Ensenada Travel Forum

OK, I've read all of the tips I've seen, but none seem to address my question.
My daughters (17 & 12) and I will be flying in to SAN in mid-July. Our flight doesn't arrive until after 9pm, so we plan to spend the night at a motel. We will be doing some volunteer work in Ensenada, but no one will be available to pick us up. They suggested renting a car and returning it four-five days later when they can go up there, but I don't want the expense and worry of renting a car for that long. I checked with some rental companies, and none do one way rentals into Mexico. I'm fine with taking the bus, but I'm not sure about bringing luggage.
Question 1: A lot of the tips say to take the trolley, then the bus, but would there be room on each for 3 big bags and 3 carry-ons?
Q2: Would it be better to stay at a motel nearer the airport, or nearer the border (remember we're arriving late...)
Q3: Any motel recommendations? We're not looking for a four star experience, just somewhere safe to sleep.

Thanks so much!
Michelle

Will be living in Punta Banda for two months. Yeah!!! I'm looking for a dance teacher in ensenada--salsa or tango. does anyone have any leads?

I have family renting a place in Ensenada for a couple of months, and hope to drive down to stay for a few days of beach related relaxation in early March.

My initial problem is deciding on a driving route from Albuquerque .... I have three crossings to choose from, but don't know the region well enough anymore to know which has the best roads for my needs ... do I want the toll roads or a normal highway? San Ysidro crossing? or Mexicali?

Hmmmm

Any ideas, or online maps resources would be appreciated :)

Oh, and I hope you are all having a marvelous holiday season!

Are the ABC busses from border to Ensenada air conditioned? Do they have washrooms onboard?

How readily available are taxis in Ensenada? Will I be able to hail one passing by, or will it require a phone call? I am considering taking a bus down instead of driving my car from southern California, and was just weighing my options.

Thanks,

Anthony

Hi,
I am going on on a cruise to Ensenada and would like to know if anyone would know the Saturday mass schedule.

Thank You,
Jim Farley

Could someone please tell me how far the cruise ship dock is from the tourist area of Ensenada? Is it walkable or do we need to take a taxi? Thanks for any help!

Hi, big thanks to everyone who posted info on Ensenada; it's been very helpful. I've read bus info on several posts & sites, but have yet to get any current information anywhere.

I have found out that the Mexicoach bus going from San Ysidro border to Ensenada stopped running recently, and that I will need to bus it from TJ. Does anyone know the current schedule for TJ-Ensenada routes? Is it still roughly every half hour from 6am to 9:30pm both ways from Plaza Viva? Also, what is the current roundtrip fare? Is it necessary to make reservations ahead of time or will I be pretty safe just purchasing at the window? I plan to go on a Tuesday and return early Wednesday morning. Driving will not be an option for us.

Any help would be so greatly appreciated!

Whats up VT Ensenada,

I'm taking a cruise down to Mexico the weekend of June 29. I will be docked in Ensenada on Saturday the 30th. I believe i will only be there for approximately 5 hours from 12-5. I normally just go grab some food and hang out at Papas & Beer. I will be traveling with a few cousins and i believe all of them are at least 18. Do you have any other suggestions on what to do while we are there. I know its not a lot of time, but maybe we can find something fun to do within those few hours. Thanks for your help!!
Roland

hello,

Some friends & I are driving down to Ensenada to watch the Champions League Final on May 23rd. We need to find A) a good bar to watch the game in and B) cheap, clean basic hotel to stay in.

Does anyone know if Papas & Beer shows soccer games? If not, are there any places with a big screen where we can watch the game?

We also need one or two rooms from Wednesday morning until Thursday morning. Any reccomendations.

Many thanks in advance

I'm meeting my friends in Ensenada and we want to leave my car somewhere safe and drive down the coast in their car. I'll be gone about 4 days.

Does anyone know of a parking garage or hotel that would allow me to park? I wouldn't mind paying a fee, but it needs to be easy to locate because we all need to meet there. ( I've never been to Ensenada before)

thanks for any suggestions

I'm staying on Punta Estero in one of the beach-side lots for a week this coming July. That's the small peninsula that shoots out northward, just north of Punta Banda.
How are the beach conditions there? Is the water the kind you would want to swim in - ie. clear and clean? I imagine that the further away from the harbor, the better. Any surfing nearby? Looks like the big peninsula blocks off most of the swells - but perhaps that will make for clearer, warmer water? I snorkel and spearfish frequently, so I hope the conditions will be pleasant.
Thanks.

