So glad I found this review. We will be visiting Ensenada for the first time on Navigator of the Seas this October. All I have seen is either vlogs of where to get drunk, Bufadora, or people complaining about the port. It's refreshing to see someone present some viable options within walking distance and to have such a positive attitude while doing it. I will definitely check out more of your vlogs!
Well, that just made my day! That's exactly what we aim to do with our reports, so thank you so much for your kind words. We'll keep making videos and growing. Have an awesome time. Check out our other Ensenada video, where we rented car. A mixed experience to say the least!
Thank you for this! We’re going on the RC this summer and since we have a toddler with us, we aren’t interested in any excursions. This is super helpful.
1st (Primera / Adolfo Mateos) is just a horrible place while ships are in port, but it really improves after 4:30pm once the boats leave. I never found a decent restaurant there, but there are some fun bars. I'm surprised you didn't include any wine tasting at the Bodega de Santo Tomas plaza, visiting any of the amazing craft breweries like Heisenberg or Wendlandt, or checking out one of the many restaurants featuring regional cuisine. One of the best Birria stands in Ensenada is right behind Fenix, and there are some incredible stands and restaurants on 5th Street (Av. Juarez). There's tons of great shopping on 5th/Juarez and you'll get a better taste of what the city is actually like there. Ensenada is also a great place to get a massage for half the price of the US, or visit a barber shop like Gaspar's and only pay $7 for a great cut. It's also worth noting that Ensenada is safer than basically any American city - unless you're exploring the illegal side of Mexico, the worst thing that's going to happen is a sunburn.
Thanks for all the great info! We want to feature more hidden spots, so this is great input for the next time. It's kinda of a bummer for us about alcohol; my wife is allergic and I can't drink due to a medical condition. 🙃 Still, the massage and haircut suggestions are great and will take note. BTW, we rented a car on our last trip and planned to drive around the wine country to check out some restaurants and the scenery, we got stuck in La Bufadora due to a traffic accident. Still, there's plenty to do here!
@@ThePortLowdown Many of the wineries make incredible olive oils which you can sample (also makes a great gift). Wendlandt Brewery just outside of town has in incredible food and amazing ocean views. The Valle is absolutely gorgeous even if you don’t drink, and you can cruise up to Tecate in 90ish minutes and eat at Restaurante Faro and dessert at El Buen Pan. My personal favorite restaurant in the Valle is Fauna, it was rated as Best in Mexico last year (and #5 in all of Latin America), so you’ll need to make reservations weeks/months in advance.
@@ThePortLowdown Nope, haven’t been. A couple other suggestions back in Ensenada - Lunaris chocolate is a tiny craft chocolatier in SE Ensenada, lovely owner and amazing chocolates. There’s also an organic farmers market behind Bar Andaluz monthly. Isla de Oro has delicious Mexican-Chinese food. La Mexicana is THE place to shop for home and kitchen goods, the vendors on Primera resell a lot of stuff from La Mexicana like molcajetes and tortilla presses. Also as an X factor, Ensenada has fantastic dental care from English speaking dentists.
I meant to, but it was closed. In fact, the whole street was shut off from a festival the night before! Just my luck! Barricades blocked the whole street, I tried getting a shot from the outside, but I could barely see the sign. Anyway, I'll be sure to check it out next time!
Adolfo Lopez Mateos has stores all along its length, selling pretty similar stuff. There's a mix of higher end along with the knock off shops. I didn't personally look for a shirt there, but that's where I'd go to look. Hope that helps. I think Hussongs sells souvenirs too, but it was closed when we were there.
@mikej8812 We got one in Cozumel (a skull island design which was pretty cool). It's funny when I forget about the changing and people say "what happened to your shirt"?
@@ThePortLowdown victor's is a new restaurant but it has very good breakfast, and on the 2do street there is a little small pizza place super good it's about 12 years old it's called Stella
but prior to getting on to Long Beach because reason I am getting. complete headache over my passport will expire in two months so confuse to do and my cruise is June 28
You could use your birth certificate, but check. If you're only going to Mexico. Still, nit a good idea because in an emergency you won't be able to fly. The Birth certificate is when you have few options.
