Ensenada - worth getting off the ship?

[Greyhound3]

Will be there in Oct 2015. Where is the best place to get tacos & margaritas, without the risk of getting sick :confused:

 

Gotta recommend La Guerrerense, which is a cart located at the corner of Av. Lopez Mateos and Alvarado. They have some of the best ceviche I've ever had, and you can't beat the price - $1.25 for a tostada LOADED with ceviche. Top it with one of their many salsas, which range from mildly spicy to insanely hot - I liked the one with the peanuts. No alcoholic beverages sold here, but the food is well worth it. They are, however, closed on Tuesdays.

 

 

Grey

Edited July 13, 2015 by Greyhound3

[LuvCruiSun]

I'm looking into going to Las Rosas Resort on our August sailing. Not sure if they offer day passes or not.

 

Please share any information about Las Rosas if you end up going. We stayed there about 10 years ago and it was awesome. The food and service were excellent! We will be in Ensenada in October and would love to go there for the day.

[mousey]

Living on the east coast, We hadn't sailed to Ensenada in 16 years. We had an absolutely fantastic time when we went back last September. We booked the la Bufadora and City Tour excursion through the ship and it was well worth it. It's not the most picturesque town, but it was interesting and a departure from what I normally see on Caribbean and Bahamas cruises. Feel free to look at my pics and read a bit more about it (Golden Princess review in my signature).

 

Ensenada is to west coasters what Nassau is to east coasters. It's the port of choice on short itineraries, and after doing it a number of times, it sucks. But for a first timer who has never done it, it's actually a pretty interesting place, at least it was for us! Since its your first time there, I would plan some activity ashore so that YOU can experience it through your own eyes and not someone else's. [emoji41]

 

 

 

Very well said! We have done both Nassau and Ensenada several times on several different cruises. Yes, these two places can get boring after awhile (I know...sounds jaded right...LOL!) but somehow we always find something fun to do. In Nassau going on a snorkel excursion is never boring. Ensenada...again...we always find something fun to do. Last year on our visit there we went to a resort on the ocean and for a small fee of $10 per person we hung out by their pool (which had a bar in it) and just had the very best time. We plan to cruise there again as out of So. Cal. we can inexpensively take 3 and 4 day cruises...so, next time we will do the wine excursion as we've heard nothing but good things about it.

 

As my son's teacher once told him...only people without imagination get bored.:D

[Utahrd]

Can I ask a stupid new cruiser question here?

 

As I understand, at some ports and on some lines, if you book your excursion through the line, you can disembark from the ship first? Is that right?

 

But Ensenada, let's be honest, has a bit of a reputation......so many passengers will stay on board?

 

I speak Spanish, pretty much. I should just book my own excursions or hail my own taxi to a beach club because there won't be a huge line to rush into Ensenada, right?

[mousey]

If you book an excursion through the ship you won't necessarily be the first ones off the ship but you will be let off the ship in enough time to make the tour. So...if you have a tour booked for 2p through the ship...you won't be able to get off at 9a or whatever until all the VIPs and FTTFers get off but you will get off in enough time to make your excursion. I hope I explained this right.

 

I don't remember that many people staying on-board the ship and I don't remember having to wait in line for too long of a time. We're not one to rush off the ship as soon as it docks so we don't usually get stuck in long lines. We booked our own taxi to a local resort last year and we had a great time. I had called the resort ahead of time and so had their address and all the info I needed to find our way there. I just looked up "resorts in Ensenda" and that's how I found the place we went to. It was way fun! We had time to enjoy ourselves at the resort for several hours and then head back and do a little shopping and eating in town.

Edited July 31, 2015 by mousey

[Rosefloater]

..you won't be able to get off at 9a or whatever until all the VIPs and FTTFers get off but you will get off in enough time to make your excursion. I hope I explained this right.

 

This is only for tendering. For walk off ports, the only priority are for the morning tours. VIP and FTTF get off with the regular folk, they don't get priority.

[mousey]

This is only for tendering. For walk off ports, the only priority are for the morning tours. VIP and FTTF get off with the regular folk, they don't get priority.

 

Are you sure about that?:confused: I thought Platinum and Suite passengers for sure were always given priority whenever debarking in port...tendering or not. I hope you're right about this because it would be great to be able to get off when we wanted to in non-tender ports.

[PDXPhil]

Will be there in Oct 2015. Where is the best place to get tacos & margaritas, without the risk of getting sick :confused:

 

I also highly recommend La Guerrerense, they are rated in the top 10 food carts in the world. They are within walking distance of the dock and across the street is a bar named "El Patio" where you can get drinks and relax. It's a great combination.

