ensenada restaurants near cruise port

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The 22 Essential Restaurants in Ensenada, Mexico

Where to find fried fish tacos, crisp Mexican wines, and all the ceviches, aguachiles, cocktails, and just-caught shellfish you can eat in Baja’s inviting surf town.

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Ensenada is Mexico’s seafood capital. One of the region’s most beloved tacos, the fish taco, can be found on every corner, but chefs are also well versed in the diverse regional seafood styles of Sinaloa, Sonora, and Nayarit. They revamp the barra fria (cold bar) using cultivated geoduck, abalone, and oysters, while offering refined versions of regional plates made with wild quail, lamb, spider crab, and a variety of fish. Meanwhile, seafood carts boast products worthy of Japan’s Tsukiji market, such as callo de hacha (pen shell clam), sea urchin, Pismo clam, and the rare chocolate clam, all prepared with vegetables and sauces, alongside heaping tostadas topped with a seafood tower’s worth of oceanic products. Many carts are run by steadfast, traditional cooks, like La Guerrerense’s Sabina Bandera, who has become one of the most famous street vendors on the planet.

Around 2000, the wealth of local seafood, produce, olive oil, and food-friendly wines from the nearby Valle de Guadalupe attracted chefs Benito Molina and Solange Muris to open their seminal Ensenada restaurant, Manzanilla. Their kitchen has helped popularize modern Baja cuisine here but also in Mexico City, Oaxaca, and beyond. Now, Ensenada’s upscale seafood producers, iconoclast chefs, and food carts influence contemporary Mexican seafood all over the world. Here’s where to eat in Mexico’s popular tourist port.

Update, June 2021:

As Mexico begins to welcome more travelers following the worst of the pandemic, Ensenada is open and ready to serve visitors with its bounty of seafood and regional cuisine. Before the pandemic, the restaurant landscape of the city was at its strongest in decades. With interest in Baja tourism from the U.S. picking up, along with a young local crowd buzzing around a vibrant new bar scene at spots like Bodegas de Santo Tomás, Ensenada could quickly reclaim its place at the forefront of the Baja boom.

Note: The inclusion of restaurants offering dine-in service should not be taken as an endorsement for dining inside. Studies indicate a lower exposure risk to COVID-19 outdoors, but the level of risk is contingent on social distancing and other safety guidelines. Check with each restaurant for up-to-date information on dining offerings. For updated information on coronavirus cases and travel restrictions, please visit the U.S. Embassy in Mexico .

Prices per person, excluding alcohol: $ = Less than 200 pesos (Less than $10 USD) $$ = 200 - 700 pesos ($10 - $35 USD) $$$ = 700 - 1,500 pesos ($35 - $75 USD) $$$$ = More than 1,500 pesos ($75 USD and up)

Bill Esparza is a James Beard award-winning freelance food and travel writer whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times , Roads & Kingdoms , Food & Wine , Los Angeles Magazine , CNN Parts Unknown , and GQ Mexico. He is a regular contributor to Eater and Eater LA .

La Opah del Güero

Caguama (turtle stew) is one of Baja’s many gastronomic inheritances from the states of Sinaloa and Sonora. The dish is prohibited due to the endangered reptile’s protected status and has mostly been replaced by caguamanta (manta ray stew). But a street cart in El Sauzal serves a magnificent stew of smoked opah that local star chef Diego Hernandez swears is “closer to the real caguama” than any manta ray stew you’ll find on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. The cart, parked in a home garage, combines gelatinous fin, belly, top loin, and breast, all garnished with a sauce of mustard, red wine, and habanero. El Güero offers the stew along with tostadas of ground opah pate, a style of ceviche typically found in Ensenada. [$]

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El Nuevo Jalisciense

Ask any Baja chef where to go for Ensenada’s world-famous tempura-battered fish and shrimp tacos, and they’ll send you to El Nuevo Jalisciense. It’s where the chefs go when entertaining their chef friends visiting the region. The restaurant, along a lonesome strip of businesses on the way to the tourist zone, consists of two plastic benches and a half dozen seats in an L around a convex comal. Cooks deep-fry dogfish and local shrimp in a light, mustard-colored batter before wrapping them in white corn tortillas and handing them over the counter. Complete them yourself with Mexican cream or mayo, pico de gallo, cilantro dressing, and red or green salsa, but use just enough to appreciate the fine seafood and well-seasoned breading. [$]

El Taco de Huitzilopochtli

Take a break from the best seafood in Mexico for one of the country’s greatest breakfast institutions. In a remote residential neighborhood, hungry locals pay their respects to the patron deity of Tenochtitlan at Ensenada’s weekend-only specialist in Texcoco-style barbacoa (pit-roasted lamb). Come for consommé made from lamb drippings, a variety of lamb cuts, and lamb skulls steamed in an earthen pit, which one of the owners jokes is “our natural microwave” for making tacos in the central Mexican style. The menu also includes traditional quesadillas filled with huitlacoche, squash blossoms, and chicharron prensado (pressed, stewed pork rinds), as well as tlacoyos, a pre-Hispanic masa diamond filled with beans. For a quick bite, order the lamb flautas, a pair of long, deep-fried tacos covered with salsa, lettuce, and cream. [$]

Tacos El Paisa

Nights in Baja California mean fire-roasted carne asada and tacos adobada (the regional name for al pastor tacos). Both are here at El Paisa, along with steamed beef head, all served on corn tortillas dressed with mild red sauce, onions, cilantro, and generous scoops of creamy guacamole, The result is a Baja style of taco that you’ll find from Los Angeles all the way down to Cabo. You can also get the meats in other familiar formats like quesatacos (made with melted cheese), quesadillas, mulitas (meat and melted cheese between two corn tortillas), and tortas. [$]

Restaurante Madre

After closing Pacifico, chefs Miguel Bahena and Carolina Verdugo evolved their kitchen from a purely Baja California approach to a menu based generally on northeastern Mexico. Plus, their cozy, new dining room feels like home. Ceviches with Persian cucumber and cherry tomatoes, tiraditos marinated in algaes and chile morita, and local oysters flavored by fire-roasted chiles satisfy the Ensenadan fundamentals. Meanwhile dry fideos (noodles) are topped with hearty beef head stew, and seasonal grilled vegetables evoke scenes of families gathered around smoky backyard grills in Chihuahua and Sonora — and, of course, Baja California. [$$]

