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Ensenada TRAVEL GUIDE AND DEALS

Located at Baja’s Bahía de Todos Santos, Ensenada – the country’s second most visited port-of-call – is about 75 miles from the border. In spite of its proximity to the U.S., the city is known for its authentic Mexican charm and character, a far cry from the chaotic nearby towns of Tijuana and Rosarito.  Mariachi music drifts in and out of cantinas amid the chatter of sport fishermen and day trippers from San Diego.

Why Go

 Because the surfing is great, the seafood is fresh, the shopping eclectic and, best of all, it’s so close!

Ensenada Travel Deals

Ensenada Hotels

Most visitors to Ensenada arrive aboard one of the massive floating resort-cruise ships that are perpetually pulling into port. Perhaps that is why there is no need for the massive megaresorts that dominate other Mexican beach towns. Apart from a few medium sized resorts and American chains, small independent inns and guesthouses, many with just a dozen or so rooms, dominate.

= Smart Splurge = Great Value

Adobo Guadalope
Adobo Guadalope is a working winery and Bed and Breakfast on 60 acres of Shiraz, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon in el... smart splurge | expensive

Casa Natalie
This adults-only beach hideaway and spa in El Sauzal, just north of Ensenada is the very definition of a boutique hotel with... luxury | smart splurge | expensive

Hacienda Baja Mar
Life at Baja Mar revolves around their three 9-hole, championship golf courses – all of which straddle the Pacific on... expensive

La Villa del Valle
Two former Hollywood execs, Eileen and Phil, own this small organic farm and hacienda on a hilltop overlooking el Valle de... smart splurge | expensive

Best Western El Cid
The location, right on Avenida Lopez Mateos, is unbeatable and is reason alone to stay here. Otherwise, El Cid is just what... great value

Hotel Bahia
Open for half a century, Hotel Bahia hosts many of Ensenada’s best known events like August’s Newport Beach to... family

Joker Hotel and RV Park
El Faro and Mona Lisa beaches are the toss of a tamale from this hotel and campground complex just south of downtown. The... great value

Hotel Coral Marina
This 147-room hotel is a favorite among weekend yachties who sail down from the north for a few days and anchor in their... trendy

Las Rosas Hotel and Spa
Romance and relaxation are the theme throughout this 48-room hotel. Private balconies, an infinity pool, and other hotel... trendy

Estero Beach Hotel Resort
A family oriented playground for wealthy Mexicans and Americans looking for a quick getaway, this beach resort a few miles... family

Hotel Cortez
Think of a run of the mill Holiday Inn with a Mexican color scheme and a hint of mass-produced Spanish colonial style....

Punta Morro Resort
Two miles north of downtown, you’ll find 24 studios and multi-bedroom suites, some with fireplaces and whirlpools, in...

Adobo Guadalope
Adobo Guadalope is a working winery and Bed and Breakfast on 60 acres of Shiraz, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon in el... smart splurge | expensive

Casa Natalie
This adults-only beach hideaway and spa in El Sauzal, just north of Ensenada is the very definition of a boutique hotel with... smart splurge | trendy | expensive

Hacienda Baja Mar
Life at Baja Mar revolves around their three 9-hole, championship golf courses – all of which straddle the Pacific on... expensive

La Villa del Valle
Two former Hollywood execs, Eileen and Phil, own this small organic farm and hacienda on a hilltop overlooking el Valle de... smart splurge | expensive

Best Western El Cid
The location, right on Avenida Lopez Mateos, is unbeatable and is reason alone to stay here. Otherwise, El Cid is just what... great value

Hotel Bahia
Open for half a century, Hotel Bahia hosts many of Ensenada’s best known events like August’s Newport Beach to... family

Joker Hotel and RV Park
El Faro and Mona Lisa beaches are the toss of a tamale from this hotel and campground complex just south of downtown. The... great value

Casa Natalie
This adults-only beach hideaway and spa in El Sauzal, just north of Ensenada is the very definition of a boutique hotel with... luxury | smart splurge | expensive

Hotel Coral Marina
This 147-room hotel is a favorite among weekend yachties who sail down from the north for a few days and anchor in their... moderate

Las Rosas Hotel and Spa
Romance and relaxation are the theme throughout this 48-room hotel. Private balconies, an infinity pool, and other hotel... moderate

Estero Beach Hotel Resort
A family oriented playground for wealthy Mexicans and Americans looking for a quick getaway, this beach resort a few miles... family

Hotel Coral Marina
This 147-room hotel is a favorite among weekend yachties who sail down from the north for a few days and anchor in their... trendy

Hotel Cortez
Think of a run of the mill Holiday Inn with a Mexican color scheme and a hint of mass-produced Spanish colonial style....

