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Ensenada Basics

With a population of 460,000, Ensenada is the third largest city in the State of Baja California Norte, after Tijuana and Mexicali. Ensenadans call their town La Bella Cenicienta del Pacifico (the Cinderella of the Pacific). Ensenada has the only deep water port in Baja California, and is part of standard shipping routes that directly link the town with the Mexican port cities of La Paz, Mazatlan, Manzanillo and Acapulco, as well as ports in the U.S., Asia and South America. Ensenada's port also hosts a naval base.

Ensenada's economy is built around port commerce, tourism, fishing, manufacturing (the town has 6 major Maquiladora industrial parks) and agriculture. The town has been a major destination for weekend revelers from Southern California since the 1960's.

Ensenada has a climate much like that of San Diego. The cool Pacific current keeps summers mild, with average temperatures rising only into the mid-70s F, while the winter and spring months average 10° less.

First Impressions

Ensenada is a sprawling lowrise city that extends from the scrub-covered hills in the east down to the port and the Bahia de Todos Santos (All Saints Bay). The arid desert and sloping hills provide the background for Ensenada. There's often a haze over the city.

Your ship will dock at the industrial port. You know you're there when you can feel the wind off the world's largest Mexican flag, hoisted on an enormous flagpole on Ensenada's Malecon. It's an easy 10-minute walk to the main tourist street of Avenida Lopez Mateos. Taxis are available at the port.

Ensenada's city layout gives visitors an opportunity to investigate the city and the tourist zone without too much trouble. The Malecon--a walkway running along the bay for a half mile from Boulevard Azueta to Avenida Castillo--is where you'll find the sports-fishing piers, the aforementioned flag, the Plaza Civica with massive gold-painted busts of Mexican luminaries, and the Cruise Ship Terminal.

As you move inland, the next street is Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas, more commonly known as Boulevard Costero, and then Boulevard Lopez Mateos, which is also known as Calle 1. Remember that the Calles (Streets) run parallel with the bay, and the Avenidas (Avenues) run perpendicular to the bay.

Make sure to spend some time in the town dining, strolling and shopping or attending one of the town's many annual events. You can even buy a Luche Libre mask.

Time Zone

Ensenada is on Pacific Time, eight hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time during standard time, or seven hours during daylight savings time. In Mexico, daylight savings time begins on the first Sunday of April, and ends on the last Sunday of October.

Language

Spanish is universally spoken in Ensenada; all of the shopkeepers catering to tourists also speak English.

Currency

The Peso is Mexico's official currency, and uses the "$" sign to denote the peso amount. As of August 30, 2010, the exchange rate is roughly 13.00 Pesos per US dollar.Just be aware: larger notes (e.g., $500 Peso notes) are often difficult to change.

Banks and ATMs:

Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the downtown area of Ensenada. Some ATM machines dispense US dollars along with pesos. ATM machines in the city can be found at the following locations:

Citibank: At the Hotel Bahia, Blvd. Costero #850; and at Calle Gastelum #172; Citibank account holders are not charged an ATM transaction fee.
HSBC: at Gastelum and Calle 4
BBVA Bancomer: Ave. Juarez #1502.
Banamex: At the Cruise Port building.

See our Ensenada ATM map for the locations of the above ATMs.

Using US Dollars in Ensenada

As US dollars are widely accepted in Ensenada, you don't have to change your dollars into pesos. If you're using dollars alone, make sure to bring smaller denominations to pay for incidentals and taxi rides.

Weather

Ensenada has a climate more like that of Southern California than its sister cities on the Baja peninsula, enjoying warm, sunny days and cool evening breezes. Since the weather's nice, why not toast the day with a Margarita!

The cool Pacific current keeps summers mild. The average high temperature for the months of July, August and September is comfortable 75° F. The fall, winter and early spring are when the Santa Ana winds can blow from the east off the desert, producing temperatures in the high 80s F to low 90s F. The hottest days of the year are often in the middle of the winter.

Humidity hovers around 80% throughout the year. The average rainfall is 11 inches per year, mostly falling from December through March.

