Ensenada Shore Excursion: Private Beach or Canyon Horseback
Description
Enjoy a private Ensenada shore excursion to La Bufadora blowhole with free time to explore the lively seaside market and your choice of two scenic horseback riding routes. Choose a relaxing beach & estuary ride with open ocean views and a peaceful pace, or ride through Echo Canyon at Las Cañadas, a shaded and more controlled trail that’s especially ideal for families and kids. All riders receive a safety briefing and helmet, and horses are well-trained and beginner-friendly. Your experience includes private cruise port or hotel pickup with a bilingual driver holding a sign with your name. No crowded buses. No waiting for strangers. Just your group and a clean, comfortable vehicle. Our experienced logistics team at Ensenada Excursions carefully coordinates timing to maximize your port day and ensure a smooth return to the ship. Back-to-Ship Guarantee included. Duration approximately 4.5–5 hours.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your private adventure starts at the designated meeting point in Ensenada. From there, we’ll enjoy a scenic city drive of approximately 50 minutes, where you can observe authentic local life, neighborhoods, and coastal views along the way. Our first stop is the beautiful beach area, where your unforgettable horseback riding experience begins — riding along the Pacific shoreline with trained horses and professional guides.
Enjoy a memorable horseback ride along one of the beautiful beaches of Ensenada, in Baja California, Mexico. Our well-trained horses and experienced handlers ensure a safe and unique experience as you ride along the stunning Pacific coastline. Witness the impressive power of nature at La Bufadora, one of the largest marine geysers in the world. This spectacular blowhole launches jets of water up to 30 meters high, accompanied by a dramatic and unique sound created by the ocean’s force. On the scenic drive through Ensenada, you’ll enjoy breathtaking coastal landscapes before arriving at the vibrant local market near La Bufadora, featuring more than 200 craft and souvenir shops, as well as restaurants and pharmacies — perfect for shopping and tasting authentic Mexican flavors.
Optional Mountain Ride here or Beach Ride at Campo 9
Drop off Anywhere in Ensenada including Cruiseport.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Exit the ship: Turn left and walk past the buses several minutes and Ensenada Sign. Continue on sidewalk for about 8 minutes (walking time depends on where the ship docks). Pass the Ensenada sign and walk under 2 orange archways. Pass all car security booths. Do not cross the footbridge. On your right, you’ll see a large glass building (Museo Caracol) Your guide will wait under the billboard with a your sign. Look for Sign with Your Name;)
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Weight Limit 275
- Age minimum 5 to ride alone. Younger than 5 must ride with adult.
- The travel time is included on the total tour duration
Reviews(102)
This is a scam. We were told someone would have a green hat or shirt on with my name on a board. A bunch of people from he cruise are waiting at this destination where we were instructed to wait and then drivers were just socializing across the street. My driver didnt even have the sign up.. he wasn't wearing any green... because it was way passed our pick up time I went searching for him and found him. These people dont even make an attempt to find you.... my name signage was just down by his side.... Paid for 3 "adults". My 6 year old is considered an adult. She didnt get to ride her own horse. She rode behind me not in a saddle. I was balancing holding her while holding the saddle. We get to bufadora. Our driver says to go eat tacos at Lidia and to come back afterwards to the car. We go back and hes driving a while. I ask him when we're going to see the geyser. He says it was back there you didnt go? ...... speechless.... His English is very limited and he never told us we had to search for the geyser on our own. Had he told us we would have. I assumed we eat tacos go back to him and he would show us the way to the geyser. Nope... we paid 79 per person just to ride a horse eat tacos and go back..... Our driver barely talked... it was a waste of money and a total scam.
Time well spent! Just the ride alone from ship to La Bufadora is 30-40 min but you get a good look at Ensenada and the surrounding area. Horses were great and beautiful and well behaved and cared for, able to run on the beach. La Bufadora is dependent on wave action, so if you can go on incoming or high tide, more spectacular. It is a funnel that channels the wave action, not a true geyser. The flea market scene there is hopping, hundreds of shops and stalls as you walk the gauntlet from parking lot to La Bufadora. Local delicacy is grilled smoked clams w chopped red onion pepper tomato shrimp with grilled melted white cheese on top. Served on big open clamshells. Wow. All this was thanks to Genaro our driver who knew everyone and everything - he lived 20+ yr in the States, perfect English and returned to his home town Ensenada! We see why!
We had an amazing experience with the beach horseback riding excursion! From start to finish, everything was smooth and enjoyable. The horses were incredibly well-behaved, calm, and clearly well cared for, which made the ride relaxing and fun even if you’re not an experienced rider. Riding along the beach was absolutely beautiful—such a unique and memorable experience. The guides were friendly and made sure everyone felt comfortable and safe the entire time. We also loved that we had time to stop for shopping and food, which made the whole outing feel like a full experience rather than just a quick activity. Highly recommend this if you’re looking for something fun, scenic, and a little different. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip!
Our driver was driving phenomenal! He was friendly and informative and went above and beyond. Our horse touring guides were great as well.
