Ensenada: the coast, the city and the gateway to wine country
Ensenada is a Pacific port city in Baja California. Its municipality had 443,807 residents at the 2020 census, and the state tourism board places the city about 105 km south of Tijuana. In 2025 its port handled 427,499 container units (TEU) and 1,345,461 cruise passengers. The Valle de Guadalupe wine country is a few minutes away.
| Fact | Value | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Municipality population | 443,807 residents | Secretaría de Economía, Data México (INEGI) data from 2020 census (INEGI) |
| Distance from Tijuana | about 105 km | Secretaría de Turismo de Baja California data from undated page, read 2026-10-18 |
| Port container traffic | 427,499 TEU in 2025 | ASIPONA Ensenada data from 2025 |
| Cruise passengers | 1,345,461 in 2025 | ASIPONA Ensenada data from 2025 |
| Toll booths on the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road | 3 (Playas de Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada) | Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) data from SCT record, undated |
The setting
Ensenada is the main city of its municipality and a working port: in 2025 it handled containers and received cruise passengers, with the figures in this guide's key facts table. It sits on the Pacific, on the coast of Baja California.
Getting there from the border
The state tourism board calls the corridor linking Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada the Carretera Escénica. The SCT record lists three toll booths. Tolls and border waits change every day, so we do not repeat them here: check the official page before you leave.
The Valle de Guadalupe, a few minutes away
The state tourism board describes the Valle de Guadalupe as just a few minutes from Ensenada.
Before you make an offer
Some rural land in Baja California is ejido land, which cannot be sold as private property until it has been converted; checking that belongs to the notario público. Our buying guide explains the general picture.
Current listings in Ensenada
663 active listings today. Each card names the agency or developer that published it and leads to the original listing.
Photo: Grupo INSA Propiedades
Photo: MORC
Photo: MORC
Photo: Bienes Raíces Cantúa
Photo: Bienes Y Raices Mision Mx
Photo: Bienes Raíces CantúaFrequently asked questions
How many people live in Ensenada?
The municipality of Ensenada had 443,807 residents at the 2020 census (INEGI, via Data México).
How far is Ensenada from Tijuana?
The Baja California tourism board publishes about 105 km from Tijuana. That is a city-to-city distance, not measured from the border crossing.
Is the Valle de Guadalupe close to Ensenada?
Yes. The state tourism board describes it as a few minutes from Ensenada.
Related guides
The Valle de Guadalupe: the valley, the climate and the land
Climate, vineyards, the harvest, and what the documents of a parcel in wine country show.
Rosarito and the toll road to Ensenada
The coastal municipality south of Tijuana and the first stretch of the scenic road.
Distances, roads and the border
Distances from Tijuana, the toll road, and where to see the border live.
Buying in Baja California from the US or Canada
Restricted zone, fideicomiso, notary and the ejido caution, with the law cited.
Sources
- Ensenada, municipality profile (Data México) · Secretaría de Economía, Data México (INEGI) · accessed 2026-10-18
- Roads and transport (distances from Tijuana) · Secretaría de Turismo de Baja California · accessed 2026-10-18
- 2025 financial statements and notes (cargo and cruise traffic) · ASIPONA Ensenada · accessed 2026-10-18
- Record of the Tijuana-Ensenada road (SIBUAC) · Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) · accessed 2026-10-18
- Border Wait Times · U.S. Customs and Border Protection · accessed 2026-10-18
- The Valle de Guadalupe (tourist route) · Secretaría de Turismo de Baja California · accessed 2026-10-18
- Ley Agraria, arts. 80 to 84 and 148 · Cámara de Diputados · accessed 2026-10-18
- Ley del Notariado para el Estado de Baja California · Gobierno de Baja California (Justia México) · accessed 2026-10-18
This page is general orientation with sources cited. It is not legal or tax advice and not an opinion of value. Confirm every figure with your notario público. Send us a question