Javier Martinez’s inviting patio, located next to Revolution Park, is a brilliant choice for a glass of Mexican wine — there’s even a Contra wine shop attached — paired with modern Baja surf and turf delights. Order local shellfish, Baja-style ceviches dressed with a touch of soy sauce, creamy seafood risottos, and steaks cooked over an open flame. Share your feast with friends, along with several bottles of Mexican wine, and you’ll feel like you’re throwing a party on your own deck at home. If you’re any good at petanque (boules), grab your wineglass and head to the court for a toss. Maybe you can join the Mexican national team, because this is their headquarters. [$$]

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Casa Marcelo

If you’re not able to make it over to La Cava de Marcelo in Ojos Negros for a cheese tasting at the largest cheese cave in Latin America, Casa Marcelo offers an easier way to try the brand’s fresh, aged, and snacking cheeses. The breakfast menu features Mexican classics — chilaquiles, a variety of egg dishes, and machaca (beef jerky) — and for lunch there are Ensenada-style ceviches, tiraditos, and roasted fish. Or just grab a glass of wine and order a cheese board of Casa Marcelo’s signature Ramonetti cheeses, made from the milk of Holstein cows on its ranch. [$$]

La Concheria

As opposed to niche specialists, you’ll find an unusually wide variety of local clams, mussels, and oysters in this contemporary shellfish bar located near the jello shots end of the tourist zone. One of Ensenada’s elevated seafood eateries, La Concheria also features a short list of craft beers (and national beers), and young, acidic, mineral white wines and light rosés. Try the delightfully salty oysters, chocolate and Pismo clams, and Manila clams or mussels steamed in local wine and herbs. Round out your order with a cool, crisp ceviche dressed with Persian cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and purple onions. [$$]

La Bête Noire

For a decade, chef Diego Hernandez earned accolades for his daily tasting menus at the acclaimed Valle de Guadalupe restaurant Corazon de Tierra, including a spot on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. Now he just wants to jam. La Bête Noir is the place to chill, drink, and enjoy a menu of rotating bar bites made with local ingredients. The motto here is, ironically, “keep Ensenada boring.” Inhale powerful, ferocious background tunes from Miles Davis’s revolutionary Bitches Brew album while sipping on inspired cocktails created by Alexandra Pucaru and snacking on local yellowfin tuna crudo with harissa, rich spider crab salad, or beef tongue spiced with Yemeni hot sauce. [$$]

Hussong’s Cantina

Beer and peanuts aren’t exactly a gastronomic experience worth seeking out. Still, you’ll never forget you left your footprint in sawdust and peanut shells on these hallowed saloon floors. Not much has changed since German immigrant John Hussong took over this bar in 1892. Hussong’s is one of the bars claiming to have invented the margarita, though you’d never know it after ordering one. The margaritas are okay, the beer is cold, and the bandera — a trio of lime juice, sangrita, and tequila — helps the mass-produced tequila go down. But once the bassist in the ranchera band snaps his noisy, nylon strings to kick off Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” or the Eagles’ “Hotel California,” you can’t help but smile while sipping the night away. [$]

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Tacos El Fenix Puesto

This taco stand always has a crowd. It has long been the benchmark for Ensenada’s most famous export, Baja fish and shrimp tacos cooked in a flavorful tempura batter. Like the best stands in Ensenada, the dogfish and shrimp are fresh and high quality, and the double-fried, golden-brown batter is light and crispy around the thick-cut filets. The condiments are standard: chipotle mayo, shredded cabbage, red and green salsas, ketchup for the sweet-toothed locals, cream and mayo, pico de gallo, and mustard. Fans will tell you there is no better fish taco stand in Ensenada. [$]

Carreta de Mariscos el Gordito

Every seafood cart in Ensenada has a specialty. At this tiny stand, you’ll never go wrong with an order of campechana (mixed seafood cocktail) or local fish ceviche made from ground tuna. But in Mexico’s seafood capital, it’s all about luxurious shellfish from nearby waters. Find Mariscos El Gordito on a quiet corner at the edge of the tourist zone, then order a prepared clam, dressed with diced tomato, cucumber, and purple onion, topped with sliced avocado. Whether you get a white, Pismo, reyna, or chocolate clam, ask for it without ketchup (a common local topping) to enjoy the delicate flavors of the exquisite shellfish. [$]

La Cocedora de Langosta

Get your Puerto Nuevo-style lobster fix away from the barkers and touristic town where the dish gets its name. One of a pair of hidden gems in the Black Market (along with Muelle Tres), La Cocedora de Langosta only serves the dish when the lobster is fresh and in season. You’ll also find modern Baja-style ceviches, aguachiles (seafood in spicy lime juice), and soy-sauce-dressed sashimi and tiraditos (Peruvian-style raw seafood in spicy lime juice) made with fine seafood like abalone, geoduck, or Pismo clams sourced from local estuaries, farms, and divers. [$$]

Wendlandt Brewery

The beers are superb, notably the saison called Hann Zomer, the lighter Baja-style IPA titled Perro del Mar, and the personal favorite of chef Krista Velasco, Vaquita Marina — an American pale ale named after the endangered porpoise. The chef’s playful gastropub menu includes fine versions of American fast-food snacks like onion rings, deep-fried pickles, and a variety of chicken wings, as well as Baja-style ceviche, seafood tostadas, and tempura-battered oysters. Order some LA-style Korean tacos and wash it down with a glass of Harry Polanco, a red ale full of herbs and citrus. [$$]

La Guerrerense

No stop in Ensenada is complete without queuing up at this legendary seafood cart from one of Mexico’s most famous traditional cooks. Sabina Bandera and her family serve seafood tostadas, seafood cocktails, and raw shellfish dressed with brilliant, essential salsas that have codified Bandera’s original style. Everyone knows the protocol: Get a cooked-and-cooled sea urchin tostada and a salt cod tostada to start. For toppings, ask for Pismo clam or splurge on callo de hacha (pen shell clam). Then dress the tostadas with guacachile (spicy guacamole) and chiles de mi jardin (toasted chiles in vegetable oil with peanuts), or take a chance on one of the countless jars of proprietary salsas. [$]

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Sabina restaurante.

