Just heard about a travel alert in Mexico. Is there any problem in Ensenada Mexico?

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

Most of the worst issues are on the Mexico - Texas border. It does say, however:

"Robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings have all increased over the last year across Mexico generally, with notable spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja California. Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales are among the cities which have recently experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public venues."

I will say right now, if you decide to stay on board you are not missing anything. Of the ports I have been to, it seems like they are all the same:

1) Kids begging for a buck for knockoff chicklets.

2) tourist bars that offer $20 all you can drink so you can get drunk.

3) Crappy goods that were probably made in Taiwan anyhow.

4) Overpriced tequila and all natural vanilla in the touristy areas, where you should stay put at.

5) Oh yeah, the kids from 1) cough all over you, thus the name I gave them: "THE TB KIDS".

If you do decide to go I suggest the following:

1) Group of 4 or more. If at least one of you speaks Spanish, thats a big bonus.

2) Nobody get trashed on Alcohol. If you can walk back to the boat, that is the best condition to be.

3) Stay away from "locals" bars. Furthermore, just stay on the tourists strips.

4) If you dont have to be back on the boat until after dark, just head back to the boat for your dinner before it gets dark.

Have fun,

Matt

Thanks Matt for the information.

 Im no expert. I have found that we should trust the State Department, if no other reason than they would rather not spend the time dealing with individual US citizen issues outside our borders.

The only things that have evern happened to me in Ensenada:

1)  TB kids coughing all over me while eating.  

2) My wife's parents house was broken into and used as a crack house for a while.  MY wife and her sister left me there to clean the house while they went to pay the taxes and utilities.  While I was there, a neighbor called the cops on me because she "thought" I was burglarizing the place.  THe cops came in while I ws sweeping and drew their guns at me.  I was this close -><- to making a bigger mess to clean up when that happened.  I held my hands up, dropped the broom to the left of me, and tried to dig deep to remember my spanish from high school.  Thankfully they just looked at my ID asked a few questions in broken english.  THe neighbor then came in and identified me.  It was all a big show for her to make us think she was watching the house, because my wife and her sister to pay us to.

Touristy-stuff, other than the TB kids, I have never had a problem.  It does sound like it is getting pretty HOT all over the Northern half of the country though.

Matt

The 10PM evening news here in San Francisco just said state department has warned spring breakers about TJ and Rosarita Beach.  The Fox Studio Tour (pricey but clean and somehwat interesting) stops at the Rosarita Beach Hotel for lunch.  Orgnaized tours tend to be safer than striking out on your own.  BUT even on an organized tour follow the buddy rule, go no where alone.

LETS KEEP IN MIND WHERE WE LIVE AS WELL. I LIVE IN REDLANDS CA., AN UPSCALE, UPPERCLASS, OLD SCHOOL CITY, AN HOUR AWAY FROM LA. A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM WHERE I LIVE IS SAN BERNARDINO CA. (THE MURDER CAPITAL OF CA., IF NOT THE NATION). NOT TWO MONTHS AGO AT A TGI FRIDAYS IN RIVERSIDE A FIGHT BROKE OUT, A GUY WAS STABBED, & I SPENT THE NEXT 15 MINUTES ATTEMPTING TO DO CPR ON SOMEONE WHO WAS BLEEDING TO DEATH. I WORK AS A FIREFIGHTER HERE IN SO. CAL. & LET ME TELL YOU.... I'VE BEEN TO MEXICO, TOP TO BOTTOM, A MILLION TIMES. I WOULD FEEL SAFER WALKING DOWN MORE STREETS THERE THAN MOST OF THE STREETS THAT ARE JUST A FEW BLOCKS NORTH FROM WHERE I LIVE. STAY TOGETHER AND PARTY IT UP!

I tend to agree. We are booked on the 5 day Baja cruise on the Splendor, leaving March 31st. If Carnival cruise lines felt any of their passengers were in imminent danger by docking in Ensenada, they would avoid it. We live near San Diego and have been to Ensenada countless times. Honestly, I think we're going to stay on the ship and get a massage; but that's more because I don't really care about Ensenada. We will get off the ship in Cabo. I think it's a much nicer city anyway.  

