Ensenada Baja California Mexico
Mexico

550 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Carnival Cruise Line (212 Cruises)

Carnival Panorama

Carnival Panorama

4008 Passengers
133500 tons
Visit the ship's page
7 February 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 436$
21 February 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 436$
7 March 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 471$
21 March 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 661$
4 April 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 569$
18 April 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 513$
2 May 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 541$
16 May 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 569$
30 May 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 710$
13 June 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 906$
27 June 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 906$
11 July 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 914$
25 July 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 899$
8 August 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 815$
22 August 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 675$
5 September 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 604$
19 September 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 604$
3 October 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 604$
17 October 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 590$
31 October 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 590$
14 November 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 590$
28 November 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 590$
12 December 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 590$
26 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 720$
29 December 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 1294$
6 February 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 604$
20 February 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 604$
5 March 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 703$
19 March 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 773$
2 April 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 731$
16 April 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 801$
30 April 7 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 646$

Carnival Radiance

2984 Passengers
101509 tons
Visit the ship's page
4 February 6 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 419$
9 February 6 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 389$
14 February 15 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 1824$
28 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 423$
4 March 6 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 538$
9 March 6 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 551$
14 March 15 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 2471$
28 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 683$
1 April 6 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 630$
6 April 6 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 600$
11 April 15 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 2007$
25 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 507$
29 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 538$
3 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 493$
7 May 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 554$
10 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 481$
14 May 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 540$
17 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 481$
21 May 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 540$
24 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 507$
28 May 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 708$
31 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 572$
4 June 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 631$
7 June 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 670$
11 June 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 638$
14 June 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 684$
18 June 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 638$
21 June 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 713$
25 June 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 652$
28 June 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 734$
2 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 715$
5 July 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 748$
9 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 666$
12 July 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 748$
16 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 666$
19 July 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 748$
23 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 666$
26 July 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 746$
30 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 665$
2 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 720$
6 August 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 624$
9 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 621$
13 August 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 582$
16 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 572$
20 August 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 554$
23 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 558$
27 August 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 512$
30 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$
3 September 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 673$
6 September 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 498$
10 September 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 498$
13 September 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 483$
17 September 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 498$
20 September 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 454$
24 September 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 498$
27 September 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 454$
1 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 498$
4 October 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 483$
8 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 512$
11 October 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 483$
15 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 483$
18 October 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 483$
22 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 469$
25 October 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 483$
29 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 455$
1 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 462$
5 November 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 455$
8 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 462$
12 November 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 455$
15 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 462$
19 November 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 455$
22 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 673$
26 November 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 554$
29 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 455$
3 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 441$
6 December 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 455$
10 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 441$
13 December 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 455$
17 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 441$
20 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 503$
23 December 6 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 1086$
28 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 672$
31 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 743$
4 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 448$
7 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 490$
11 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
14 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 490$
18 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 589$
21 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 505$
25 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 448$
28 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 490$
3 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 490$
6 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$
10 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$
13 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 631$
17 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$
20 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 645$
24 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$
27 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 645$
31 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$
3 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 645$
7 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 547$
10 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 645$
14 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 547$
17 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 645$
21 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$
24 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$
28 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 533$

Disney Cruise Line (48 Cruises)

DCL Disney Cruise Line Wonder ship

Disney Wonder

1750 Passengers
84130 tons
Visit the ship's page
1 February 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
5 February 8 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
12 February 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
15 February 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
19 February 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
22 February 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
26 February 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
1 March 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
5 March 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
8 March 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
12 March 8 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
19 March 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
22 March 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
26 March 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
29 March 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
2 April 6 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
7 April 8 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
14 April 6 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
19 April 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
23 April 8 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
30 April 7 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
450-628-6241 Call us

Holland America Line (21 Cruises)

Lindblad Expeditions (2 Cruises)

Norwegian Cruise Line (4 Cruises)

NCL Norwegian Encore ship

Norwegian Encore

3998 Passengers
169000 tons
Visit the ship's page

Oceania Cruises (4 Cruises)

Princess Cruises (53 Cruises)

Discovery Princess.

