice latin music club named Boleros. You'll enjoy it very much. I'm on it again on Feb 11-14, 05 for Valentine's. If you need any more info, let me know.....

Wow - thanks for the quick info! What would be the earliest flight home on Monday that you would recommend? (Memorial Day - less traffic, or more due to holiday?) There is an 11:00am nonstop - very early, I know, but do you think we could make it? In your opinion, what's the earliest we could get off the ship? (Would never dream of doing this with kids and lots of luggage, but it will be just the two of us and carry-ons only.) All other flights would get us home after 9:00pm and the nonstop would get us home by 5:00pm, so it is really an attractive flight (and also the cheapest.) Thanks for your thoughts.

Get your travel agent to inform the cruiseline that you need early disembarkment & you'll be fine for the 11:00am flight. You receive color tags for disembarkment on Sunday evening. White tags are for early disembarkment. White is called first around 7:30am. Everyone who has early flights get white tags. I am a local, less than 15 miles from port, so I get either green or purple tags. the last ones to be called. We were off the ship by 9:00am. When on the ship, Go to the pursers desk and ask for white tags, you may have to show your airline tickets to prove that you need white tags, but they will give them to you. Your cabin steward can get them for you also. If you need any more info, just ask.

P.S. Just make sure that you have your transportation to LAX there waiting for you.

Betslil

Thanks so much for the information. I really appreciate your advice. Enjoy your Valentine's Day cruise. You are lucky to live so close to a port. Happy sailing!

My mom and I are going in March, I'm trying to see if there is anything to do fun?

You could go to Hussong's Cantina, the birthplace of the Margarita! It's a coming-of-age rite for Southern Californians, not to mention a legend, 113 yearold landmark, and a one-of-a-kind experience.

we went in August .Took a taxi out to Estero Beach rented jet ski by the hour,some others also did horseback riding.There was a great resort there. Tacos and beer on the beach. We had a seal that swam beside our ski.Went back got cleaned up and party at pappas & beer. made for a great day in Ensenada.

thank you so much for the information. I'm looking forward to.

Just got back today from a cruise to Ensenada. We took an excursion that included La Bufadora and the Santo Tomas winery. La Bufadora is worth it, but don't bother with the shops there. Ick! It really is unfortunate, as I recall the first time I went there in the 80s there were hardly any vendors. Just "run the gauntlet" to get down to the main viewing area. There are some beautiful places to take pictures. "Run the gauntlet" back up, or stop and have a cerveza. Just keep these words in mind: "Gracias, no, senior/senora" and keep walking. (Trust me, anything they sell there is not worth the money.)

The tour to the winery was, ah, okay. Interesting to see how they produce the wine, but the main emphasis is on selling the wine. Though it isn't bad wine - we brought home 3 bottles. There is an excursion that includes 2 wineries that looked good, but if you aren't into wine, then I would skip it.

Most cruise ships also have an excursion down the coast for photo opps. This would be an incredible tour as well. The shoreline along this part of Mexico is rocky and has quite a few cliffs and is actually quite beautiful. If I'd had more time, I would have included this one as well.

Horseback riding can be fun, but it really depends on the time of year. Summers can get hot - just something to think about.

Of course, it is always nice to sit at a sidewalk cafe with a cerveza and nachos! (Avoid the margaritas unless you know where the ice came from! Most people who get ill in Mexico do so because they drink the Margaritas. You will never go wrong with cervezas!)

Remember, Ensenada is a border town. It is not glamorous or exotic. There are fun things to do and you can find good shopping bargains, but people have this expectation that it will be like Puerta Vallarta or Cabo. NO! Ensenada is NOT tropical Mexico! It is northern Baja and has its own "flavor". Expect less, enjoy more.

Oh, and if you can get to Hussong's, try it out. It can be a bit raucous (especially in the evenings), but it has been an "institution" in Ensenada long before the touristy places came along such as Pappas and Beer. Hussong's is the "original" Ensenada cantina.