Wondering about things to do in Ensenada port? Don’t fret. You have come to the right place. For your help, this blog is going to shed light on the 15 best activities to do in Ensenada Port.
Visiting Ensenada, Mexico, on a cruise is real luck for travelers. Ensenada is a well-known port known for its delectable cruise, friendly locals, and warm climate for the perfect excursion. This coastal city is located about 80 miles from San Diego in the northern part of the Mexican state.
Therefore, it is a top-rated stop for both Mexican Riviera cruises and Hawaiian cruise itineraries. So, if you’re cruising and planning to visit the Ensenada cruise port and wondering about Ensenada activities with family or friends, don’t worry anymore.
This blog post is going to cover all the fun and adventurous activities that you can do in Ensenada Port.
30-Second Summary
Ensenada is one of the famous cruise stops, whether you choose to go on a Carnival cruise or a Royal Caribbean cruise. During your excursion, there are a number of activities that you can do there.
Most of these are inexpensive but can give you the most chills and fun. From visiting the Mexican Museum to exploring wineries and breweries, Ensenada has so much to offer you. Whether you’re traveling with your family or friends, there is no limit to the fun.
So, ready to explore the fun? If yes, let’s get started!
Ensenada Cruise Port
The Ensenada Mexico cruise port is a beautifully designed place that allows the ships to dock at the Naval Cruise Terminal in Ensenada’s industrial area. The pier is located near the Malecon Boardwalk Avenue. This can put you within a quick walk to the heart of the city in Mexico.
The cruisers docking in Ensenada have the benefit of a massive 300-foot flagpole with a Mexican flag to give you bearings for navigating the town for more fun. This is the type of adventure that you cannot miss at any cost.
So, once you get off to the port of Ensenada, take time and look for the flagpole around you. After you find the flagpole, take a right at the flagpole and then a left at the second intersection you come to. After, you will be downtown at Avenida Lopez Mateos.
What Cruise Passenger Need To Know About Ensenada Port
Before you escort yourself to the place of adventure and fun known as Ensenada, there are a number of things passengers need to know.
Read more: Ultimate Guide on What Is a Pullman Bed on a Cruise Ship
So, if you’re traveling to Ensenada port for the first time and wondering what to do in Ensenada cruise port and how to prepare yourself for the fun, here is a list of things that you can read as follows:
1: Currency
The first thing you need to get yourself familiar with is the currency. Ensenada is located in Mexico, and the currency is the Mexican peso. Because this place is a tourist spot and a famous destination, many vendors and small businesses will accept the United States Dollar in small bills, debit, and credit payments.
However, you have to deal with international transaction charge fees associated with debit or credit cards for exchange. Therefore, if you’re using USD for payment, you might have to pay an extra fee to the vendors as they have to exchange the dollars.
2: Time Zone
The Baja California, Mexico, is in the Pacific Time Zone. Therefore, the Eastern Time Zone is 3 hours ahead of the Pacific Time Zone.
By knowing the time difference, you can better change the time before getting off the ship and keep yourself updated.
3: Language
Not many travelers know that the official language spoken in Ensenada is Spanish. Since Ensenada is located in Mexico, the locals speak Spanish. However, some locals also speak English to communicate with tourists better.
4: Weather of the Port
The weather in Ensenada is almost delightful most of the time. Even during the hottest months, the average high is 84-85 degrees F. However, for the rest of the year, the temperature in Ensenada ranges from 68-69 degrees F.
From April to June and October to November, it can be low to mid-70s. The lows can be as incredible as the 50s in the wintertime. However, you can feel comfort in it when it is in the 60s in the summer.
5: On Foot
There are a number of Ensenada attractions that include excellent souvenir shopping, food, and museums. Fortunately, all of these places are within comfortable walking distance of the cruise ship terminal.
However, if you want to avoid walking, you can take a ride, too.
6: Taxi and Uber Services
When it comes to exploring the places beyond the downtown area of Ensenada, you can find taxis and Uber rides. If you want to head to excursions farther away, like La Bufadora, wineries, and Las Canada’s Adventure Park, you can quickly grab a taxi or Uber ride.
This is helpful, especially when you’re traveling with your family and friends. When you plan to take a taxi, you should know that the taxis are supposed to be metered. However, it is wise to negotiate your fare before you start your ride to any destination.
An Ultimate Guide to the Best Ensenada Shore Excursions
Ensenada is rich with culture and activities that you can explore during your cruising adventure. There are many shore excursions available in Ensenada. Starting from wildlife viewing to nature and history excursions, everything will level up your voyage.
