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

Should you visit San Pedro or Ensenada?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro 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: San Pedro or Ensenada?

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or San Pedro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $135, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $99. 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 San Pedro and Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Pedro $66
    Ensenada $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro $132
    Ensenada $94
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro 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 San Pedro


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: Ensenada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Pedro $34
    Ensenada $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:

  • Transfer: From Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe & Ensenada: $408

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada and San Pedro 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
    San Pedro $40
    Ensenada $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

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

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Pedro $33
    Ensenada $11

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

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

  • Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
  • Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139

Tours and Activities in Ensenada

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

  • Rondo del Valley Winery Tour with 5 Tastings: $26
  • Tasting of 5 wines and tour: $30
  • Lavender Field Guided Tour: $34
  • Lavender Field Guided Tour: $37
  • From La Bufadora Geyser Tour: $39
  • Ensenada : The unique bufadora private tour: $39
  • Tacos, Brews and Views Tour : $40
  • Private La Bufadora Tour (blowhole): $41
  • La Bufadora Tour in Baja California: $42
  • The Bufadora private Tour: $44
  • Las Cañadas Canopy Tour in Ensenada: $52
  • City tour on electric horse wagon.: $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro $16
    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
  • Wine tour valley of guadalupe: $60
  • Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $78
  • From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $87
  • From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $97
  • Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $115
  • Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $119
  • wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $135
  • Wine tasting tour for Cruise Ship Visitors. All Inclusive!: $199
  • Private and custom group Wine tour Valle de Guadalupe : $220
  • Valle Experience by Ansell Wine Tours: $270


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and Ensenada, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is Ensenada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Pedro is in Central America 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive? and Is Ensenada Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, San Pedro or Ensenada?

Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro 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.