1st timers in Ensenada

[twinklen01]

We are going in Nov . It will be dh, dd10 and me. We've never been to Ensenada. What can we do with our 10 yr daughter.

We dont drink wine so thats out.

 

on another post i read about

-shopping at L0pez Mateo

-fish market

-walking the area near the water to the port (cant remember the name)

 

I saw on a site the big golden heads but it didnt give directions. is it near the port ? how do we get there?

 

what are some other things to see or good things or places to take pictures of.

 

wheres the best shopping?

 

I hear conflicting reveiws about the blowhole. Is there anything else near there?

 

How much is the shuttle to the blow hole?

 

Is there a beach for horseback riding? A co-worker went and was curious because she heard about horseback riding but didnt see a beach.

 

I have a feeling we might be back on the ship after a few hours-lol

[Woken]

Well Twinklen

 

It has been many years since I was there, and I dont rember too much to do. Some shopping, go to Papas and Beer ( Just to say you were there). When I went I left my 5 year old on the ship due to there being limited things for him to enjoy. What cruise line are you going on? There may be some excursions that are available. I saw that Carnival has an excursion to a beach resort somewhat close by. I dont how this place is I have never been there. The Ports further down south have alot more of things to do than Ensenada. Have fun what ever you dicide..

[jasmith52]

Ensenada the town is (how shall I put this...) pretty sorry looking.

 

If you don'lt want to party at Hussong's or one of the other roudy bars then I suggest that you take one of the tours.

 

If you go on the La Buffadoro tour you'll get and see some of the countryside. There will be lots of little places to shop next to the blowhole. prices on tourist stuff will also be cheaper than in town - and you can bargain with them to get a better price.

[Jen1000]

I just posted this on the other question about Ensenada:

 

"For our day in Ensenada we did the La Bufadora Adventure trip thru Carnival. I believe it was about $30. A/C bus with guide who provided history and other information during the tour. He walked us thru the flea market to the Blowhole and then left us to explore and shop. Set time back at the bus. We then went back to Ensenada to the old casino for a very interesting tour, free beverage. The bus dropped some of us off on the shopping street and took the rest back at the dock. I walked back to the ship (15 min or so) but there is the shuttle back as well for a small fee.

 

The flea market at La Bufadora is great for shopping, I got all my shopping done there. Yes, shopkeepers try to get you in their shops and you should haggle, but isn't that to be expected? I had some fresh churros, my cousin had a taco.

 

At the Blowhole, there is a restaurant called Habana Banana that looked like fun for kids. I was looking for my cousin and I walked thru but I did not eat. Good crowd including kids. Looked very kid friendly with the decor and a slide. Nice view.

 

One tip, if you are not going to be eating at a restaurant, the public toilet (50 cents) is down by the blowhole. Best bet is to go to blowhole first and then work your way back up to the parking lot so you don't run out of time and miss the blowhole because of the shopping.

 

I really enjoyed the tour and the Blowhole. I had no complaints at all.

 

Someone mentioned the $15 ride from the shuttle company. Table mates did it that what and they said it was fine as well.

 

I recall there were ATV tours, horseback riding and more things to do if you want a bit more excitement."

 

We went to the big heads on the way back to the ship. It was a short walk to the heads from the shopping area and then maybe another 10 or so to the ship. They give you a map of the town when you get off the ship. When leaving the port area it is to the left on the main street. I am sure someone can give better directions.

 

There is kayaking by the blowhole but our guide said it does not run year round because the water gets too rough. We were there start of Dec. and it was not open. The drive to the blowhole is very scenic once you are out of town. There are shops and restaurants at the blowhole.

 

Don't know where the horseback riding is but it was offered.

 

Jen in SoCal

 

We are going in Nov . It will be dh, dd10 and me. We've never been to Ensenada. What can we do with our 10 yr daughter.

We dont drink wine so thats out.

 

on another post i read about

-shopping at L0pez Mateo

-fish market

-walking the area near the water to the port (cant remember the name)

 

I saw on a site the big golden heads but it didnt give directions. is it near the port ? how do we get there?

 

what are some other things to see or good things or places to take pictures of.

 

wheres the best shopping?

 

I hear conflicting reveiws about the blowhole. Is there anything else near there?

 

How much is the shuttle to the blow hole?

 

Is there a beach for horseback riding? A co-worker went and was curious because she heard about horseback riding but didnt see a beach.

