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

Should you visit Ensenada or Vernon?

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

Should I visit Ensenada or Vernon? 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Ensenada travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Vernon travel costs.

Ensenada and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ensenada or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ensenada. Although Ensenada and Vernon are both popular with visitors, Ensenada has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ensenada is more popular for its food, nightlife, and beaches, while Vernon is known for its hiking. Ensenada is more touristy than Vernon and is known for its local cuisine, golf, and outdoor sports. It is also home to Avenida Lopez Mateos. Vernon is popular for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Ensenada different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vernon 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 Vernon?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Ensenada and Vernon.

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 Vernon. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

Ensenada is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Ensenada is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Ensenada or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Ensenada is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Ensenada or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Ensenada is a moderate city for the beach. However, Vernon is not a beach destination.

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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Ensenada or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon 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 Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Ensenada is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ensenada or Vernon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Vernon and Ensenada.

Ensenada offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Vernon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Ensenada or Vernon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ensenada or Vernon.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ensenada. You'll find ziplining, horseback riding, and surf lessons in the area. Kids will also enjoy seeing the Water Show or going whale watching.

Vernon offers lots of family activities. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Ensenada or Vernon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ensenada and Vernon 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.

Vernon is a good city for couples to visit. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Ensenada or Vernon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ensenada is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Vernon is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ensenada. There are a few hostels and a number of cheap hotels around town.

Vernon is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel in town, but this isn't a popular destination for backpackers.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Ensenada and Vernon.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Ensenada or Vernon a more walkable city?

Ensenada is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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

Vernon is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Ensenada?

How long in Ensenada or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ensenada and Vernon. In our opinion, Ensenada has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ensenada than Vernon. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Ensenada, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

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

Couples should spend more time in Ensenada than Vernon. 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 Vernon 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 Vernon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ensenada. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Vernon offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Ensenada or Vernon?

Ensenada is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Vernon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this 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 Vernon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Ensenada or Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ensenada. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon 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 Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Ensenada. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vernon 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 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ensenada and Vernon, we can see that Ensenada is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Ensenada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ensenada than you might in Vernon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ensenada Expensive? and Is Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ensenada or Vernon?

Ensenada has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Ensenada and Vernon, 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.