Discovery Princess

3660 Passengers
145 tons
Visit the ship's page
Cruise PCL Princess Ruby Ship

Ruby Princess

3080 Passengers
113561 tons
Visit the ship's page
12 February 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
28 February 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
16 March 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
1 April 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
25 September 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
11 October 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
7 November 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
23 November 6 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
28 November 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
14 December 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
30 December 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
16 February 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
3 March 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
19 March 8 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
9 April 17 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us
25 April 6 days Round-trip from San Francisco, USA
450-628-6241 Call us

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (1 Cruises)

Seven Seas Prestige.

Seven Seas Prestige

822 Passengers
76550 tons
Visit the ship's page

Royal Caribbean Cruises (203 Cruises)

Cruise RCI Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas Ship

Ovation of the Seas

4905 Passengers
168666 tons
Visit the ship's page
5 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 445$
8 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 474$
12 February 8 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 959$
19 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 512$
22 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 449$
26 February 8 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 847$
5 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 458$
8 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 490$
12 March 8 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 1028$
19 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 486$
22 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 670$
26 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 582$
29 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 628$
2 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 541$
5 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 614$
9 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 569$
12 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 600$
16 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 556$
19 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 615$
23 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 543$
26 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 620$
30 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 528$
3 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 718$
7 May 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 696$
10 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 663$
14 May 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 683$
17 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 678$
21 May 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 710$
24 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 705$
28 May 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 739$
31 May 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 791$
4 June 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 748$
7 June 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 1022$
11 June 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 762$
14 June 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 998$
18 June 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 844$
21 June 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 824$
25 June 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 818$
28 June 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 832$
2 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 842$
5 July 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 958$
9 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 870$
12 July 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 942$
16 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 855$
19 July 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 958$
23 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 828$
26 July 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 930$
30 July 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 828$
2 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 832$
6 August 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 814$
9 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 805$
13 August 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 800$
16 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 728$
20 August 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 800$
23 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 706$
27 August 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 772$
30 August 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 678$
3 September 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 747$
6 September 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 657$
10 September 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 651$
13 September 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 604$
17 September 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 651$
20 September 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 604$
24 September 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 635$
27 September 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 563$
1 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 621$
4 October 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 511$
8 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 621$
11 October 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 511$
15 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 621$
18 October 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 495$
22 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 607$
25 October 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 495$
29 October 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 607$
1 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 488$
5 November 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 364$
8 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 660$
12 November 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 810$
15 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 656$
19 November 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 791$
22 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 947$
26 November 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 1062$
29 November 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 656$
3 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 791$
6 December 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 660$
10 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 765$
13 December 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 656$
17 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 789$
20 December 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 839$
24 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 1140$
27 December 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 913$
31 December 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 1282$
4 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 796$
7 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 644$
11 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 796$
14 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 644$
18 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 887$
21 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 736$
25 February 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 796$
28 February 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 687$
3 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 701$
6 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 815$
10 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 832$
13 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 663$
17 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 905$
20 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 717$
24 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 887$
27 March 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 717$
31 March 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 868$
3 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 742$
7 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 959$
10 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 719$
14 April 4 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 960$
17 April 5 days Round-trip from Los Angeles, USA
From 669$
royal caribbean serenade of the seas cruise ship

Serenade of the Seas

2110 Passengers
90090 tons
Visit the ship's page
4 February 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 442$
7 February 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 430$
11 February 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 454$
14 February 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 464$
18 February 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 459$
21 February 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 460$
25 February 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 459$
28 February 8 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 728$
7 March 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 489$
11 March 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 464$
14 March 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 489$
18 March 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 485$
21 March 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 503$
25 March 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 485$
28 March 8 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 910$
4 April 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 628$
8 April 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 539$
11 April 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 594$
15 April 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 519$
18 April 5 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 620$
22 April 4 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 543$
25 April 8 days Round-trip from San Diego, USA
From 885$

Virgin Voyages (2 Cruises)

Port of Ensenada, Mexico | Cruise Port Guide

About a hundred kilometres south of the U.S. border, the Pacific coast of Baja California forms a broad, sheltered bay, backed by dry hills where, a little further inland, most of Mexico's wine ripens. Ensenada lives off this dual identity: a lively waterfront befitting a port town, and an agricultural hinterland that draws some of the country's most creative kitchens.

From the Dock to the Malecón

The ship docks about a kilometre and a half from downtown. A pedestrian walkway leads in ten to fifteen minutes to the malecón, the promenade running along the harbour. Along the way, you'll pass the massive Mexican flag snapping in the wind, sculptures of explorers, and above all, the steady traffic of fishing boats supplying the Mercado Negro, the fish market. Under its stalls, tuna, shrimp, and local oysters have been piling up on ice since the 1950s. The nearby counters serve the fried fish taco this city proudly claims to have invented.

