A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Acapulco de Juarez vs. Ensenada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Ensenada?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Ensenada? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Ensenada?

Acapulco de Juarez

Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.

Ensenada

Ensenada is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Tijuana. It's the only deep water port in the state of Baja California and as such, it is an important commerical fishing port as well as a cruise ship destination. The city has a population of almost 500,000 and is located just 78 miles south of San Diego. The city sits between the ocean and a small mountain range. The surrounding area is known for its wine production, which produces some of the best wine in Mexico.

Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Acapulco de Juarez?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $78, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $96. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Acapulco de Juarez and Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Acapulco de Juarez $38
    Ensenada $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Acapulco de Juarez $76
    Ensenada $92
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Ensenada? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez


Hotels in Ensenada


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Acapulco de Juarez $16
    Ensenada $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:

  • °Private - One Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $60
  • *Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $63
  • *On 1st Day Private Airport Transfer & On 2nd Day 6Hr All The Attractions Combo: $99
  • .Private Airport Transfer First &on 2nd Day 4 Hr Group Tour All AttractionsCombo: $80
  • Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $19
  • Acapulco Airport (ACA) to Acapulco hotels - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $39
  • Acapulco Airport Roundtrip Transfers: $44
  • Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
  • Acapulco Private Airport Transfer: $51
  • Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $19
  • Private Direct Transfer From Acapulco to Mexico City: $349
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Bahia de Acapulco: $64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:

  • Border and Tijuana Airport Transfers to Ensenada or Valle de Guadalupe: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Acapulco de Juarez change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Acapulco de Juarez $28
    Ensenada $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.

  • .Cliff Divers Exhibition 2 Drinks + Tacos al Pastor Dinner & Beer: $60
  • Cliff Diver Show and Dinner in Acapulco: $60
  • *Cliff Divers De Luxe Dinner at "La Perla" Night Club La Quebrada in Acapulco: $66
  • .Lucha Libre-Wrestling Experience Taco Dinner Beer ONLY ON SUNDAY: $66
  • Sunset, Romantic Dinner And Cliff Divers Show: $75
  • *Mexican Wrestling-Lucha Libre Experience Beer Dinner Only SUNDAY: $76
  • .Off the Beaten Path Genuine MexCooking Class Experience Lagoon Boat Tour &Lunch: $82
  • ^High Cliff Divers Dinner at "La Quebrada" & Two Drinks or Three Drinks: $84
  • *Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $90
  • .6 Hr Hands ON - Mexican Cooking Class Experience - Municipal Market & Lunch : $90
  • Cliff Divers Show With Dinner At Acapulco: $90
  • Sunset Dinner and Cliff Divers in Acapulco: $91

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Acapulco de Juarez $18
    Ensenada $11

Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez

Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Kayaks Tour to El Morro Islet: $25
  • Cliff Divers Show 2 Hours Tour: $30
  • Sunset Adventures: $30
  • .4hr For Cruises or Hotels Sightseeing Diver PeaceChapel &Mural: $31
  • °Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $32
  • Acapulco City Tour : $35
  • .Acarey Yacht Cruise Open Bar Sunset Tour With or Without Transportation & Dive: $36
  • .High Divers with Optional Lunch + Shopping Tour Flea Market & Jewelry Shops: $36
  • Acapulco Shore Excursion: Comprehensive Acapulco City Tour: $38
  • *4Hrs City Tour Exclusively for Hotels - Pick up & Dropp off Included.: $40
  • Acapulco Shopping tour: $40
  • Acapulco City Tour: $40

Tours and Activities in Ensenada

Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Tourist guide in the Wine Country (Valle de Guadalupe) Ensenada: $11
  • Tasting of 5 wines and tour: $22
  • Tasting of 5 wines and tour: $30
  • Lavender Field Guided Tour: $32
  • Lavender Field Guided Tour: $34
  • The Bufadora private Tour: $35
  • Private La Bufadora Tour (blowhole): $36
  • Tacos, Brews and Views Tour with Street Photography Option: $40
  • La Bufadora Punta Banda Tour: $41
  • La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
  • From La Bufadora Geyser Tour: $43
  • Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Acapulco de Juarez $11
    Ensenada $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada

Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Private Wine Tasting Experience in Maglén: $29
  • Xecue Wine Tasting in the Guadalupe Valley: $39
  • Private wine tour : $57
  • Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
  • Valle de Guadalupe wine tasting : $65
  • From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $85
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $87
  • Wine Tasting and Carriage Tour at Premium Winery at Valle de Guadalupe: $89
  • From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $107
  • Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $115
  • Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $119
  • 8 hours 6 passengers: Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour by Private SUV: $185


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.

Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Ensenada?

Acapulco de Juarez is bigger, and its population is about 2.5 times larger than the population of Ensenada. When comparing the population of Acapulco de Juarez vs. Ensenada, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit and the activities that interest you.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Acapulco de Juarez vs. Ensenada Travel Comparison

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