A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nassau vs. Ensenada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nassau or Ensenada?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Ensenada, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Nassau or Ensenada?

Nassau

There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.

As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.

Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.

Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Bahamas, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Nassau?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $226, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $115. 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 Nassau and Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nassau $108
    Ensenada $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nassau $216
    Ensenada $84
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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 Nassau


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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nassau $32
    Ensenada $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $7.99
  • Taxi to Cable Beach
    $25
  • Taxi from Airport
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:

  • Airport Transfer Paradise Island: $118
  • Airport Transfers : $58
  • Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
  • Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
  • Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $110
  • Cruise Port Transfer with Optional Vehicle: $135
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau cruise port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
  • Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
  • Nassau City Escape Transfer (One Way): $50
  • Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
  • Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103

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: $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Nassau 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
    Nassau $91
    Ensenada $61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.

  • Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
  • Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
  • Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise: $129
  • Dinner and Dancing: $130
  • Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
  • All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $138
  • Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
  • Saturday Bahamian Cooking Class in Downtown Nassau: $149

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ensenada

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ensenada.

  • Mexican Cooking Class at Hacienda Eco-Domes | Valle de Guadalupe: $84
  • Tacos and Margaritas Food Tour in Ensenada Mexico: $85
  • Cooking Class and Margarita Madness at Valle de Guadalupe : $89
  • Surprises, Delights and Joys Ensenada Wine, Mezcal, and Food Tour: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nassau $37
    Ensenada $9.79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:


  • Jet Ski
    $50
  • 4 Hr Kayak Tour
    $70
  • 1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
    $75

Tours and Activities in Nassau

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:

  • All New Tour with Seafood Snack Português & Español : $7.00
  • Historical & Cultural Walking Tour: $10
  • Champagne and Diamond Shopping Experience in Downtown, Bahamas: $25
  • Group City Tour and Beach Experience from Cruise Port: $40
  • Private Sightseeing in Fort Montagu with Crab and Seafood meal: $45
  • Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $45
  • Nassau City Tour: $46
  • Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $50
  • Electric Bus Tour with Food & Drink Samples: $50
  • Banana Boat Adventure: $50
  • Taste Tour and Capture Nassau Island Experience with Photos: $55
  • Cultural Walking Tour of Downtown Nassau Attractions: $55

Tours and Activities in Ensenada

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

  • La Bufadora Punta Banda Tour: $38
  • La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
  • Las Cañadas Campamento Horseback Riding Experience: $44
  • The Bufadora private Tour: $49
  • Tacos, Brews and Views Tour : $50
  • Full Day Private Tour or Guadalupe Valley Weekend: $52
  • Tacos, Tequila, Cerveza - A Private Tour of Ensenada: $53
  • Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $53
  • Valle de Guadalupe Adults Only Tour: $56
  • Explore Ensenada with Private Car and Walking Tour: $65
  • Private Massage Experience in Ensenada: $65
  • Las Canadas Ecopark and Bufadora private tour : $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nassau $19
    Ensenada $9.98
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:


  • Cocktail
    $6.49

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: $27
  • Tractor Pull Around Vineyards and Wine Tasting Tour: $56
  • Private Ensenada Tacos and Wine Tour : $109
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Experience: Wine Tastings Included: $112
  • Valle de Guadalupe COUPLES wine tasting for 2: $135
  • wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $145
  • Pvt Wine Tastings + Cheese Store + Massage Shore Excursion: $149
  • Wine Tasting Tour ONLY for Cruise Ship Visitors. ALL INCLUSIVE!: $221
  • Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $238


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Ensenada, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Ensenada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and Ensenada is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive? and Is Ensenada Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nassau or Ensenada?

Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Nassau. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.