Sabina Bandera’s first brick-and-mortar spot isn’t just a sit-down version of her tostada, shellfish, and seafood cocktail stand. Here you’ll find an expanded menu of barra caliente (hot bar) classics like shrimp albondigas, seafood pozole from the cook’s home state of Guerrero, and a smoked oyster-stuffed chile guero taco. Slide along the counter cafeteria-style, order some ceviche tostadas, a Baja fish taco made with Bandera’s family recipe, and a bowl of clam chowder brewed with local mollusks. Pair your meal with local craft beer from Wendlandt or house wines made by the Mexican wine master Hugo D’ Acosta. [$]

Muelle Tres

After a walk through the Black Market (Ensenada’s fish market), turn the corner for a delightful lunch of contemporary Baja cuisine paired with local wines, Mexican craft beers, and fine mezcal. The tuna ceviche highlights the kitchen’s regional approach to seafood with quality local fish, citrus, ginger, and soy sauce — one of several Asian condiments used in Baja California cuisine. Enjoy the quiet retreat from the nearby tourist throng as you snack on seafood rice, pescadillas (fish quesadillas), and local mussels steamed in a mix of green chiles, along with one of the tasty white wines sold by the glass. [$$]

Mariscos El Guero

One of the busiest street carts among the scattered seafood stands flanking the tourist zone’s main road, Mariscos El Guero is popular for fresh clams, seafood cocktails, and ceviche tostadas. Order a prepared chocolate clam dressed with diced tomatoes, cilantro, onions, and cucumbers, finished with a splash of lime juice and sliced avocado. Ketchup is standard too, but you might want to skip it to enjoy the natural flavors of the rare clam. Then start a tostada with a base of chopped tuna ceviche and have the stand build it up with squid, octopus, pen shell clams, or raw shrimp lightly cooked in lime. Brace yourself for the bright and fruity (but very hot) salsa marinating in the molcajete. [$]

Tacos de Pescado Marco Antonio

When his cannery business began to wane, thick-mustached Marco Antonio transformed his industrial plant into a restaurant. This unique Baja seafood taco destination is now known for its variety of seafood stew tacos and creative salsas. There are almost 20 different tacos, including a shrimp chile relleno taco, shrimp in chipotle, tuna machaca, salmon belly, and of course, very fine versions of regional beer-battered fish and shrimp tacos. Make haste and head to the condiment bar to finish your tacos with tempting salsas, including fiery toasted chiles in vegetable oil, creamy cilantro and chipotle dressings, cured habaneros and onions, and simple, colorful salsas of pureed chiles with touches of salt and water. [$]

Slide along the antique wooden bar at this former warehouse tucked away across from Ensenada’s shipyard, and order one of the best gin and tonics you’ll ever have, made with citrus, Japanese cucumber, wild fennel, and Hendrick’s gin. Then ask for locally farmed Kumamoto oysters, both fresh, and grilled with Ramonetti cheese and tarragon, followed by fried abalone and seaweed, an ode to fish and chips. Either pairs well with a glass of local white wine selected by chef Benito Molina, who’s a pioneer of modern Mexican food, a visionary of contemporary Baja California cuisine, and a damned good sommelier. Once you make your way to a table, continue to imbibe with iconic dishes: a taco of the day, which might consist of octopus, chicharron, and refried black beans; fish of the day, that Baja classic, made with rockfish; or Molina’s riffs on traditional Baja California quail, a plate of tender breasts with poached quail eggs. [$$$]

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Mariscos El Pizón

Alan Pasiano is one of Ensenada’s ceviche masters. He’s a former skin diver and seafood purveyor, and he worked the sea urchin market at the old Tsukiji market in Tokyo for a Japanese seafood exporter based in Ensenada. No one does a better geoduck ceviche in the area, but don’t miss the restaurant’s masterpiece, a plate of raw yellowtail topped with a strip of sea urchin, flash-cooked in lime and dressed with squirts of yellow mustard. Pasiano, a natural storyteller, prepares dishes slowly, allowing himself enough time to share tales of the Tsukiji market or diving adventures. As he nonchalantly dices vegetables and exotic seafood, he might even provide waiting customers with a snack of cooked and cooled sea urchin ceviche spread on a tostada. [$]

Raw Oyster Bar

Chef Melissa Navarro offers her take on the traditional barra fria and barra caliente (cold and hot bars). That means fresh Baja oysters and clams with simple garnishes, but also battered oysters stained by squid ink, oyster croquettes, and kumamoto oyster shots. Order the duela de ostiones (oysters on a plank), a flight of six stunning oysters, both fresh and cooked, that exhibit impressive contrasts in technique and dressings. Then order the grilled octopus quesatacos with a sauvignon blanc, along with the fruity ceviche tropical for the table, paired with a light Mexican rosé. Slurp oysters in the sunny, industrial dining space, and toast the chef for this perfect late-afternoon break. [$$$]

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17 Best Things to Do in Ensenada on a Cruise [Port Guide]

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If you’re visiting Ensenada Mexico on a cruise, you’re in luck. Ensenada, known for its delectable cuisine, warm climate, and friendly locals, is a popular cruise stop for both Mexican Riviera cruises as well as Hawaiian cruise itineraries.

This coastal city is located about 80 miles from San Diego in the northern part of the Mexican state of Baja California. It is Baja California’s only deep water port.

In this post, I’ll share the best things to do in Ensenada on a cruise, including shore excursions and inexpensive or free activities. You’ll also learn everything you need to know about visiting the Ensenada cruise port for the day and get answers to commonly asked questions.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

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Ensenada Cruise Port  

Cruise ships dock at the Naval Cruise Terminal in Ensenada’s industrial area. The pier is located near the Malecon boardwalk avenue, putting you within a quick walk to the heart of the city.

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. You can’t miss it!

After you get off the ship, look for the flagpole. Take a right at the flagpole and then a left at the second intersection you come to, and you’ll be downtown on Avenida Lopez Mateos.

What Cruise Passengers Need to Know About Ensenada Cruise Port

Ensenada is located in Mexico, where the currency is the Mexican peso.

However, because it is a tourist destination, many vendors and small businesses will accept the United States dollar in small bills and debit or credit cards. There may be international transaction charge fees associated with debit or credit cards.

If you use USD instead of pesos, you might pay more overall because vendors have to exchange your dollars.

The official language spoken in Ensenada, Mexico is Spanish. However, many locals also speak English (at least enough to communicate with tourists).

Baja California, Mexico (including Ensenada) is in the Pacific Time Zone. The Eastern Time Zone is 3 hours ahead of Pacific Time Zone.

Ensenada weather is almost always delightful! During the hottest months (July and August), the average high is 84-85 degrees F, with lows in the upper 60s.

The rest of the year, high temperatures in Ensenada range from 68-69 degrees F (December through March) and the low to mid-70s (April-June, October-November). Lows can be as cool as the 50s in the wintertime but are comfortably in the 60s in the summer.

Many Ensenada attractions including excellent souvenir shopping, food and museums are within comfortable walking distance of the cruise ship terminal.

Taxis and Uber will be your best bet for getting around beyond Ensenada downtown. If you want to head to farther away excursions like La Bufadora, wineries and Las Canadas adventure park you can easily grab a taxi or Uber.