Therefore, here is a list of the best and ultimate things to do Ensenada Mexico that you can read further:
1: History Museum of Ensenada
If you want to learn about the town’s rich history from the Prehistoric times during prohibition to the current days, Ensenada is a great place to visit with family and friends.
The museum is located in the old Riviera Del Pacifico building, which is an architectural monument in itself. During your visit there, you can spend time touring the building, museum, and gardens to imagine the ghosts of yesteryear who came here while it was a casino.
This place was reportedly associated with AI Capone, Lucille Ball, and Desi Arnaz.
2: Whale Watching Tour
If you’re wondering what to do in Ensenada Mexico carnival cruise while traveling to Mexico, there is so much that you can explore. To get started, you can take a whale-watching tour.
Between the months of December and April, many gray whales migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm waters of Baja California to give birth to their calves. This will provide you with an excellent opportunity to experience whale watching in Ensenada.
For whale watching, the cruise will depart from Mercado Negro and travel around the Isla Todo Santos. Along the way, you might see dolphins, sea lions, and other whales, including humpbacks, sperm whales, and finbacks’ pilot whales. Moreover, you can encounter orcas as well.
This whole activity is not only about memorizing but also about being adventurous.
3: Pai Pai Ecotourism Park
These Excursions offer passengers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch and feed wild animals, such as big cats. Around Pai Pai, you can find 40 activities that will help you experience ecological and sustainable tourism.
The biggest attractions here are the feeding of wild animals and interactions with animals. But you can also participate in Zip lining, tequila tasting, and off-road RZR driving.
When it comes to exploring animals, there are several different packages for animal experience. Therefore, ensure that you purchase the correct ticket according to the experience you want to have. Moreover, you can book a package from Pai Pai that includes transportation from the cruise terminal.
However, this will take around 30-40 minutes. So, be prepared for it.
4: Adventure At Las Canadas Campamento
If you’re ready for an active excursion, you will be surprised to find plenty of adventure about 30 minutes south of downtown Ensenada. Therefore, the Las Canadas Campamento is a popular destination among travelers.
You can experience a ziplines canopy tour with five ziplines, multiple suspension bridges, and other fun activities like swimming, biking, paddle boats, horseback riding, and ATV rentals.
But to get to the destination, you will have to book an excursion by means of transportation. You can also take a taxi to get to Las Canadas. If you’re into canopy adventure, the canopy tour will be an excellent choice for you.
5: Try Famous Local Dishes
No wonder Ensenada is known as the perfect birthplace of fish tacos. Therefore, missing this delectable dish will be a big loss. So, prepare yourself to delve into the famous local food fare to enjoy Mexican cuisine.
There are a number of foods that stand throughout Ensenada, but street food is winning the hearts of many travelers. You can try sea urchin tostada, ceviche, and fish tacos to experience unforgettable taste during your voyage.
6: Drink It Up at Hussong’s Cantina
Another activity you can consider for fun is hanging out with locals and drinking at Hussong’s, the old cantina in Baja, California. This place has been open since 1882 and offers a cantina to travelers.
The best thing about this is the price. The price of the busy cantina is highly affordable and gives a lasting taste. The bar also serves large bags of peanuts to patrons, which gives a unique peanut shell floor.
Moreover, you can also enjoy their famous margarita while watching a sports event on cantina’s big screens.
7: The Divine Nature at La Bufadora
During your excursion, you will never find yourself tired of exploring Ensenada things to do in your voyage. One unique natural wonder in Ensenada is the world’s largest underwater blowhole.
La Bufadora is located on the Punta Banda peninsula, and spits water around 100 feet in the air. This will allow you to indulge yourself in nature. There are a number of excursions, including kayaking in La Bufadora. Otherwise, you can take a 45-minute taxi or ride from the cruise port.
During your visit, you need to be aware of the cost of using the bathroom. On the plus side, there is a flea market with food and souvenirs that might excite you.
8: Horseback Riding at Rancho Los Bandidos
If you want to experience a taste of Mexican Cowboy, Rancho Los Bandidos is the ideal spot for you. This excursion will give you an amazing review, and it is located on a short-minute ride, about 20 minutes from the cruise port.
On your 1.5 hours of horseback ride, you will get a lovely view of the ocean and the rugged beauty of Baja California. You will find the guide’s kind and information. The horses are well cared for, and helmets are included.
Moreover, this shorter excursion will give you an opportunity to explore the market and sightsee after the ride.
9: Sample Superfood at Maya Cacao
If you have this divine love for chocolate, you can learn more about this superfood in the Bean to Belly workshop. To participate in this workshop, you will have to give at least $35 for adults and $17.50 for children under 12 years.
