My two pesos of advice on Ensenada Excursions off Carnival, Royal Caribbean,
As an ex-pat massage therapist and Excursion Business founder living and working here for 13 years, listening to cruisers chat about tours and cruising myself (Carnival Imagination 4 day Dec 2018!!), I have seen all sides of the Shore Excursions in Ensenada. I frequently take adventures on my own and with my friends who visit by land. And I even took a cruise to Ensenada - yeah I know, who cruises to their own home town?
The first question might be, should I even get off the boat at all? Many have safety concerns or are just not sure it’s worth the effort. That is up to each person, Ensenada downtown is walkable, and easily accessible via shuttle or walking from the dock. We are not a tender port, so no extra boat shuttle. Downtown Ensenada walking tips here for self-guided wandering on a budget. There are city tour options too if you have kiddos and low-mobility folks in the group.
The second question is what kind of excursion provider might I consider, I will have to blog about that another time, but generally, you can choose from
ship-sponsored excursions,
booking with a local shore excursion company,
self-guided wandering / well-researched trekking.
Ship-sponsored Carnival or Royal Caribbean Excursions
are readily available on the boat, but are generally on large buses. They are often well set up and take you to the most popular tourist areas. Easy to book and cancel. And the ship’s marketing machine will bombard you with offers. In Ensenada, the big bus trip to Bufadora is most popular and easy choice for first timers who want simple, cheap, touristy experience. Is La Bufadora Worth it?
When I cruised the 4-day cruise in Dec 2018, I was ready to get away from the crowd. And since I already speak some spanish and lean toward the backpacking adventure life, I didn’t need the perceived safety of the ship excursion. Ensenada is quite safe for these kinds of things, and I understand the news gives another perspective.
And the ship emphasizes they won’t leave without you. So if that scares you, book with the ship or look for a company with back to ship guarantee, no port no pay policy, and insurance.
Ship Sponsored Shore Excursions do sell out occasionally or cancel due to weather. Local guys often have more flexibility to adapt to the weather and set up last minute shore excursions.
Local Ensenada Shore Excursion Company
If you want a private tour to get several things in a day, leave early avoid crowds, or want the flexibility to stop for tacos/tequila/ change your mind depending on how your other half/kids feel. Some local companies offer group tours like the ship, a few local companies like mine offer just private tours.
I have since learned more about the economics of ship tours - they keep 50% of revenue, 50% goes to a tour company, and of that 50, only about 1/2 goes to tour drivers or workers. So not really helping the local economy compared to booking locally.
Many have listings on Viator TripAdvisor, where they add on 27% for the TripAdvisor fee and give you the security of canceling ease of booking, and customer service.
If you can find a local company directly you trust, you likely save some money, or at least know you are supporting a small business that pays their team well. My team has tours on TripAdvisor and we have to add 27% for trip advisor fees. There are a few guys out there cheaper, and I know they can do that because they pay their drivers less (since we pay more and tend to get the best guides) and save on taxes.
Whether you drive into town or are on the ship, you could make an inexpensive day of just wandering around for a few hours, getting tacos and souveniers you don’t need. The Malecon is nice for a walk, the 3 heads park “Tres Cabezas'“, then a quiet coffee, or taco and beer on the first street (La Primera), and meander through Riviera Cultural Center, CEArte museums. Three Heads Park renovation is finally done, so it nice again.
For tours, Jump below;
I recommend a half-day tour and a massage before getting back on board.
Self Guided Wandering
Yes, you can just walk off the ship and around town. It is safe.
You might find a cab on the street, or call an Uber. Remember if you take an Uber out of town, you might have trouble getting them to pick you up.
Walking in town, there are taxi drivers on the corners so you will find some tours with about 25% discount on ship prices, and you may have to deal with steep language barriers and haggling negotiations, which can be fun, or stressful depending on your personality. And cash only. Some street taxi tours are good, some are so-so. All are safe, and taxis work mecanically well (not always very new).
La Primera (First Street): Just a block from the Harbor, this 5 block stretch is an area of Ensenada where the shops and vendors have been built up over the years for day tourism from the Cruise ships. At night it is a different scene. It’s a bit fun, a bit of a free for all of the stuff for sale and guys offering tacos and beer and other items you might want to buy. Plenty of pharmacies, taverns, shopping, coffee shops. It’s a safe, nice stroll close to the ship, and entertaining. If you are more annoyed than entertained by curiosities for sale, cheap beers, and crowds, then it is SKIPWORTHY;) And after squeaky clean Catalina, you may notice we don’t sweep the streets, or destroy old buildings as quickly. You will encounter sidewalk vendors offering tacos, tequila, tours, excursions, and happy ending massage. It’s part of the chaotic charm of Ensenada.
Casa Ramirez: Of all the souvenir places on first street most I guide to massage and excursion clients to Casa Ramirez. They have high-quality art and souvenirs from all over Mexico - a huge country with a diverse culture. Most things are hand made and the staff is happy to expain where they came from in the country and how they were made. I suggest a visit to at least check out the handmade goods and ask questions of the knowledgeable staff. Street items are fun, but are usually much lower quality and imported often. Casa Ramirez is one of the drop-off points after our cruise massage packages.