My friend and I want to go to Ensenada for vacation but neither of us want to take our cars into Mexico. I was wondering if anyone could give me good detailed information on a bus company that we can take to Ensenada non-stop from San Deigo, and take back 3 days later. If anyone has any sugestions I would really appreciate the help! THANKS in advance!

My friend and I want to go to Ensenada for vacation but neither of us want to take our cars into Mexico. I was wondering if anyone could give me good detailed information on a bus company that we can take to Ensenada non-stop from San Deigo, and take back 3 days later. If anyone has any sugestions I would really appreciate the help! THANKS in advance!

Coming in on the Monarch 3/3/07. Which restaurant is best for lobster? Is that Las Rosa (?) resort better?

Also, I will be looking to buy a large, painted pottery sun for my back fence. Any ideas where I might find one?

Thanks so much!

Janie

What is the most fancy restuarants in ensenada? For an good dinner

Around what time does people start to go to papas and beer? on thursday

Some 30 years ago I ate lobster at a great little place in Ensenada....would any one have any idea where this place may be?? It was one room, small, fairly close to the ocean...will be down there this Saturday, Nov. 18.........thanks!

How much does it cost?

I am getting married in Ensenada in Sept 2007 and was wondering if I could rent a horse and carriage. I would appreciate any information you may be able to offer in regards to horse rentals or horse and carrage.
Thank you.

Dolorez

Hi, does anyone have any advice on how to get to La Bufadora w/o a car? Are there bus services or reasonable motorbike rental places, for example? Thanks!

How do you deal with customs?

i am heading towards ensenada heard estero beach is close i am a college student so you know i am broke..and my gf just graduated from usc so i thought this might be fun i am planning to rent a car but have no idea what i am doing..i speak fluent spanish and portuguese so i guess that might help.need help choosing a hotel and places to see i guess four days is fine with me.don't want to spend too much money also maybe $400 plus my credit card:)need hotel and i was wondering if i really needed car insurance i would love to stay near the beach ..what are some cheap places and hotels and maybe kayaking or a boat..and some good food ..thank you

Should I drive to Ensenada or take public transportaion?
Can I get around easy? Thanks.

What are the directions for driving from Tijuana to Hotel Las Rosas, Ensenada, MX? It is several miles north of Ensenada.

Thank you.

Sandy Washington
arenita@adelphia.net

I would like to take my two children (9 & 16) and spend three weeks in Ensenada beginning in July. I have found some great programs for them (ranging from yoga to film classes) but I have not yet found a place to stay. I would love to stay with a family or in a hotel that gives weekly rates. I could pay up to $75 or $85 U.S. a day. We all speak Spanish in varying levels of fluency.

Hi :-)
I'm writing a novel, and one of my characters has relatives who live in Ensenada.
Here are a few questions I have:
Are there locations in Ensenada which would be considered "middle class" (by Mexican standards) residential areas? If so, could you please tell me the approximate area, by street, certain name of area, etc. If you also know of the "upper class" or "lower class" areas, that would be great too.
Also, anyone know of a good online site or other source, besides or including virtualtourist.com, which gives a lot of pics/photos of other areas in Ensenada besides just the tourist areas? I'm really looking to grab a feel for the city of Ensenada, in its totality, not just where most travelers visit. Especially appreciated would be any info from permanent residents of Ensenada, since obviously a permanent resident has probably experienced most of the city at one time or another.

Thank you very much for anyone who can help.
TCN

Hi :-)
I'm writing a novel, and one of my characters has relatives who live in Ensenada.
Here are a few questions I have:
Are there locations in Ensenada which would be considered "middle class" (by Mexican standards) residential areas? If so, could you please tell me the approximate area, by street, certain name of area, etc. If you also know of the "upper class" or "lower class" areas, that would be great too.
Also, anyone know of a good online site or other source, besides or including virtualtourist.com, which gives a lot of pics/photos of other areas in Ensenada besides just the tourist areas? I'm really looking to grab a feel for the city of Ensenada, in its totality, not just where most travelers visit. Especially appreciated would be any info from permanent residents of Ensenada, since obviously a permanent resident has probably experienced most of the city at one time or another.

Thank you very much for anyone who can help.
TCN

Where is the BEST lobster lunch in Ensenada? Going in April on the Monarch of the Seas and there for a day. Thanks

My wife and young daughter (2 yr) are planning to visit Rosarito/Ensenada for a week either in early May or early Sept. Can you tell us what would be
the better choice. Is either time beach weather?