Saftey in Ensenada

[simo]

I have a question for the folks out on the west coast. Do any of you have concerns about saftey in Ensenada. I have an aunt that lives in Long Beach. She has said there have been a number of stories on local news regarding the kidnappings of cruisers. Any info for us timid midwest people would be very helpfull. Thanks.:confused:

[jkbe321]

Ensenada is like any other city in the world. Stay with a group, walk on the main streets, aviod the back alleys and if you take a cab, make sure that it is well marked and that you pay attention to your surroundings.

 

You'll be fine, I have never had a problem in Mexico and we've going down there for 20 years.

[JJ2sail]

I have been several times and never felt unsafe.

 

The stories, I read, said the kidnappings were not cruise tourists, but people driving the baja highway. And in comparison there is more criminal activity in our National Parks than in the Baja area.:rolleyes:

[etwright]

I have heard the same stories about drivers, but never heard any about cruisers. Will be going there in 11 days and I am not worried at all. Been to Mexico several times, including Ensenada.

[simo]

Thanks for the quick replies. Will give some peace of mind to the women in my life.:rolleyes:

[leoandhugh]

Recent stories in the local papers here tell of an almost 80% drop in tourism to Baja California because of drug driven crimes. Trying to overcome this loss of major revenue, the beach resort of Rosarita Beach - between Tijuana and Ensenada - put specially recruited and trained police force out for the recent Easter holidays and Spring Break. Ensenada is considered safe for cruise ship passengers who exercise common sense.

[Kaluhiokalani]

We stopped in Ensenada on our way home from Hawaii on the Diamond Princess. It is not a very booming town. My kids did not feel safe and we lasted about 30 minutes walking around the town. I am not a fan of the constant yelling to eat at the different restaraunts and the children selling things on the street. I will not be getting of the ship next time we stop there.

[cruiserbryce]

as far as ports go with regards to begging, kids selling things and pushy locals...Ensenada isnt exactly one of the extreme stops...if you dont like it there I recommend you NEVER go to Jamaica...

 

to answer the question...no we have felt fine visiting there...as long a you use common sense you should be just fine

[sdfamily]

I too have heard those reports. I don't have any facts to back them up, though. Personally, there's nothing in Tijuana or Ensenada that I need to see that bad. So, our family has not been in some time. I seem to remember that most of the incidents were away from the main tourist areas.

 

That being said, if I was on a cruise that stopped in Ensenada, I would probably get off and just not wander far from the main tourist area. I'm sure the Mexican government and the city of Ensenada really, really, want the cruise ship business.

 

Do some research and pick a restaurant for puerto nuevo lobster ahead of time. Then, you can just head there without being tempted by the shouting restaurant owners.

 

Just pick an excursion through your cruise ship, and you will be fine. Things that come to mind are the Fox Studios or La Bufadora.

[JJ2sail]

We stopped in Ensenada on our way home from Hawaii on the Diamond Princess. It is not a very booming town. My kids did not feel safe and we lasted about 30 minutes walking around the town. I am not a fan of the constant yelling to eat at the different restaraunts and the children selling things on the street. I will not be getting of the ship next time we stop there.

 

 

Compared to what the port area looked like 10 or 12 years ago, I think they have come a long way! If you take a tour and get out of the pier area you will see, it is a lot like any other city, there are good areas there are not so good areas, there is Costco, Home Depot, Starbucks etc.... But you shouldn't judge the whole town on a 30 minute walk. JMHO:rolleyes:

[simo]

Thanks again for all the helpfull info. These boards are the best.:rolleyes:

[Kurbanfan]

Thanks for the quick replies. Will give some peace of mind to the women in my life.:rolleyes:

 

Well I am a women and have been to Ensenada many times. I have never felt unsafe there. A little common sense will not hurt either;)

[Cruisin' Chick]

We've been there on cruise shops five times now. I'm not exactly a fan of the town. We did go on one ship's tour of the city and environs. About the only thing interesting to me was the city hall (lots of history there, including about Al Capone -- or I could be thinking of a casino there -- I was preggers at the time so things could be hazy). After that, we returned to the ship, got on the deck, and watched the college aged kids returned from their pilgrimage to Hussein's. Knew that many of them (it was during spring break) would be spending Easter morning praying to the porcelain gods.:rolleyes:

 

The last three times there, we just got off the ship and went over to the little marketplace on the pier so hubby can get a trinket for his mother. The last time he got me earrings, which were the cheap-turn-green type. After that we went back on the Island Princess (it was the service stop on the Hawaiian cruise) and found that most passengers didn't bother to leave the ship at all.

 

For your first time, just stay with a group of passengers and you should be all right. Don't have any drugs on you (one thing the guide told us, that they are trying to crack down on drug use). Do a ship-sponsor tour.

[Cuizer2]

as far as ports go with regards to begging, kids selling things and pushy locals...Ensenada isnt exactly one of the extreme stops...if you dont like it there I recommend you NEVER go to Jamaica...

You got that right!

[critterchick]

We've been to Ensenada on cruises about a dozen times. We walk into town for a massage every time and have never felt unsafe. The restaurant people don't shout, but they do encourage you to come inside, as do the "pharmacists" and "jewellers." A simple "no, thanks" shuts them up. I haven't heard of any problems with cruisers, apart from those who drink too much at Papas & Beer or Mango Mango and lost track of time.

[Putterdude]

Ensenada is not exactly a jewel and it is not any place that I lust to visit but I don't feel remotely threatened there. What always does stand out in my mind is in the Ensenada area how quickly you move from fairly decent areas to utter squalor and back again. If nothing else it is a good demonstration as to how fortunate we are in Canada and the USA.

[pokeypoke]

We did Ensenada and never felt unsafe (I use a wheelchair). We did the Fox Studios Tour and had a good time but other than that, nothing really impressed me about the place.

 

Pokey

[briangl]

Walking around Ensenada is far safer than driving in car. 40,000+ people die every year in auto accidents. Now that is unsafe.

[Cuizer2]

Walking around Ensenada is far safer than driving in car. 40,000+ people die every year in auto accidents. Now that is unsafe.

You are comparing one year and the entire United States to Ensenada?

[briangl]

You are comparing one year and the entire United States to Ensenada?

 

You have a good point. How about this. 16,000 murders/year in the US vs. 43,000 auto accidents. Considering most if not all of us here are not drug dealers or gang members our chances of getting killed on the freeway are far higher than getting killed by walking around any neighborhood in the US or even Ensenada. I would feel safer walking around Ensenada at 2:00a than driving in a car.

 

Go to Ensenada and have a good time. Don't worry be happy. :)

[victory2020]

Been several times. Even though they have cleaned up the city a lot, do not go off the beaten path. I have been told by locals not to carry a purse. You won't miss anything by staying on the ship.

[critterchick]

Been several times. Even though they have cleaned up the city a lot, do not go off the beaten path. I have been told by locals not to carry a purse. You won't miss anything by staying on the ship.

 

I carry a purse every time. I keep the "New York" grip on it, but haven't ever had a problem.