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What to do in Ensenada besides winery?

cruzrmomma

By cruzrmomma,
in Mexican Riviera

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Bruin Steve

Bruin Steve

Posted
Posted
Seriously-what is the appeal of Ensenada? Besides a cheap port-I have no idea what to do! We don't drink, so that's out for us. Is there anything to do besides shop? Is there a beach? Or water activities?

thanks!

Truth be told, Ensenada is not one of the more exciting Mexican ports on any level...On the West Coast, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Mananillo...even Mazatlan all have so much more to offer in terms of beaches, history, scenery, activities...

 

The reason the ships go to Ensenada is quite simple---it's CLOSE...You can get there from LA or San Diego easily on a short cruise...and they have the facilities to accommodate the ships...

 

That said, as a cruiser who's stopped there often, here is my entire rundown:

 

1) Obviously...it's the wineries. The Mexican wine industry is centered nearby and is surprisingly good (remember, it's "California-adjacent", the good wine growing regions and climate don't magically stop at the border). But, if you don't drink at all, yes, it's not the tour for you. for those that do, it's a great shore excursion for the price.

 

2) La Bufadora. Ensenada is not particularly attractive from a scenic perspective. It doesn't have the lush jungles of Puerto Vallarta, it doesn't have the stark mountains and striking rock formations of Cabo. It's just not an area blessed with great scenery or striking landmarks...So the only natural landmark they have is La Bufadora...and it's not really that exciting...it's a natural tidal "blowhole" that shoots ocean water up through a rock formation at the coast...Unfortunately, the locals know the tourists are all taken here, so they've set up stalls all along the path from the bus parking to the Bufadora.

 

3) The Convention Center. It's an interesting piece of history. Built as a gambling casino and drinking establishment from the Prohibition days in the US...The rich and famous used to come here to drink and gamble. The "Margarita" cocktail was invented here. The cruise lines offer excursions which come here and present a "Folklorico" dance show. If you like Mexican culture, it's worthwhile.

 

4) The bars. There are two of special note: a) Hussong's Cantina and b) Papas and Beer. Hussong's is the OLD, traditional Mexican cantina with the strolling mariachis. If you want the experience, but don't drink, they will serve you a Coke or an Iced Tea or whatever you want...and food (Yes, iot is safe to eat here). Beware, when requesting a song from the mariachis, a very large "tip" is expected...Papas and Beer is the "rowdy" bar...Lock up your daughters and avert your eyes...it's loud and raucous and behavior often gets a little risque...BUT, there is also a non-rowdy (but still loud) restaurant downstairs, completely separate from the bar which serves OUTSTANDING Fish and Shrimp Tacos...

 

5) Shopping. It is what it is...Most are along the long main street...You can buy all semblance of leather, cheap souvenirs, ceramics, "art"--as it were, knock-off designer purses and other goods, imitation (and real) perfume, cheap medicines, etc.

 

6) Fox Studios-Mexico...I've never been..but I know that RCCL offers an excursion there...

 

7) Outdoors activities. I've noted also RCCL has started offering Bicycle and ATV excursions up in the Guadelupe Valley. Not too exciting for me, butI'm sure some do it just for a fun day...

 

8) Beaches. Ensenada is not really known as a great beach town...and I'd likely avoid local beaches (Rosarita Beach, a short way up the coast, is a tourist resort with some nice hotels, but...) You have to remember, that the water here is NOT VERY WARM...There is a prevailing Arctic Current and cold water comes south...The ocean water doesn't really warm up until you get down to Cabo...

 

Hope this helps...

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cruzrmomma

cruzrmomma

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thank you SO much for the detailed report! I hope this goes in the archives for people looking for this info. I did a search and no one had anything like this. Thanks so much again! Think we'll mosey around and get some trinkets for the kiddos we left behind, and get a shrimp taco!

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oneunfairmom

oneunfairmom

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We just returned from a 4 day cruise with a stop in Ensenada. We got a taxi out to Las Canadas Campamento, where they have a Zip Line Canopy Tour. 5 zip lines & 5 suspension bridges that you progress through, up the mountain. It was cheap ($11.50 usd each, off season) and safe & super fun. Cab cost us $45 & he waited for us. Whole thing took about 2 hours. You can find their web site by googling their name. One of the guides told us that during high season (summer) they see about 300 people a day on the canopy tour. When we went there were a total of 6!

