Which place is cheaper, Ensenada or Veracruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Veracruz or Ensenada?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Ensenada can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Ensenada?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
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 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVeracruz $102Ensenada $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $102, while the average daily cost in Ensenada is $82. 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 Veracruz and Ensenada in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $45Ensenada $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $90Ensenada $78
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Ensenada
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices and Ensenada Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $24Ensenada $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $29
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $28
- Airport Transfer: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ensenada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ensenada:
- Transfer: From Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe & Ensenada: $364
- Border and Tijuana Airport Transfers to Ensenada or Valle de Guadalupe: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Ensenada?
Prices for flights to both Ensenada and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $41Ensenada $32
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: $44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Veracruz $12Ensenada $9.01
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- Panoramic Sightseeing City Bus Tour: $7.03
- Panoramic Sightseeing Bus City Tour of Veracruz: $8.00
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- San Juan de Ulua Fortress of Veracruz Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Panoramic Sightseeing City Tour and Aquarium: $20
- From Nature & Seafood Boat Tour to Madinga: $20
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $22
- Sightseeing City Tour and Wax & Ripley´s Museums: $22
- Mandinga And Boat Trip Tour: $23
- From San Juan de Ulua Prison Tour: $23
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $24
- San Juan De Ulua Tour: $26
Tours and Activities in Ensenada
Here are a few actual costs in Ensenada for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 8 Hour Private Tour in the Guadalupe Valley 1-4 Passengers: $117
- ATV Off Road Tour and Transportation to Las Canadas: $96
- ATV Off-Road Adventure through Valle de Guadalupe + Winery Visit: $77
- Adventure Delight The Ultimate Combo Ride at Desert Trails: $107
- Adventure in Ensenada with Zipline, Marine Geyser and Shops: $99
- City tour on electric horse wagon.: $26
- Couple Tour: $125
- Ensenada : The unique bufadora private tour: $39
- Ensenada City Tour on Ford T Replica and Beach Horse Back Riding : $110
- Ensenada Shore Excursion: Blowhole and La Bufadora Tour with Horseback Riding: $81
- A thrilled family adventure of ziplines: $83
- ATV Mountain Adventure: $106
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $14Ensenada $9.20
Sample the Local Flavors in Ensenada
Also in Ensenada, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Xecue Wine Tasting in the Guadalupe Valley: $39
- Ojos Negros Valley Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour: $59
- From Wine Tasting at Guadalupe Valley Ensenada: $78
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $87
- Sensory Wine Tasting with Chocolate: $92
- Private Wine Tour at Valle de Guadalupe (A wine tasting included).: $106
- From Ojos Negros Valley Cheese & Wine Tasting Tour: $107
- Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $115
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tasting Tour: $126
- Valle de Guadalupe COUPLES wine tasting for 2: $135
- wine tours and driver service through valle de guadalupe, Ensenada B.C. Mexico: $135
- Wine tasting tour for Cruise Ship Visitors. All Inclusive!: $221
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and Ensenada, we can see that Veracruz 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is Ensenada Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Veracruz or Ensenada?
Veracruz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ensenada. When comparing the sizes of Veracruz 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.
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.