Ensenada

Travel Guide

Ensenada which includes a garden
Ensenada showing a park
Mexico which includes a church or cathedral and street scenes
Ensenada showing general coastal views, a sunset and cruising
Ensenada featuring cruising, general coastal views and a sunset

The port city in the Mexican state of Baja California is known for its wine-producing region, water sports, wildlife and beautiful scenery.

Ensenada is a popular seaside getaway, a port city on a beautiful stretch of the Pacific Coast. Enjoy the attractive harbor, ride the waves on a surfboard, head out to sea on a whale-watching trip and tour some of Mexico’s most famous vineyards.

Ensenada's extensive Pacific coastline features beautiful beaches, surf spots and resort towns. Rent a kayak at Estero Beach, go surfing at San Miguel Beach and lie back on the fine sands of Baja Cove Beach.

Every winter, gray whales migrate from Alaska to Baja California's warmer waters. See these magnificent marine mammals up close on a whale-watching boat trip. Local tour companies operate excursions from November through April.

Drive just south of the city to marvel at the blowhole known as La Bufadora. This natural phenomenon sends waves crashing against the rocks and up to 65 feet (20 meters) in the air.

Some of Mexico’s best wines come from Ensenada’s fertile soils. Enjoy a daytrip along the wine route to tour wineries and taste their range of Mexican wines. Help locals celebrate the wine harvest at the Ensenada Vintage Festival in August. This 10-day fiesta is packed with cultural, gastronomic and musical events. Local wineries offer free samples of their products and the party concludes with the annual paella competition. The city also promotes its produce at the Fish and Seafood Festival in September and the Mushroom Festival in June.

Ensenada is known for its Baja Med cuisine, a mixture of Mexican dishes, oriental flavors and seafood. Savor regional specialties at waterfront restaurants, downtown or in the tourist zone. Then, have nightcap in one of Baja’s oldest bars, Hussong’s Cantina, which opened in 1892. With its offbeat art, long wooden bar and sawdust-covered floor, the venue has changed little over the years.

Ensenada is 63 miles (101 kilometers) south of the Mexico-United States border. The drive along the four-lane highway takes about an hour. Book a vacation in a city known for its cuisine, wines and wildlife.

Where to stay in Ensenada

Where the catch of the day is sold. Definitely off the tourist track and very interesting.

Zona Centro

4.5/5(189 area reviews)

While visiting Zona Centro, you might make a stop by sights like First Street and Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateos.

Zona Centro
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Acapulco

5/5(5 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Acapulco and surrounding area, you can visit Playa Hermosa and Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateos.

Acapulco
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Playa Ensenada

4/5(62 area reviews)

While Playa Ensenada might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateos and Riviera Cultural Center.

Playa Ensenada
Beautiful twilight at Estero Beach Resort

Estero Beach

4/5(56 area reviews)

Some popular features of Estero Beach include its restaurants and beaches. If you're in the mood to explore farther, Punta Banda or Playa Hermosa are worth checking out in the surrounding nearby area.

Estero Beach
Shrimp & lobster for dinner at Carnival Inspiration's 5-day cruise from Long Beach, California to Ensenada, Mexico.

Carlos Pacheco 4

4/5(33 area reviews)

While Carlos Pacheco 4 might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Playa Hermosa and Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateos.

Carlos Pacheco 4
Horseback riding while drinking beer and trying to get the horse to go into the ocean results in almost breaking your ass when it throws you off! Not recommended!

Zona Playitas

Zona Playitas might not have many top sights, but El Mirador and Antigua Aduana Maritima Museum are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Zona Playitas
San Nicolas Hotel and Casino

San Nicolas Hotel and Casino

3.5 out of 5
Primera & Guadalupe s/n, Ensenada, BC
The price is $86 total per night from Oct 21 to Oct 22
$86 total
per night
Oct 21 - Oct 22
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Ensenada. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,196 reviews)
"Great location."

Reviewed on Oct 18, 2025

San Nicolas Hotel and Casino
Torre Lucerna Hotel Ensenada

Torre Lucerna Hotel Ensenada

4 out of 5
Carretera Tijuana - Ensenada Km 108.5, Zona Playitas, Ensenada, BC
The price is $162 total per night from Oct 26 to Oct 27
$162 total
per night
Oct 26 - Oct 27
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Ensenada. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,017 reviews)
"Great stay"

Reviewed on Oct 18, 2025

Torre Lucerna Hotel Ensenada
Hotel Villa Marina

Hotel Villa Marina

3 out of 5
Adolfo López Mateos S/N Zona Centro, Ensenada, BC
The price is $90 total per night from Oct 22 to Oct 23
$90 total
per night
Oct 22 - Oct 23
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ensenada. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"Parking lot clean lobby clean and room clean"

Reviewed on Oct 18, 2025

Hotel Villa Marina
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beach House by ULIV

Beach House by ULIV

4 out of 5
Gral. Agustin Sanginés Playa Ensenada, 237, Ensenada, BC
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Ensenada. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (452 reviews)
"The room was very cute and clean."

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2025

Beach House by ULIV
Suites Lassa

Suites Lassa

3 out of 5
178 Av Ignacio L. Rayon Zona Centro, Ensenada, BC
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Ensenada. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and climate control. Popular attractions Avenida Adolfo Lopez Mateos and State Center ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (9 reviews)
"Nos gusto el lugar muy bonito estuvimos comodos y muy buena comunicación al momento de llegar y limpio sobre todo eso es muy importante y también un lugar seguro . Recomendado 100%"

Reviewed on Sep 8, 2025

Suites Lassa
Rancho San Carlos Aguas Termales

Rancho San Carlos Aguas Termales

3 out of 5
KM 01 San Carlos, Ensenada, BC
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Ensenada. Enjoy free parking, 4 outdoor pools, and hot springs on site. Popular attraction Baja Country Club is located nearby.
4.6/10 (16 reviews)
"Subject: Concerns About Room Conditions Our recent stay was extremely disappointing due to multiple issues. The room had bugs constantly falling from the ceiling, including cockroaches, earwigs, and pill bugs. To make matters worse, there was a scorpion in the room. Despite being told the room was ..."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024

Rancho San Carlos Aguas Termales
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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