OUR LOCAL: Miguel Arroyo HOMETOWN: Ensenada B.C Mexico HOW LONG: 30 years OCCUPATION: Tour guide & surf instructor BIO: I love the ocean. I am a diver, surfer, sailor and tour guide. I have my own surf school, www.surfensenada.com. People from the cruise ships and tourists from Canada and the U.S contact me for surf lesson and local tours while they are here. [DBTC Note: If you’ve been lucky enough to join us on one of our Guadalupe Valley trips, Miguel is our wonderfully charismatic tour guide in the valley!]
If you had to describe Ensenada in three words, what would they be? Love the weather
Best activities to enjoy in Ensenada? There are lots of activities to do in the ocean such as fishing, kayaking, scuba diving and surfing. There’s also lots of things to do in the Valle de Guadalupe like wine tasting, winery tours, horseback riding and great restaurants to enjoy.
Any good street food? Good food? GREAT Food!! Ensenada started as a fishing town so fishing is one of the oldest activities here in Ensenada. Now with the wine valley there’s an incredible fusion between seafood and wine. ¡Delicioso! Ensenada has some of the best fish tacos ever. There’s also incredible ceviche, clam, shrimp, tuna, octopus and great Margaritas too. Don’t miss little street food stands like fish tacos El Fenix, Mariscos La Guerrerense, Mariscos Yiyos, and Muelle3.
Favorite sit-down restaurants? Sanos, Ophelia, El Rey Sol, Boules and in Ensenada and in the Valle de Guadalupe there’s Finca Altozano, Laja, and Latitud 32 at El Cielo.
What are some of the best hotels in the area? Hotel Coral & Marina, Estero Beach Resort, Corona Hotel & Spa, San Nicolas Hotel in town and the Hacienda Guadalupe and Encuentro Guadalupe in the Valle de Guadalupe.
What are the best beaches to visit in Ensenada? San Miguel, Playa Hermosa, La Jolla, Arbolitos and Campo Kennedy.
Things people shouldn’t visit Ensenada without seeing or doing? You have to stop and drink a tequila shot in Hussong’s Cantina. It’s classic.
Annual events that are worth making a trip to Ensenada for? The Fiestas de la Vendimia take place in the Valle de Guadalupe every August with the famous Paella event at the end of the festival. The Baja 1000 off-road race starts (and sometimes ends) in Ensenada every November.
Any good shopping? First Street has great shopping.
Your best insider tip about visiting Ensenada? Don’t be afraid to try something new.
What’s the best time of year to visit? There’s great weather year round, but I personally love spring and autumn.
The best “local spot” in town? El Mirador lookout on Chapultepec Hill.