Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Isla Mujeres?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Mexico Isla Mujeres vs. Ensenada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Isla Mujeres or Ensenada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isla Mujeres and Ensenada. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Isla Mujeres or Ensenada?
Isla Mujeres
About eight miles from the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres is an island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea. The town, of the same name, has a population of about 13,000. Tourism has grown in the area since the 1970s and today it is a significant part of the island's economy. As such, there are plenty of amenities that cater specifically to visitors. The island's proximity to Cuba make it a common transit point for Cubans in route to the United States.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIsla Mujeres $144Ensenada $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Isla Mujeres is $144, 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 Isla Mujeres and Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIsla Mujeres $76Ensenada $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIsla Mujeres $152Ensenada $92
Compare Hotels in Isla Mujeres and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Isla Mujeres 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.
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: Isla Mujeres Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Isla Mujeres $34Ensenada $20
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 Isla Mujeres or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Isla Mujeres 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
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Food Meals for one dayIsla Mujeres $45Ensenada $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Isla Mujeres $20Ensenada $11
Tours and Activities in Isla Mujeres
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla Mujeres are as follows:
- Crystal Boat Tour to Isla Mujeres and Reefs: $34
- “ Tour in Isla Mujeres “ Transparent boat ride: $40
- Tour Isla Mujeres excursion in Clear Boat Collective: $41
- Snorkel Tour at Musa and Manchones Reef: $45
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Experience: $47
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure: $48
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour : $50
- UNDER WATER MUSEUM CANCUN SNORKEL ISLA MUJERES - Experience with Ticket: $65
- Half Day to Isla Mujeres (LITE TOUR IM): $69
- Street Art of Isla Mujeres Tour: $70
- 3 Hours VIP Semiprivate Tour Isla Mujeres Full Snorkeling Experience : $84
- Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour: $90
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIsla Mujeres $25Ensenada $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Isla Mujeres
Also in Isla Mujeres, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Isla Mujeres Golf Cart Bar Crawl : $141
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
- Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $60
- Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
- Valle de Guadalupe wine tasting : $65
- From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $84
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla Mujeres and Ensenada, we can see that Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Isla Mujeres than you might in Ensenada.
Which is Bigger, Isla Mujeres or Ensenada?
Ensenada is bigger, and its population is about 20.5 times larger than the population of Isla Mujeres. When comparing the population of Isla Mujeres 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.
Related Articles for Isla Mujeres
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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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