Pro Tip: Taxis are supposed to be metered, but it is smart to negotiate your fare before you start your ride.

Best Ensenada Shore Excursions

There are many shore excursions available in Ensenada. From wildlife viewing, to nature and history excursions, to food and drink stops, you’ll wish you had more time at this cruise port.

Here are some of the best Ensenada shore excursions .

1. History Museum of Ensenada

If you want to learn about the town’s rich history from prehistoric times, during U.S. prohibition and to current days, this a great place to visit. The museum is housed in the old Rivera Del Pacifico building, which is an architectural monument in itself. 

Spend time touring the building, museum and the gardens and imagine the ghosts of yesteryear who came here when it was a casino. It was reportedly associated with Al Capone, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. 

2. Mexican Wine Tasting

The first vineyards in Ensenada were 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. 

The best way to experience wine country is to take a full-day wine tour. Most excursions include a tour of several vineyards, snacks and a visit to the wine museum. You can learn about the evolution of Mexican wine country and taste the often riper and darker fruit flavor of Mexican wine. 

3. Whale Watching Tour

Between the months of December and April, gray whales migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm waters of Baja California to give birth to their calves. This makes for excellent whale watching experience for visitors to Ensenada. 

Whale watching excursions depart from Mercado Negro and travel around Isla Todos Santos. Along the way you might see dolphins, sea lions and other whales including humpbacks, sperm whales, finbacks, pilot whales and occasionally orcas. 

4. Adventure at Las Canadas Campamento

If you’re up for an active excursion, you’ll find plenty of adventure about 30 minutes south of downtown Ensenada. Las Canadas Campamento is a popular destination with a zipline canopy tour with five ziplines, multiple suspension bridges, and other activities, including swimming, biking, paddleboats, horseback riding, and ATV rentals.

You’ll need to book an excursion with transportation or take a taxi to get to Las Canadas. The canopy tour is an outstanding choice.

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5. Pai Pai Ecotourism Park

This excursion offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch and feed wild animals like big cats. Pai Pai offers 40 activities built around ecological and sustainable tourism. The biggest attractions here are wild animal feeding and interactions, but you can also participate in zip lining, tequila tasting, off-road Rzr driving, and Go-Kart Racing.

There are several different packages for animal experiences, so be sure you purchase the correct ticket for the animal experience you want to have. You can book a package from Pai Pai that includes transportation from the cruise terminal, but be prepared that it takes 35-40 minutes to get here.

6. Try Famous Local Dishes at La Guerrerense

Ensenada is known as the birthplace of fish tacos, so you won’t want to miss the chance to sample the famous local fare. There are food stands throughout Ensenada, but this street food stand, in particular, has the Anthony Bourdain seal of approval.

Try the sea urchin tostada, ceviche, and fish tacos for an unforgettable Ensenada experience.

7. Drink It Up at Hussong’s Cantina 

Hang out with locals and drink at Hussong’s, the oldest cantina in Baja, California. Open since 1882, this busy cantina is an affordable Ensenada favorite.

The bar serves large bags of peanuts to patrons, resulting in a unique peanut shell floor. Enjoy their famous margarita, listen to a Mexican band, or watch your favorite sporting event on the cantina’s big screens.

8. See the Power of Nature at La Bufadora 

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 100 feet in the air. 

There are excursions that include kayaking to La Bufadora or you can take a 45 minute bus or taxi ride from the cruise port. Be aware that you will have to pay to park or use the bathrooms here, but on the plus side there is a flea market onsite with food and souvenirs. 

9. Relax or Learn to Surf on Playa Hermosa

If the beach is on your priority list, one of the closest options to port is Malecon de Playa Hermosa. A short 9 minute taxi ride away, you’ll have a great time here snorkeling, learning how to surf, or just relaxing in the sun.

Food vendors walk the beach here and there are public bathrooms available as well as chairs and umbrellas for rent.

Related: 12 Tourist Scams that Cruisers Need to Know

10. Sample Superfood at Maya Cacao

If you love chocolate, come learn about the superfood for the ancient Mayans at the “Bean to Belly” workshop. For $35 for adults and $17.50 for children under 12 years, during this delicious excursion you can learn the history and origins of chocolate from cacao trees to beans to tasty treat. You’ll also get to make your own healthy dark chocolate drink. 

11. Horseback riding at Rancho Los Bandidos 

Experience a taste of what it is like to be a Mexican cowboy at Rancho Los Bandidos. This excursion has amazing reviews and is located a short 20 minute ride from the cruise port.

Your 1.5 hour long horseback ride will give you lovely views of the ocean and the rugged beauty of Baja, California. The guides are kind and informative, the horses are well cared for and helmets are included. Plus, this shorter excursion means you’ll have time to shop or sightsee before or after your horseback ride. 

12. Fish Tacos at Mercado de Mariscos/Mercado Negro 

Cruisers will not want to miss Ensenada’s fresh and tasty seafood at budget prices. Mercado de Mariscos (also called Ensenada Mercado Negro) is located next door to the large seafood market on the waterfront.

The market has multiple restaurants and street vendors serving up delicious mariscos including shrimp and fish tacos, ceviche, tostadas, whole fried fish and shrimp or mixed seafood cocktails. 

One fun element of this street market are the variety of tasty sauces, salsas and condiments on each table. If you love seafood you should definitely add this location to your Ensenada plan. 

Mercado Negro is about a 20 minute walk through downtown. If you are in a hurry grab a taxi or Uber, which will get you there in about 8 minutes. 

13. Golf by the ocean in Bajamar

Golfers will love the chance to play 9 or 18 holes at this gorgeous oceanside golf course dubbed “The Pebble Beach of Mexico.” Just a 40-minute taxi or Uber ride north of the cruise port, Bajamar is an inspiring place to spend a port day and get in a round of golf. 

14. Caracol Museum

Science lovers will enjoy visiting this unique natural history museum in the shape of a ship located at the harbor. The Caracol features exhibitions on earth, sea and art. Most of the exhibits are in Spanish but tour guides are great at offering English explanations and hands-on learning opportunities. Entrance fees to Caracol are inexpensive (less than $5 per person, around 60 pesos). 

Free Excursions in Ensenada

15. El Parque de la Bandera

As we mentioned earlier in this post, you can’t miss the giant Mexican Flag in Ensenada. The “Banderas Monumentales Project” flag pole is over 300 feet tall and the flag measures 50 meters (164 feet)  long by 28 meters (92 feet) wide.

The park surrounding the flag is a wonderful place to visit. It hosts a playground, a band shell with live music events and a giant fountain. After 8 p.m. the fountain dances to music (think a smaller version of the Bellagio show in Las Vegas). 