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Martini Mom

Martini Mom

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We have been to Ensenada several times and the winery tour was the best thing we've ever done there.I highly recommend it. Not the best port for sure though! We also enjoy shopping on the main street and grabbing some beers. You can also go back to the ship early and take advantage of a nearly empty ship as well as get spa specials.

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Jeff in Torrance

Jeff in Torrance

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There's a fairly decent art museum just out of the harbor, along the main road, a couple of blocks to the south. Across the street from the art museum is the cultural center, which is an old resort from the 1920's. No charge at the art museum. You can just wander in the cultural center. Crafts for sale in the courtyard of the center.

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agraning

agraning

Posted
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We just returned from a 4 day cruise with a stop in Ensenada. We got a taxi out to Las Canadas Campamento, where they have a Zip Line Canopy Tour. 5 zip lines & 5 suspension bridges that you progress through, up the mountain. It was cheap ($11.50 usd each, off season) and safe & super fun. Cab cost us $45 & he waited for us. Whole thing took about 2 hours. You can find their web site by googling their name. One of the guides told us that during high season (summer) they see about 300 people a day on the canopy tour. When we went there were a total of 6!

 

 

Did you need reservations ahead of time or did you just have to show up? I think my boyfriend would LOVE this place!

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LOVECRUISING100%

LOVECRUISING100%

Posted
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Truth be told, Ensenada is not one of the more exciting Mexican ports on any level...On the West Coast, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Mananillo...even Mazatlan all have so much more to offer in terms of beaches, history, scenery, activities...

 

The reason the ships go to Ensenada is quite simple---it's CLOSE...You can get there from LA or San Diego easily on a short cruise...and they have the facilities to accommodate the ships...

 

That said, as a cruiser who's stopped there often, here is my entire rundown:

 

1) Obviously...it's the wineries. The Mexican wine industry is centered nearby and is surprisingly good (remember, it's "California-adjacent", the good wine growing regions and climate don't magically stop at the border). But, if you don't drink at all, yes, it's not the tour for you. for those that do, it's a great shore excursion for the price.

 

2) La Bufadora. Ensenada is not particularly attractive from a scenic perspective. It doesn't have the lush jungles of Puerto Vallarta, it doesn't have the stark mountains and striking rock formations of Cabo. It's just not an area blessed with great scenery or striking landmarks...So the only natural landmark they have is La Bufadora...and it's not really that exciting...it's a natural tidal "blowhole" that shoots ocean water up through a rock formation at the coast...Unfortunately, the locals know the tourists are all taken here, so they've set up stalls all along the path from the bus parking to the Bufadora.

 

3) The Convention Center. It's an interesting piece of history. Built as a gambling casino and drinking establishment from the Prohibition days in the US...The rich and famous used to come here to drink and gamble. The "Margarita" cocktail was invented here. The cruise lines offer excursions which come here and present a "Folklorico" dance show. If you like Mexican culture, it's worthwhile.

 

4) The bars. There are two of special note: a) Hussong's Cantina and b) Papas and Beer. Hussong's is the OLD, traditional Mexican cantina with the strolling mariachis. If you want the experience, but don't drink, they will serve you a Coke or an Iced Tea or whatever you want...and food (Yes, iot is safe to eat here). Beware, when requesting a song from the mariachis, a very large "tip" is expected...Papas and Beer is the "rowdy" bar...Lock up your daughters and avert your eyes...it's loud and raucous and behavior often gets a little risque...BUT, there is also a non-rowdy (but still loud) restaurant downstairs, completely separate from the bar which serves OUTSTANDING Fish and Shrimp Tacos...

 

5) Shopping. It is what it is...Most are along the long main street...You can buy all semblance of leather, cheap souvenirs, ceramics, "art"--as it were, knock-off designer purses and other goods, imitation (and real) perfume, cheap medicines, etc.

 

6) Fox Studios-Mexico...I've never been..but I know that RCCL offers an excursion there...

 

7) Outdoors activities. I've noted also RCCL has started offering Bicycle and ATV excursions up in the Guadelupe Valley. Not too exciting for me, butI'm sure some do it just for a fun day...

 

8) Beaches. Ensenada is not really known as a great beach town...and I'd likely avoid local beaches (Rosarita Beach, a short way up the coast, is a tourist resort with some nice hotels, but...) You have to remember, that the water here is NOT VERY WARM...There is a prevailing Arctic Current and cold water comes south...The ocean water doesn't really warm up until you get down to Cabo...

 

Hope this helps...

Thank you for posting... I've been trying to find more information on this port.. I've been there once but looking for more to do while there ..

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