Things to do in Ensenada with FAmily: Excursions and Near Cruiseport

Looking for Family-Friendly Excursions in Ensenada?

Traveling with kids and wondering what to do near the Ensenada cruise port? While Ensenada may not be as polished as Catalina Island, it’s safe and full of quirky, family-friendly fun.

Good news: Ensenada is not a tender port, so you can walk right off the ship and start exploring. Most travelers have time for 1–2 excursion activities plus a bit of downtown wandering.

I live full-time in Ensenada and run the #1 Ensenada Excursion on TripAdvisor, so I’ve helped thousands of families plan their visit. My suggestions below include links to our own highly-rated private tours. While I don’t specialize in ship-sponsored excursions, guests often mention that those options for young kids are limited, fill up fast, and come with a higher price tag.

Family-Friendly Paid Excursions

Our private excursions are flexible, kid-friendly, and customizable. These are ideal for families looking to add a bit of adventure while keeping it safe and fun:

• ATV Rides

• Ziplining

• Horseback Riding

• Pai Pai Zoo (with animal encounters)

Each of these can be done in a half-day, leaving you time to explore downtown or relax by the ship before boarding.

Most Ensenada Excursions Are Family-Friendly — Especially When You Go Private!

Booking with a private local guide makes all the difference when traveling with kids. Why? Because you’ll have more flexibility and support to handle real family needs:

• Bathroom breaks on your schedule.

• Space for car seats, boosters, or strollers.

• Personalized pickup signs (e.g., “Happy Birthday, Connor!”)

• Local conversations and cultural insights.

• Access to family-favorite destinations with lower age minimums.

  Best Ensenada Excursions for Families — By Age & Interest

  Toddlers & Babies:

• Pai Pai Zoo (interactive animal experiences)

• La Bufadora Blowhole (easy walking, stroller-friendly)

• Kids 5 and Under

• Pai Pai + La Bufadora Combo

  Echo Canyon Horseback Ride (gentle pace, short duration).

  Kids 6–12

• Horseback Riding on the Beach

• City Tour + Bufadora (educational and scenic)

  Teens

• Zipline Adventure

• ATV Tours

• Surf Lessons (June–November only)

  Outdoorsy Families

• Fishing (deep sea or trolling options)

• Kayaking near Bufadora

• Surfing and beach breaks

  Our Top Picks by Travel Style:

• Best Value: Horseback + Bufadora Combo

• Most Unique: Pai Pai + Bufadora Walk or Kayak

• Most Cultural: Pai Pai + Ensenada City Tour

• Best for Low Mobility: Pai Pai + Bufadora or City Tour

Horseback Riding

Most excursion operators in Ensenada welcome children with adult supervision. For horseback riding — whether on the beach or in the mountains — it’s important to choose a provider with well-trained horses and proper safety measures.

At Echo Canyon (Las Cañadas), for example, riders receive good instruction, and helmets and safety gear are provided. It’s a beautiful and safe spot for families.

• Ages 5 and up can usually ride their own horse

• Children under 6 can ride doubled-up with a parent or older sibling

• Horses are generally calm and familiar with beginner riders

You’ll find many local providers, including on TripAdvisor, but keep in mind:
Booking directly (like with us) is often 28% less than through TripAdvisor — same tour, better price!

ATV quad and UTV side by side options:

There are several ATV tour options in Ensenada, but for families with kids, I recommend the Adventure Park off-road track as the safest and most controlled environment.

• Minimum solo driving age: 16 years old

• Younger kids can ride as passengers with an adult (parental waiver required)

• Discounts available for double riders

• The off-road track is scenic and fun, with some cliffs — which is why I suggest UTV/RZR (side-by-side) vehicles for maximum safety and shared family fun

If you have more children than eligible drivers, the RZR/UTV is your best choice — it fits 2–3 passengers and keeps everyone together.

You’ll also see ATVs being rented near the cruise port, often for riding through the streets. I don’t recommend street rentals, especially without a guide.

• ❌ Avoid street riding or “hot springs” tours with young children — less structure, more risk

• ❌ Valle de Guadalupe ATV tours typically include wine tastings — not ideal for kids

Go for the off-road adventure track with a guide and safety equipment for the best family experience!

Surf lessons:

Surfing in Ensenada is one of the best family-friendly activities, especially with a private instructor for more personal attention. It's perfect for beginners — even kids!

• Minimum age: 5 years old (with private operator)

• Location: Playa Hermosa – great beginner beach break with shallow water and rarely any riptides

• Water temps: Chilly from December to March, but wetsuits are provided

• Note: Playa Hermosa has limited public bathrooms, so private pick-up is recommended

This beach is too far to walk from the cruise port, so a private excursion with round-trip transport makes for the smoothest and most comfortable experience.

