Safety is one of the most vital things to consider when thinking of a place to unwind and clear your head. Regardless of how wonderful a state or city may appear, it’s not worth visiting if safety isn’t prioritized.
Situated in the Baja California Peninsula lies the fantastic city of Ensenada. The city is an excellent tourist location with many unique attractions to keep visitors glued to the city. But if you’ve ever wondered about the level of safety in Ensenada, you’ve arrived at the right place, as this writing will unravel all you need to know about Ensenada.
Ensenada is a famous travel destination for lovers of outdoor fun. The city boasts lovely restaurants, vibrant nightlife, fantastic beaches, and state-of-the-art structures.
It’s no doubt that Mexico ranks as one of the states with a high rate of drug trafficking and violence, which often makes people planning to visit Ensenada ponder the city’s safety.
Is Ensenada Safe?
Over the past years, Ensenada has had a series of crime reports and violence, with drug trafficking topping this list. As a result, there’s a general belief that Ensenada isn’t safe for tourists. However, that’s not entirely true because the violence is usually channeled to locals involved in drug trafficking schemes, and travelers are rarely affected.
Travelers are advised to exercise caution when visiting Ensenada as the city is prone to crimes and petty theft. Crime in Ensenada varies with location; some locations may likely be safe during the day and unsafe at night.
Regardless of the safety fears in Ensenada, the city is fantastic as long as you take proper measures to enjoy your safety in the region.
Common Crimes to Watch Out for in Ensenada
Most areas in Ensenada are relatively safe, although you can’t be too sure; hence it’s necessary to know some prevalent crimes in the city to help you stay watchful.
Common crimes in Ensenada include bag snatching, pickpocketing, car theft, and drug-related crimes. However, your safety is guaranteed if you stay vibrant and cautious of your environment in Ensenada.
When in Ensenada, endeavor to stay away from poorly lighted streets and dark alleys, keep your car doors locked and avoid driving alone at night.
Theft at ATM locations is quite common in Ensenada, so ensure to be very cautious when using ATMs in Ensenada. You can opt to use ATMs located inside banks for safety reasons.
Reports from previous years have revealed that tourists can get drugged and robbed in Ensenada, so you have to be on the lookout when out in bars and restaurants and always ensure you don’t leave your drink open outside Ensenada.
Crime-Dominated Areas in Ensenada
Ensenada is generally safe if you stay cautious of some areas and follow specific precautions. Below is a list of some of the places to avoid in Ensenada.
Isolated Beaches
If you’re a lover of outdoor fun, then there’s no doubt you’ll love to visit the beach in Ensenada, but you must know that some of the beaches in Ensenada are isolated and not traveler-friendly.
For solo travelers, it’s advised to avoid unfamiliar areas and stick to open, famous, and well-lit beaches.
Red Light District
Although Red Light District isn’t totally in Ensenada, tourists in Ensenada still visit this location since it’s just a few distances away from Ensenada.
Red Light District, famously called La Zona Norte, lies in Tijuana. The area is famous for sex tourism, but tourists are strongly advised to avoid it as drug dealers and thieves dominate it.
Eastern and Western Edges of the City
Eastern and Western Edges of Ensenada is a complete no-visit zone for travelers in Ensenada. These are popular for higher-level crimes like drug violence and others.
Precautions to Take When You Visit Ensenada
It doesn’t hurt to apply a little caution. So if you’ve plans to visit Ensenada, here are a few things to help you stay safe and have an enjoyable trip:
Tour Around Popular and Well-Lit Areas
Crime in Ensenada varies with location, so it’s advisable to stick to roaming around popular and well-lit areas. Conversely, avoid poorly-lit areas, especially at night, to avoid getting robbed or harassed.
Use Official Taxis
Official taxes in Ensenada are colored white and green. So if you’re a traveler in Ensenada, you should restrain from entering unmarked taxis or anyone offering you a free ride.
Become Observant of Your Environment
It’s a normal thing to be very vigilant whenever you’re in a new environment. So just like all other places, you must always be on the lookout in Ensenada and restrain from carrying large sums of cash around.
Learn Spanish
Communication is vital to survival in any place you find yourself. Learning Spanish would help you communicate with the locals and aid your movement in Ensenada.
Avoid Excessive Drug and Alcohol Consumption
Drug violence is a significant concern in Ensenada, so it’s best that, as a tourist in the city, you should avoid drugs and excessive alcohol.
Reside in a Reputable Environment
Staying in a suitable environment in Ensenada would add an extra layer of security to your stay in Ensenada. Therefore, constantly endeavor you go for locations with good reviews and safety.
Things to Know About Ensenada
As stated earlier, Ensenada is a fantastic tourist location for lovers of outdoor fun. The city has a rich culture and a high taste for art. Before moving to Ensenada or visiting the city to unwind, here are a few things to know about the city
Language
The official language in Ensenada is Spanish. Most locals speak English, but as a tourist, learning or knowing a bit of Spanish would be helpful when relating with the locals in the city.
Fiestas and Celebrations
You can’t separate Mexicans and Celebrations, and the city of Ensenada is no exception when it comes to Fiesta and throwing big parties.
Ensenada hosts several annual fiestas, like the Fiestas de la Vendimia, which usually occurs in August, and the Carnival of Ensenada, which takes place in February.
Religion
About 78% of Mexicans are Catholics, and it’s best you know this as a tourist to avoid you disrespecting their religion. It’s customary to dress when attending a religious ceremony in Ensenada.
Food and Drink
Ensenada ranks as one of the cities with the best seafood in Mexico. It’s important to know that Mexicans love late meals, with dinner starting as late as 9 pm.
Tipping is expected, although you aren’t under any compulsion to give a tip. When it comes to drinks, locals in Ensenada tend to love local liquors like tequila and mezcal.
Etiquette
It’s no doubt that Mexicans are amiable and highly hospitable. It’s a norm to greet in the Mexican culture, and it’s customary to greet with a hug or handshake, depending on how familiarity levels.
One major thing to note about etiquette in Ensenda is that Mexicans don’t consider invading someone’s personal space an impolite act.
FAQs.
Does Ensenada Have Cartels?
It’s a known thing that Mexico is one of the countries with the highest drug crime rate, so it’s only normal to find cartels in regions across the country.
The excellent news about Ensenada is that the number of cartels in the city is low compared to other regions in Mexico. As a result, visitors in Ensenada hardly complain about cartel violence or crime.
You must stay cautious as a tourist in Ensenada and avoid areas with a track record of criminal activity.
Is Ensenada safer than Tijuana?
Yes!!! Ensenada has a lower crime rate when compared to Tijuana, which makes it safer. Both cities are famous tourist locations, but Ensenada is smaller and less populated, making enforcing the law and maintaining order in the town more accessible.
Conclusion
Ensenada is a beautiful tourist destination with amiable and hospitable residents. Regardless of the crime reports in the city, Ensenada is generally safe for travelers.
Crimes and violence in the area are usually targeted at locals involved in those activities, and tourists are rarely affected. Nevertheless, taking precautions is necessary, and you’re sure of a fantastic time in Ensenada.