Ensenada is a sunny Mexican seaport on the Baja California Peninsula, about 80 miles south of San Diego. The town is a popular vacation destination for Californians looking for an authentic taste of Mexico and a variety of outdoor activities. Some visitors come to enjoy the sunny coast, while others are drawn in by the lively party atmosphere.

Things to Do in Ensenada MX
Things to Do in Ensenada MX

Things to Do in Ensenada MX , after a day of water sports, sun tanning, and horseback riding, visitors can look forward to a wine tasting at one of the nearby vineyards, followed by a delicious Mexican meal at one of the many authentic restaurants. Call the attractions and restaurants ahead of time to confirm current hours of operation.

23 Best Things to Do in Ensenada MX Today

1. Ensenada, Mexico: Canon De Dona Petra Ecological Park

Canon De Dona Petra Ecological Park
Canon De Dona Petra Ecological Park

Canon De Dona Petra Ecological Park is a popular tourist attraction in Ensenada and is located in an elevated residential area. The majority of visitors come to the park to take in the breathtaking views of the city and the Baja California coastline. The park is ideal for relaxing with a good book or getting a little more active by walking, hiking, or mountain biking along a network of trails at Ensenada Mexico.

Birdwatchers will enjoy the park as well, as it is home to several local bird species. The park’s focal point is a bright and colorful statue of the Buddhist Princess Tara, which the people of Nepal donated to the city of Los Angeles.

The Canon de Dona Petra Ecological Park is located on Av. Ruiz in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

2.Caracol Museo de Ciencias (Science Museum of Caracol), Ensenada, Mexico

Science Museum of Caracol
Science Museum of Caracol

The Caracol Science Museum is a relatively new addition to Ensenada’s list of attractions, but it is well worth a visit. The museum is housed in a distinctive building located between the harbor and the massive Riviera Center. You can learn about (mostly) Mexican and Baja scientific and engineering projects, and the majority of the exhibits have English captions. Permanent exhibits currently include The Earth, The Heavens, and a shipwrecked Manila galleon off the coast. There is also a dinosaur exhibit and a temporary exhibition about the melting polar ice caps and their impact on the marine environment at United States.

Caracol Science Museum is located at Avenida Club Rotario 3, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico and can be reached at 646-177-0897.

3.Ensenada, Mexico’s Desert Trails

Mexico's Desert Trails
Mexico’s Desert Trails

Equestrians can plan a unique day out at Desert Trails, which is located just 10 minutes north of Ensenada. You can choose to simply explore the area on a trail ride or combine horseback riding with a tour of your choice. If you need to brush up on your riding skills before heading out to ride on the beach or in the beautiful mountainous countryside, you can schedule a lesson or two. Rides range from one to four hours in length and can include a packed lunch, a country barbeque, or even a cheese or wine tour at mexican wine.

Desert Trails, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, +52-64-61-51-83-45

4.Ensenada, Mexico’s El Jardin de Tara

El Jardin de Tara
El Jardin de Tara

The Jardin de Tara (Garden of Tara) can be found in the Canon De Dona Petra Ecological Park. The park is a pleasant place to stroll or spend some time admiring the sweeping views of the city and the ocean beyond, but the colossal 20-foot sculpture of the Tibetan princess White Tara is the gardens’ main attraction for many visitors. Tara is revered throughout the Buddhist world as an enlightened female figure who embodies joy, wisdom, and compassion at playa hermosa. The people of Nepal donated the statue to the city of Empanada as a gesture of peace shore excursions.

El Jardin de Tara is located on Av. Ruiz in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

5.Ensenada, Mexico’s El Salto Canyon and Waterfall

El Salto Canyon and Waterfall
El Salto Canyon and Waterfall

El Salto Canyon and Waterfall is a well-kept secret that is unlikely to be included on any tour itinerary. The beautiful canyon area is located on the Ensenada-Tijuana Free Highway, less than an hour from Ensenada, and you can spend the day hiking and exploring the area for around $2. (5 dollars if you want to camp overnight). A short and relatively easy hike will take you to the canyon’s base, where you’ll find seasonal pools and beautiful rock formations at puerto vallarta.

You can also take a more difficult clamber up a large hill, which will reward you with breathtaking views and lead you to an inland lake where you can fish and swim. Other popular activities include rock climbing and rappelling.

El Salto Canyon and Waterfall, Baja California, Mexico (off the Ensenada-Tijuana Highway).

