Ensenada... what to do???

Does anyone know of a tour that will pick us up at the port and take us out to tour the Ensenada wineries. We are not interested in doing a cruise sponsored tour but would like a group tour. We will be Ensenada on the Ruby Princess on November 4. Thank you

Ensenada is in Mexico, and covered extensively on the Mexican Rivera board, here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=203

The Mods might move it there. There are many things to do, although not as many as other ports on a do it yourself basis.

STAY ON THE SHIP!

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Thank you. The Baja Test Kitchen does look great but pricey... You are correct by saying there is just not as much to do in this port.

I will need to get off the ship and explore...just not a relaxed person by nature but thank you for the advise.:)

Thank you. The Baja Test Kitchen does look great but pricey... You are correct by saying there is just not as much to do in this port.

I will need to get off the ship and explore...just not a relaxed person by nature but thank you for the advise.:)

Here is a topic from TripAdvisor worth reading.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g150770-i329-k7455150-Ensenada_winery_tours-Ensenada_Ensenada_Municipality_Baja_California.html

I think Ensenada is a great town; much nicer than TJ/ It retains some colonial charm.

There are good restaurants and shopping in town.

Hi:

I agree with Goldenrod - Stay on the ship! Having been to Ensenada numerous times (live in California) as a port stop, I have had friends do the wine tasting tour (not with the cruise lines). They said it was a waste of money as the wines were pretty bad. You DO see some quasi-scenic areas, but I would just stay onboard and enjoy the ship without as many people! You might actually be able to get a deck chair! haha

I will need to get off the ship and explore...just not a relaxed person by nature but thank you for the advise.:)

You're doing the right thing, go explore. It's not the jungles of PV, or Stone Island in Mazatlan, but it is something different than your normal 9 to 5 view out the window.

If nothing else, hop on the white bus right outside the terminal and take a trip to La Bufadora. Then back to town and get some great tacos at Tacos Lindos. An average margarita next door at Hussong's (but they ARE 2 for 1). Walk thru the fish market. Sadie and Rose talk about a new museum and other improvements in the Malecon area. You'll be back on the ship soon enough.

You're doing the right thing, go explore. It's not the jungles of PV, or Stone Island in Mazatlan, but it is something different than your normal 9 to 5 view out the window.

 

If nothing else, hop on the white bus right outside the terminal and take a trip to La Bufadora. Then back to town and get some great tacos at Tacos Lindos. An average margarita next door at Hussong's (but they ARE 2 for 1). Walk thru the fish market. Sadie and Rose talk about a new museum and other improvements in the Malecon area. You'll be back on the ship soon enough.

Or stay at Taquiera Lindo and get a strong margarita from Martin. He once had to go to the market to get more limes for sis's margarita. :D

The museum is in the old jail.

Or stay at Taquiera Lindo and get a strong margarita from Martin. He once had to go to the market to get more limes for sis's margarita. :D

 

 

 

The museum is in the old jail.

There are several museums within walking distance of the dock. One is just to the south of the old casino (the white building across the street from the dock). A brand new one at the corner of the dock entry and the street. The third one is the old jail in town, it's white with a red stripe. Could very easily do all three in a day and still have time to grab a bite to eat.

The Malecon just reopened. New pedestrian bridge, redone things for kids, beautification of the whole area, including a dancing water fountain.

Here is a topic from TripAdvisor worth reading.

 

I think Ensenada is a great town; much nicer than TJ/ It retains some colonial charm.

 

There are good restaurants and shopping in town.

There are great restaurants and shopping in TJ as well. Like all of Baja CA, it just doesn't get the respect it deserves - even in Mexico. If you watch the national weather broadcasts in Mexico on TV, the "meteorologist" or more likely model, always stand in front of Baja and barely mention places like Tijuana.

The problem with both cities are that most people don't wander more than 50 ft from the traditional tourist areas and miss just about everything the area has to offer. I guess as a local I shouldn't complain and just enjoy what others choose to miss.

BTW - if you want to see colonial in Mexico, go somewhere like San Miguel de Allende, Puebla or Merida. Baja really doesn't do colonial well.

There are great restaurants and shopping in TJ as well. Like all of Baja CA, it just doesn't get the respect it deserves - even in Mexico. If you watch the national weather broadcasts in Mexico on TV, the "meteorologist" or more likely model, always stand in front of Baja and barely mention places like Tijuana.

I didn't say Tijuana didn't have nice restaurants. It has many goods ones that I frequent.

As to shopping, it stinks in Tijuana. In the "old days", Americans flooded across the border for bargains. Now the flood is reversed and thousands of Mexicans flood into Las Americas everyday.

The only place I shop in TJ is Costco.

BTW - if you want to see colonial in Mexico, go somewhere like San Miguel de Allende, Puebla or Merida. Baja really doesn't do colonial well.

The OP isn't looking for colonial and they don't have the option of going to San Miguel de Allende, Puebla or Merida. They are going to be in Ensenada.

Where do you recommend they go in Ensenada?

As to shopping, it stinks in Tijuana. In the "old days", Americans flooded across the border for bargains. Now the flood is reversed and thousands of Mexicans flood into Las Americas everyday.

I really don't buy anything other than food and drink in Mexico. As you say, the prices in Mexico are really high for many consumer items. Maybe somefolk art on rare occassion.

Those old "bargains" were/are largely "basura" in my opinion. The reason Mexicans buy so much in the US is due to the fact that Mexico collects a ton of money via a VAT due top the prevalence of informal labor and a lesser level of competition in retail. Prices for major consumer US brands are sometimes 50% or more less in the US than Mexico.

I do think some of the places in Popotla have some interesting metal work and custom furniture shops although it really isn't too feasible without a car for a day cruise visit. Tons of pottery as well if you want that sort of stuff.

The OP isn't looking for colonial and they don't have the option of going to San Miguel de Allende, Puebla or Merida. They are going to be in Ensenada.

 

Where do you recommend they go in Ensenada?

For mariachi music and beer - Husong's

For fine dining on the beach - Punto Morro

For golf - Baja Mar

For a beach day - Estero Beach

For adventure - Las Canadas zip line

For view of the wine country - Las Nubes - snacks are good, wine is just ok

For buying a chain t-shirt - Papas & Beer

For traditional souvenir shopping - Calle Primera

For another boat ride - Harbor cruise and/or fishing

For breakfast - El Rey Sol for machaca de pescado (the fish is stingray)

If you really have to go to say you have been there - La Bufadora

Last Saturday Birria de Guadalajara (restaurant) was nonstop Mariachi. Even in slow times there's always at least one an hour.

Ensenada Wine Country

For mariachi music and beer - Husong's

For fine dining on the beach - Punto Morro

For golf - Baja Mar

For a beach day - Estero Beach

For adventure - Las Canadas zip line

For view of the wine country - Las Nubes - snacks are good, wine is just ok

For buying a chain t-shirt - Papas & Beer

For traditional souvenir shopping - Calle Primera

For another boat ride - Harbor cruise and/or fishing

For breakfast - El Rey Sol for machaca de pescado (the fish is stingray)

If you really have to go to say you have been there - La Bufadora

totally taking this list of places to visit while there in February! :D