 

BTW I'm also going to Ensenada in Oct. Which sailing are you on? Phil

[Rosefloater]

Are you sure about that?:confused: I thought Platinum and Suite passengers for sure were always given priority whenever debarking in port...tendering or not. I hope you're right about this because it would be great to be able to get off when we wanted to in non-tender ports.

 

You might be confusing debarking at port and Priority debarkation at the end of the cruise. Platinum, Diamond, Suite and FTTF get priority off the ship at the end of the cruise. Platinum, Diamond and FTTF only get priority at tendering ports.

[Jiminy1955]

I also highly recommend La Guerrerense, they are rated in the top 10 food carts in the world. They are within walking distance of the dock and across the street is a bar named "El Patio" where you can get drinks and relax. It's a great combination.

 

BTW I'm also going to Ensenada in Oct. Which sailing are you on? Phil

 

 

October 25th, Carnival Imagination.

[SadieN]

Are you sure about that?:confused: I thought Platinum and Suite passengers for sure were always given priority whenever debarking in port...tendering or not. I hope you're right about this because it would be great to be able to get off when we wanted to in non-tender ports.

 

 

Yes. Only priority in tender ports. Docked ports its whoever gets there first.

Too bad there aren't two lines-one with photogs and one without.

[lovestheH20]

I'm looking into going to Las Rosas Resort on our August sailing. Not sure if they offer day passes or not.

 

Please share any information about Las Rosas if you end up going. We stayed there about 10 years ago and it was awesome. The food and service were excellent! We will be in Ensenada in October and would love to go there for the day.

 

Looking forward to hearing your trip report about Las Rosas Resort, details you enjoyed, if you would recommend it, etc. Also, if you felt it was safe for two single women taking a cab there. Thanks!

[SelectSys]

I'm looking into going to Las Rosas Resort on our August sailing. Not sure if they offer day passes or not.

 

Please share any information about Las Rosas if you end up going. We stayed there about 10 years ago and it was awesome. The food and service were excellent! We will be in Ensenada in October and would love to go there for the day.

 

I stayed at Las Rosas about a year ago and it definitely had shown some wear and tear. They were doing some work to clean up some of the grounds and the rooms/furniture was a bit dated. I hope it is back in good shape again as the location is really nice - if you don't care about having real beach access.

[Profnew]

In my opinion best option in Ensenada is to get off and walk very short distance to souvenir shop for a quick beer or soft drink. Not much else to recommend in that port.

[SadieN]

In my opinion best option in Ensenada is to get off and walk very short distance to souvenir shop for a quick beer or soft drink. Not much else to recommend in that port.

 

 

Not calling you out but using you as an example (thank you :)) That's the opinion (not right or wrong) of many who like either beach/resort days or things built to American standards. Those who don't share this opinion take Ensenada for what it is. Many don't want water areas or something Americanized but want a local experience.

Ave Lopez has been Americanized a bit with smooth sidewalks and curb cutouts. Going off and you'll be in a Mexican city.

Edited August 14, 2015 by SadieN

[lovestheH20]

Not calling you out but using you as an example (thank you :)) That's the opinion (not right or wrong) of many who like either beach/resort days or things built to American standards. Those who don't share this opinion take Ensenada for what it is. Many don't want water areas or something Americanized but want a local experience.

Ave Lopez has been Americanized a bit with smooth sidewalks and curb cutouts. Going off and you'll be in a Mexican city.

 

So I love a local experience which is not americanized. What does that look like to you? We are two friends, women, on this trip. One speaks a fair amount of spanish. Safety is a concern. With that in mind, what would a grand day in Ensenada be?

[SadieN]

It's definitely not like the Cabo Marina area.

Since last October they've been working the Malecon and the highway. Taken both down to the dirt.

 

The wine tour is very good. You get a bit of a discount if you take the port shuttle into town. Carnival does a cheese tour. La Bufadora is a tourist trap but fun to do once.

 

Near the port are several Museums. The big white building across the street is an old Casino, now a cultural center. Across the street to the south is a large museum.

Don't miss Big Head Plaza under the Big Flag.

 

In town, between Ave Lopez and the highway in Gastellum is the old barracks-turned-jail-turned (15minute) museum. It's a white building with a red stripe.

 

We walked around and eat.

-Taquiero Lindo between Papas & Beer and Hussong's. Up the street is a

-Michoacana paleta place.