Las Rosas Hotel and Spa
Romance and relaxation are the theme throughout this 48-room hotel. Private balconies, an infinity pool, and other hotel... trendy

Punta Morro Resort
Two miles north of downtown, you’ll find 24 studios and multi-bedroom suites, some with fireplaces and whirlpools, in...

Ensenada Restaurants

The culinary scene in Ensenada is a mish mash of classical fine dining restaurants that are throwbacks to the 30’s, hole in the wall cantinas, market stalls, and overpriced international restaurants aimed at tourists. Regional specialties may be lacking, but for the adventurous eater who doesn’t mind hitting the street-stalls some of the best dining in all of Baja can be found.

= Smart Splurge = Great Value

Baja Frut
For breakfast, this obscure family style diner dishes out spicy, carb-heavy meals that will make you forget about the night... family

El Charro
Open since 1956, this is one of Ensenada’s oldest eateries and a must if you’re hunkering for authentic Mexican... local favorite

Plaza de Mariscos Stands
The freshest Baja Fish tacos you will find are lined up outside the city’s largest seafood market near the sportfishing... great value

Tacos el Fenix
This taco stand has such a loyal following that many make the trip here from as far away as LA to get an authentic Baja fish... great value

Capricho's
Mexican Mediterranean fusion and wine pairings selected from a heavily local wine menu are served in an elegant space with...

El Rey Sol
Tuxedoed waiters and elegant European furnishings lure well-to-do locals and tourists. Founded by French expats in 1947, the...

Muelle 3
Benito Molina y Solange Muriz who own the fantastic Manzanilla nearby, opened this small, rustic oyster bar in November 2007... new

Ophelia's Restaurant
Come for Mexican food with Asian flair in an atmosphere reminiscent of a sushi bar. Local fish and seafood – yellow fin... trendy

La Embottelladora Vieja
La Embottelladora Vieja is elegantly positioned in the old bottling/aging room of the Santo Tomás winery and set with...

Laja
Set right in the heart of the Valle del Guadalupe, Laja is like the Ensenada version of French Laundry. Considering chef Jair... smart splurge

Manzanilla
This is what every wine region needs to grow: a destination restaurant. Just off the main drag, this two level brick eatery... smart splurge

Sano's
Owned by the Hussong family of cantina fame (listed under “Nightlife”), this waterfront steakhouse in an old...

Baja Frut
For breakfast, this obscure family style diner dishes out spicy, carb-heavy meals that will make you forget about the night... family

El Charro
Open since 1956, this is one of Ensenada’s oldest eateries and a must if you’re hunkering for authentic Mexican... local favorite

Plaza de Mariscos Stands
The freshest Baja Fish tacos you will find are lined up outside the city’s largest seafood market near the sportfishing... great value

Tacos el Fenix
This taco stand has such a loyal following that many make the trip here from as far away as LA to get an authentic Baja fish... great value

Capricho's
Mexican Mediterranean fusion and wine pairings selected from a heavily local wine menu are served in an elegant space with...

El Rey Sol
Tuxedoed waiters and elegant European furnishings lure well-to-do locals and tourists. Founded by French expats in 1947, the...

Muelle 3
Benito Molina y Solange Muriz who own the fantastic Manzanilla nearby, opened this small, rustic oyster bar in November 2007... new

Ophelia's Restaurant
Come for Mexican food with Asian flair in an atmosphere reminiscent of a sushi bar. Local fish and seafood – yellow fin... trendy

La Embottelladora Vieja
La Embottelladora Vieja is elegantly positioned in the old bottling/aging room of the Santo Tomás winery and set with...

Laja
Set right in the heart of the Valle del Guadalupe, Laja is like the Ensenada version of French Laundry. Considering chef Jair... smart splurge

Manzanilla
This is what every wine region needs to grow: a destination restaurant. Just off the main drag, this two level brick eatery... smart splurge

Sano's
Owned by the Hussong family of cantina fame (listed under “Nightlife”), this waterfront steakhouse in an old...