16. Downtown Ensenada

Enjoying the streets of downtown Ensenada is a great way to spend time in this port. You can enjoy the atmosphere and spend as many (or few!) pesos as you’d like. 

First Street Market: One block inland from the huge Mexican flag you’ll find First Street, a main shopping street in Ensenada. An outdoor market with street vendors selling Mexican cuisine and colorful souvenirs, the First Street Market is open every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

17. Plaza Civica Cultural Center

In Hispanic cultures, city plazas or town squares are a culturally significant place to gather. In the central area of Ensenada, the Plaza Civica Cultural Center has gorgeous ocean vistas and is a lovely place to people watch. 

A guided trip is a great option, where you can learn more about Mexico’s history as well as more information about three important figures honored in the plaza with golden busts: Benito Juarez, Miguel Hidalgo, and Venustiano Carranza. 

Ensenada Cruise Port Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit ensenada .

Weather wise the best time of year to visit Ensenada is Late May to mid-October. This will give you the most pleasant temperatures for outdoor excursions. 

How far is downtown Ensenada from the cruise port? 

The main downtown area of Ensenada is an easy 15 minute walk from the cruise port. There are many taxis near the port area if you want to catch a ride and save your legs for walking downtown. 

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Final Thoughts On Things to do in Ensenada Cruise Port

Ensenada is one of the best places to get a glimpse of the beautiful Mexican culture as well as eat tasty seafood tacos, drink refreshing margaritas and experience exciting excursions.

Have you been to Ensenada, Mexico? If so what do you enjoy most? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

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Best Restaurants in Ensenada, Mexico

Restaurants in ensenada, establishment type, special offers, online options, traveller rating, dietary restrictions, restaurant features.

• Mama Bear's Pizza
• Geppetto's Pizzeria & Bistro
• Vintage Sabores de Antaño
• La Guerrerense
• King and Queen Cantina
• Punta Morro
• Finca Altozano
• Mariscos El Guero
• Mexipon Ramen & Curry Bar

The Best Restaurants in Ensenada, Mexico

Baja California ’s Pacific Coast beach town of Ensenada is home to hole-in-the-wall taco joints, must-try Med-Mex fusion and fresh-off-the-boat seafood. Beyond traditional flavors, Ensenada’s culinary scene offers a must-try Med-Mex fusion that artfully blends Mediterranean and Mexican influences, resulting in a symphony of tastes that dance on your palate. And of course, the town’s proximity to the sea ensures an unforgettable seafood experience—where you can indulge in dishes featuring the catch of the day, served straight from the boats to your plate. Whether you’re seeking the simplicity of street food or the elegance of fusion cuisine, Ensenada promises a gastronomic adventure that reflects the vibrant spirit of Baja California’s Pacific Coast.

Sitting behind a long, half-moon bay of golden sand less than two hours’ drive from San Diego and Tijuana , Baja’s third-largest city has long been a popular beach retreat for local and international visitors. Its streets and rural environs sizzle with scintillating places to eat – from traditional Mexican family restaurants to delectable dining rooms with vineyard views.

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Fine-dining and fine wines are served al fresco by the fire under ancient tropical cedar trees and a star-filled sky. Primitivo – twenty minutes’ drive from Ensenada in the Valle de Guadalupe – is worth going out of your way for. The menu focuses on barbecued meats and seafood, with picadillo de jurel (horse mackerel with herbs and spices), beef steaks and octopus being favorites. There’s a rotating, themed tasting menu of the chef’s latest specialties, and food comes with sommelier-matched wines.

Tucked away on an office-lined street in Ensenada’s port area and with a plain brick façade, Manzanilla doesn’t look like much. But locals in-the-know will tell you that Benito Molina and Solange Muris’s Med-Mex fusion cooking has been wowing Mexican gourmands since the turn of the millennium. Kick off with a zingy Oaxaca margarita at the wooden bar, then tuck in to the six-course degustation (with mini rib-eye steaks, tacos and gorgeous grilled yellowtail). Pair that with matching Guadalupe wines, on request.

La Conchería

Don’t let the low prices fool you, or the low-key locale – off a busy road in central Ensenada, La Conchería is the place locals go for seafood, plucked that day from Baja’s pristine waters. Oysters, served with a choice of sauces running from chili-hot to ginger-tangy, are as fresh as the dawn, while the abalone is a local legend and the fish skillets and seafood salads are the chef’s signatures. The service, meanwhile, is as crisp as the white wines on the extensive list.

Punta Morro

Sunset over the Pacific, mojito in hand, gentle breeze blowing, waves lapping on the rocks. You’ll find it all at Punta Morro, a beachside hotel whose dining room hovers over the ocean and the curve of Ensenada bay. With views this good, the food doesn’t have to be special, but it is: juicy lobster enchiladas, steamed Baja clams, empanada pastries stuffed with lobster chorizo and Mexican beans, plus grilled swordfish with capers. The wine list, mostly of Baja bottles, is exuberant.

Mariscos El Güero de Ensenada

In Ensenada, fast eats can be fabulous, and even a simple stall can serve sumptuous seafood – as the crowds of locals that flock to this shoreside street-eatery attest. Skillful waiters whip up ceviche and seafood cocktails in seconds, made from ultra-fresh Baja yellowtail, clams, shrimps and oysters. Served with tortillas and tangy salsas, they will certainly set your tastebuds tingling. Best of all, the bill will be less than the price of a burger and fries.

Bronco’s Steak House

Of course it’s not all about the seafood in Ensenada. Like all North Americans, Mexicans love their steaks. Ensenada’s best are served at Bronco’s – whose wooden saloon bar façade (complete with sombrero-clad mannequin) could be in a Hollywood western. Steak is served in all manner of cuts, but the local way to eat it is a la parilla – grilled on a charcoal barbecue. Portions are enormous, there’s a more-than-you-can-eat buffet and a heaving dessert trolley, so come with an empty belly.

On the edge of Ensenada’s Valle de Guadalupe wine region, this family-run restaurant, set in palm-filled tropical gardens, offers a menu of Baja and Yucatán dishes, as well as sommelier-selected bottles from the celebrated El Cielo vineyard. Signature dishes include delicious pork belly tacos. Made with blue cornflour and accompanied by avocado purée, red onion and piquant chilmole sauce, these are best washed down with a crisp El Cielo copernicus cabernet sauvignon.

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Best Seafood Restaurants in Ensenada, Ensenada Municipality

Seafood restaurants in ensenada, establishment type, online options, traveler rating, dietary restrictions, restaurant features.

