Our Guide When Visiting Ensenada, Mexico
Quick takeaways
- Ensenada is a popular Pacific port on Baja California cruises from Los Angeles and San Diego. Barbara and I stopped here on the last day of our Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas cruise in November 2025.
- We took the ship’s “Best of Ensenada” bus tour, which packed in a historic hotel, a giant blowhole, a winery and a tequila tasting in one day.
- The Riviera del Pacífico is said to be the birthplace of the margarita, and our tour ended there with a free one!
- La Bufadora is one of the largest marine blowholes in the world, with a fun market and fresh tacos nearby.
- Mornings can be foggy and cool, even in fall. Bring a layer.
Barbara and I were the two from the Travitude Travel Group team on this sailing, and Ensenada was our final stop before heading home. We wanted to see as much as we could in one day, so we booked Royal Caribbean’s “Best of Ensenada” tour together. It turned out to be a great mix of history, scenery, food and drinks!
Ensenada is a laid-back port town with a lot more to it than you might expect. Here’s what we did, plus a few more ideas for your own port day.
Arriving at the Ensenada cruise port
Amy and Barbara · November 2025We sailed into Ensenada on a foggy morning. It was only about 51°F (13°C) when we arrived, so a jacket came in handy! The fog burned off as the day went on. Cruise ships dock close to downtown, so you can easily walk to the waterfront and shops if you’d rather explore on your own.
We met our guide, Isabel, and hopped on the tour bus. She was full of fun facts the whole way. Did you know Ensenada is nicknamed “La Cenicienta del Pacífico”, the Cinderella of the Pacific?
Riviera del Pacífico and the first margarita
Amy and BarbaraOur first stop was the Riviera del Pacífico, a former glamorous hotel and casino that opened in 1928, during Prohibition. Hollywood stars and famous guests like Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz and William Randolph Hearst came here to party. Today it’s a cultural centre, and it’s absolutely beautiful. Think Spanish colonial architecture, colourful mosaics, painted ceilings, ironwork and gorgeous chandeliers.
It’s also said to be the birthplace of the margarita. A plaque in Bar Andaluz says bartender David Negrete created the drink for Margarita King Plant on August 21, 1948. Our tour ended right back here with a free margarita, and what a perfect way to finish the day!
Barbara’s tipEven if you explore on your own, the Riviera del Pacífico is worth a stop. Take your time looking up. The ceilings and details are stunning!
La Bufadora blowhole, market and tacos
Amy and BarbaraNext we headed south along the coast to La Bufadora, one of the largest marine blowholes in the world. Waves rush into a sea cave and shoot water up into the air, sometimes over 100 feet high! Every burst gets a cheer from the crowd. The coastline views on the way are pretty spectacular too.
The walk to the blowhole goes through a lively flea market, full of crafts, souvenirs, snacks and vendors handing out samples. The churro samples were amazing! For lunch we stopped at Lidia’s, where they made fresh tacos right in front of us. Ensenada is known as the birthplace of the fish taco, so don’t leave without trying one.
Wine tasting at Santo Tomás
Amy and BarbaraDid you know Ensenada is in Mexico’s wine country? Our third stop was Santo Tomás Winery, the oldest winery in Ensenada. We tasted a Chenin Blanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon, paired with bread, cheese and their own house-made olive oils. It was such a nice, relaxing stop in the middle of a busy day.
Tequila and mezcal tasting
Amy and BarbaraA tequila and mezcal tasting was also included in our tour. Barbara passed on this one, but there were lots of fun flavours to try, like coffee, chocolate and mango. We also learned the difference between the two. Tequila is made only from blue agave, in the region around Jalisco. Mezcal can be made from more than 30 types of agave, which are cooked in pits, giving it that smoky flavour. One bottle even had a scorpion in it!
More things to do in Ensenada
Our tour covered a lot, but there are plenty of other ways to spend a port day here:
- Stroll the waterfront: the malecón is an easy walk from the ship, with views of the harbour and a giant Mexican flag.
- Shop and snack downtown: browse the shops along Avenida López Mateos (Calle Primera) and try a fish taco from a local stand.
- Visit Valle de Guadalupe: want more wine? Baja’s best-known wine valley is a popular excursion from Ensenada.
- Go whale watching: in the winter months, gray whales pass by on their migration along the Baja coast.
- Catch a wave: the coastline around Ensenada is known for great surfing.
A little history to share with your travel buddies: Ensenada was the first capital of northern Baja California.
Our Ensenada tips
- Dress in layers: it was foggy and only about 51°F (13°C) on our November morning. It warmed up later, but a jacket was a must.
- Bring small bills: US dollars are widely accepted in Ensenada, and small bills make the markets and taco stands easy.
- Save room for samples: between churros, tacos, wine and tequila, there’s a lot to taste!
- Consider a ship’s tour: La Bufadora and the wineries are outside of town, so a tour is an easy way to see several sights and be back for all aboard.
- Bring your passport: valid for at least six months past your return date (the safest rule of thumb).
Thinking about a Mexican Riviera or Baja cruise? We’ve been to Ensenada and we’d love to help you plan a cruise with the ports, ship and shore excursions that fit your style!
FAQs
What is there to do in Ensenada on a cruise?
Visit the historic Riviera del Pacífico, said to be the birthplace of the margarita; watch La Bufadora, one of the largest marine blowholes in the world; shop the La Bufadora market and eat fresh fish tacos; taste wine at Santo Tomás Winery; try a tequila and mezcal tasting; or stroll the waterfront and downtown shops.
Is the “Best of Ensenada” tour worth it?
Our consultants Amy and Barbara loved it. Royal Caribbean’s “Best of Ensenada” tour included the Riviera del Pacífico, La Bufadora, Santo Tomás Winery and a tequila and mezcal tasting, and it ended with a free margarita. It’s an easy way to see sights outside of town in one port day.
Where was the margarita invented?
The Riviera del Pacífico in Ensenada is said to be the birthplace of the margarita. A plaque in its Bar Andaluz says bartender David Negrete created it for Margarita King Plant on August 21, 1948.
What is La Bufadora?
La Bufadora is one of the largest marine blowholes in the world, south of Ensenada. Waves force water up through a sea cave, sometimes over 100 feet into the air. There’s a lively market with crafts, snacks and restaurants on the walk to the viewpoint.
What’s the weather like in Ensenada?
It can be cooler than you’d expect. On our November visit, it was foggy and about 51°F (13°C) in the morning before warming up later in the day. Bring a layer.
Do I need a passport for a Mexico cruise?
Yes. Canadians must travel with a valid passport, and we recommend it be valid for at least six months past your return date. Some destinations only require three months, but six months is the safest rule of thumb.
Does it cost more to book a cruise with a travel agent?
No, there’s no fee to book a cruise with Travitude Travel Group. You get a consultant who has actually been to ports like Ensenada and can help you pick the right ship, itinerary and shore excursions.