Looking for something more advanced? Head to San Miguel if you're an intermediate surfer.

Bonus: Ensenada offers surf lessons—something Catalina Island doesn’t!

We offer surf lessons with our local team, and you can even combine it with a city tour or other activity to make the most of your day!

Kayaking La Bufadora or Estuary:

Kayaking in Ensenada is a fantastic option for active families! There are two main routes depending on your kids’ ages and your adventure level:

• Bufadora Kayak Tour (Ocean Side)
  A fun and slightly challenging paddle along the scenic coastline to the famous Bufadora blowhole.

  • Best for kids 10 and older

  • Double-seater kayaks are great for pairing kids with adults

  • Expect a bit of ocean swell — exciting but safe with a guide

• Estuary Kayaking (Calm Waters)
  A gentler, more relaxed route on the estuary side of the peninsula, perfect for spotting birds and enjoying nature.

  • Ideal for younger kids under 10

  • Peaceful and beginner-friendly

Pro tip: Private guides are available for both options and make the experience more comfortable and flexible for families.

Ensenada vs. Catalina Island: Surf & Kayak Adventures

Surfing:
Ensenada offers beginner-friendly surf lessons right on Playa Hermosa, a wide beach with gentle waves and shallow water — perfect for kids and first-timers.

Catalina Island doesn’t offer surf lessons or surf beaches.

Kayaking:
Both destinations offer kayaking, but the experience differs:

• Catalina’s kayak rentals are typically near the port, which means more boat traffic and less nature.

• Ensenada kayaking includes options for:

  • A scenic ocean paddle to La Bufadora (10+ years recommended)

  • A calm, estuary-side route for younger kids under 10

Ensenada offers more variety and less crowding for active families seeking water adventures.Fishing with kids

Ensenada is great place for fishing. Cruise ships dock in a marina with pleasure and fishing boats, so easy to get an ensenada fishing charter that allows for kids to fish. Trolling offf the the back for a few hours. It is considered deep sea since lines go below 100 feet. Catch and release for cruisers, or in some cases captain can make ceviche on the trip.

If fishing isn’t your thing and you just want to get on the water, rent a private boat in Ensenada for 3-4 hours, or walk on the malecon (left across foot bridge as described in port guide) for a bargain 30min harbor cruise for like 15$.

First Massage for Kids:

Family-Friendly Massage & Facials in Ensenada

Looking for a relaxing break during your Ensenada visit? This could be the perfect time to enjoy your first massage or facial — or just treat yourself to high-quality spa services at a fraction of cruise ship prices (way less than Carnival’s Cloud 9!).

For first-timers, especially kids or teens, a family setting can help everyone feel more comfortable. A facial cleaning is a great starter service — gentle and refreshing. Full facials with microdermabrasion are best for those with more experience.

At Ensenada Massage, we offer:

• Three group rooms, so parents can relax while kids enjoy a facial or massage behind a privacy curtain

• Massage options:

  • On skin or over clothes

  • Head, hands, or feet focus

  • Shortened 30-minute sessions

• Gentle facials appropriate for younger skin

• Free Wi-Fi — bring a tablet if your child prefers to relax digitally

Kid-friendly discount:
Children under 16 receive $20 off with code FAMILY20 (1 discount per adult sharing the room).

No minimum age — as long as an adult is present, we welcome all ages to experience the wellness of touch and care in a calm, safe space.

Pai Pai Animal Park

If you're cruising with kids, my top recommendation is Pai Pai Animal Park for younger children and the Las Cañadas Canopy Zipline Tour for teens. These activities are fun, interactive, and work well with the typical cruise schedule in Ensenada.

What is Pai Pai Animal Park?

Pai Pai is an eco-park that offers a range of unique experiences. Younger kids love the barn animal petting area and pony rides, while older children and adults enjoy tiger cub encounters, feeding adult big cats, and lemur or monkey interactions. There are also cultural dance performances and educational stops like agave history and tequila tastings for adults.

The park is clean, well-maintained, and the animals seem genuinely well cared for. The story behind the park is that they rescue tiger cubs and eventually place the adult animals in zoos. There are also short zip lines designed for kids, but for thrill-seeking teens, I recommend heading to the full canopy zipline tour at Las Cañadas.

Ticket packages at Pai Pai start around $30 for one activity, and go up to about $135 for the full set of experiences. The cutest tiger cubs under four months come with an extra fee. Tickets are non-refundable, which is important to keep in mind in case your cruise changes dates or cancels your port stop.

