You’ve likely landed here because you’ve got a cruise with a stop in Ensenada, Mexico. Congratulations; we love Ensenada! With that said, there are many cruisers out there that have negative things to say about this port. Well, have no fear. We’re here to steer you in the right direction to make sure you maximize your time in port and have the best time. That’s why we created our Ensenada Cruise Port Guide: Top Things to Do & See.
Ensenada Cruise Port Overview
Ensenada is known as the “Cinderella of the Pacific.” Much like the fairytale Cinderella, Ensenada was once overlooked compared to larger, more glamorous Mexican ports. However, that’s all changed. It’s a vibrant coastal city located just 70 miles south of the U.S. border in Baja California, Mexico.
This popular cruise port sits along the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most accessible international destinations for travelers sailing from Southern California. Founded in the late 1800s, Ensenada quickly grew as a hub for fishing, winemaking, and tourism. Today it’s celebrated for its fresh seafood, lively markets, and nearby Valle de Guadalupe wine country. With a blend of Mexican culture, rich history, and beautiful natural landscapes, Ensenada offers cruisers plenty to explore in a single port day.
Top 4 Things to Do in Ensenada Cruise Port on Your Cruise
While Ensenada is known for its touristy party scene, there are many other things that make this cruise port wonderful. Here are our Top 4 favorite things to do and see in Ensenada.
Wine Country Tour | Tequila Tasting | Spa Day | Ensenada Party Scene
Wine Country Tour in Valle de Guadalupe (Top Pick)
As mentioned, Ensenada has become known as a destination for wine-lovers. In fact, neighboring Guadalupe Valley has been called the “Napa Valley of Mexico” producing between 75-90% of all Mexican wine. So, if you’re a wine connoisseur, a wine country tour is a GREAT way to spend your day. That said, a wine tour is great for beginners, too. The tour covers how wine is produced, the best way to taste wine, and of course, comes with plenty of samples.
If this sounds like a fun way to spend the day, and you’re sailing on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or NCL, you’re in luck! The cruise operators provide excursions that include transportation to Guadalupe Valley with visits to two different wineries. Here’s what you can expect on the excursion, according to Carnival:
L.A. Cetto Winery: Welcome to L.A. Cetto Winery, well known for delicious wines and a must do for wine lovers. Enjoy a 30-minute guided tour of the winery, learn about the wine making process, including crushing of grapes, fermentation, pressing, aging and bottling and other surprises. You will get to taste four different wines (reds and whites) and receive a free bottle of wine.
La Casa de Doña Lupe: Taste selected wines served with assorted cheeses and biscuits. Try more than 30 kinds of fruit jams, cheese, bread, olive pate, cream liqueurs, jalapeno & avocado dips, and a wide variety of cream cheese mixes. You can also visit the winery’s store, where you may purchase these wines at considerable savings.
How to Book an Ensenada Wine Tour
We’ve done this excursion multiple times. In fact, we’ve introduced friends and family to the Guadalupe Valley and everyone has absolutely loved their time. It’s our Top Pick for a visit to Ensenada.
To book, visit the excursions page for your cruise line or check with the Excursion Desk once on board.
Carnival: Wine Country Tour – Free Bottle of Wine!
Royal Caribbean: Wine Tasting Tours in Ensenada
Norwegian Cruise Line: Wine Country
Cruise Tip: Because several of these tours offer a free bottle of wine to take home, we highly recommend picking up some Wine Diapers to safely transport your wine home. They’re sold in 3- and 6-packs which also allows you to pick up an extra bottle or two as a souvenir!
Tequila Tasting in Ensenada
Ok, so maybe wine isn’t your drink of choice. That’s ok. Truthfully, when cruisers think about Ensenada or Mexico, most think about tequila anyway. And for good reason.
Mexico is world-famous for tequila because it’s the birthplace of this iconic spirit. True tequila can only be made in specific regions of Mexico, primarily the state of Jalisco, using the blue agave plant. The tradition dates back to the 16th century when Spanish settlers adapted indigenous methods of fermenting agave into what eventually became tequila. Over centuries, the craft was perfected and passed down through generations, making tequila not just a drink, but a deep part of Mexico’s cultural identity. Today, it carries a protected designation of origin (similar to Champagne in France), which means if it’s called tequila, it must come from Mexico. That’s why when cruisers think of Mexico, tequila naturally comes to mind.
