I only meant to stay for a day or two in Ensenada, but six weeks later, I was saddened by the thought of leaving. On my first day in Ensenada, I visited Baja Ecovillage, and the founder, Mark, invited me to house sit while he was gone for ten days. Then, I started making friends, and I was offered two more house-sitting opportunities, one on the beach and the other overlooking the stunning cliffs of La Bufadora.
The beauty of Ensenada, along with the community of friendly ex-pats that call the area home, left a lasting impression on me. You’re just a few hours away from San Diego, and you can rent a lovely house on the beach for about $700 a month! It’s a place I could see myself retiring in.
The Dramatic Cliffs of La Bufadora
By far, the biggest draw in the area is La Bufadora. The blowhole spews water high into the air to the delight of tourists, and the booming sound as it explodes with incredible force makes your heart flutter in excitement. The blowhole is strategically placed at the end of an outdoor handicraft market, and several excellent restaurants line the walkway. The delightful aroma of fresh barbeque and tacos makes your mouth water. So, take your time, buy some handmade leather goods, pottery, or silver jewelry along the way.
The Friendly People
One of the hardest things for me when traveling is leaving behind new friends. The Punta Banda community is full of lovely people, many of whom are ex-pats that have formed a tight community. They welcomed me into their homes. They opened their hearts to me and invited me to teach yoga. I became a temporary member of the local gardening group, joined the Sunday morning hiking group, and enjoyed a fun October fest celebration to raise money for the local dog shelter. There was live music, happy hours, and late-night dancing at La Marina. It reminded me of life pre-pandemic back in the states and made me feel alive again.
The Beautiful Beach and Warm Water
Of course, one of the major draws of the area is the beach. One of the homes I was house sitting in was on the “spit” between Ensanada and La Bufadora. The spit is about a two-mile-long narrow peninsula on the Baja Peninsula, and it’s lined on the west side by a long beautiful beach. From pelicans to Snowy Plovers to the Great Egrets in the estuary on the bay, it’s a birding paradise. The ocean water is warm and inviting, and vendors offer fresh ceviche, boogie boards for rent, and even horseback riding.
Plenty of Recreation
There is a plethora of recreation available in the area. I enjoyed an afternoon at Pai Pai Eco-Tourism Park. Usually, I avoid places where animals are in captivity. Still, my friends really wanted to go, and after doing research, it seemed like they have a solid educational outreach and good reputation. The petting zoo and baby tiger, jaguar, and lion stole the show. An opportunist little raccoon tried to steal my cell phone and made us all laugh at its antics. I also went kayaking in the bay and enjoyed long walks through the desert.