My kids love discovery and science museums--we've visited them in three countries now, and five US…read morestates. This was their first time traveling to Ensenada, so we decided to book a tour of this museum just outside the cruise port. We were picked up by bus and transported to the museum, and were given a walking tour of the full museum. What once was built for office space for the port just before the pandemic hit and then abandoned when the industry took a hit, was repurposed as a community natural history museum. While Caracol Museo de Ciencias is still growing, what they have done with the space so far is wonderful. Right now, they are focusing on quality over quantity...this museum is small and mighty, and is worthy of anyone interested in learning more about the natural history of Baja California. The exhibits are bilingual in Spanish and English, and masterfully incorporate technology and real samples, along with plenty for the senses and young at heart. There are small live creatures, interactive displays, sand pits to dig for fossils, animatronic dinosaurs, a planetarium show, and a gift shop. There is also a cute and stinky resident ferret. The guide was brilliant--her enthusiasm for the museum and the subjects she spoke about was infectious, and I appreciated how she kept us all engaged and kept us moving at a decent pace. I know there are several areas of the museum that are still growing, and I look forward to returning in a few years to see how much it has grown. Definitely worth a visit!

This was a "surprise" destination as we didn't really plan any excursions for Land Days during our…read moreCabo/Ensenada cruise, and I randomly saw how close this place was to where our ship was docked. Not to mention admission is so cheap it might as well be free! The museum is on the smaller side, but they have a tour guide assigned to each group. Our guide took us (and another family) and introduced every exhibit from beginning to end. Our kids had a blast and it was nice to spend time more indoor than out since it was SO hot and humid when we were there!

Not huge, but it's definitely a place to wander around freely and observe museum history. Sign in…read moreat the front. Self guided tour. Low maintenance place. You can see old jail cells, guard towers, courtyard in front center, etc. Not much happens around here, but you can read some English and Spanish texts along the way. Didn't see public restrooms here. There's a staff onsite if you have any questions. Again, it's a much smaller museum than most other museums. Free admission. Follow the blue footprints on the ground and it will guide you to the end. Most people can finish the small tour and read everything within 10-15 minutes to get a better understanding of this landmark. It's still a nice and short addition to visiting Ensenada before leaving.

I don't have much to add to the other reviews other than it's historical, it's quaint, and it's…read morefree. You can tell the museum is kept up with passion and dedication. It's a little ways off from the ports, but worth the trip.

This historic building is walking distance from the cruise port and free to explore! We noticed…read moremany tour buses and excursion groups arrive in waves. We entered through the courtyard where several small vendors sold souvenirs. It was convenient for me to pick up a few gifts for friends in a low-key setting compared to the crowded shopping spots around Ensenada. Walking around the building, there is a mural highlighting missions along the coast, various rooms with historic artwork and preserved architecture. I especially liked this circular room that had art on the ceiling. We made our way to the bar where they gave samples of margaritas and Mexican coke. We ordered a Tamarindo Margarita to enjoy in the courtyard. It provided a light buzz and was only $9. https://yelp.to/yvJyIxstTB Towards the front of the building is a small coffee shop. This exits to the outdoor area where many people relaxed on the lawn. Cool spot! We spent roughly an hour here. I would come back for another margarita. Maybe get the mango next time :)

The historic Hotel Riviera del Pacifico in Ensenada was first opened in 1930! It is impressive how…read morewell this monument has been preserved for nearly 100 years. The locals refer to it as Ex-hotel Riviera. It is now used by the Mexican government to manage different types of municipal business. I drove from Sacramento to Ensenada as part of the dual citizenship campaign that happens once a year. I've been working diligently to get dual citizenship for my children as I am dual citizen, myself of Mexico and the USA. They could not have chosen a better location to perform such a ceremony. There is a restaurant on site, but I did not get an opportunity to try the food. If you appreciate history of Mexico, this might be a neat site to walk-through.

One of the main ports of call for SoCal cruises. We've been here many times and it's nice to get…read moreoff the ship for an hour or two to walk around the coast, take a few pictures, and view the different vendor stands with cute souvenirs and food. We always go out to the regular streets to eat the local tacos and ceviche.

The best part about being in the cruise port was this gorgeous sunset: https://bit.ly/3NArKfW…read more Other than that, nothing super special about this port. But also, nothing bad to report. Upon disembarking the boat, there were photographers offering photos with locals dressed in indigenous wear. There were also 3rd party shuttles offering rides to downtown. Their hook was "it's a 4 mile walk round trip" but I didn't find them to be pushy. (Side note, it's actually only 2ish-miles round trip.) There's Ensenada signage nearby for photo ops. And this port is walking distance from a few places to explore such as outdoor markets, small businesses, cafes, and restaurants. We watched a bunch of videos on YouTube that helped us feel confident to explore on foot without having to spend money on a curated cruise excursion. I especially enjoyed our visit to Centro Social Cívico y Cultural Riviera de Ensenada, which is only half a mile from the cruise port. Walking back to the port, the guards checked for our stateroom keys on the way in. There were two ships ported at the time we were there (Carnival and Princess), and once we reached our specific boat, there were screening machines and security upon embarking. Overall, a pretty easy process. And I appreciate that this location is close enough to places to explore.

