Baja California has shattered its record for transit passengers in Ensenada for the second consecutive year, hitting the milestone ahead of schedule. Official reports indicate that by the close of the first week of September, the coastal port had officially welcomed over 1 million visitors.
State Tourism Secretary Miguel Ángel Badiola Montaño attributed the surge to strong strategic partnerships with major international cruise lines. He added that the destination’s growing reputation for exceptional service, warm hospitality, and diverse attractions continues to build strong traveler trust.
“In Baja California, we move forwards together. This milestone is not just a success for the Secretariat of Tourism, but a testament to the local workforce who ensure visitors experience the rich flavors, unique activities, and warm essence of our region,” he said.
The port reached the 1,009,000 people faster than in previous years, requiring 263 vessels in 2026 compared to 267 ships in 2025, which achieved the same milestone on October 9.
In August alone, 32 cruise ships docked in Ensenada, delivering 130,062 passengers. Capacity per ship also expanded, with average transit passenger counts per vessel rising 1.65% from 3,750 in 2025 to 3,812 in 2026.
Tourism officials attribute this growth to a three-pronged strategy: direct engagement with cruise lines through industry summits, international marketing campaigns highlighting regional attractions, and enhanced on-the-ground visitor assistance units, information desks, and operations.
To compare, Ensenada did not this mark until December in 2023. Officials credit targeted initiatives aimed at boosting visitor arrivals along Mexico’s Pacific coast for driving this momentum.
Badiola Montaño emphasized that the influx of cruise traffic delivers tangible economic benefits to local communities by driving demand across gastronomy, entertainment, regional attractions, and tourism support services under the state’s Shared Well-Being initiative.
Boosting Local Talent
The Secretariat of Tourism is partnering with the Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) to host two upcoming employment fairs focused on career opportunities within the cruise industry.
MSC Cruises will host the next recruitment event on September 21 at the historic Riviera Social, Civic, and Cultural Center of Ensenada, beginning at 10:00 AM. Openings span multiple departments, including culinary, food and beverage, housekeeping, and entertainment.
Prospective applicants can pre-register for selection through the official MSC Cruises portal:
A second recruitment event organized together with STPS, maritime operators, and Hutchison Ports is scheduled for November, with specific candidate requirements to be announced early that month.
The initiative follows a successful first maritime job fair in August, which drew over 400 local applicants to the Riviera center seeking roles in the industry.