We were there Friday. We went Taco tasting. If you walk about 25 minutes up from the ship there are three popular stands. Floresta, Fenix, and Corona. Another 5 minutes and Castillo's. All were delicious! I googled before we left home and made a map. It was so fun .
You know, we're going back to Ensenada soon, and maybe I should do a Taco crawl video. Or at least feature some of these because those are just the local spots I love. I mean, La Guerrerense was good, but seemed overhyped.
@@ThePortLowdown We don't really eat desserts in port. Just local food. We did have a good margarita at El Corralito but we didn't eat there. (The pink place with all the $$ on the walls) People say the food is good there and it was busy. We were already full of Tacos!
Best review of walking around this port I have seen so far. Thank you
Thanks so much! I appreciate it.
So glad I found this review. We will be visiting Ensenada for the first time on Navigator of the Seas this October. All I have seen is either vlogs of where to get drunk, Bufadora, or people complaining about the port. It's refreshing to see someone present some viable options within walking distance and to have such a positive attitude while doing it. I will definitely check out more of your vlogs!
Well, that just made my day! That's exactly what we aim to do with our reports, so thank you so much for your kind words. We'll keep making videos and growing. Have an awesome time. Check out our other Ensenada video, where we rented car. A mixed experience to say the least!
La bufadora!
Very well explained, presented and understood! Thankyou
Thanks! We can't wait to go back and do some more exploring.
Looks very cool to Experience. 👍👍👍
Yep! The vibe was pretty relaxed. It was a good time!
Thanks very much for this video - I'll be visiting here mid August, so this was useful!
Glad you found it useful! Thanks so much!
Great video! Exactly what we are looking for in preparation for our cruise.
Perfect! Thanks so much and have an awesome time!
4:28 what does the ceiling paintings mean? They sure look straight out from a fairytale 😮
Honestly I don't know. They came as quite a surprise when we looked up. Enchanting for sure!
Thank you for this! We’re going on the RC this summer and since we have a toddler with us, we aren’t interested in any excursions. This is super helpful.
Quite welcome! When my son was little, travel was pretty challenging but fun at the same time. Have a great trip!
Great review!
Thanks so much!
Thank you for making this
You're quite welcome!
I’m going there very soon.
So will we! We'll be there this Saturday with Princess sailing out of LA.
how funny! I will just miss you. I think I go there on Tuesday on Carnival. @@ThePortLowdown
Right. That sails out of Long Beach, if I'm not mistaken. Have a great time!@@abbylondonmusic
Faltó en INAH al final de la calle 1ra, y bueno si tienen la posiblidad de moverse más lejos está la bufadora, el cañón de Doña Petra y playa hermosa
Opps, sorry about that. We hope to come back to try other points of interest. Thanks!
1st (Primera / Adolfo Mateos) is just a horrible place while ships are in port, but it really improves after 4:30pm once the boats leave. I never found a decent restaurant there, but there are some fun bars. I'm surprised you didn't include any wine tasting at the Bodega de Santo Tomas plaza, visiting any of the amazing craft breweries like Heisenberg or Wendlandt, or checking out one of the many restaurants featuring regional cuisine. One of the best Birria stands in Ensenada is right behind Fenix, and there are some incredible stands and restaurants on 5th Street (Av. Juarez). There's tons of great shopping on 5th/Juarez and you'll get a better taste of what the city is actually like there. Ensenada is also a great place to get a massage for half the price of the US, or visit a barber shop like Gaspar's and only pay $7 for a great cut. It's also worth noting that Ensenada is safer than basically any American city - unless you're exploring the illegal side of Mexico, the worst thing that's going to happen is a sunburn.
Thanks for all the great info! We want to feature more hidden spots, so this is great input for the next time. It's kinda of a bummer for us about alcohol; my wife is allergic and I can't drink due to a medical condition. 🙃
Still, the massage and haircut suggestions are great and will take note. BTW, we rented a car on our last trip and planned to drive around the wine country to check out some restaurants and the scenery, we got stuck in La Bufadora due to a traffic accident. Still, there's plenty to do here!