Super close to the port. Walking distance. Photo exhibit is the only one open now. Coffee shop on…read moresight.

I'm biased on this review because this was supposed to be my wedding venue, but due to COVID we…read morehad to cancel. The museum and the grounds itself are worth having a look, they also offer wine tasting. Nice place to check out if you find yourself touring el Valle de Guadalupe in Ensenada

Very intriguing from the get-go. Design of the building and gardens is all very complimentary with…read morethe inside and the rest of the Guadalupe Valley. Entrance fee is : 50 pesos. 1 oz. Wine : 25 pesos. The museum takes you from the birth and origins of wine in the world and its growth through various civilizations. When and how wine knowledge and culture come to be in Valle de Guadalupe, and the Russian communities that helped it to thrive. The many tools and artifacts used in wine making, as well as the techniques in flavor development. There is a wonderful display on art inspired by wine/grapes from local artists (Must-See!) If you have time, do stop on your way out. It's a quick read of information and the set-up is quite amazing.

The house was beautiful, the sewage smell was unbearable. We had a fire pit without fire wood…read more I book this house under the impression that it had 21/2 bathrooms it did not, also I made reservations for their lounge for 2 different days and the reservations Were cancel without prior notice, I also did not feel safe, this house is very exposed and no real security or safety protocols. I wouldn't recommend nor would I stay here again

Visited Casa Frida and tequila tasted at 10:15 in the morning. We know how to have fun. This was a…read moregreat experience that paired 4 tequilas with flavored enhanced citrus that took each tequila to another level. Our server Angel was a wealth of knowledge and provided good pours along with bottled water accompanied with a glass with ice. We pretty much had the place to ourselves and the sofa area was indeed comfortable. We are not that knowledgeable when it comes to tequila but left with a better understanding of the spirit. The location is gorgeous and has a world class restaurant on the premises. Tequila tasting runs $32 per person and worth every penny. We had so much fun and will for sure return for another visit.

Oldest building in Ensenada, which now serves both as the headquarters for INAH in the state as…read morewell as a small history museum- not to be confused with the Museo Historico Regional a few blocks away. Often has photos of old Ensenada on display.

My family and I had the privilege of having a Tuk Tuk tour through Ensenada, Mexico! Our first stop…read morewas local beaches that showed not only the calmness of the waves, but the sea air which does wonders for the soul. Followed by this was the jail of Ensenada which served justice for over a century, before later being turned into a museum. We then went to a over 130 year old winery, which was followed by a brief walking tour inside it. After this we made a pit stop at the birthplace of the margarita. The next stop was at the oldest cantina in the town, followed by two local microbrew locations as well. Our tour guide was José, who took the utmost care of us and had an extensive knowledge of the area. Providing us with wonderful hospitality throughout the duration of our trip. My family and I will be returning to Ensenada in the near future, especially since my Dad and I saw a local surfers hangout that looked gnarly with the waves and the surf. This service is highly recommended in my opinion, and is a great way to see what Ensenada has to offer.

The Kumiai people have lived in the Baja region of Mexico for thousands of years. Their population…read morewas once in the thousands, but the tribe now has only about 200 members. During my visit to this community, an elder first gave a blessing to the tourists. Then, we toured a museum that contained a few rooms of artifacts. My favorite activity was eating a traditional meal of wheat tortilla, beans, and a drink that was made from cow milk, honey, and wheat. Next, we hand-weaved a pendant from grass, with which many people struggled. At gift shops, I shopped for handmade souvenirs, and I bought a turtle-shaped incense burner. I also enjoyed watching and participating in dances to music and chanting. All of the Kumiai people were very friendly. They spoke Spanish and only a little English, so my tour guide had to translate their information. I enjoyed learning about their culture. I would suggest that they add more artifacts to their museum and that they include signs that explain their history.

Want to know about the kumeyaay people? here is a nice please to go. Sure you can go to a "Indian"…read morecasino in San Diego county and you might find info about them but you will have to go through a whole bunch of slot machines. Sure these people are poor in Baja but their culture is vibrant and there they live the best basket makers in the whole region. Dont mind the dirt road and it takes a 10 minute drive from LA Cetto but its worth it. This museum also has a kitchen which I assume it only opens on weekends since that is when I went. PS bring cash to buy some gifts NOT made in China but by real native folks.