Ensenada - Baja Cruise Port Guide
Ensenada is a coastal city in Mexico and a third-largest on the Baja Peninsula, California distanced 125 km south of San Diego, California. Locals call it La Cenicienta del Pacifico, which means “The Cinderella of the Pacific”. Among the first settlements in California, Ensenada became an attractive cruise destination, aerospace center and a starting point to the famous wine region, Valle de Guadalupe, in other words, Ensenada to the United States is what Napa is to Italy.
This beach town is situated on the coastline of All Saints Bay (Bahia de Todos Santos) where the Port of Ensenada plays a very important role in the commercial, fishing and tourist domains. No doubt why it is the most visited tourist port in the Pacific, welcoming more than 700,000 cruise passengers a year (statistics prior to the pandemic). The warm weather throughout the year (only a short rainy season) has its own share in the attractiveness of this place.
Ensenada has various things to offer to people with different interests, from surfing and sea kayaking to horseback riding and mountain biking. Ensenada's nightlife is also a big draw. The nearby vineyards offer wine tasting in a more traditional and serene setting for the vine lovers, but when it comes to the nature enthusiasts, the sight of gray whales and the underwater cave that randomly squirts water at onlookers are a perfect bite. The enchanting Ensenada never disappoints, no matter what the personal interests of the tourists are.
Places to visit:
The Malecon and the Plaza Civica- a sunbathed boardwalk along the Ensenada’s Bay of All Saints to the Three Heads Plaza (Plaza de las Tres Cabezas), where tourist get a piece of Mexican’s history by getting to know these men, presenter on the three golden busts, startling display of pride. On this walk can also be seen the huge Mexican flag, which stands on a flag pole over 300 feet tall. It is said that it’s one of the world’s largest, but is similar to the flags that all Mexican states have.
The History Museum of Ensenada-a place where the town’s history is presented, from the pre-historic times, European arrival to date. The museum has various displayed objects, recovered beads, pots, baskets, photo exhibits and religious objects. People can buy souvenirs and gifts from the quaint shop located in the museum.
Water Show at El Parque De La Bandera-near the flag pole is the dancing fountain, where the lit water is synced to the beat of the music playing.
Caracol Museum is a modern science museum in a building designed in a shape of a ship, located on the harbor, so there is no way to miss it. Earth, sea and art exhibitions can be found inside this museum. A great place both for kids and adults.
The Regional Museum-one of the oldest buildings in Baja, California dating from 1886. It used to be a court, fortress, military barracks, jail, school, and currently a historic museum.
Whale Watching-between December and April, can be seen the migration of grey whales, the friendly species from Alaska to Baja, California, in order to escape the winter on the north and to give birth to calves. These powerful animals, swimming and playing in the Bay of All Saints, as well as showing off their young ones.
La Bufadora-the largest underwater blowhole in the world, located on the Punta Banda Peninsula. This marine geyser is a real wonder, an incoming tide is sucked in an underground cave, then spit out when releasing air up to 100 ft in the air.
La Lobera and the sea lions-a sea cave with an open rooftop, a beautiful crater with a shape and size of a stadium, opened up to a beach, a home to the sea lions. This attraction is on 3 hours driving from Ensenada.
The Wine Country-20 km north of the city is the Valle De Guadalupe, featuring over 75 wineries.