Best Coffee and Salads: Hogaza Hogaza: German-style bakery with fresh-squeezed orange juice, Keifer, amazing salads, and great coffee. Run by a Canadian scientist, Rodger. He’s a buddy of mine and his wife does all the fancy baking. They installed a nice sidewalk veranda over covid, so it’s great. On the weekends, this end of La Primera is closed to cars, so it’s even quieter.
Tequila Room for tasting is a cornerstone of La Primera street. The hosts speak perfect English and give great education on the amazing tequila culture of Mexico. Tastings are free and, after you are tipsy, he will offer you a bottle of high-quality sipping tequila to buy. Perhaps a bottle is a good souvenir you can pack away as a memory. Don’t open it to avoid Carnival rules complications.
Tacos (both fish, shrimp, and steak) are great pretty much anywhere. La Guerrenense is a pretty renowned local tostada/ceviche spot. For fried fish taco, I love the crunch at California Taco Bar. Here are my Taco and food favorites.
Cultural Highlights: At the end of First Street, and across the street from the cruise port, you will find La Riviera, a cultural center and best gardens and architecture, supposedly built by Al Capone as a casino originally. The bar inside invented the margarita purportedly. But there are several claims on that invention.
Across the street, you will see CEARTE, our free modern art museum. Small museum with rotating exhibits, I like it. The State Tourist office is in front of CEARTE with info, but not much help for the day of planning.
Ensenada ATV Tours:
Where can you ride ATV’s on-street and ocean anymore? Not in California for sure. I grew up with three-wheelers before they were outlawed. Riding is great, and should be done safely.
ATV’s that are rented in the street are kind of a free for all. You can make up your own route. Although that sounds great, riding in traffic on the streets is not so great. I recommend excursions where you get a guide and ride in an area that is off the street and designated. There are a few near the zip lines and in the Wine Valley that you can get to with a private tour or driver.
If you decide on the street ride, be responsible in traffic and respectful of our natural areas. We have had at least one fatality from ATV on the street.
Outside of Town, Las Canadas is the best option for ATV in hills. Many excursions go there of boat. I don’t suggest taking an uber unless you trust them to wait for you. When you are that far out, none will come pick you up for the return home.
Local Ensenada ATV options include:
ATV off road at Las Canadas (Best for families and to combine with Zipline and Bufadora and Horseback)
ATV in Wine Country (Fun to combine with wine tasting)
ATV to Hot Springs (Long day full adventure mode)
ATV out back of Ensenada (best for adults who don’t want 35min transport to Las Canadas)
Overall, ATV is a awesome adrenaline rush. It can be a bit dusty in dry months June to November, leaving you feeling grimy after.
Zipline Tour:
Zipline excursion out to Las Canadas is the best I have done here in Ensenada, and safer than Guatemala where I used to live. Let’s face it, soo many rules in the US that the adrenaline has been taken out of some adventure. These canopy bridges and zip lines are killer fun. This can be combined with Horseback, ATV, downtown wine tasting or tequila tasting too.
There are several Zip Line options, Las Canadas is the biggest and easiest to access. They have a combination of zipline and suspension bridges. Desert’s Nest has some great zip lines near Valle de Guadalupe. But it is a longer drive and has fewer lines and canopy bridges, so I prefer Las Canadas.
Ensenada Zipline Options:
Las Canadas Canopy Tour (Safest and great for families and combos with ATV/Horseback/Bufadora)
Desert Nest (out in wine country and logistically tricky)
Pai Pai (has a small one for kids)
Rosarito has some along the highway north, but too far for a shore day
Zipline Suspension Bridges are awesome!
Day Spa Massage and Facial
How about a day spa excursion with private pick up/drop off? great facilities, pricing at $128 a couple in the afternoon compared to about $259+ for a couple on the ship spa.
Yes, I own the place and ensure quality and amazing service. Our #1 TripAdvisor and Yelp, and Google Ratings speak for themselves. My team rocks;) We started offering groups of 10 massage for family and girlfriend parties.
There are other massage options on La Primera that survived covid. Some of them are in the grey area and offer sensual massage, and some of them have very small couples rooms as well. They are a bit cheaper than my place.
Wine Tour Excursion in Valle de Guadalupe:
It’s awesome and much younger than Napa and Sonoma the energy of the outdoors, great food, investment, interesting architecture, and eco friendly is remarkable. Over the last decade, the area has grown to world destination for food and wine. Sweet views, delicious food, and wine to lighten your mood….. Can you do it on an excursion day? Heck yeah, schedule a morning pick-up private tour, lunch, guide. You can find a trained wine specialist like Valley Girl Wine Tours, or take a more budget route with the packaged tour.
I prefer the small tour approach using a private excursion tour for flexibility.
