A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ensenada vs. Key Largo for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Ensenada or Key Largo?

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

Should I visit Ensenada or Key Largo? 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 outdoorsy, historic, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Ensenada travel costs.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a peaceful, family-friendly, and beautiful island. It's a quaint destination. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches. See Key Largo travel costs.

Ensenada and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ensenada or Key Largo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ensenada. Although Ensenada and Key Largo are both popular with visitors, Ensenada has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ensenada is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Key Largo is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Ensenada is popular for its local cuisine, golf, and outdoor sports. It is also home to Avenida Lopez Mateos. Key Largo is popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove.

How is Ensenada different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ensenada or Key Largo?

Ensenada is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Ensenada. There are several good museums in town such as the Museo de Historia and Caracol Museo de Ciencias.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ensenada is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Ensenada has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Ensenada or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Ensenada is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Ensenada has a few options to choose from. There are a number of bars and nightclubs around town. Head to Avenida López Mateos for many of the best restaurants and bars.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Ensenada or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is a great destination for its resorts. However, Ensenada is not a resort destination.

Key Largo is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Ensenada is not a resort destination.

Is Ensenada or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is a great destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Ensenada is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Ensenada is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ensenada or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Key Largo is a popular place for the beach. However, Ensenada is a city with minimal options for the beach.

Key Largo is a good option for a beach vacation. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

The beach in Ensenada is worth checking out. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Ensenada or Key Largo?

Ensenada is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Ensenada has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ensenada or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ensenada is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Key Largo is a very family-friendly destination. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

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 Key Largo Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ensenada and Key Largo make for a good place to visit.

Ensenada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has an authentic atmosphere that will let you experience a more genuine side to Mexico.

Key Largo is a good city for couples to visit. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Ensenada or Key Largo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ensenada is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Ensenada is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and a number of cheap hotels around town.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

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

Ensenada is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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 Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Ensenada or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Ensenada is great for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Key Largo is not a walkable city. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Ensenada?

How long in Ensenada or Key Largo?

Both Ensenada and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Ensenada. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Ensenada, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Ensenada than Key Largo. 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ensenada. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The island of Key Largo offers scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Key Largo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Ensenada. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Key Largo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Ensenada or Key Largo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Ensenada. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Key Largo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Key Largo, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Ensenada or Key Largo?

Ensenada is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Key Largo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Key Largo has to offer. This island 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Ensenada or Key Largo?

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