Although it’s the third largest city in Baja and one of the Pacific Coast’s most popular cruise ports, Ensenada gives off chill vacation vibes with every refreshing and strong margarita, every stall-sold fish taco, every ramble along the waterfront past old-world architecture and traditional crafters, every burst of La Bufadora (a marine blowhole best seen from a kayak), every prize catch reeled in from the cold-water currents, every gray whale-watching jaunt (December and April), every hike in not one but two national parks (Constitución de 1857 and the Sierra San Pedro Martir), every tasting of artisanal beer at Aguamala and Wendlant, every condor sighting, and every dip in a hot spring in the hills surrounding the seaside haunt.
Getting There: Driving from downtown to downtown via 1D usually takes roughly an hour and 45 minutes as they’re about 70 miles apart.
Travel Tip: The main highways have multiple toll collection booths so be prepared to stop and have pesos handy.