Ensenada Average Temperatures
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High - F	64	65	66	66	68	71	74	75	75	72	71	67
Avg High - C	17	18	18	18	20	21	23	23	23	22	21	19
Avg Low - F	45	46	48	52	54	57	61	62	60	55	49	46
Avg Low - C	7	7	8	11	12	13	16	16	15	12	9	7

Ensenada Average Precipitation
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg, Inches	1.9	1.5	1.5	0.8	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.3	1.2	1.7
Avg, mm	48	38	38	20	5	0	0	0	3	8	30	43

Ensenada Weather Forecast, Mexico

Keeping In Touch

Internet Cafes

Internet cafes in Ensenada are generally not very expensive, running from $10 to $50 pesos per hour, and a number of them can be found in the tourist zone. Here is a partial list:

Equinoxio Internet Cafe, Blvd Costero between Miramar & Macheros, a short walk from the port and cruise terminal. Open daily, year round. Rates are very reasonable.
The Lost Civilizations, Ave. Ruiz #168-2. Open daily, year round, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. Rates are very reasonable.
Maxicomm, Ave. Lopez Mateos & Miramar. Open daily, year round, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm. Rates are very reasonable.
Cafe Internet, located at Lopez Mateos #582, Plaza Mauina, 2nd Floor.
Internet Cafe, located at Av. Juarez No. 1449-8. Open Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and on Sunday from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Sanborns Cafe offers Wi-Fi in their restaurant. Located on Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas on the Plaza Marina, a short walk from the port and cruise terminal.

See our Ensenada Internet Cafes & Wi-Fi Hotspot Map for the locations of the above internet access points.

Finding US Newspapers

You can find US newspapers at the Mini Detalles convenience market in town.

Kindle Connectivity

In Ensenada, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through Telcel's 3-G coverage in the city.

Local Holidays & Festivals

The following local festivals, holidays and events are slated to take place in Ensenada in 2009:

Ano Nuevo (New Year's Day), January 1. National holiday celebrated with dances and fiestas.
Dia de los Santos Reyes (Day of the Three Kings), January 6. A national holiday when children receive their Christmas gifts as well as shoes full of candy.
Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day), February 1. Public holiday commemorating the signing of the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The day is usually marked by festivals and street celebrations.
Carnaval (Mardis Gras), February 11 to 16. Pre-Lenten festival that's big in Mexico. The Carnaval in Ensenada attracts thousands of visitors who come to witness the lavish parades, regional foods, live music and dancing in the streets.
Birthday of Benito Juarez, March 15. A public holiday celebrating the birthday of Benito Juarez, who rose from humble origins to occupy the Presidency of the Republic in the second half of the 19th century.
Festival de las Conchas y el Vino Nuevo, April 23 to 25. A celebration of shellfish enjoyed while sampling the new wines from the Guadalupe Valley wineries. Takes place in the Guadalupe Valley wine country.
Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, April 23 to 25. This year celebrates 61 years of yacht racing between Newport and Ensenada.
Spring Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride, April 17. The Spring entry of this 50-mile Baja Coast classic. There's a large fiesta in Ensenada at the finish.
Primero de Mayo (Labor Day), May 1. A national holiday.
Cinco de Mayo, May 5. A national Mexican holiday that commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when the Mexican army defeated a French force twice its size just south of Mexico City.
Festival del Caballo, Arte y Vino, May 23. Taking place in the Guadalupe Valley, this festival features equestrian and charreria exhibitions, live music, folkloric and flamenco dancers, arts and crafts, wine tasting and regional cuisine sampling. Buy your tickets well in advance.
Tecate SCORE Baja 500, June 4 to 6. The annual off-road race through the desert of Baja California.
Mexico International Volleyball Tournament, June 26 to 27. This, the 35th year of the Tournament, is the largest beach volleyball tournament anywhere, hosting several thousand amateur and professional players from around the world.
Fiesta de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival), August 6 to 22. Two weeks of wine tasting, music and gourmet cooking, featuring the wines and wineries of the Guadalupe Valley.
Independence Day, September 15 to 16. The 200th annual celebration of Mexico's War of Independence against Spain. Look for the delivery of the "El Grito de Dolores," the offical grunt that marks the day.
Fall Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride, September 25. The Fall entry of this 50-mile Baja Coast classic. There's a large fiesta in Ensenada at the finish.
Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day), October 12. Dia de la Raza is how Mexico celebrates Columbus Day.
Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), November 1 to 2. A day when celebrants honor the deceased. In the town center (Zocalo) and at nearby cemeteries, locals will celebrate with music and decorate shrines with flowers and photos. Acapulco hosts a non-stop procession of parades and musical fiestas throughout the town.
Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, November 17-21. Annual off-road vehicle race covering the rough terrain of Baja California.
Revolution Day, November 22. A national holiday celebrating the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
Fiesta de la Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), December 8. Marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration season.
Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe), December 12. Commemorates the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint. In Acapulco, they have street parties, carnival rides, contemporary and folk music concerts, dancing and parties. It's a festive occasion.
Navidad (Christmas Day), December 25. A public and religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.

Cruise Lines Making Port

Ensenada is a popular port for those ships making 3- and 4-day cruises from San Diego and Los Angeles and to Avalon. Cruise ships arrive in Ensenada 2 to 3 days per week.

The following cruise lines make port in Ensenada: