Spotlight: Ensenada, Mexico

 Spotlight: Ensenada is situated on the Pacific Coast of Baja California, Mexico. Ensenada has a population of more than 280,000, making it the third-largest city in Baja California. The city is an important international trade center and home to the Port of Ensenada, the second-busiest port in Mexico. Due to its warm climate and proximity to the California cruise ports (67 miles south of the border), Ensenada is a major tourist destination. Ensenada was founded in 1882, when the small community of Rancho Ensenada de Santos was made the regional capital for the northern partition of the Baja California. The city grew significantly with the proliferation of mines in the surrounding mountains. The onset of Prohibition in the U.S. transformed the city into a popular tourist destination for Americans seeking entertainment and alcohol. Today, Ensenada is a major economic and cultural hub for Baja California. Ensenada is also home to the famous Baja 1000 off-road race every November, and the Baja 500 off-road race every June.

The Baja 500

Activities: La Bufadora is a popular tourist attraction on the Punta Banda Peninsula, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) south of the city. The blowhole is a natural phenomenon that is sometimes referred to as a marine geyser, but doesn’t have a thermal source as geysers do. The spout of seawater is the result of air trapped in an underwater sea cave, which explodes as a flume of sea water up to 100 feet (30 meters) into the air. Since the blowhole is the result of the rhythmic waves as they batter the coastline, eruptions occur approximately every 15 seconds, though some are much larger than others. An ancient legend to explain the phenomenon states that a whale got trapped in the rocky point and spouted water to attract the attention of its pod. Eventually the whale was turned to stone and remains fixed there to this day. 

Approaching the Bufadora

Eruptions reach up to 100 feet high

Wave entering the base of the Bufadora

     

Waiting for the next eruption

Close-up view

     The path down to the blowhole is lined with stalls of venders selling touristy items: T-shirts, hats, jewelry, knick-knacks, food items, etc. Most of these items are relatively inexpensive, compared to prices of U.S. tourist shops, especially if you know how to bargain for a better deal, however the venders are much more aggressive (especially if you show some interest).

Checking out the Souvenirs

- Location: Punta Banda Peninsula (35-40 kilometers south of Ensenada); take HWY 1 south from Ensenada toward Maneadero, and follow signs to the coast.

- Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily

- Cost: Tours range from $25 - $65 USD; taxis to the site are usually about $25-$35 USD (500-650 MXN) each way, though you can often find cheaper rates going down than back to Ensenada. Parking will be 50-100 Mexican pesos, but there is no entrance fee.

Things You Should Know: If you use public restrooms, make sure that you have cash, because they do charge for toilet paper (usually about $1 USD).

- Many cruise lines offer guided excursions to the Bufadora. However, if you are fluent in Spanish, you can hire your own transportation down to the Bufadora. If you do so, make sure that you have a way back. While it is easy to hire an Uber or taxi to get down there, it is practically impossible to get an Uber to come pick you up for the return trip (believe me, I tried). Even if you have an agreement with the driver to wait for you for the return trip, there is no guarantee that he will wait if someone else offers him more while you’re out of sight. I know this from personal experience. Luckily, we hadn’t yet paid him for our return trip. There are a few taxis who park there waiting for passengers in similar situations, but they are well aware of the principles of supply and demand, and charge more than twice as much for the return trip – if you have cash. Most taxis won't take credit cards!

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Activities: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadelupe serves as the headquarters for the Diocese of Ensenada. It was built from 1951-1984 in the Spanish Colonial style, making it look older than it really is. Some of the artwork that beautifies the cathedral include a statue of Christ the King, which stands atop of a pillar to the side of the sanctuary, and five paintings of Our Lady Guadelupe by Jose Lizaola.

The Cathedral of our Lady Guadelupe

Spanish Colonial style architecture

The entrance to the Cathedral

- Location: The Cathedral is located at the intersection of Calle 6ta (Sexta) and Avenida Floresta in Colonia Obrera, a neighborhood of Ensenada.

- Hours: The Cathedral opens for daily Mass and Rosary times; the best time to visit if after Mass on weekdays

- Cost: free, though you are welcome to donate

- Things You Should Know: The Cathedral is usually only open shortly before service times, and for a short time afterwards.

- Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Nearby: - The Pai Pai Ecoturism Park is 20 kilometers south of Ensenada (along the route to the Bufadora). The park offers ecotourism adventures, animal encounters, and ziplining.

Las Canadas Canopy Tour is about 24.3 kilometers south of Ensenada. The Adventure park features hiking and ziplining.

Islas de Todos Santos (All Saints Islands) are located about 9 miles off the coast of Ensenada on the outer edge of All Saints Bay. You’ll have to rent a boat to get there, but it offers some of the largest surfable waves in North America.

The Valle de Guadelupe is located 41.4 kilometers north of Ensenada. This valley is famous for its many grape vineyards, and accompanying wineries.