I have been hearing alot of people are afraide to get off the ship at this port. As long as you stay with a Carnival Excursion or with a group and don't go off alone into areas you don't know, I'm sure you will be ok. The drug dealers are at war with each other not with us. The tourest areas are pretty safe. Just like any place in the world, you should always be aware of your surroungings, take only transportation Carnival tells you about. Be sure to go to the embarkation talk when you get aboard you ship and they will give you all the updates and info you will need to know. Hope this helps.

Have a wonderful Cruise

Check the website below and other sites similar.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

I AM A NURSE WHO WORKS AT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF SAN BERNARDINO.  I KNOW ALL TOO WELL REGARDING THE VIOLENCE THAT SOURROUNDS US EVERYDAY.  I WANT TO JUST SAY THANK YOU.  THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO SAVE MY BROTHER IN LAW ORLANDO.  MY SELF, MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS, AND HUSBAND (ORLANDO'S ONLY BROTHER) MISS HIM SO MUCH. AS A NURSE I KEEP WONDERING HOW....WHY...I GO THROUGH EVERYTHING I KNOW MEDICALLY.... AND STILL WONDER WHY.  YOU HAVE GIVEN ME SOME PEACE.  FOR MONTHS I HAVE PICTURED HIM LAYING THERE AND NO ONE HELPING HIM.  I THANK YOU FOR TRYING ALL YOU COULD.  MY LITTLE GIRLS THANK YOU.  I CAN NOW TELL THEM THAT A VERY GOOD MAN WAS TRYING TO HELP ORLANDO.  YOU ARE AN ANGEL.  YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO HELP.  BUT YOU DID.  I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

CYNTHIA JORDAN...

just returned yesterday from 4 day trip port of ensenada was a blast no worres

or problems there people were fun and smart there in the same mess were in here

just trying to make a few bucks bizz is poor there and i got a tour after i got off the ship

it was cheaper there 15 bucks instead of 26 bucks went to buffadora blow hole

had lunch there and the shoping there is a true flea market you have to ck it out

i was told problems find problems and happy nes  finds happynes

sorry about my speling  english is my second lanuge

have a nice trip

ps  i wouled say oakland ca is worse mexico any day

cruiser:

just returned yesterday from 4 day trip port of ensenada was a blast no worres

or problems there people were fun and smart there in the same mess were in here

just trying to make a few bucks bizz is poor there and i got a tour after i got off the ship

it was cheaper there 15 bucks instead of 26 bucks went to buffadora blow hole

had lunch there and the shoping there is a true flea market you have to ck it out

i was told problems find problems and happy nes  finds happynes

sorry about my speling  english is my second lanuge

have a nice trip

ps  i wouled say oakland ca is worse mexico any day

Welcome Back Cruiser, Glad you had a great time. I just got back myself a couple of weeks ago and had a ball :-). I'm from Berkeley Ca right next to Oakland and am moving to Ensanada. Although I love Mexico very much I have to beg to differ with you about the crime. Mexico has it's very bad spot's to, but It's is much worse in the border towns of mexico by laredo & Juarez. They control just about the whole town " , But I would feel safer in Oakland then on the boder " Lot's of them are very  organized. Not only are the gang's very organized ,there are people involved that you would think you can count on for help, but they are right along right along side of the Gang's. There are alot of good people and law enforcment who fight this crime tooth and nail and that's what it's going to take to stop this madness. I watched a special about this after I had returned from my cruise and it was very interesting. I was just glad to see so many people trying to help save others there and I have faith that this group will grow and I hope it will be all over the world. I always keep a candle lit for the safe return of all who are missing and pray for there safe return.

I also took a little tour with one of the locals, there were 6 of us. It was a nice walk around down town. Only about 30 min, but it felt good to help this family out :-)