Avenida López Mateos

One street up, the main avenue is packed with craft shops, cantinas, and terraces. Here you'll find leather goods, silver from central Mexico, and vanilla stalls. La Bodega de Santo Tomás, one of the country's oldest wineries, has kept its historic buildings here, where visitors can taste regional wines without leaving downtown. The whole area is easy to explore without a set plan, in an hour or two of wandering.

La Bufadora, the Coast's Breath

About a 45-minute drive south, on the Punta Banda peninsula, the sea surges into a rocky cavity and erupts in a column of spray that can top 30 metres, with a roar that carries a long way. La Bufadora, "the blowhole," ranks among the largest marine geysers in North America. The path leading to the viewing platform runs through a row of vendors selling churros, shrimp cocktails, and souvenirs, every bit as loud as the phenomenon itself. The show is well worth it when the swell cooperates.

The Guadalupe Valley

In the opposite direction, 30 to 45 minutes to the northeast, the wine route winds through more than a hundred wineries. The Guadalupe Valley produces the majority of Mexico's wine and has built a continent-wide reputation with its Mediterranean-style blends and rustic restaurants set right among the vines. Several half-day excursions combine two or three estates with a guided tasting, a format that fits neatly within the timing of a port stop.

A Stop Best Savoured

Ensenada has established itself as one of the hubs of new Mexican cuisine: chefs trained in top kitchens, seafood landed that same morning, vegetables from the neighbouring valleys. No reservation or detour needed, the street carts alone are enough for happiness, ceviche tostadas, baked clams, sea urchin for the more adventurous. Craft beer fans will find plenty to enjoy too: the local brewing scene ranks among the most active in the country, with several tasting rooms around downtown.

Planning Your Day

DestinationTime from the DockSuggested Approach
Malecón and fish market10 to 15 minutes on footon your own
Avenida López Mateos15 to 20 minutes on footon your own
La Bufadoraabout a 45-minute driveexcursion or negotiated taxi
Guadalupe Valley30 to 45 minutes by roadorganized excursion

Choosing just one major outing, La Bufadora or the vineyards, and keeping the rest of the time for downtown is a good way to avoid rushing.

At Departure Time

As the ship casts off, the smell of frying still lingers over the harbour and pelicans escort the trawlers heading back in. Ensenada doesn't try to dazzle; it nourishes, quite literally. It's the kind of stop you remember at the table, long afterward, over a fish taco that will never quite taste the same anywhere else.

Frequently Asked Questions

At the cruise pier, about a kilometre and a half from downtown. A pedestrian walkway reaches the malecón in ten to fifteen minutes on foot, so no shuttle is needed.
Yes, the whole centre. The malecón, the Mercado Negro fish market and Avenida López Mateos are all walkable from the pier. Only La Bufadora and the Guadalupe Valley require a vehicle.
Pick one major outing, La Bufadora or the wineries, and keep the rest of the time for downtown. Trying to do both means rushing all day and enjoying neither.
A marine geyser on the Punta Banda peninsula, about 45 minutes' drive south. The sea forces into a rock cavity and erupts in a column of spray that can exceed 30 metres. The show depends on the swell: in flat seas the blow is modest.
Yes, the Guadalupe Valley lies 30 to 45 minutes northeast and produces most of Mexico's wine. Several half-day excursions combine two or three estates with guided tastings, a format that fits cruise call timings well.
At the counters beside the Mercado Negro, the fish market on the malecón: the city proudly claims to have invented the fried fish taco. Street carts downtown also serve ceviche tostadas and grilled clams.
The Mexican peso, with US dollars widely accepted given the border is only about a hundred kilometres away. Cards work downtown; keep cash for market stalls.
Spanish, with English very widely used since most visitors come from California. Making yourself understood is not a problem.
Bodega de Santo Tomás, one of the country's oldest wineries, has kept its historic buildings right in the centre and pours regional wines there. The local craft beer scene is also among Mexico's most active, with several taprooms near the main avenue.
Yes, the centre is flat, compact and easy to walk. The Mercado Negro appeals to curious children and the malecón takes no effort. La Bufadora asks for more patience: the walkway to the viewpoint is long, loud and lined with vendors.