Need family friendly activities in Ensenada and things to do near cruiseport with kids? There is definitely stuff here in Ensenada and it’s a shame more families don’t feel safe to explore. Ensenada may not be as squeaky clean as Catalina Island, but definitely a safe fun place.

Since it is a foreign country for most cruisers, best to keep transporation, and negotiation stress down.

The top choice for kids is probably the Pai Pai Animal Park Excursion for young kids, and zip line/ canopy tour for teens.

1) Family Excursions (Surf, ATV, Horse) can be kid friendly things to do:

Most excursions can be family friends, especially if booked privately so you can have a bit more control of the situation and group activity, and more personalized attention like car seats.

• Horse Trail ride: Excursion operators can take kids with adult supervision. For beach and mountain rides, the horses are well trained and if kids are small, they can share saddle with parents.

• For ATV, youngest age recommended is 13 as solo rider, or double up with adult if younger .

• Surf lessons with a private operator for more one on one time, youngest age is 5 years and highly recommended. The waters are chilly November through March, but you get a wet suit to stay warm. Lessons are on Playa Hermosa with an easy beach break and shallow waters. Rip tides are very seldom.

• Ensenada Massage has huge room where parents can get massage and kids on other side of divider, close enough to keep an eye on but just far enough to relax. Affordable Family 4 packs available with 10$ discounts for kids under 18, so you can sneek in a massage for everyone. And nice opportunity to introduce them to 1st massage.

• Las Canadas is pretty awesome park with pools, atv, zip lines. About a 45 min ride from cruiseport and best with big bus if you like crowds or customized tour with local driver. (Uber won’t come there to pick you up on way back!)

Not recommended to try and wing it with on your own transportation since Uber doesn’t arrive (no cars available) to far away places like Canadas, Bufadora, or Wine Valley.

2) Ensenada’s Water Show to Let Kids Play

Like a mini vegas, Ensenada waterfront now has water show with shooting water, lights, and music. At night is super cool, but still fun during the day. 1pm there is show, sometimes varies based on weather conditions. Rowdy kids can play in water. Right in front of huge flag (or pole if no flag). Times vary so you will have to take a chance to catch this one.

3) Waterfront Playground and Train!

In Parque de Bandera, is a pretty decent playground. Built within last two years and on the water front! Weekends after three a kiddy train is running, leaving from the park on a route around town.

4) Gem stone hunting on La Primera

There are two gem/rock stores near cruiseport. If your kids like gems, huge rocks and fossils, consider a visit to Mar and Tierra on La Primera. I loved the fossils and gems with labels. A chance to learn origins and see cool colors and stones. Just don’t break, or you buy;(. . . .

5) Silly Souvenirs on La Primera:

Vendors on first street have fun stuff including bracelets with your name, get your name on piece of rice, Lucha libre mask, little musical instruments, tiny Mexican cooking utensils . . . like the stores often say: curiosities. Just walk along La Primavera and you will see many places. . children may love it. If you prefer to just walk around downtown my local, expat recommendations on places are here:

6) Ensenada History Museum.

Just of the boat, directly across street in the Riviera, the museum is a smallish, but nice with focus on regional history and the indigenous people that lived here. Very different the from Aztec or Mayan cultures in the south. Only a couple of bucks, so nice quick stop for families walking. 10am-5pm

7) Post dollar bill on wall (come back and visit it next year!). Mexifornia Driver’s license

Additional ideas in above link from other list of things to do near cruise port in another blog.

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Jesse is an US expat living in Ensenada and lead therapist at Ensenada Massage. Although a dog dad, and an uncle he really has no idea of the trials of raising little humans! He congratulates those brave souls doing so. Hope these family activities in Ensenada are helpful.