Ensenada is home to some fantastic tequila tastings, where you’ll learn about the history, traditions, and distilling process. From smooth blancos to rich añejos, local experts guide you through the different styles and proper tasting techniques. Many excursions even pair tequila with regional bites like tacos or fresh ceviche. This makes it both fun and flavorful. Whether you’re a tequila connoisseur or just curious to try something new, sampling this iconic drink is a lively way to experience authentic Mexican culture during your port day.
Hacienda Doña Engracia Tequila Tasting in Ensenada
While all of the cruise lines offer Tequila Tasting Excursions, there’s actually a great option that’s about a 10-minute walk from port that we love. Hacienda Doña Engracia is unique in that it offers both Tequila Flights along with Margarita Flights! It’s perfect if you’re traveling with someone that isn’t necessarily looking to taste straight-up tequila. And I can personally confirm, both the Tequila Flight and Margarita Flight are wonderful!
There’s also a museum where you can take a tour and learn more about tequila production and the history of the spirit. I might recommend doing this first so you can ask the bartender any questions you have after the tour. Plus, you’ll have a fighting chance to remember some things if you do the tour before the tequila!
The best part about Hacienda Doña Engracia is that it’s next door to a taco shop. Tequilera Tacos & Grill has lots of options for everyone to try. We loved the chips and salsa and tacos. The guacamole was good and fresh with wonderful color. To find Tequilera Tacos & Grill, use Google Maps to guide you there: Av. Alvarado 118, Zona Centro, 22800 Ensenada, B.C., Mexico.
Sounds like a perfect day in Mexico to me. Get your got your fill of margaritas and tequila, and then head over for some chips and salsa and local tacos. Yum.
Cruise Tip: You’ll have the option to take home a couple bottles of tequila at reasonable prices. We definitely recommend picking up a couple Wine Diapers to safely transport your tequila home!
Relax with a Spa Day in Ensenada
If relaxation is more your speed, then Ensenada has a bunch of options for you. As you walk through the touristy section of town, you’ll be approached multiple times by locals offering massage services. And while most are skilled at their job, the location of their shop is sometimes above busy store fronts or restaurants.
Our favorite spot to get a massage or manicure/pedicure is Relaxation and Beauty Spa. It’s about a 15-20 minute walk from where the cruise ship docks (less if you take the shuttle into town). The spa is in its own dedicated building, so you don’t have the distractions you might in the busier parts of town.
We also appreciate that prices are listed in USD, so there’s no need to do conversions in your head. To give you an idea on pricing, when we went earlier this year we each got a 60-minute massage for $40 per person. Had we opted for the 60-minute pedicure instead, it would have been just $30! I dare you to compare that pricing to the spa on your cruise ship. 😉 Plus, they accept Visa and Mastercard making it easy to pay.
Ensenada’s Downtown Party Scene
Of course, we have to mention Ensenada’s vibrant party scene. The downtown area is just a quick shuttle ride from port, or a 25-minute walk. Here you’ll find bar after bar. Restaurant after restaurant. And touristy shop after shop. You’ll likely also be asked about 20 times if you want a massage, but check out our Spa Day section for a better option.
If you get tired along your way, not to fear, you’ll find plenty of “Club OXXO” convenience stores. Here, you’ll be able to pick up waters, beers, and liquors as you make your way across town.
The most well-known of all of the bars and cantinas for cruise passengers is Papas & Beer. So much so that they even have a dedicated “Cruise Party” page on their website! In fact, they even have a shuttle that’ll pick you up from the cruise pier (as long as you reach out in advance). Papas & Beer also have Cruise Party Packages that you can pre-purchase. As of the time of this writing, $55 gets you 10 beers, 6 tequila shots, and 1 Fresh guacamole at your table; sweet!
While you can definitely expect to pay tourist pricing on cocktails, it’s still Mexico. Prices will absolutely be less expensive than they are on your ship, and all of the bars and restaurants know that.
Before you head back to your ship, be sure to check out some of the local souvenir shops. And if you’re still hungry, there are many restaurants in the area. But cruise tip: Be wary of restaurants that have someone standing outside trying to pull you in. If the patio or restaurant is empty, there’s a reason. Keep going.
Final Thoughts: Ensenada Cruise Port Guide
While many cruisers know Ensenada as a “big party” and may even have a negative opinion on the cruise port, I hope our Ensenada Cruise Port Guide: Top Things to Do & See gave you some new options to consider on your cruise. Of course, your cruise line will offer many excursions you can choose from as well.
There’s so much to do and see in Ensenada and we’d love to hear from you! Did you check out any of our recommendations? Do you have any of your own? Leave us a comment below to let us know.
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Here’s to your fun and exciting visit to the Cinderella of the Pacific!