A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ensenada vs. Saint Louis for Attractions, Food, Families, and Nightlife

Should you visit Ensenada or Saint Louis?

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

Should I visit Ensenada or Saint Louis? 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.

Ensenada

Ensenada is a historic, cultural, and outdoorsy city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a unexpected, fascinating, and under rated city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Ensenada and Saint Louis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ensenada or Saint Louis?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Ensenada than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Ensenada, Ensenada has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Ensenada is very popular for its food and beaches, while Saint Louis attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Ensenada is more touristy than Saint Louis and is known for its local cuisine, golf, and outdoor sports. It is also well known for Avenida Lopez Mateos. Saint Louis is famous for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Ensenada different from Saint Louis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Louis and Ensenada. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ensenada or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Ensenada is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Saint Louis are among the most recognizable in the world. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Ensenada. There are several good museums in town such as the Museo de Historia and Caracol Museo de Ciencias.

Is the Food Better in Ensenada or Saint Louis? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ensenada is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ensenada makes for a great culinary experience. The town is known for its seafood, and fish tacos is one of the most popular dishes. You'll find seafood markets and street cards selling fresh and local items. Sample your way through the city and enjoy all of the local specialties.

Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Is Ensenada or Saint Louis Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Ensenada or Saint Louis has a better nightlife scene.

Ensenada has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a number of bars and nightclubs around town. Head to Avenida López Mateos for many of the best restaurants and bars.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

Is Ensenada or Saint Louis Better for Beaches?

Ensenada is a city with a few options for its beaches. However, Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Ensenada is a good spot to see the beach. It's a working port town and the beaches in the area aren't great. You'll find the best options to the south of the city.

Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ensenada or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ensenada is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Saint Louis is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Ensenada has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Avenida López Mateos is the main shopping street in town. You'll find many shops, but be prepared to pay more than you might elsewhere because shopkeepers are used to cruise ship riders who are willing to pay a high price tag.

Is Ensenada or Saint Louis Better for Families?

Saint Louis is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ensenada is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Louis is a very kid-friendly city. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

Ensenada offers lots of family activities. You'll find ziplining, horseback riding, and surf lessons in the area. Kids will also enjoy seeing the Water Show or going whale watching.

Is Ensenada or Saint Louis Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ensenada and Saint Louis make for a nice place to visit.

Ensenada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has an authentic atmosphere that will let you experience a more genuine side to Mexico.

Saint Louis is a good city for couples to visit. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Is Ensenada or Saint Louis Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ensenada is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ensenada. There are a few hostels and a number of cheap hotels around town.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

Is Ensenada or Saint Louis Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Louis is a great destination for its public transit. However, Ensenada is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Saint Louis can get you around easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ensenada. Public transit in the area is limited.

Is Ensenada or Saint Louis a more walkable city?

Ensenada is well known for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Ensenada is very walkable. The downtown area is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

For even more information, also check out Is Ensenada Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Louis or Ensenada?

How long in Ensenada or Saint Louis?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ensenada and Saint Louis. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Ensenada, and 1-3 days is enough time in Saint Louis.

Families should spend more time in Saint Louis than Ensenada. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Louis, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ensenada than Saint Louis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ensenada.

One day in Ensenada or Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Ensenada. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of Saint Louis offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Ensenada or Saint Louis?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Ensenada. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Saint Louis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Louis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Ensenada or Saint Louis?

The outdoorsy city of Ensenada offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Ensenada or Saint Louis?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ensenada. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ensenada and Saint Louis, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis than you might in Ensenada.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ensenada Expensive? and Is Saint Louis Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ensenada or Saint Louis?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Ensenada. When comparing the sizes of Ensenada and Saint Louis, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.