• Food & Drink
• How to Plan
• Shore Excursions
• Onboard Activities
• What to Expect

Top 10 Things to Eat in Ensenada

By Carnival Cruise Line

• Baja-Style Tacos
• Puerto Nuevo Lobster
• Ceasar Salad
• Camarones Enchilado
• Tecate Bread
• Mini or Baby Vegetables
• Machaca con Huevos
• Artisanal Cheese

Nestled between Desert Mountains and the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean, it’s easy to see why Ensenada is a popular cruise destination. Located on the northern Baja peninsula, the vibrant port of Ensenada is full of activities like shopping, water sports and culture.

There’s no better way to experience a culture than through the food. Mexico has one of the world’s richest cultural cuisines, and Baja California itself has become a food mecca for travelers. So, when you’re not beaching it up or exploring the city, you can sample some of the best Mexican food the country has to offer!

1. Baja-Style Tacos

Perhaps the best known of Ensenada’s own foods, Baja-style tacos do not disappoint.

Like many dishes of the region, seafood is the star of Baja-style tacos. Fresh white fish like halibut, or sometimes juicy shrimp are coated in Mexican spices and then fried in a tempura-style batter. Served in a corn tortilla and topped with crunchy shredded cabbage, homemade Pico de Gallo and a creamy lime salsa, Baja-style fish tacos are a crunchy, tangy delight for your taste buds!

2. Tostadas

You can eat tostadas almost everywhere in Mexico, each with a unique regional spin. In Ensenada, tostadas are all about – you guessed it – seafood!

Start with a tortilla, deep-fried into a crispy round chip and top it with a mountain of local delicacies like sea urchin, ceviche, clam, shrimp, cod and more. Simple yet delicious, tostadas make for some of the best street food in Ensenada. But you’ll also find high-end versions in gourmet restaurants, crafted with innovative and modern toppings.

3. Puerto Nuevo Lobster

Live it up on your cruise vacation with a meal of fresh-caught lobster. Just a few miles up the coast from Ensenada, the village of Puerto Nuevo is known for having some of the best lobster around.

Many restaurants in Ensenada offer the famous Puerto Nuevo Lobster, served like you’ve never had it before – with tortillas, salsa, rice and beans. One bite of succulent Puerto Nuevo lobster and you may never want it any other way!

4. Caesar Salad

Get ready to have your mind blown – the beloved Caesar Salad actually originated at a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico!

That’s right, this iconic salad made of crunchy romaine hearts, anchovies, lemon juice, egg yolk, and grated parmesan cheese is a classic Baja California food. So, an authentic Caesar salad on your cruise to Ensenada not only makes a great meal, but a great story to tell your friends.

5. Camarones Enchilado

For more evidence of Ensenada’s rich and diverse food scene, look no further than camarones enchilado.

Another surprise to many visitors looking for the best food in Ensenada, many dishes derive from comida china , or Chinese food.

Camarones enchilada is a saucy dish made of pan-fried shrimp cooked in olive oil with garlic, Pequin pepper and salt. Try it served over fried or white rice, or in a taco. Or both!

6. Tecate Bread

No, we’re not talking about bread with beer in it. Tecate bread is named for the city in northern Baja where it originated. Sweet breads with names like conchas, orejas and campechanas are a staple in the Mexican diet.

What makes Tecate’s version extra special are the high-quality ingredients and traditional brick ovens used to bake them. One bite and you’re hooked!

7. Mini or Baby Vegetables

Discover the fun way to eat your vegetables! With their tiny bursts of flavor, bite-sized veggies have taken the global gastronomy world by storm.

The northern Baja region of Mexico has cultivated miniature vegetables for at least 20 years. Find them artfully paired with fine meats and seafood in fine dining restaurants throughout Ensenada.

Trying the local seafood is always a delight when you’re vacationing by the sea and Ensenada offers it in a million delectable ways.

Ceviche is light, simple, and oh-so-delicious, perfect for enjoying on a sunny day. To make ceviche, fresh fish is marinated or “cooked” in lime juice.

Next, it’s mixed with fresh cut tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and a bit of chili pepper. This dish is tangy, healthy and delicious. Pair it with a local white wine from the region or a classic margarita, and you’re on your way to a perfect day.

9. Machaca con Huevos

For breakfast lovers, Ensenada has some fantastic treats. If you’re not a breakfast person, don’t worry – machaca con huevos is delicious any time of day.

Machaca is a spiced and dried shredded beef native to northern Mexico, and popular in Baja California. Served with eggs, chives and potatoes, this filling combination will have you full, happy, and ready for a day of exploring.

10. Artisanal Cheese

Ensenada food is full of surprises, and artisanal cheese is one of them. Near Ensenada in a region called Real del Castillo, several local farms produce their own fresh cheese.

Keep an eye out for Parma, Mancillas, Barajas and Ramonetti cheeses, named after the farms that produce them. They make great gifts to take back home and since Ensenada’s climate is Mediterranean-like, you can even find some locally-produced olives to pair with your cheese platter.

Whether you’re thinking about a cruise to Ensenada or it’s already booked, great adventures await you!

Carnival still has trips to Ensenada available to help you extend your summer . With each trip you can join exciting shore excursions , learn about an amazing culture and taste exotic food.

Related articles

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https://www.carnival.com/cruise-to/mexico-cruises.aspx

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5 ½ Things To Do While In Port In Ensenada, Mexico

• Cruises and Sailing
• Destinations
• Mexico and Caribbean
• Shore Excursions
• Types of Travel

Over the years, Ensenada, Mexico, has become one of my favorite places to visit. I’ve arrived in Ensenada by land, cycling on the Rosarito-Ensenada bike ride, and by sea via cruise ship. The weather is pleasant year-round, but high winds between mid-January and mid-February could potentially disrupt your cruise itinerary or some shore excursions.

Ensenada lies about 67 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border and 89 miles south of San Diego . The Port of Ensenada is one of Mexico’s most visited ports of call for major cruise lines. And as you would expect, there are many activities to keep all those cruise ship guests busy. Below are 5 ½ things to do while in port in Ensenada. Yep, 5 ½.

Whichever activities on this list you choose to participate in, you will be doing a fair amount of walking. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

The first three activities can be experienced without the need for any transportation other than your feet; they are just a few blocks from the port. The remaining ones require an organized tour  to reach. These will most likely be offered as shore excursions by whichever cruise line you sail with. Or, you can take a taxi on your own.

1. Centro Social, Cívico Y Cultural Riviera Del Pacifico De Ensenada

Your cruise ship will probably offer excursions that include a visit to Centro Social, Cívico Y Cultural Riviera del Pacifico . But it’s so close to the port that you may prefer to walk there yourself. At press time the entrance fee was $2 USD.