Wine Tasing Tours Valle de Guadalupe
Downtown Ensenada Wine Tasting at Santo Tomas Bodega, combines well with city tour and no 35 min ride to wine country
Get a private driver and pick your own places to eat and drink. There are sooo many if you love searching
Wine Tasting tour in Valle de Guadalupe with export quality wines and fancier places
Local Boutique Wine Liquer tasting - fun local jams, sweeter wines, and local Mexican flavor
Ensenada Scuba Snorkel:
I have scubaed here and had great experiences in kelp forests. Keep in mind waters are pretty cold, and visibility is limited since we get good waves from the pacific. Diego at Baja Blue Diver and Dale have well-run operations. If your cruise passes through Catalina, consider diving/scuba there with Ron Moore, a legend in the dive community.
Ensenada Snorkel Options:
From shore near Bufadora:
Isla Coronado by Boat:
Get a custom quote for these.
Ensenada Kayaking Options:
La Bufadora Kayaking open ocean waves
Estuary Kayaking near Bufadora
Coral Marina Kayaking downtown close, a limited season
Kayaking with is my preferred way to see the La Bufadora and the amazing cove there. Here is my info on Ensenada Beaches Access and Safety
Horseback Riding Excursion:
My dad had 11 horses at on point on his Wisconsin horse ranch, so I reallyl appreciate the beauty of horses and the chance to ride. In Ensenada you can ride on the beach or the hills, or a combo. I prefer the beach because it’s such a rare opportunity. There aren’t many places left on Coastal California where beach horse riding is allowed.
Off the ship the large groups go to Banditos in the hills. There a few independent beach horse tour companies around around. 50 min north in La Mision there are a couple including BajabyHorse with my old neighbor Marty H. In the Valle de Guadalupe, there are some upscale stables.
Near town on Playa Hermosa there is a local provider, however many have reported that they don’t take good care of the horses. And since Playa Hermosa is the city beach there are usually lots of people and random dogs there as a distraction from the ride.
I prefer the horseback riding beach options out of town toward Bufadora. It’s a cleaner beach more beautiful area. Rides are about 60min.
Horseback Riding On The Beach
Blowhole and Bufadora Excursion
La Bufadora is a natural blowhole geyser on the end of the geographic bay that protects Ensenada city. Cool scenery on the way out there and the waves spouting up is fun by the ocean. To get from parking to blowhole, you will pass through an exciting barrage of souvenir vendors selling entertaining junk in a Mexican carnival-like style. I like to call it the gauntlet. If you can get through without a free sample of pina colada or candied nuts, or weird, inappropriate coffee mug or shirt, you win!
Transportation: Uber or private driver and tour guide, white car street taxis are a pain here.
Dune Buggy Excursion: My friend Dusty from the Carnival Imagination Facebook group says it’s overrated. The vehicles have a limitation on the throttle so you can’t really let loss and go fast. Having said that, the outskirts of Ensenada are beautiful and very different from downtown and La Primera.
Adult Beverages:
Since Alcohol is a bit pricey on the ship and you won’t be driving, you may want to consider some drinks while onshore. Craft Beer: Lucky Irish 4 is a hot new addition to Ensenada Craft Beer Scene. Tons of craft beers on the killer Ocean Patio. At 1 pm opens Hussong’s Cantina: A tavern rooted in Mexican heritage with consistent mariachi bands, Hussong’s stands alone as an interesting experience. Other places on the La Primera first street just aren’t as interesting. Tuesday and Thursday 2 for 1 beer.
My team does tequila tasting, but for a true craft beer tour, check out Brews and Views tour.
Interesting Dive Bar:
La Cueva de Pirata. Just a block from the cruise port, and totally for locals and musicians after their nightly gigs. So local that I am the only one to leave a google review. . . . . If you want to drink on the street in the sun with US music and a rowdy scene, try Amigos on First Street, near Papas and Beer.
Wine without leaving Centro Ensenada:
Santo Tomas Bodega wines for tasting, lunch place, and collection of cool shops nearby with the best coffee, a vegan bakery, hidden mezcal shop, and upstairs joint Alta Baja with cool city views. On 6th and Miramar, it’s a walk from the La Primera first street. Think of it as boutique upper-class shops. Not old school Mexican, and not dusty middle-class shops either.
Cigar: Legit Cubans at Habanos with a semi-cool cigar lounge, Are they legitimate Cubans? I think so for these that are sold in the store - not the guys occasionally up and down the street. Daniel at Habanos across from Villa Marina parking entrance runs his own shop and is my source for an occasional smoke.
Surf Lessons
Yes, I learned to surf here in Ensenada at Playa Hermosa and think it is a pretty unique excursion. As myou may know, Baja has some of the best surfing in the world.
Winter waves are plenty for beginners. The water is clean enough. Beach Playa Hermosa works well for beginners and kids with an easy beach break. The shallow waters and gentle waves are helpful to make learning easy. Playa Hermosa is close to the ship, so not a long ride to get there.
Guides are fun and equipment (boards and wet suits for cold winter water) new and reasonably priced. For higher-level surfers custom tour on Request. There are several companies doing surf lessons. I think only Elsa has SUP rentals on Playa Hermosa.
Most of the ocean is pretty rough with Pacific waves here. For easiest, calmest ocean experience, SUP and Paddle Boat and Kayak options are available in a local marina with a private tour there.
Tips in Other Posts
Kayak Excursion to Blowhole