During this excursion, you can learn the history and origins of chocolate, from cacao trees to beans, and taste treats. You will get more healthy chocolate drinks to enjoy.
10: Golf by the Ocean in Bajamar
If you have a golfer’s passion hidden inside, you are going to find a chance to play 9-18 holes at this gorgeous golf course. It is named as “The Pebble Beach of Mexico.” It is just a 40-minute taxi or Uber ride north of the cruise port.
This place is an inspiring location where you can spend a port day and get around the golf with your family.
11: Caracol Museum
Traveling with your science lover children? If yes, visiting the unique natural history museum in the shape of a ship located at the harbor is fantastic. The Caracol features many exhibitions on earth, sea, and art.
Many of these exhibits are in Spanish. However, the tour guide you will hire will offer you an English explanation and hands-on learning opportunities during the visit.
12: EI Parque De La Bandera
As explained earlier in the blog post, you cannot miss the giant Mexican flag in Ensenada. The Banderas Monumentales project flagpole is the largest and around 300 feet tall.
There is a park in the surroundings, which makes this place a wonderful area to visit. While exploring, you can allow your children to get a playground for play. Moreover, you can enjoy live music and a giant fountain after 8 pm.
13: Downtown Ensenada
When it comes to exploring one of the top things to do in Ensenada, missing out on the downtown shouldn’t be on your list. You can get yourself ready to explore and enjoy the streets of Downtown Ensenada with your family and friends.
The atmosphere is quite lovely and allows you to have more fun for a few pesos. You can visit First Street Market, where you can meet Mexican vendors and enjoy what they are selling.
The food and things will give you a thrill to shop and indulge yourself in their culture.
14: Plaza Civic Cultural Center
If you’re not sure what things to do in Ensenada with family, you will be surprised to know that there is a culturally significant place known as the Plaza Civica Cultural Center, where you can gather.
In Hispanic cultures, city plazas or town squares are the main locations where people used to gather. The Plaza Civica Cultural Center will provide gorgeous ocean vistas and be a lovely place for people to watch the view.
Moreover, a guided trip is also a great option as you can learn more about Mexico’s history and more information about the important figures honored in the Plaza.
For example, Benito Juarez, Miguel Hidalgo, and Venustiano Carranza.
15: Mexican Wine Tasting
If you are still looking for what to do in Ensenada for a day, wine tasting is your activity. The first Vineyard in Ensenada was planted in 1703. The wine industry has continued to grow since then. The city of Valle De Guadalupe, a little over 12 miles from downtown, now boasts over 75 wineries.
Therefore, the best way to experience wine country is to take a full-day wine tour. Many excursions include tours to vineyards and wine museums. By visiting this place, you can learn about Mexican culture and wine flavors.
Frequently Asked Question:
1: What is the best time to Visit Ensenada port?
If you want to know the best time, weather wise it is late May to mid-October. This time of the year when the weather is the most pleasant around the port. This way, you can experience the most fun outdoor excursions.
2: What are the three best activities to do at Ensenada with family?
Ensenada offers a variety of family-friendly activities to the tourists. If you’re cruising for the first time, you can find a number of things to do there, such as visiting La Bufadora, Cultural Center of Ensenada, and exploring the Museo Historico regional.
3: How far is downtown Ensenada from the cruise port?
Surprisingly, the main downtown area of Ensenada is an easy 15-minute walk from the cruise port. There are a number of taxis near the port area. So, if you want to catch a ride and save your legs, you can get a cab to explore the port.
4: What are the best wineries near Ensenada?
When exploring Ensenada, there are a number of great wineries in the vicinity. But among all, the Valle de Guadalupe is famous. This winery is located approximately a 30–40-minute drive away from the port.
You can ask for the tour guide to take you there or book your own to explore the best taste of Mexican wines.
5: Should you worry about the crime in Ensenada, Mexico?
There can be some unfamiliar places in Ensenada where you have to be aware of your surroundings. At the same time, Ensenada is considered the safest place for tourists; crimes like theft and pickpocketing can occur.
Therefore, avoid displaying expensive jewelry or valuable things openly. Be mindful of your valuables while in crowded surroundings.
Final Words:
No Wonder, Ensenada is one of the best places to get a mesmerizing glimpse of beautiful Mexican culture. You can explore the culture and taste tasty seafood tacos, refreshing drinks, and margaritas, as well as experience an exciting excursion adventure.
After reading through the article, you will surely find some useful information about the best things to do in Ensenada. So, if you are planning to cruise around Mexico, you must prepare yourself to explore Ensenada.