Centro Social, Cívico Y Cultural Riviera del Pacifico was formerly the Hotel Riviera del Pacifico. Its storied history involves Prohibition, Mexican businessmen and politicians, and Hollywood celebrities. After Prohibition ended, things went downhill for the hotel. It was restored beginning in 1978 and became Centro Social, Cívico Y Cultural Riviera del Pacifico. What survived are the beautiful tiles, murals, ballroom, chandeliers, woodwork, gardens, and casino room.

I recommend getting a guide so you can learn about the history behind the building and hear some stories that go with it. One of my favorite stories is how, during dances in the ballroom, boys and girls were able to arrange dates while still under the hawk-like watch of the chaperones. I also recommend a visit to the museum.

Fun Fact: Bar Andaluz at Riviera del Pacifico claims to have invented the margarita . See below for the other origin story.

2. Fish Taco Tasting

It is almost universally agreed that the fish taco as we know it today originated in Ensenada. What better place to create your own fish taco tour than Ensenada! The Ensenada-style fish taco contains battered and fried fish. Angel shark ( angelito ) is a commonly used fish because it holds up well during frying. Dogfish and Mako shark (my favorite) are also used. Cod, pollock, halibut, and whitefish are other options. It is topped with cabbage (sometimes lettuce), pico de gallo, sour cream or citrus/mayonnaise sauce, and served on a flour or corn tortilla. Variations on toppings, salsas, and other condiments help each stand establish its own unique, um , flavor, as does the type of fish used. I found one stand on Lázaro Cárdenas right outside the port that served manta ray tacos.

If you start at the corner of Avenida Adolfo López Mateos/Calle Primera and Castillo and work your way northwest along López Mateos, you’ll encounter any number of restaurants, cafés, and patio diners that serve fish tacos. You’ll find more shacks as you near Miramar. And it is these shacks that tend to serve the more authentic fish tacos, though the places you passed to get here do make very good ones.

My personal tour included La Guerrerense (their cart doesn’t sell fish tacos but their restaurant does), recognized by numerous international travel and food publications, a restaurant called Mariscos Playa Azul , and a final stop at a small stand simply called The Original Fish Tacos Ensenada, or Los Originales Tacos de Pescado de Ensenada .

Pro Tip: If you’re going to do a fish taco tasting, eat a light breakfast or skip breakfast altogether. The tacos may look small, but after visiting three or four or more places, you will be quite full. I was, and I have a huge appetite. Consider going a few blocks further up Avenida Adolfo López Mateos/Calle Primera to Avenida Ruíz. Turn right. Just before Calle Segunda is the famous Hussong’s Cantina . It is rumored the margarita was invented here in 1941. A (very strong) margarita from Hussong’s makes a historic and satisfying finish to your fish taco tasting tour.

3. Shopping

Shopping on Avenida Adolfo López Mateos/Calle Primera should not be missed. Small electronics, souvenirs, silver and turquoise jewelry (especially jewelry from Taxco, a city celebrated for its silver and turquoise), curios, and arts and crafts abound. Leather goods such as jackets, handbags, duffle bags, et cetera, are your best bargains.

Start out by walking northwest on López Mateos. You’ll see shops on both sides of the street. As you reach Miramar, you’ll notice more jewelry stores. Turn right on Miramar and you will encounter more clothing, electronics, and general stores. 

Pro Tip: Most of the vendors know or assume you arrived in Ensenada via cruise ship. So, although most will bargain, they will start with the higher tourist prices. The best way to get the better deals is to shop around. It may be as simple as going across the street to a competitor.

4. Wine Tasting Tour In Valle De Guadalupe

I was surprised to learn during one of my earlier visits that there were vineyards in the area. Located around 45 minutes north of Ensenada, Guadalupe Valley (V alle de Guadalupe ) is a booming wine-growing region, home to over 120 wineries. The region is said to rival that of California’s Sonoma and Napa Valleys . You can book a wine tasting tour through your cruise line.

You will likely be visiting two to four wineries depending on your tour. Most wineries are located along what is known as La Ruta del Vino , or “The Wine Route.” Some exceptional wineries can be found on dirt roads off the main highway. Be sure to look at the gorgeous surrounding valley on your way to the wineries. Our tour stopped at two wineries in Valle de Guadalupe: La Casa de Doña Lupe and pioneering area vintner L.A. Cetto . In addition to producing wine, Casa Doña Lupe makes sherry, tequila, and brandy. L.A. Cetto has a bullring on the property. From their estate, you have a beautiful, commanding view of the valley below.

These tours will usually either return you to the ship or drop you off downtown. Taxis from downtown back to port are plentiful but if you don’t mind walking a few blocks, you could save the cab fare and spend it on a souvenir.

Pro Tip: Buy your wine while you are visiting the winery. It is more expensive elsewhere. Check with your cruise line for their policy on bringing alcohol back on board.

5. Kayak To La Bufadora (“The Blowhole”)

La Bufadora, or The Blowhole, is one of the world’s largest marine blowholes. Seeing it from sea level in a kayak is a unique experience. Air and water become trapped in a cave underground. When a wave approaches, pressure in the cave builds. When the wave recedes, the pressure is released, blasting water up to 100 feet in the air.

From shore, you will paddle a short distance out to the blowhole. As you near the blowhole, you’ll bob up and down as each swell passes beneath your kayak. It is pretty humbling when you realize that each swell that lifted your kayak will soon crash against the rocks, resulting in that hundred-foot-tall spray and thunderous sound the blowhole is famous for. Most guides will set you up to take photos with the blowhole erupting at a safe distance behind you. Bring a waterproof camera. Note: Kayaking tours normally operate only during the summer months.

Pro Tip: Before you begin the tour, ask the guide or driver whether the tour will be stopping at Lidia’s. They will know about Lidia’s. If yes, you will be able to enjoy the remaining ½ thing to do…

And A Half: La Bufadora Up Close From The Lookout

From the parking lot, head down the paved road. You’ll find vendors lining both sides of the road selling a huge variety of souvenirs. Churro vendors will offer you samples fresh out of the fryer and point you to their stalls. The ones we liked best were sold by the last vendor on the right, at the bottom of Restaurant Blanquita. One vendor had giant clams topped with cilantro and onions, tomatoes, and cheese cooking on the barbie.

Continue walking down the pathway until you reach the viewpoint overlooking the blowhole. There will be a small crowd there where many will be taking selfies. Bide your time and you can get right up to the wall to take your own photos. Don’t stand too close or you’ll get wet.