-Portrero Viejo is on the SW corner of Segunda and Riveroll. (Gorditas and Licuados)

-Birrieria Guadalajara we're usually the only gringos in the place. On Macheros between Primera and Segunda.

-el Meson del Fernando, on Primera, has good molcajete

-Hacienda on Ave Lopez had good handmade tortillas and rotisserie chicken. The chickens are cooking in the window.

-the tortilleria on Segunda is interesting

-the fish market is interesting. Several restaurants are there.

 

We're not adventurous to eat at the street stands but the same ones have been the for many years.

Edited August 17, 2015 by SadieN

[MszKitty]

I don't know why people say there isn't anything to do in Ensenada. We've been on the Ensenada cruise 29 times since 1983 and we always get off the ship! When we first started going back in the early 80's, there were only a couple/few tour options and we did them all including....La Bufadora (usually when we are cruising with friends that either have kids or its their first time to Ensenada), the wine country tour, and my husband has golfed at Bajamar....several times over the years Now, we just go into town and make our way to Mango Mango (used to be Papas and Beer, but the two merged and its now Mango Mango/Papas & Beer) for a drink and some chips and tableside made-to-order fresh guacamole (same old guy has been making it for at least the last 6 yrs that I'm aware of). A few times we've gotten a massage (http://bestbajamassage.com/ A very reputable place. But if you do this, its best to make a reservation online prior to the cruise because they book up).

This thread has prompted me to check out Carnival's site for tours offered for our upcoming Ensenada cruise (#30) and I noticed the list has grown to 19 tour options! The Cheese Cellar & Countryside tour or the Traditional Grape Stomp & Boutique Wine Tasting tours look fun!

 

But, even if you don't book an excursion, DO get off the ship, walk around, and take in the culture....even if its the tourist culture...LOL I've gone with my husband, with groups of friends, and just me and my girl friend. I've never felt unsafe.

[lovestheH20]

Thank you to SadieN and MszKitty for your thoughtful responses. Truly appreciate them.

Edited August 19, 2015 by lovestheH20

[SadieN]

In the few blocks of the tourist zone the most dangerous thing is the sidewalks.

[Martini Mom]

In the few blocks of the tourist zone the most dangerous thing is the sidewalks.

The only thing that's a little off putting are the trucks packedwith police/military dressed in black, carrying machine guns. It's strange to see them cruising around the main street. BUT, you see something similar in Cabo and people don't seem to mind it there ;)

 

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[SadieN]

The only thing that's a little off putting are the trucks packedwith police/military dressed in black, carrying machine guns. It's strange to see them cruising around the main street. BUT, you see something similar in Cabo and people don't seem to mind it there ;)

 

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True. Though this past year, went once a month November to March, never saw them.

[Rosefloater]

The only thing that's a little off putting are the trucks packedwith police/military dressed in black, carrying machine guns. It's strange to see them cruising around the main street. BUT, you see something similar in Cabo and people don't seem to mind it there ;)

 

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I go to Ensenada about 2-3times a year. Last time I saw this was about 4 years ago when all of Mexico was having problems.

[Martini Mom]

I go to Ensenada about 2-3times a year. Last time I saw this was about 4 years ago when all of Mexico was having problems.

Ensenada is so close to the border, so there always seems to be some issue going on. We've never felt unsafe there and even visit Tijuana on day trips.

 

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[mousey]

You might be confusing debarking at port and Priority debarkation at the end of the cruise. Platinum, Diamond, Suite and FTTF get priority off the ship at the end of the cruise. Platinum, Diamond and FTTF only get priority at tendering ports.

 

Thank you for that information, I'm glad to hear it as we're not doing FTTF nor are we Plaitnum, Diamond, or Suite passengers.

 

By-the-way, the name of the resort that we went to last year was the Estero Beach Resort. We loved it there and had an awesome time sitting at the bar in the pool. The bartender gave the DS's girlfriend and me a couple of free drinks and an older gentleman that was sitting next to us bought us several free drinks too. We got bombed but we were there all day so we were okay by the time we were ready to head back to town. Funny thing is I'm not a big drinker ever...but that day...WOW! I lost track. But I had an amazing time. They have a big Jacuzzi and we sat in there for a while too. So much fun and right on the ocean! All for $10 a person!:D We all agreed that we'd go back there in a heartbeat!

 

Don't believe that there isn't anything to do in Ensenada because, in fact, there are lots of fun things to do. You just have to do your research online or here on Cruise Critic. I personally would cruise back to Ensenada in a heartbeat this year but we are going on the Miracle at Christmas instead because of a casino special deal the DH and DS were offered.

Edited August 21, 2015 by mousey