Ensenada, B. C., Mexico

Ensenada is the third largest city in Baja California. A protected harbor and modern port facilities make it Baja California's leading seaport. The scenic setting, beautiful beaches, shopping, cantinas and restaurants, excellent accommodations and fishing make Ensenada one of the leading resort and commercial centers on the Baja peninsula. (Map of Mexico)

The population is about 260,000 with an annual growth rate of 4%. The mild climate ranges in temperature from 40-65 in the winter, 60-90 in the summer, and 45-75 in spring and fall.

The Baja Sun is an English-language monthly newspaper published in Ensenada. It can be found in the tourist office and most of the bigger hotels in Ensenada. Events, local businesses, entertainment and dining establishments are all listed.

Travel

Ensenada is 60 miles south of the US/Mexican border. You can reach Ensenada by car or bus along the spectacular scenic toll highway from Tijuana or you can come in by plane or on board one of the huge, luxury cruise ships which m 5B4 ake Ensenada a regular port of call on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Remember, if you are driving, obtain Mexican auto insurance. You may want to use these web sites: www.bajabound.com, www.mexicaninsurance.com, and www.aaa-calif.com.

If you want to use your cell phone below the border, call your provider and ask to have it set for international use. This is done over the phone.

Check out Ensenada at www.ensenada.net.mx, www.baja-web.com, and www.sannicolas.com.mx.

Attractions

Whenever you are planning a convention or meeting, consider the extraordinary facilities of Ensenada's Riviera del Pacifico Cultural & Civic Center (pictured right). It is also one of the most famous structures on the Pacific coast of Baja California. Nearby is the Valle de Guadalupe, noted for its vast vineyards, source of the very best Mexican wines.

The landmark Hussongs Cantina has been in business since the late 1800's. The area around Lázaro Cárdenas and Lopez Mateos is considered the prime tourist zone. Nightly, Lopez Mateo i 5B4 s filled with young people joining to walk in the evening.

Just a few miles south of town is La Bufadora (pictured right), the remarkable sea geyser that spouts a stream of saltwater more than 60 feet up into the air. It is one of biggest blowholes in North America. In addition, there are unlimited miles of almost deserted beaches along the spectacular Pacific coast.

The campus of the University of Baja California, in addition to the National University of Mexico's Institutes of Astronomy and Physics, a private School of Medicine plus several small research centers, represent a major feature of the city.

Museums

The Ensenada Museum of History features Indian cultures and the missions of the peninsula. It's located at the Riviera del Pacifico and is open Mon-Sun from 9am to 5pm. The Estero Beach Museum presents folk art and artifacts of Mexican culture. Estero Beach Resort, open 9am-5pm except Tues. The Regional History Museum has both exhibits and native artisan's workshops. Located on Ave. Gastelum, a 1/2 block from Lopez Mateos. Open Tues-Sun from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The Science Museum has nine exhibit halls, including salt water aquariums. Obregon and 15th, open Tues-Fri from 9:00am to 5B4 5:00pm.

Ensenada Gray Whale Watching

Every year from January through March, thousands of California gray whales take a 3-month journey over 6,000 miles from the icy waters of the Chuckchi and the Bering seas to the warm breeding grounds of Ojo de Liebre, San Ignacio Lagoon and Bahía de Ballenas.

The gray whale is the most common species seen near the coast of Baja California. Other whales are present, but tend to seek deeper waters. The gray whales swim in shallow water, seeking Baja's many lagoons for calving. The coast is teeming with whales during the calving season from late November to late March. The greatest number of whales can be seen in February.

Starting from the third week of December through the end of March, the local sportfishing association in coordination with the Ensenada Science Museum, offers Gray Whale Watching trips. The boats leave the piers at 10:00 a.m. in a 4-hour trip, heading to Todos Santos Island, located one hour from Ensenada Bay.