Pro Tip: If you like fish tacos, you absolutely must stop at Lidia’s Tacos Grill, or Tacos Lidia. This formerly well-kept secret has long been out. Expect a crowd, but the line does move fast.

My next visit to Ensenada is already in the planning stages and will include an encore of a few of these activities.

Stan is a freelance writer based in Southern California. He has worked in the aviation industry for more than 30 years. Additionally, he co-edited a trade show newsletter and was a contributing writer for a local newspaper.

So far, Stan and his wife have traveled to four continents. He loves the Caribbean, having made well over a dozen trips to the region. When he’s not traveling, you’ll find Stan either on his bicycle, playing in a band, behind a camera, in front of a plate of food, or being a weekend warrior.

Stan’s dream is to travel the world. Follow along with him via his website Kanale Travels as he makes his dream come true, one trip at a time.

The Best 10 Bars near Cruise Port of Ensenada in Ensenada, Baja California

Cruseport Village, 22880 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

1 .  Bar Andaluz

This is a placeholder

“"You can't go wrong with Joaquin or Hugo behind the bar and the Caballero out front in the armor is..."”   more

Outdoor seating

2 .  Dicks And Willy’s Daquiri Bar

“"Place is super fun. Swings at the bar super fun to sit and talk at the bar."”   more

3 .  Hussong’s Cantina

“"While this bar isn't typically what my group and I would visit, it was definitely an interesting..."”   more

4 .  Papas & Beer

“"This bar about a 15 minutes from the Ensenada port and we'll worth the walk."”   more

5 .  Tap Patio

“This super modern craft beer and cocktail hub just opened about a month ago in Ensenada. It looks like they just picked it up off a corner in Encinitas really…”   more

6 .  Cerveceria Wendlandt

“"It was very surprising as I thought I was at a bar in the states. The bartenders are super..."”   more

7 .  La Ensenada

“Filet mignon with potatoes and asparagus Coconut shrimp with asparagus and rice This little place is amazing. Great food with great taste. Amazing!”   more

8 .  Fat Tuesday

“"Excellent promotions, 2 for 1 specials, full bar . Modern location with a resort feel."”   more

9 .  Marina

“The best fish tacos and empanadas in Ensenada Good music! Good ambient! Chill and very cute, the perfect restaurant to see the sunset. Good prices Excellent…”   more

10 .  Shots Factory

“"Nice place to make a quick pit-stop for shots right before walking to another bar to get completely..."”   more

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This is a review for bars near Ensenada, BCN:

"Bar Andaluz is not only one of the argued birthplaces of the Margarita, it's an awesome cantina. You can't go wrong with Joaquin or Hugo behind the bar and the Caballero out front in the armor is an awesome gent. There's a lot of history here, so I recommend bringing Google Lens or a translator and enrich yourself in the wonderful history of Baja. Out front a block away is the walk of Baja 1000 with most of the winners from 1960-2020."

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Ensenada Beaches Near the Cruise Port

Ensenada is a popular cruise port and city municipality in Baja California, Mexico on the Pacific Coast south of Tijuana.

Travelers flock to the beautiful beaches where they can unwind near the powdery sands and crystalline waters; where they can bask in the sun-drenched scenery from beneath the shade of swaying palms.

Ensenada is also popular for water sports, seaside cafes and nightlife.

Any trip to Ensenada is, of course, not complete without the beaches. Indeed, Ensenada’s beaches are undoubtedly some of the best in the world, especially the ones that can be found south of town. The following countdown is just a glimpse into the wonderful world of Ensenada beaches and the offerings therein.

1. Playa Hermosa: Nearest the Cruise Port

The Ensenada beach nearest the cruise port is Playa Hermosa. It is a little more than two miles south of the cruise port and about a 10 minute drive via taxi or excursion bus. It lies along the city’s long malecon or boardwalk.

2. Playa San Miguel Beach

San Miguel is all about surfing. In fact, the beach is best known as a challenging surf spot with consistent waves. As such, it is not an ideal spot for novice surfers. 

Beyond surfing, the golden sand and clear water entice swimmers and snorkelers to indulge in the offerings of San Miguel. With its popularity as a sporting destination as well as the fact that there are stores and restaurants nearby, the beach can become crowded on weekends, but San Miguel is a fairly large beach, sufficiently so that that even on crowded days, beachgoers should still be able to enjoy a relatively hassle-free visit.

3. Playa Estero

Playa hermosa map.

Known to many simply as Estero Beach, this stretch of coast in Ensenada is particularly revered for its more tranquil atmosphere. Associated with the renowned resort of the same name located there, the beach is also celebrated for its natural beauty.

Playa Estero is to a large extent free of the surfing crowd, making it ideal for swimming, taking a hike or going on a horseback ride in the surf. Estero attracts sunbathers, horseback riders, kayakers, snorkelers, divers and beachcombers for an altogether more relaxing atmosphere.

4. El Faro Beach

El Faro Beach is located in the south, i.e. downtown Ensenada. This beach is not as popular as San Miguel and therefore not as crowded. Still, Faro features all the amenities of a modern beach.

While there are no consistent waves for surfing here, El Faro offers great views of the Punta Banda and Islas de Todos Santos, so it’s quite picturesque. Moreover, the beach also features modern, well-kept amenities including well-attended bathrooms, potable water, electricity, rental cottages and even laundry facilities.

5. Playa Baja Beach

Visitors who travel southward from the main area of Ensenada will come across the popular family-centered Baja Beach.

This beach is relatively close to the city center and is surrounded by resort hotels. This means that modern amenities are not a problem here as the stretch is a designated tourist area. Like El Faro, Playa Baja is complete with a panoramic view of the Bahia de Todos Santos. Water sports and other activities are also popular here. This includes snorkelling, skiing, kayaking and diving. As such, water sports rentals are available.

6. Punta Banda

Situated adjacent to the peaceful southern shore of Ensenada’s Bahia de Todos Santos, Punta Banda is a narrow beach jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, creating one of Ensenada’s most picturesque bays.

Most tourists travelling here often go for the panoramic view and the beautiful landscape as opposed to basking in the sun on the beach, especially since Punta Banda at least a couple hours drive form the main city of Ensenada.

Travelling to Punda Banda offers a chance to visit Estero Beach Hotel on one of Ensenada’s most beautiful estuaries and of course, the famous blowhole.

While Ensenada is famed for its resorts and beautiful hotels, it is also popular for its commitment to protecting the natural beauty of its beaches for all to enjoy. This is why some of the best beaches in the world will undoubtedly be found at Ensenada.

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