Port Description

Where You're Docked

Cruise ships share an industrial harbor with commercial and sport fishing fleets, shipping containers, and tankers.

Getting Around

The cruise-ship pier is within easy walking distance of Avenida Lopez Mateos, the main tourist zone for shopping and dining. Alternatively, taxis and shuttles are available at the dock to take passengers on the short ride downtown. Taxis are also available at corner stands along Avenida Lopez Mateos.

What to See and Do

Riviera del Pacifico: Standing inside this elegant Spanish/Moorish building, one can imagine Bing Crosby crooning to Xavier Cugat's Orchestra. Originally owned by boxing champ Jack Dempsey, this former casino catered to Americans during the Prohibition. Today, it's a cultural center, used for weddings and receptions and mariachi and dance performances.

Mercado de Mariscos (Malecon at Av Alvarado): Admire the day's catch, including yellowtail, tuna, albacore, and marlin, at Ensenada's popular outdoor fish market by the sport fishing pier.

Avenida Lopez Mateos and Boulevard Costero: These two parallel streets near the waterfront are lined with shops, from Mexican liquor and duty-free perfume to woven blankets, leather goods, pottery, and silver jewelry. Among the nicest for Taxco silver jewelry are Los Castillo and Mario's Silver Shop (Lopez Mateos 815 and 1090). For black pottery of Oaxaca, there's Colores de Mexico (Lopez Mateos 1094) and for Mata Ortiz pottery, Galleria de Perez Meillon (Centro Artesanal, Blvd. Costero 1094).

Plaza Civica: Known locally as Three Heads Park, this shady plaza features giant, gold painted busts of three of Mexico's most revered heroes--Miguel Hidalgo, Benito Juarez, and Venustiano Carranza.

Best Choice for Movie Buffs: Foxploration, 20th Century Fox's working movie studio is located in Rosarita, an hour's drive south of Ensenada. Props, sets, and costumes are on display from movies like Titanic and Planet of the Apes. At Cinemagico, visitors try their hand at film-making and special effects. Duration: 5 1/2 hours. Price: $29 for adults; $24 for children.

Best Choice for Nature Lovers: Feel the ocean spray from La Bufadora, one of just three continuous tidal blowholes in the world located south of town. Caveat: while the blow can be dramatic, Mother Nature does not always cooperate. Price: $25-$27.

Best Choice for Golfers: The rugged coastline twenty miles north of Ensenada supplies a dramatic ocean views at Bajamar, dubbed "Pebble Beach South of the Border." The twenty-seven-hole, Scottish links style layout includes the Lagos, Vista, and newer Oceano courses. Duration: approximately 5 hours. Price: $97 - $125.

Where to Eat and Drink

Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, enjoyed between 1 - 4pm. Restaurants catering to tourists use menus printed in English; local eateries combine Spanish and English. No menus are necessary for the popular street vendors selling churros (deep fried dough dipped in sugar and cinnamon) and fish tacos.

Seafood: For fine seafood and dramatic ocean views, reserve a table at Punta Morro (1.5 miles north of the city at Punta Morro Hotel 800-526-6676).

Mexican: Hungry vaqueros head to Bronco's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner where mesquite-grilled steaks are the specialty (Av Lopez Mateos 1525).

Happy Hour: Near Hussong's Cantina, Papas & Beer (Av Ruiz 102) attracts a rowdy college crowd and stays open until 3am. For a quieter setting, visit the Bar Andaluz at the Riviera del Pacifico.

Brunch: The restaurant at Las Rosas Hotel is a local favorite, serving Mexican and international dishes (north of town on Highway 1, 174-4360).

Staying in Touch

Several downtown Internet cafes offer affordable access: Internet Cafe (Av Juarez 1449-8); La Casa de Internet (Av Madheros 275 at Calle 3); KFE Internet (Av Riveroll 724). Typical charges are $3 to $5 per hour.