I love a good hot jacuzzi and sauna - especially if it is quiet and peaceful.
Part of my strategy for beating winter blues is warm waters. Living here in Ensenada, I look for warmth in the cool, dark winter months. And now that the weather is cooler and local beach options are less attractive, our massage and tour guests are asking about where to find great hot tubs, jacuzzis, and saunas.
If you are on a cruise, the ships have pools and a jacuzzi, but if you are like me, you may still want to explore Ensenada and get away from crowds, especially after you have already had the one-time thrills of La Bufadora and La Primera shopping.
When I cruised the Inspiration pre covid I found the jacuzzi full of squatters - folks who stayed like 4 hours - and the pool was full of kids and party people and music playing. Not my scene.
So, here are my two pesos of local ex-pat advice on pools and hot tubs in Ensenada. Whether you are just traveling through town looking for quiet and rest, or on a cruise, here are good ways to stay warm and relaxed:
San Nicolas Hotel Pools and Jacuzzi
They remodeled during covid and have a huge outdoor pool and jacuzzi. It’s clean and newish, with a restaurant and bar.
For cruisers, I love this option because it’s a 3-block walk off from the cruise port, and takes you directly past the Riviera, one of the highlights of Ensenada margarita and public gardens.
How to get there? Go to the street, turn one block right go one block to stop the light and Rivera clock tower corner, and go left two long blocks and San Nicolas is hidden to the left.
Day pass 9am-9pm is 300 Mexican pesos currently, about 16$ bucks. And you get that same amount credited to you for that food or drink Monday to Thursday. So, kinda free? Weekends are busy with kids, so during the week is the best.
Nico, the namesake of the Hotel and Casino is a great guy and a legend in Ensenada. His family runs the operations now. Nico was my massage client back when I was a sole massage practitioner and is always friendly to hotel guests.
Of course, I had to research this option myself. I am happy to report the hot tubs are a great temperature - the middle one is the hottest. And the pool is darn cold. Perfect if you want a cold plunge effect. As for the food, I took an incredible spinach salad with fresh berries, a large tasty ceviche, and mineral water, which was a total less than my $300mn entrance fee.
Overall, I love this option for cruisers and deal seekers. I am from Wisconsin, the warm ragged heart of the midwest where we are frugal hard workers, so this really feels pretty luxurious to me.
If you don’t want to walk the three blocks before or after, uber works fine in Ensenada city (not so well in Valle de Guadalupe or to La Bufadora where a private driver is best). Just give yourself enough time as they seem to cancel often.
Alternatively, my massage or excursion teams can drop you off at either place after a massage with our team so you can soak, or after an excursion tour - the ATV, Zipline, and Horseback Riding get a bit dusty),
Hotel Coral Marina POOL and Hot Tub and Sauna
This is my favorite place in Ensenada for hot tubs and saunas. They have outdoor and indoor pools, outdoor and indoor jacuzzi, and wet and dry saunas. The outdoor pool is in front of the marina, and the entire place has a classic Mexican feel of a quality resort, but not over-the-top silly luxury my Wisconsin roots sneeze at.
The dry sauna in the back of the locker rooms is amazing after a soak, swim, or workout. Winter months in Ensenada are dark, cold moist air, and these saunas have been my refuge a few dark Januaries when business is quiet and cold nights and rainy weather.
Just north of downtown, you will need to Uber here or arrange a ride. Uber works fine and the hotel has taxi guys there to bring you back at their hotel pricing.
Day passes are $500mn 10 am - 6 pm which is perfect for most shore days.
I actually love the facilities so much, I am attempting to become a monthly member. Now that my commute takes me by the hotel, how could I not want a hot tub soak on the way home from helping out in spa or excursions teams? Unfortunately, they have a limited amount of memberships and are currently full. . . . .sounds exclusive, right?
They also rent SUP and Kayaks for $16 per hour or so, but only available from March to August only.
Some of our couples that take a 2-hour massage ask us to drop them off here after the massage and facials to really create a full day of pampering.
Please comment and let me know if this is helpful. I try to write things that help travelers find peace and connection in Ensenada.
Breathe Deeply and Travel Slowly,
Jesse from WI bio