6.Guadalupe Island, Ensenada, Mexico

Guadalupe Island
Guadalupe Island

If cage diving with great white sharks is on your bucket list, plan your Ensenada vacation between July and November, when you can board a Nautilus liveaboard vessel for an adventure of a lifetime on Guadalupe Island Mexico City. Your adventure includes 5 days on board the ship and the opportunity to spend up to 2 hours per day in the cages, which are lowered to around 30 meters below the ocean’s surface, where great white sharks can be found. Face one of the world’s most feared predators in a safe and natural environment with the assistance of an experienced divemaster at estero beach.

Phone: 604-241-1918, 169 East Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33131

7. Ensenada, Mexico: Hussong’s Cantina

Hussong's Cantina
Hussong’s Cantina

No trip to Ensenada would be complete without a stop at the historic Hussong’s Cantina, widely regarded as the birthplace of the margarita. The noisy, crowded, and sawdust-floored cantina, located in an old stagecoach inn, offers an authentic Mexican pub vibe, with at least one live band and many visitors and locals enjoying the atmosphere. You should not leave without trying a signature Margarita; it is believed that the now-popular drink was invented in this cantina in 1941 for a visiting daughter of a German ambassador and named in her honor.

Hussong’s Cantina is located at Av. Ruiz 113, Zona Centro, 22800 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and can be reached at +52-64-61-78-32-10.

8. Ensenada, Mexico: Juan More Taco Food Tours

Juan More Taco Food Tours
Juan More Taco Food Tours

Signing up for a Juan More Taco Food Tour, which combines the delectable flavors of Mexico with a fun and informative walking tour of Ensenada, is a treat for foodies. When it comes to trying local flavors, visitors often don’t know where to begin, which is why you should aim to go on your food tour right at the start of your vacation – you will undoubtedly discover several great eateries to return to.

The walking tour lasts about 2.5 hours and takes you through local neighborhoods as well as downtown Ensenada, where you will learn about local culture and history and sample some of the best food in town .

Ensenada’s Boardwalk Fountain, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Phone: +52-3-22-21-70-42-77, Juan More Taco Food Tours

9. Ensenada, México La Bufadora

México La Bufadora
México La Bufadora

La Bufadora is one of North America’s largest blow holes and one of Ensenada’s most popular tourist attractions. The force of the waves, which trap air inside an underwater cave, causes the powerful marine geyser. As the waves recede, the trapped air is released as a massive spout of water, which can reach 100 feet in height.

The entire spectacle is repeated every few minutes, and standing at the edge of the viewing platform increases your chances of getting soaked. La Bufadora is at its best at high tide, so if you’re driving yourself, it’s worth checking the tide times ahead of time.

Punta Banda, La Bufadora, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

10.Ensenada, Mexico Attractions: La Guerrerense

La Guerrerense
La Guerrerense

La Guerrerense is an Ensenada institution, a humble food cart that has been serving up fresh and fantastic seafood since 1960, and has been dubbed the “Best Food Cart in the World” by fans and even celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. You can expect to eat delicious shrimp, octopus, ceviche tostadas, and other dishes.

There is very little seating (just a few plastic chairs and tables scattered around the cart), but the usually long lines waiting to order attest to La Guerrerense’s popularity. If you want a wider selection, get there early – favorites frequently sell out by the time they close at 6:00pm. They also sell a wide range of famous homemade salsas at San Francisco.

Av. Adolfo Lopez Mateos 917, Zona Centro, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico 22800

11.Las Canadas Canopy Tour, Ensenada, Mexico

Las Canadas Canopy Tour
Las Canadas Canopy Tour

The Las Canadas Canopy Tour, which is part of the Las Canadas Campground, is an exciting zipline adventure that will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your Ensenada vacation at playa ensenada. The canopy tour consists of five distinct zipline sectors, two of which are more than a quarter mile long. Five hanging bridges connect the sections, each requiring a unique set of balancing strategies.

You will begin your adventure at the central tower, where you will be strapped into your harness and taken for a bird’s eye view of the stunning surroundings. There are safes where you can store your valuables.

Canopy Tour Las Canadas, Carretera Ensenada KM 31.5, La Paz, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Phone: +52-64-61-53-10-55

12.Ensenada, Mexico Attractions: Maya Cacao

Maya Cacao
Maya Cacao

Chocolate is mentioned in ancient Mayan scripts as far back as 3,500 years, when the gods are said to have brought the first cacao beans to the Mayans. Since then, the cacao bean has been revered as a divine food. During your visit to Maya Cacao, you will learn about the cacao bean’s history and legend, see where the trees are grown, and sample fresh beans straight from the pod. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a 60-minute hands-on chocolate making demonstration, as well as sample a traditional Mayan chocolate drink and other chocolate samples.

