A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ensenada vs. Durango for Food, Families, Attractions, and Couples

Should you visit Ensenada or Durango?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ensenada or Durango? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Ensenada

Ensenada is a historic, cultural, and outdoorsy city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ensenada travel costs.

Durango

Durango is a historic, charming, and quaint small town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. Durango is a beautiful place to visit, too. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the hiking and museums. See Durango travel costs.

Ensenada and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ensenada or Durango?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Durango. Although Ensenada and Durango are popular destinations, Durango has more sights and attractions for tourists. Durango is very popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Ensenada attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping. Ensenada is more touristy than Durango and is popular for its local cuisine, golf, and outdoor sports. Durango is famous for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also well known for The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad.

How is Ensenada different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Durango and Ensenada. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is a small town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Ensenada is not a skiing destination.

Durango is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Ensenada is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ensenada or Durango?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Ensenada and Durango.

Ensenada offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several good museums in town such as the Museo de Historia and Caracol Museo de Ciencias.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Durango. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

Is the Food Better in Ensenada or Durango? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ensenada is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Ensenada. The town is known for its seafood, and fish tacos is one of the most popular dishes. You'll find seafood markets and street cards selling fresh and local items. Sample your way through the city and enjoy all of the local specialties.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Ensenada is a good destination for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Ensenada. There are a number of bars and nightclubs around town. Head to Avenida López Mateos for many of the best restaurants and bars.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for Beaches?

Ensenada is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Durango is not a beach destination.

Ensenada is a good spot to see the beach. It's a working port town and the beaches in the area aren't great. You'll find the best options to the south of the city.

Durango is not a beach destination.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a popular place for its old town. However, Ensenada does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Durango to see the old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Ensenada does not have a historic old town.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Ensenada is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Durango. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Ensenada is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ensenada or Durango?

Ensenada is a good destination for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Ensenada. Avenida López Mateos is the main shopping street in town. You'll find many shops, but be prepared to pay more than you might elsewhere because shopkeepers are used to cruise ship riders who are willing to pay a high price tag.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Is Ensenada or Durango More Beautiful?

Durango is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ensenada is not a destination known for its beauty.

Durango is a beautiful place to visit, too. The town is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty.

Ensenada is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for Families?

Durango is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ensenada is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Durango is a very kid-friendly small town. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

Ensenada offers lots of family activities. You'll find ziplining, horseback riding, and surf lessons in the area. Kids will also enjoy seeing the Water Show or going whale watching.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for Couples?

Ensenada is a good destination for romance. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Ensenada is a nice destination for couples. The city has an authentic atmosphere that will let you experience a more genuine side to Mexico.

Most people don't think of Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ensenada and Durango are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ensenada. There are a few hostels and a number of cheap hotels around town.

Durango is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Is Ensenada or Durango Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ensenada is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ensenada. Public transit in the area is limited.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Ensenada or Durango a more walkable city?

Ensenada is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Ensenada is very walkable. The downtown area is walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Ensenada Worth Visiting? and Is Durango Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durango or Ensenada?

How long in Ensenada or Durango?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ensenada and Durango. In our opinion, Ensenada has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ensenada than Durango. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Durango than Ensenada. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Durango, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ensenada than Durango. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ensenada that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ensenada than Durango if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ensenada.

One day in Ensenada or Durango?

In Ensenada, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Durango is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Ensenada or Durango?

In Ensenada, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ensenada has to offer.

Durango is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this small town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durango, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Ensenada or Durango?

Ensenada is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Durango is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Ensenada or Durango?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ensenada. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Ensenada. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Durango is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This small town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ensenada and Durango, we can see that Durango 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 Durango would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durango 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 Ensenada Expensive? and Is Durango Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ensenada or Durango?

Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Ensenada and Durango, 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.