A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Cabo San Lucas vs. Ensenada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Cabo San Lucas or Ensenada?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cabo San Lucas or Ensenada?

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.

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 Cabo San Lucas?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cabo San Lucas is $135, 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 Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cabo San Lucas $62
    Ensenada $46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cabo San Lucas $124
    Ensenada $92
Compare Hotels in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas


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: Cabo San Lucas Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cabo San Lucas $27
    Ensenada $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:

  • Cabo San Lucas Port to San Jose Del Cabo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
  • Los Cabos Luxury Escalade One-Way Airport Transfer: $139
  • Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to Diamante Area: $310
  • San Jose Del Cabo hotels to Cabo San Lucas Port - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Airport Transfer to Cabo San Lucas & Pacific side Hotels & Villas Round Trip: $139
  • Airport to Hotels in Puerto Los Cabos Private Roundtrip Transfer: $230
  • Airport transfers and all: $95
  • Arrival Private Transfer Service One way from Los Cabos airport to Hotel: $66
  • Arrival Share Transfer Service One way from Los Cabos airport to Hotel: $28
  • Cabo Airport CSL to Cabo San Lucas Round Trip Private Transfer: $65
  • Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port - Arrival Private Transfer : $32
  • Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) to Cabo San Lucas Port- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $65

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 Cabo San Lucas or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas 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
    Cabo San Lucas $50
    Ensenada $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.

  • Sea to Table Fisherman's Seafood Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $62
  • Cabo San Lucas Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $70
  • Tasting Cabo San Lucas Like a Local Food Tour: $75
  • Authentic Mexican Legacy Cooking Class in Cabo San Lucas: $75
  • Eat Like A Local Cabo Food Tour: $78
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise at Cabo San Lucas Bay: $79
  • Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise with Tequila & tacos: $85
  • Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose: $86
  • Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise Fajitas dinner & live music: $89
  • Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise: Fajitas, Lands End and Party: $89
  • Cabo Sunset Dinner-Party Cruise: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cabo San Lucas $42
    Ensenada $11

Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas

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

  • Your Own Private Luxury Yacht Experience in Cabo, Lunch included: $1.20
  • Boat Tour to Cabo San Lucas Arch and Rock Formations: $18
  • Glass Bottom Boat Sightseeing Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $23
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour - Cabo San Lucas: $23
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $25
  • Glass Bottom Boat Tour: $25
  • Glass Bottom Boat Sightseeing Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $25
  • Tours in Cabo to the Arch and Land's End in the only Clear Boat : $30
  • Tours in Cabo to the Arch and Land's End in the only Clear Boat!: $30
  • Early Morning Médano Beach Paddle Boarding Tour: $30
  • Tequila Tasting Experience : $30
  • The Fenway Bar Experience: $30

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
    Cabo San Lucas $28
    Ensenada $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:

  • Cabo Bar Crawl - The BEST Bar and Clubs in Cabo : $73
  • Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $190

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

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Ensenada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ensenada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ensenada 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 Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas than you might in Ensenada.

Which is Bigger, Cabo San Lucas or Ensenada?

Ensenada is bigger, and its population is about 6 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the population of Cabo San Lucas 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Cabo San Lucas vs. Ensenada Travel Comparison

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