914 Alvarado Ave, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Phone: +52-64-61-56-51-33

13.History Museum of Ensenada, Ensenada, Mexico

History Museum of Ensenada
History Museum of Ensenada

History buffs will enjoy spending time at the Ensenada Museum of History, which is part of the Riviera Cultural Center. The museum focuses on the history of the Baja Peninsula and the people who have helped shape it into what it is today. You will learn about the impact that European missionaries and explorers had on local indigenous populations. Despite its small size, the museum’s history is well documented, and there are narratives in both Spanish and English . The museum also has a library, a photo library, a shop, and guided tours are available.

Centro Cultural, Riviera Blvd, Zona Centro CP 22820, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Phone: +52-64-61-77-05-94

14. Ensenada Regional Historical Museum, Mexico

Ensenada Regional Historical Museum
Ensenada Regional Historical Museum

It’s difficult to find two history museums in the same town, and the Regional Historical Museum is frequently confused with the Ensenada Museum of History, which is housed in the Riviera Cultural Center. The Regional Historical Museum is housed in what was once the local prison, with several exhibits set up in former cells in one of Ensenada’s oldest structures.

The museum exhibits the history, culture, and landscape of Baja California, and you can view bones and fossils dating back millions of years as you walk through. In addition to its permanent collections, the museum occasionally hosts visiting exhibitions.

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Regional Historical Museum, Av. Gastelum, Colonia Centro, CP 22800.

15.Ensenada Riviera, Ensenada, Mexico

Ensenada Riviera
Ensenada Riviera

The Riviera Center is Ensenada’s cultural hub, housing the Ensenada Museum of History in a historic building that was once the Riviera Del Pacifico Resort and Casino. The building, which contains many examples of ornate woodwork, local tiles, beautiful painted ceilings, and ornate chandeliers, will be of interest to both history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. Joining one of the daily docent-led tours, which are available in English, is the best way to fully appreciate what you are seeing. The complex is surrounded by lovely manicured gardens, which are also worth seeing.

Ensenada Riviera, Lazaro Cardenas 1421, Bahia Ensenada, Mexico, 22880 Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

16.Sergio’s Sportfishing, Ensenada, Mexico

Sergio's Sportfishing
Sergio’s Sportfishing

Sergio’s Sportfishing has been welcoming enthusiastic fishermen (and women) on board their fleet of custom-built sport fishing vessels since 1997. The outfitter specializes in 6-hour to full-day deep-sea sport fishing excursions to Punta Banda, Todos Santos Island, and San Miguel Reef, with a large fleet of boats capable of accommodating groups of 3 to 30 people.

On board, you’ll find everything you need for a thrilling day of fishing, including a fish-finder, live bait, rods, reels, and sinkers. In addition to sport fishing, the vessels can be chartered for a scenic cruise along the beautiful shoreline or for hosting an on-board party or celebration.

Sergio’s Sportfishing is located at Callejon Todos Santos, Centro, 22800, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and can be reached at +52-64-61-78-21-85.

17. Ensenada, Mexico, Skydive Baja

Skydive Baja
Skydive Baja

Sky diving isn’t for everyone, but if you’re a daredevil who enjoys this most extreme sport, you should definitely try a dive in Ensenada. Skydive Baja allows almost anyone to experience the thrill of jumping out of a plane or helicopter at a dizzying altitude of 12,000 feet. If you have never tried the sport before, you can get instruction on-site before embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure over the breathtaking Valle de Ojos Negros, which is only 45 minutes from Ensenada. Your skydive will include a thrilling 60-second freefall before opening your parachute and descending to Earth.

Skydive Baja is located at Carretare Ensenada San Felipe, Ojos Negros, 22771 Ensenada, B.C. Mexico, and can be reached at +52-64-61-07-66-28.

18.Ensenada Surf, Ensenada, Mexico

Ensenada Surf,
Ensenada Surf,

Your Ensenada vacation is the ideal time to learn to surf or improve your surfing skills with Surf Ensenada. Surf Ensenada provides personalized one-on-one private surfing lessons that will have you up and riding the waves in no time. A private lesson lasts approximately two hours and includes an on-land segment to familiarize newcomers with everything they need to know before hitting the water.

The lessons are appropriate for all ages, and you do not need to bring your own equipment; Surf Ensenada will supply everything you need, including a soft-top surf board, rash vest, wet suit, and even sunscreen. There are also group lessons available.

