travel mexico baja california ensenada around
Due to the Jones Act, Ensenada is used by non-US registered cruise lines as a mandatory stop for cruises going to Hawaii to and from the a US port.
As a result, we have visited Ensenada twice in the recent future.
We found it lacked much of the historic charm and atmosphere that we found in other Mexican port cities like Puerta Vallarta and Mazatlan.
Yes, they have a "new" cultural center across from the port.... and yes, they are starting to add parks and street sculpture to the city's main street near the port.
Looking for some cultural ambiance, we took the free shuttle into "downtown" and found it to almost be dead of life and culture.
I'd like to think Ensenada is on its way to using its tourist dollars to encorporate some its rich Mexican culture to improve the cities ambiance.
Although I wish the city well, at this point, it has a long way to go.
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S PAGE ON ENSENADA
TRAVEL: early 50s, 1997, 2009, 2013
This location has earned a three star (average/good) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
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unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Street scene, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 2011.
Fountain, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 2011.
Plaza de Las Tres Cabezas (three heads), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 2011.
These sculptures in Civic Plaza represent Miguel Hidalgo, Venustiano Carranza and Benito Juarez.
Hero's monument at Civic Plaza, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 2011.
Sculpture from the State Center for the Arts, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 2011.
River bed between the port and the city needs a little clean up, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 2011.
Souvenir stand, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 2011.
Modern street vendor, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 2011.
Street vendor, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 1997.
When we drove through Ensenada in 1997, it still had the feel of a real Mexican town, with more traditional indian people.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised february 2020