La Bufadora
Ensenada, Baja California
With its thunderous crash and sky-high jet of water, La Bufadora blowhole—a grey whale turned to stone, according to local legend—is one of the world’s largest marine geysers and an easy trip from nearby Ensenada. Prepare to get drenched as you watch from the surrounding viewpoints as the saltwater squirts up to 100 feet (30 meters) into the air.
La Bufadora blowhole is a common half-day excursion for travelers and cruise ship passengers in nearby Ensenada, although many tours combine a stop at the geyser with the opportunity to take a canopy tour in Las Cañadas or Pai Pai Ecotourism Park. Whatever your schedule or interests, with options that build in time for horseback riding, browsing the flea markets, or taking part in a tequila tasting alongside visiting La Bufadora, there’s a private or shared excursion to suit most.
Take plenty of cash to buy souvenirs, snacks, and access the public bathrooms.
Access to La Bufadora itself is free.
There are several restaurants in and around La Bufadora site.
The blowhole "erupts" every few minutes, but you might need to be patient to catch a really spectacular jet of water; high tide is the best time to visit.
Some of the path down to La Bufadora is wheelchair and stroller accessible, although quite steep in parts.
La Bufadora is situated 23 miles (38 kilometers) south of Ensenada, on the Punta Banda peninsula. There’s plenty of on-site parking and the winding drive down to the blowhole is as picturesque as La Bufadora itself. To save the hassle of renting a car, you can also visit during a guided excursion which includes stops at nearby attractions, such as Las Cañadas or Pai Pai.
La Bufadora is a popular year-round attraction and is accessible daily. Weekends and national holidays are typically the busiest times to visit, so go midweek if you want to skip the largest crowds or stop by early in the morning to enjoy the place to yourself. However, to witness the biggest "eruptions," time your visit with high tide.
La Bufadora is one of the best natural attractions in Ensenada but there’s much more to the area. Grab a drink at Baja California’s oldest cantina, Hussongs, take a stroll along the malecón (boardwalk) at sunset, or venture into the nearby Valle de Guadalupe wine region to sample some of the best Mexican wines.
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