Ensenada, B.C. Mexico, Surf Ensenada, +52-64-61-94-08-46

19. The Opal Mine is one of the things to do in Ensenada, Mexico.

The Opal Mine
The Opal Mine

It’s difficult to resist buying some locally made jewelry while in Mexico, and the Opal Mine has a huge selection of beautiful pieces featuring Mexico’s national stone – the opal. There are hundreds of designs to choose from, as well as friendly staff to help you make your decision. To remind visitors of the origins of the beautiful polished stones, the interior of the jewelry store is designed to look like the inside of a genuine opal mine.

The store provides a while-you-wait jeweler for ring resizing, and the large selection ensures that there is something to suit all budgets. A one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry set with a genuine Mexican opal makes an excellent souvenir of your Ensenada vacation.

The Opal Mine is located at Lazaro Cardenas, Zone Centro, 22800 Ensenada, B.C., Mexico, and can be reached at +52-64-61-78-27-38.

20. Valley Girl Wine Tours is one of the things to do in Ensenada, Mexico.

Valley Girl Wine Tours
Valley Girl Wine Tours

The best way to maximize your Valle de Guadalupe wine experience is to book a private tour with Valley Girl Wine Tours. You will not only have the services of a driver (so you can drink as much wonderful wine as you want), but you will also have the added benefit of seeing the vineyards and wineries through the eyes of your knowledgeable guide. Tours are tailored to your specific wine preferences, and most tours include visits (and tastings) to at least three wineries, an artisan cheesery, and lunch at a fantastic restaurant.

Valley Girl Wine Tours, Street with No Name at Heaven’s Entrance, Ensenada, 22755, Mexico, +52-64-61-08-78-15

21.Things to Do in Ensenada, Mexico: ATV Ensenada

Adventurers looking for a truly unique tour can spend a day of fun and excitement with ATV Ensenada, which offers a variety of interesting tours on all-terrain vehicles. You will be able to drive your own ATV (or be a passenger on a two-seater vehicle), and the tour itineraries will cater to all interests. The ATV Wine Tour includes exciting trail riding as well as visits to up to four wineries. Choose the ATV Mountain Tour or the ATV Zip Line Combo Tour if you want more action. Nature lovers may prefer to take the ATV Blow Hole Tour or the ATV Hot Springs Tour to see one of Ensenada’s top attractions.

Avenue Castillo & Boulevard Costero, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Phone: +52-64-61-51-94-29

22.Ensenada, Mexico Attractions: Baja Blue Diver

The wonderful underwater world that awaits you offshore is one of Ensenada’s most popular attractions. Even if you’ve never tried snorkeling or scuba diving before, Baja Blue Diver provides beginner lessons that will have you enjoying the incredible wealth of marine life in no time. The company provides scuba diving tours, snorkeling excursions, hose dives, and kayaking tours, and will combine multiple adventures if desired. Most tours include a traditional Mexican lunch, and if you join the tour from a visiting cruise ship, the company guarantees that you will be returned to your ship on time.

Phone: +52-64-61-02-23-64 Baja Blue Diver, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

23.Ensenada, Mexico Attractions: Desert Nest Zipline

When you need a break from Empanada’s beaches and watersports, head to Desert Nest Zipline in El Sauzal for an exciting zipline adventure. The mountain-top adventure park consists of a 3.6-kilometer-long circuit of five ziplines (11,811 feet). One of the safety features is the use of double parallel cables, and you will be securely strapped into a type of seat as you “fly” off the mountain on the ride of your life. The views of the surrounding countryside and the ocean are spectacular, and you can warm up by crossing the swaying suspension bridge before attempting the zipline. The zipline ride requires a minimum weight of 45kg (99 lb.).

Desert Nest Zipline is located in El Sauzal, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, and can be reached at +52-64-61-74-65-95.

FAQs about Things to Do in Ensenada MX

Is it worthwhile to visit Ensenada?

Ensenada is an excellent destination for a day trip from San Diego or as part of a longer trip through Mexico. There are many interesting things to do and fantastic places to eat that will make your trip memorable.

What is the reputation of Ensenada, Mexico?

Because it is one of the entry points to the Wine Route in Baja California, Ensenada is known as the “Capital del Vino Mexicano.” It is the largest municipality in Mexico due to its great physical geography, flora and fauna. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortés.

Can you swim on the beaches of Ensenada?

Ensenada has no beaches, but beaches north and south of town are suitable for swimming, sunning, surfing, and camping. Summer and holiday weekends see a surge in population, but the town never feels overcrowded. Ensenada attracts visitors who want to experience a more traditional Mexican city.

Is there a drug cartel in Ensenada, Mexico?

The two cartels and their local allies and vassal groups compete for extortion of the sport fishing industry and fish sales to restaurants and hotels in Baja California’s large Ensenada-Rosarito fisheries.

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