Transportation Tips

It’s important not to rely on Uber for places like Pai Pai, Las Cañadas, Bufadora, or Valle de Guadalupe, as the service often doesn’t reach those more remote locations. Private transport with a tour guide is your best bet and ensures you get back to the ship on time. My company, Ensenada Excursions and Tours, offers private pickups with car seats, personalized welcome signs (for example, “Happy Birthday Connor”), and group discounts. We also offer back-to-ship guarantees.

Our 5-activity Pai Pai package fits perfectly into a cruise shore day at about 2 to 2.5 hours. Kids under 4 ride free on all our excursions. Pai Pai usually doesn’t charge for 1- and 2-year-olds, but they sometimes enforce this rule inconsistently, so it’s best not to count on it.

Summary: Best Ensenada Excursions by Age Group

For toddlers and babies, Pai Pai and a walk through La Bufadora make a gentle and engaging experience. Families with kids under six often enjoy a combination of Pai Pai, horseback riding, and Bufadora. Teens usually have the most fun with ziplines, ATVs, horseback riding, or surf lessons if visiting between June and November. Outdoorsy families tend to go for kayaking, surfing, or fishing trips. Surf lessons are especially fun on Playa Hermosa and give kids a chance to try something new in a safe, shallow beach break.

Families with limited mobility often choose Pai Pai and the city tour, or La Bufadora for an easy stroll. The best value overall is horseback riding on the beach paired with a stop at the blowhole. For something unique, try combining Pai Pai with a kayaking tour or a relaxed walk around Bufadora. And if you're looking for cultural experiences, the combination of Pai Pai and a downtown city tour is a great fit.

Is La Bufadora Family-Friendly?

Yes, very much so. Think of it as a festive, Mexican-style county fair. The walk from the parking lot to the geyser is flat and only two blocks long, lined with local vendors offering food, snacks, and souvenirs. It’s colorful and lively, and the blowhole at the end is always fun to watch. That said, it is a 45-minute ride from town, so I suggest doing it as a secondary activity after something else, like ziplining or visiting Pai Pai.

If you’d like, I can keep going with more excursions or help you format this for your website or print!

Zipline and Canopy Tour at Las Canadas:

Las Cañadas is one of Ensenada’s most exciting adventure parks, featuring zip lines, canopy bridges, pools, ATVs, paddle boats, and more. It’s about a 45-minute drive from the cruise port, and best visited as part of a custom private tour with a local guide—Uber won’t pick you up out there for the return trip!

The zipline course includes five lines and several suspension bridges. It’s professionally run, safe, and great fun for adventurous families. Children as young as four years old—or those who are at least 4.5 feet tall—can ride solo, or go in a separate harness in the arms of an adult.

Not everyone has to zipline or ride ATVs to enjoy the park. For those who prefer to relax, a $25 day pass gives access to the swimming pools, kiddie slides, paddle boats, walking paths, and on-site restaurant. If you go on your own, the park requires a day pass for entry. Booking through a local tour company allows you to skip the general admission and focus just on your chosen activities like ziplining, ATVs, or even horseback riding at nearby Echo Canyon.

Let me know if you’d like to add this to your family excursions guide or create a version for social media!

Best Ensenada Tours for Families – At a Glance

Whether you’re cruising with toddlers or teens, Ensenada has something for every family. Private excursions make travel with kids easier—think custom pickup signs (“Happy Birthday Emma!”), free car seats, and flexible schedules. Some local operators also offer free transportation for children under 3 and discounts if someone in your group skips an activity.

Top Family-Friendly Experiences by Age and Interest:

For Families with Kids 5 and Under:
Pai Pai Animal Park and La Bufadora Blowhole are great choices. Consider pairing Bufadora with a gentle horseback ride at Echo Canyon. Private tours can provide car seats for added safety.

For Teens:
Zipline, ATV, and horseback riding are exciting and age-appropriate. Surf lessons are also available from June to November and are a big hit with active teens.

For Toddlers and Babies:
Stick with laid-back adventures like Pai Pai and Bufadora. Both are stroller-accessible and offer great sightseeing and animal interaction.

For Outdoorsy Families:
Go beyond the city with surf lessons, kayaking, or even fishing excursions—whether trolling behind a pleasure yacht or deep-sea fishing for the more adventurous.

Best Value Tour:
Horseback riding on the beach combined with a scenic visit to Bufadora makes for a memorable, budget-friendly half-day tour.

Most Unique Experience:
Pai Pai plus a Bufadora walk or kayak tour offers wildlife, nature, and unbeatable views.

Most Cultural Option:
Pair a visit to Pai Pai with a city tour to explore Ensenada’s history, landmarks, and flavors.

