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

Should you visit Tena 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 Tena 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: Tena or Ensenada?

Tena

Tena is the capital of the Napo Province, an attractive and quiet city in the Amazon rainforest, and is known as the "cinnamon capital" of Ecuador. Tena has a friendly population, lots of backpacker infrastructure, a gorgeous setting surrounded by jungle-covered hills and a high concentration of surrounding rivers where white-water lovers from around the world come to paddle and kayak. The town provides a gateway to exploration into Ecuador's most accessible part of the great Amazon rainforest, which does not leave visitors disappointed. Beyond being a base for discovering the jungle and its wildlife, Tena is also a hub for adventure sports which are abundant in the area. Tena is a charming place where many travelers find themselves hanging around quite happily before or after a trip into the rainforest.

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 G Adventures Tours to Colombia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Tena?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tena is $51, 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 Tena and Ensenada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tena $24
    Ensenada $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tena $48
    Ensenada $94
Compare Hotels in Tena and Ensenada

Looking for a hotel in Tena 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 Tena


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.
    Tena $17
    Ensenada $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tena:

  • Private Transfer from Villavieja to San Agustín: $150
  • Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
  • Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
  • Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Palonegro Airport(BGA) to Bucaramanga: $29
  • Roundtrip transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $84
  • San Andres hotels to San Andres Airport (ADZ) Departure Transfer: $36
  • Transfer in Private Car from Bucaramanga Palonegro Airport (BGA) to Bucaramanga: $15
  • Transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $42

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 Tena or Ensenada?

Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Tena 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
    Tena $15
    Ensenada $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tena $15
    Ensenada $11

Tours and Activities in Tena

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

  • Full Day Adventure Laguna Negra-Páramo de Ocetá from Mongua: $20
  • 4-Hour Private Walking Tour along Ruta de Las Flores: $42
  • Unique experience flying paragliding: $50
  • Gastronomic Private Walking Tour in Popayán: $50
  • Private 2-hour Diving Experience with Instructor: $65
  • Private Guided Tour to Piedra Colgada and Indian Face and Lagoon: $75
  • Tour 5 Rosario Islands: $94
  • Scuba Diving Private Tour in San Andres: $130
  • Enjoy a Coffee Tour & Santa Fe de Antioquia Colonial Town!!: $135
  • Popayán Tour from Cali: $216
  • Popayan and Silvia Town Private Tour from Cali: $240

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
    Tena $10
    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 Tena and Ensenada, we can see that Ensenada is more expensive. And not only is Tena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tena is in South 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 Tena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tena 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 Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada than you might in Tena.

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


Which is Bigger, Tena or Ensenada?

Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 370 times larger than the population of Tena. When comparing the sizes of Tena 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.