If you’re sailing from Los Angeles or Long Beach, then it’s almost a surefire chance that one of the ports of call on your cruise will be Ensenada, Mexico.
Just 160 miles down the coast from LA (and 60 miles from the U.S./Mexico border) this is the closest foreign port when sailing from Southern California, making it a popular spot for ships to visit.
So if you’re headed to Ensenada on a cruise, what should you know? We have everything — from what to expect to what to do — from our own experience with multiple trips there ourselves.
An Overview of Ensenada and the Port
First things first, let’s get a lay of the land. When you dock here, you’ll actually be in a pretty convenient location to visit the town. The pier is right near the center of the town. From the ship, you’ll see Ensenada laid out before you, with the town below and then encircled by mountains. It’s actually one of the more pretty ports we’ve been to when it comes to the view from the ship.
From the ship, it’s a short walk (about 1/2 mile) to the tourist malecon that runs across the back of the port area (more on this in a moment). Just beyond that is the city plaza where often there are small souvenir shops set up that cater to cruise ship passengers.
You can also take a shuttle ($4 round trip) if you don’t want to do the walk.
Atmosphere of the City
If there’s one thing that stands out to us when visiting Ensenada, it has to be the atmosphere. We’ve been to ports all over the Caribbean and Mexico. Often, they feel like pretty places that are built solely for cruise passengers. In that, they can feel like they are lacking a bit of authenticity.
Ensenada, on the other hand, is a real city that happens to also have a cruise port. The population is about half a million people. Despite being just a stone’s throw away from the U.S. border, it has a distinctly Mexican feel (although most fast-food brands are available in the city center). Depending on where you stop, for example, you might find it tough to find English speakers. The open-air fish market near the cruise port is also something you just don’t see back home.
In other words, if you wanted to stop in a port that just doesn’t feel like a Disneyland built for cruise passengers, this is it.
Things to do in Ensenada on a Cruise
We will be honest, despite the beautiful location and scenery there isn’t a ton for cruise passengers to do in Ensenada. A place like, say, Cozumel, offers nearly unlimited things to do during the day no matter how many times you visit. Ensenada is by comparison much more low-key.
Malecón/Waterfront
One of the more popular things is right at the cruise port. As you exit the ship, you can take a walk to the malecón (boardwalk) that goes right around the harbor. It’s an easy walk with a fantastic view of the cruise ship across the harbor. Depending on the conditions, there may be the biggest Mexican flag you’ve ever seen flying in the middle of the walkway on an enormous flagpole.
Walk past this and there are a number of small restaurants and shops where you can get a bite to eat, a drink, or a souvenir.
There are also a ton of photo opportunities with the ship in the background as you walk. Toward the end of the walkway, look for the open-air fish market on your right. It’s doubtful you’re in the market to buy fresh seafood, but it’s a neat spot to check out during your exploration.
Hit the Beach
Given that it sits on the Pacific coast, you’d think that the beach is a big deal in Ensenada. If you’re a local, then it is, but it’s not a huge attraction for most cruise passengers. That’s likely because it takes some effort to get to and the water is going to be pretty chilly.
Still, if you want to check out the beach, the closest one is about a 45-minute walk from the ship or you can find a cab to get a ride there. Just hang a right out of the cruise port and keep walking south until you find the surf and sand.
It’s definitely a local beach, so don’t expect a bunch of tourists.
La Bufadora
Without a doubt, the most popular excursion to take in Ensenada is to a spot called La Bufadora. So what’s it all about?
An excursion here will take you about 30 minutes from the cruise port around the coast with some views that are indescribably beautiful. La Bufadora itself is a blowhole in the rock. Wave action sends water into a narrow chasm that then shoots up into the sky in a fine mist.
It’s one of the largest you’ll find and if the waves are just right, it can be impressive. If the waves aren’t that big, then there’s not much to see. Meanwhile, if you take a tour there, you’ll find yourself having to wade through literally a quarter-mile of vendors begging you to come into their store or stop at their restaurant. We’ll be honest in that it can feel a bit like a tourist trap.
If you do decide to visit, we’d suggest trying a kayak tour that can get you down on the water and away from the vendors.
Plaza Civica de la Patria
If you head down the boardwalk from the ship, just a street over is the main plaza in Ensenada. If you’re in the area anyway, we’d highly recommend taking the two minutes to go check it out. Whenever there are festivals or events, there can be tons of people here and all sorts of vendors selling everything from popsicles to t-shirts and tons more.
But even if there isn’t a thing happening, there’s still something to see. There are three huge — we mean huge — sculpted heads of historic figures of Mexico that we think are a must-see. You can’t miss the sculptures as they are painted gold and lined-up. It’s worth a visit since you’re likely to be in the area anyway.
Wine Tasting/Tours
Are you a wine fan? If so, Ensenada might be the perfect stop. The area has a number of wineries relatively close by.
You can arrange a visit on your own, but it’s likely easier to look for an excursion through your cruise line. There are usually a number of wine-related tours offered and these can provide the transportation — and English speaking guides — all in one package.
Tips & Things to Know About Visiting Ensenada
The Area Around the Port is Walkable & Touristy
If you’re not sure where to go when you get off the ship, just follow the crowd. Most people make their way to the boardwalk and then into the center of town. This area is walkable and there are a number of shops and restaurants for you to visit. Meanwhile, the ship is nearly always in sight.
There’s a Shuttle if You Don’t Want to Walk
It can be a bit of a walk into town from the cruise pier. Luckily, there is a shuttle that offers rides for $4 per person, round trip. It will take you into town and also bring you back when you’re ready to board. It picks up right outside the exit of the port, so you can’t miss it.
Big Changes Are Coming to the Port
We mentioned that frankly, there isn’t a ton to do for cruise passengers in the port. In some ways that’s great for authenticity. But cruise lines always believe that more is more, so they are busy putting in a new area for passengers.
Carnival is heading up the project with pools, dune buggies, zip lines, and spa services. The project is set to open in about two years and you don’t have to sail a Carnival ship to be able to enter (most likely for a fee!).