For Low Mobility or Seniors in the Group:
Choose Pai Pai or a City Tour combined with Bufadora. Flat paths and easy access make these ideal.

Many local tour companies will help you customize the day based on your family’s needs—just ask!

Ensenada’s Water Show Near Cruiseport to Let Kids Play

Ensenada’s waterfront now features a fun mini water show—think mini Vegas! The fountains shoot water high into the air, set to music and lights. It’s especially cool at night, but still a great stop during the day. There’s usually a show around 1 PM, though times can vary depending on weather, so it’s a bit of a lucky draw.

Kids are welcome to splash and play—it’s right in front of the giant flag (or the tall flagpole if the flag’s not up that day).

How to Get There from the Cruise Ship:
Walk off the ship and through port security, then turn left and cross the footbridge. You’ll follow the harbor walk where you’ll pass the fountains, souvenir vendors, and the seafood market (Mercado Negro). From there, you can cross over to La Primera near Papas & Beer and walk back toward the cruise port, ending at the La Riviera Cultural Center.

Watershow at big flag plaza

Waterfront Playground and Train

Parque de la Bandera has a great playground built within the last couple of years—perfect for kids to burn off some energy right on the waterfront. On weekends after 3 PM, you’ll often see the little kiddy train making loops around town, starting right from the park.

There are often other family-friendly activities in the park on weekends too, making it a fun and easy stop during your Ensenada visit.Gemstone hunting on La Primera

Silly Souvenirs on La Primera:

Vendors along Ensenada’s First Street (La Primera) offer all kinds of quirky, kid-friendly treasures—bracelets with your name, a grain of rice with your name written on it, Lucha Libre masks, tiny musical instruments, and even miniature Mexican kitchen utensils. As the shops often say: curiosidades. It’s a fun walk for families, and children especially love browsing the colorful stalls.

For a playful, offbeat adventure, head to El Corralito restaurant, where you can tape a U.S. dollar bill to the wall and sign your name. It's a memory kids won’t forget—and if you ever return to Ensenada, you can try to find your dollar again!

Or, just a few steps away, have some fun making a fake novelty “Mexifornia” driver’s license—a playful souvenir to remember your Ensenada adventure.

Then head to El Corralito, a casual local favorite where you can tape a dollar bill to the wall and sign your name. It’s a quirky tradition that makes for a great travel memory—come back next year and see if you can find your bill!

Caracol Science Museum for Kids

Just outside the cruise port security, right at the tour and massage pickup corner, you’ll find Ensenada’s Science Museum—a project that took 10 years to build and opened just before COVID. It features engaging exhibits on space, the ocean, and Baja’s local wildlife, with most displays available in English.

You’ll practically pass it on your way out of the port, and it’s a great stop after a morning excursion—our tours often drop off here for an easy walk back to the ship.

It’s underrated and often overlooked by cruisers, but well worth a short visit. The museum is interactive and thoughtfully done, with entrance under $7 USD.

Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ensenada History and Art Museum

Right off the ship and just across the street at La Riviera is CEARTE, the Regional Art and Cultural Center. It’s a small but thoughtfully curated museum with a focus on Baja’s regional history and the indigenous communities that lived here—very different from the Aztec and Mayan cultures of southern Mexico. Admission is just a couple of bucks, making it an easy and affordable stop for families exploring on foot. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the opposite end of La Primera, you’ll find the Regional Historic Museum, housed in an old jail. It’s free to enter and has just a few rooms, but makes for a fun 30-minute stroll through regional history, native plants and animals, and indigenous life. While CEARTE is more artistic, this one leans toward history and culture.

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There are plenty of fun things to do in Ensenada with kids. Whether you prefer to wander on your own or request a custom itinerary, you can easily plan a day with activities kids will love, adults will enjoy, and—of course—a taco stop along the way.

Jesse is a U.S. ex-pat who has called Ensenada home for over 15 years. An occasional Carnival cruiser himself, he’s the owner of Ensenada Massage, Ensenada Excursions and Tours, and Valle Mobile Spa.

When he’s not helping visitors explore or unwind, Jesse enjoys life as a dog dad, devoted uncle, and caregiver to his mom.

”Even Kids Need a Massage!”

Tripadvisor review: Ensenada's Best Massage

“We were visiting Mexico for the first time for a few days. I decided to treat my 6-year-old daughter to her first massage for her birthday. She gets bad calf cramps sometimes like her dad and you know, growing pains. I explained to her in general what to expect. I was quite surprised she was able to stay still and pretty quiet for a whole hour! She loved it and is asking when we can go back. I got a massage as well and it was also great. Street parking was very easy! Had trouble using the coupon code (KIDS15) but was able to get help quickly through e-mail.”