How safe is it to debark in Ensenda, Mexico from a cruise?

Question

We're travelling the first week of June with five children, ages 8-17 and would like to go ashore. My ex-husband refuses to sign the waver for us to debark. Is he being paranoid? I know about the recent problems up and down Baja, but can't find anything troubling about Ensenada at all. HELP!

Answer 1

Ensenda is fine and there are lots of little shops you can buy things for pretty cheap. You won't have any problems there, just don't wear anything flashy. Of course, don't drink the water. You can buy bottled water as you exit the ship.

Answer 2

what a idiot he is .. I have been there many times and it's a really safe place as long as you stay in the tourist areas.. if you must take a ship sponsored shore excursion hows that for safe. look on line to find what your ship offers. but really , some street tacos and souvenirs is the funnest way to go. suggest a horse and carriage ride but don't pay more than 20.00 for it.

Answer 3

Perfectly safe, just stay in the areas that everyone else is in. He is paranoid.

Answer 4

Of course Ensenada is safe. The area where you'll be disembarking is near the main tourist area. It's set up to cater to tourists. The city works hard to keep this area safe, clean and inviting. There are great deals to be had on silver and gold jewelry, leather goods and artist crafts. And what's a trip to Mexico without buying a neat little blanket to take home with you?

The food is great in Ensenada, which is well known for its seafood. There are nice restaurants there on the tourist strip. If you're feeling like grabbing more of the local flavor, head to the fish market that is right along the water, just north of the bayfront park and west of the central shopping area. There you'll find lots of tiny little restaurants that serve awesome seafood dishes.

I'm a mom and a veteran Mexico traveler (and former resident). Ensenada is totally, totally safe and enjoyable. I took my three young nieces there, along with my young son, a couple of years ago, and they loved it. Ensenada is Mexico, but a very Americanized version of it. It's a good first stop for someone not familiar with mainland Mexico.

Please tell your ex-husband not to pay too much attention to the scare-stories. You guys will be fine.

And geez, does everybody have to throw in the thing about the water? I mean who drinks unfiltered tap water in the U.S. anymore either?

Answer 5

Ensenda, MX is a very safe town. I would suggest to not wear watches or Jewlery and not to flash money. But as long as you dont go wandering down some ally you will be fine.

Answer 6

Are you sure you'll be there long enough to debark?  Sometimes the ships stop only long enough to register that they've stopped there, in order to make sure the trip is "international".  Some cruises end there, also.

For info on ports, go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards", then go to "Ports of Call".  From what I've heard, you don't want to get off the ship in Ensenada unless you have to.