As part of the Gray Whale watching tour, the boat sails to Todos Santos Island to observe a colony of sealions and sea birds that live on the island. Molluscs and fishes cultivated by the Science Institutes of Ensenada as C.I.C.E.S.E and the Baja California University can also be viewed. On board the boat, your guide gives basic and understandable information about the geography and history of the bay, the flora and fauna of the area, an 5B4 d most of all, the journey of the Gray Whale. For more information and tours appointments contact Mr. Susarrey. From the U.S. dial (011-526) 178-2185.

One of the characteristics of this type of whale is that they travel very close to the coast. An adult Gray Whale can weigh 37 tons and measures 48 ft. The head is a 1/5 of the length of the body, and presents from two to four longitudinal folds in its throat. The beards are thick and elastic, white color, close to each other and cover from 138 to 180 inches each side of the upper jaw. The Gray Whale is sexually mature at five to eleven years old. The majority of matings are outside the lagoons of Southern Baja California.

Sport Fishing

Sport fishing attracts thousands of tourists each year. The catch includes fish like yellowtail, barracuda, bonito and albacore. Ensenada is the center of the Mexican fishing industry and offers you opportunities to fish from the port, the beaches, and from deep-sea boats.

Racing

Ensenada is home to the Newport - Ensenada Regatta and the Rosarito - Ensenada Bike Ride.

Score Baja 500 5B4 Miles Off-Road Race is a famous international off-road race where intrepid drivers traverse a 500 mile course through Baja's often forbidding mountain, valley, forest and desert landscape. For additional information contact Score International, (818) 583-8440.

November 11-14, 1998 Score Baja 1000 Miles Off Road Race
This year's race is a transpeninsular race all the way to La Paz, B.C.S. For additional information call Score International, (818) 583-8440.

To many competitors, The Baja 1000 And Baja 500 are adventures, not just races. For more information about the Baja 1000 and 500, contact the Ensenada Convention and Visitors' Bureau or SCORE INTERNATIONAL at (310) 457-4823

Learn to Speak Spanish

International Spanish Institute offers very sophisticated courses in Spanish beginning every Monday of the year. Weekend sessions are also available twice monthly. Classes of five persons with native-born instructors and family accommodations allow students to acquire the language in the most simple and efficient manner possible.

Center Of Languages And Latin American Studies assigns students to classes according to their individual ability and current knowledge of the Spanish language. Typical daily schedule includes three hours of concentrated language instruction, two hours of conversation practice, and a one-hour conference on the cu 59C lture of Mexico and Latin America. Optional written homework helps reinforce verbal skills.

Special courses have been designed for a number of special professions, including the following:

• Health Professions
• Law Enforcement Officers
• Teachers Exam Prep Course
• Student Groups from the U.S. Spanish language classes from middle and high schools, colleges and universities

Important Phone Numbers While in Ensenada

If dialing from outside of Mexico the country code is 52.

• The Secretary of Tourism Office in Ensenada, 617-2-3022
• Consulate Phone, United States Calle Tapachula 96, Col. Hipodromo (66) 81-7400 or (66) 86-0001
• City Hall (617) 6-1717
• Economic Development (617) 7-3375
• Immigration (617) 4-0164
• Green Angels (617) 6-4675
• Red Cross (617) 4-4585
• Municipal Police (617) 6-2421
• Emergency, call 136 for the Fire Department or 134 for Police

Resources on the 'Net

Weather Channel

Street map

Directory and Information Center

Center Of Languages And Latin American Studies

International Spanish Institute

Tijuana International Airport, airlines, trucking, tour operations, and auto rental companies

Useful Tips for tourists

Other Resources

SECRETARY OF TOURISM
Blvd. Las Dunas and Las Rocas street,
at Centro de Gobierno C.P. 22800
011-5261-72-30-22, Fax 011-5261-72-30-81

FONDO MIXTO DE PROMOCION TURISTICA DE ENSENADA
609-17 Miramar street and Blvd. Lazaro Cardenas,
zona centro C.P. 22800
1-800-310-9687 or 011-5261-78-85-78
Fax (011-5261-78-85-88)
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it