My daughter, son, and I had a great time. We did the tour with ATV, horseback riding and zip lining . After Jose recommended a great taco spot downtown. Jose was great and very professional and we like having a private tour instead of the big crowd on the ship. He also took pictures. Please have Jose send the pictures. Thank you.
Fun and exciting. Horseback riding was the best on the beach. So peaceful. Seeing the gyster at was amazing
Thansk for the feeback! Come again! Jesse
We had an amazing day with Ensenada Excursions on the private horseback Beach & La Bufadora tour. Meeting our driver outside the cruise port was simple and everything felt organized and professional from the start. The horseback ride was the highlight - riding along the ocean with the waves crashing nearby was so relaxing. The horses were gentle and the staff made sure everyone felt comfortable before heading out. If you are choosing between options, I'd say the canyon option is the best option for more dramatic views and a unique experience. We're definately doing that next time. La Bufafora was a great stop afterward. We had time for photos, shopping, and grabbing some tacos without feeling rushed. The private setup made the whole day feel easy and personalized instead of crowded and chaotic like cruise excursions. We made it back to the ship with time to spare and zero stress. Would absolutely book with Ensenafa Exursions again.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that your Private Horseback Beach & La Bufadora tour was such a highlight of your day in Ensenada. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the relaxing beach ride and felt comfortable with our gentle horses and attentive staff. We agree — the canyon ride offers amazing views and a unique experience, and we’d love to have you back to try it next time! We’re also glad you had time to explore La Bufadora at your own pace and enjoy some local tacos. Providing a private, stress-free experience is exactly what we aim for, and we’re so happy it made your day memorable. We’d love to welcome you back for another adventure anytime!
Relaxing, scenic, and totally worth it We booked the Private Horseback Beach & La Bufadora Shore Excursion with Ensenada Excursions, and it was such a great decision. Everything was easy from the start — clear meeting instructions, driver waiting with our name, and a clean, comfortable vehicle. The horseback ride along the beach was peaceful and beautiful. The horses were calm and the guides made sure we felt safe before heading out. If you’re deciding between options, I’d recommend considering the canyon ride — it looked like the best option for even more scenery and variety. La Bufadora was fun to explore, and we never felt rushed. Having a private driver made the whole day smooth and stress free. We got back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. Much better than booking through the cruise line. Highly reccomend Ensenada Excursions if you want a personalized experience.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that your Private Horseback Beach & La Bufadora Shore Excursion went smoothly from start to finish. It’s great that you enjoyed the peaceful beach ride and felt safe with our horses and guides. We agree — the canyon ride is a fantastic option for those looking for even more scenery and variety! We’re also glad you had time to explore La Bufadora at your own pace and that having a private driver made the day stress-free. Your recommendation means a lot, and we’re thrilled that we could provide a personalized experience that exceeded what the cruise line offers. We would love to welcome you back for another memorable adventure anytime!
Private, peaceful, and the perfect cruise day! We booked the Private Horseback Beach & La Bufadora Shore Excursion with Ensenada Excursions, and it was easily the highlight of our stop in Ensenada. From the start, everything was smooth and well organized. Our driver was waiting right outside the cruise port with a sign, the vehicle was clean, and we felt safe the entire day. Communication before and during the tour was excellent. The horseback riding was absolutely beautiful. Riding along the beach with the ocean breeze and wide open views was so peaceful. The horses were calm and well cared for, and the guides made sure everyone felt comfortable before we started. If you’re deciding between beach or canyon, I would honestly say the canyon ride is probably the best option if you want more scenery and a little variety — we’re planning to try that next time. After the ride, we visited La Bufadora and had time to explore the market and take photos without feeling rushed. Our driver even recommended a local taco spot that ended up being one of the best meals of our trip. What we loved most was that it was private. No crowded buses, no waiting around for strangers. Just our group enjoying the day at our own pace. If you're coming on a cruise and want something relaxing, scenic, and stress free, book with Ensenada Excursions. It was truly a memerable experience and we would absolutely do it again.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your Private Horseback Beach & La Bufadora Shore Excursion was a highlight of your Ensenada stop. It’s great to know that everything, from the pickup to communication and the tour itself, went smoothly and made you feel comfortable and safe. We take pride in providing well-cared-for horses and attentive guides, and we’re glad you enjoyed the peaceful beach ride. Your tip about trying the canyon ride next time is spot on — it does offer a bit more variety and scenery! We’re also happy you had time to explore La Bufadora and enjoy some local flavors. We agree — having a private tour really lets you set the pace and fully enjoy the experience. Thank you again for choosing Ensenada Excursions. We would love to welcome you back for another memorable adventure anytime!
Truly enjoyed the horseback with the beach in the background. Wish they let us get the horses to run but it’s understandable. Would do it again
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad you enjoyed the horseback ride with the beautiful beach views—it’s definitely a special setting. For safety reasons, we keep the pace controlled, and we appreciate your understanding. We’re happy to hear you’d do it again and hope to welcome you back soon!