 

I have a feeling we might be back on the ship after a few hours-lol

[NewCruiseAddict]

We did the blow hole in 2002 and didn't think it was that special. Our tour at the time included lunch in town and shopping. The shopping in town was actually a lot cheaper than at the blow hole. Stuff we haggled down to 20 dollars at the blow hole were going for 12 dollars in town. I honestly don't think that it is worth the money to go to the blow hole.

[cruzingthebriny]

We are going in Nov . It will be dh, dd10 and me. We've never been to Ensenada. What can we do with our 10 yr daughter.

We dont drink wine so thats out.

 

on another post i read about

-shopping at L0pez Mateo

-fish market

-walking the area near the water to the port (cant remember the name)

 

I saw on a site the big golden heads but it didnt give directions. is it near the port ? how do we get there?

 

what are some other things to see or good things or places to take pictures of.

 

wheres the best shopping?

 

I hear conflicting reveiws about the blowhole. Is there anything else near there?

 

How much is the shuttle to the blow hole?

 

Is there a beach for horseback riding? A co-worker went and was curious because she heard about horseback riding but didnt see a beach.

 

I have a feeling we might be back on the ship after a few hours-lol

 

Hello

Sorry I'm replying to this so late, you may have already received the info you were requesting. We were in Ensenada both in Jan. and March a few years ago. We booked the "Blowhole" with one of the tour guide company that was on the "free shuttle to town". The cost was $10 p/p. I wasn't to impress with the blowhole at that time (Jan.) I guess the ocean current has to be pretty strong to give you a nice "blow". But the drive there was very nice and our tour guide gave us a very informative talk about the history of Ensenada and Mexico. On our second cruise down there, we booked again with the tour company (I think they have someone from their company on each of the free shuttles to town) to do the horseback riding on the beach. The cost again was only $10 p/p. My grandchildren really and ejoyed this as well as I.

We will be in Ensenada again on Nov 3rd, on the Radiance of the Seas and have decided to do the vineyards tour.

[twinklen01]

Hello

Sorry I'm replying to this so late, you may have already received the info you were requesting. We were in Ensenada both in Jan. and March a few years ago. We booked the "Blowhole" with one of the tour guide company that was on the "free shuttle to town". The cost was $10 p/p. I wasn't to impress with the blowhole at that time (Jan.) I guess the ocean current has to be pretty strong to give you a nice "blow". But the drive there was very nice and our tour guide gave us a very informative talk about the history of Ensenada and Mexico. On our second cruise down there, we booked again with the tour company (I think they have someone from their company on each of the free shuttles to town) to do the horseback riding on the beach. The cost again was only $10 p/p. My grandchildren really and ejoyed this as well as I.

We will be in Ensenada again on Nov 3rd, on the Radiance of the Seas and have decided to do the vineyards tour.

Thanks for your response. I talked dh into doing the blowhole. I figure we might as well do it once-lol! How do i know what shuttles are free to town? Will the shuttle have a sign on it? I would like to know the name of the shuttle you used to the blow hole for $10 pp or if anyone has a name to the $15 shuttle . I want a co that can be recommended then just getting a taxi. how long was the stay at the blowhole? I figure we can shop and eat near there. DH co-worker told him about a really good place at the end of the blow hole area. I wouldnt mind trying some good fish tacos . Thanks

[pulledporky]

Thanks for your response. I talked dh into doing the blowhole. I figure we might as well do it once-lol! How do i know what shuttles are free to town? Will the shuttle have a sign on it? I would like to know the name of the shuttle you used to the blow hole for $10 pp or if anyone has a name to the $15 shuttle . I want a co that can be recommended then just getting a taxi. how long was the stay at the blowhole? I figure we can shop and eat near there. DH co-worker told him about a really good place at the end of the blow hole area. I wouldnt mind trying some good fish tacos . Thanks

 

Get off the ship and walk thru the terminal building (all the souveneir stuff). There is only one other exit. There will be tour vans lined up that take you to their downtown terminal for a few bucks. They will give you a coupon that allows you to purchase the blow hole tour at their down town terminal for 10 or 15 bucks. Pretty simple. And while you are at the blowhole, try the fresh churros.

[twinklen01]

Get off the ship and walk thru the terminal building (all the souveneir stuff). There is only one other exit. There will be tour vans lined up that take you to their downtown terminal for a few bucks. They will give you a coupon that allows you to purchase the blow hole tour at their down town terminal for 10 or 15 bucks. Pretty simple. And while you are at the blowhole, try the fresh churros.

The good place i was talking about was the churro place. Dh coworkers said gotta try them .