@@ThePortLowdown Many of the wineries make incredible olive oils which you can sample (also makes a great gift). Wendlandt Brewery just outside of town has in incredible food and amazing ocean views. The Valle is absolutely gorgeous even if you don’t drink, and you can cruise up to Tecate in 90ish minutes and eat at Restaurante Faro and dessert at El Buen Pan. My personal favorite restaurant in the Valle is Fauna, it was rated as Best in Mexico last year (and #5 in all of Latin America), so you’ll need to make reservations weeks/months in advance.
All that stuff has my name all over it. Thank you! Noted and noted! BTW, have been to the Wine making musuem there?
@@ThePortLowdown Nope, haven’t been.
A couple other suggestions back in Ensenada - Lunaris chocolate is a tiny craft chocolatier in SE Ensenada, lovely owner and amazing chocolates. There’s also an organic farmers market behind Bar Andaluz monthly. Isla de Oro has delicious Mexican-Chinese food. La Mexicana is THE place to shop for home and kitchen goods, the vendors on Primera resell a lot of stuff from La Mexicana like molcajetes and tortilla presses. Also as an X factor, Ensenada has fantastic dental care from English speaking dentists.
If we do another Ensenada video, we may just do your suggestions and give you a shout out! 🙂 Best to you!
i'm a Ensenadense and you forgot to go inside Hussongs Cantina over 134 years old , cool place
I meant to, but it was closed. In fact, the whole street was shut off from a festival the night before! Just my luck! Barricades blocked the whole street, I tried getting a shot from the outside, but I could barely see the sign. Anyway, I'll be sure to check it out next time!
@@ThePortLowdown you could go from the back, there is an other entrance
Ok, I'll keep that in mind. I can't drink alcohol anymore, unfortunately. Can I get anything virgin there?
@@ThePortLowdown yess you can i don't either at least not that much, so sometimes i just like a coca cola
Well, I try next time I'm there!
Best area of Ensenada to purchase a souvenir T-shirt? Will be there in Sept
Adolfo Lopez Mateos has stores all along its length, selling pretty similar stuff. There's a mix of higher end along with the knock off shops. I didn't personally look for a shirt there, but that's where I'd go to look. Hope that helps. I think Hussongs sells souvenirs too, but it was closed when we were there.
Go to la bufadora cool place
The shirts that are black and white and turn to full color in the sun are super cool. I don't know why Mexico is the only place you find them
@mikej8812 We got one in Cozumel (a skull island design which was pretty cool). It's funny when I forget about the changing and people say "what happened to your shirt"?
Did you go during the winter season?
Yes, in mid-February.
oh and the street adolfo mateos is called "THE FIRST STREET" by locals :)
Awesome, thanks for the info! BTW, can you recommend any specific restaurants on that street for my next outing?
@@ThePortLowdown victor's is a new restaurant but it has very good breakfast, and on the 2do street there is a little small pizza place super good it's about 12 years old it's called Stella
Awesome! I'll put that in my notes. Thanks!
do you need to show passport to get back on the boat
No, just show your cruise card or cruise ID.
That said, it's not a bad idea to carry an Id or take a picture of your passport in case you need it outside.
but prior to getting on to Long Beach because reason I am getting. complete headache over my passport will expire in two months so confuse to do and my cruise is June 28
@@ThePortLowdown I got a usa passport but it expires in aug 12. but my boat trip is June 24- June 28
You could use your birth certificate, but check. If you're only going to Mexico. Still, nit a good idea because in an emergency you won't be able to fly. The Birth certificate is when you have few options.
We were there Friday. We went Taco tasting. If you walk about 25 minutes up from the ship there are three popular stands. Floresta, Fenix, and Corona. Another 5 minutes and Castillo's. All were delicious! I googled before we left home and made a map. It was so fun .
You know, we're going back to Ensenada soon, and maybe I should do a Taco crawl video. Or at least feature some of these because those are just the local spots I love. I mean, La Guerrerense was good, but seemed overhyped.
@@ThePortLowdown We stopped there too. It was really good. Next time we will try the fish market.
BTW, do you have any ice cream or dessert recommendations?
@@ThePortLowdown We don't really eat desserts in port. Just local food. We did have a good margarita at El Corralito but we didn't eat there. (The pink place with all the $$ on the walls) People say the food is good there and it was busy. We were already full of Tacos!
Ok, thanks! Looking forward to Ensenada again!
'promo sm' 👍