Do you like very fresh seafood that you've just seen unloaded from a fishing boat? Do you like it at an inexpensive price? Do you like to watch people? Well if that interests you, visit the Ensenada Mercado de Mariscos, a.k.a., the Fish Market.
Left: The Mercado de Mariscos, as seen from Blvd. Cardenas. Right: Some of the many restaurants that flank the fish market are to the left of the photo; the fish market is to the right.
The action starts early in the morning as you can watch the seafood unloaded from the fishing boats into trucks, iced-down, and then driven the 100 yards or so to the fish market. Then the seafood is unloaded from the trucks into wheelbarrows, iced-down again, and carried to the individual vendor. It is then carefully sorted, arranged for sale, priced, and iced-down again. There can be no doubt that the seafood is fresh, as you can watch the whole operation take place.
Photos: The iced-down fish is unloaded from trunks into wheelbarrows, and then brought to the vendors stalls.
The Mercado de Mariscos is an indoor/outdoor affair, with two indoor aisles, and an outdoor aisle around the side that faces the puestos. The market opens up at sunrise, and is open until well after dark. Hours vary according to the weather, the month and the availability of local seafood. One thing that's certain any time you visit: The seafood will be fresh, as you can see it unloaded from the boats, iced-down, trucked to the market and arranged for sale.
Left: The outside of the fish market, which faces the restaurants. Several of the workers are taking a break from their duties inside. Right: Rico sells roasted corn near the fish market.
What kind of seafood do they sell? In a word: Everything. Each individual booth has piles of shrimp, tuna, dorado, swordfish, clams, squid; you name it and it's there. For prices that are below rock-bottom. We're talking prices of about half of what you'd find north of the border. For fish market affectionados, it's pure heaven!
Left: Inside the seafood market, looking at some of the stalls. Right: Check out this clam!
Another thing about the fish market: It's an excellent place to people-watch, if that's your thing. You can watch the vendors do their thing, the fishermen unloading fish from their trucks, the buyers, the curious and the tourists. It's a cornucopia of people-watching.
If you're hungry, just next door, you'll find probably the most substantial array of seafood taco restaurants that can be found anywhere in North America. If seafood tacos tempt you palate, then the Mercado de Mariscos is the place where you'll want to be. For only a few bucks, you can fill your face with the most delightful seafood tacos that you'll find on the planet. Check out the Ensenada restaurant section of this article for stories about some of the fish taco restaurants and the delicious seafood tacos I ate while visiting the seafood market.
Left: Fresh, locally-caught seafood for sale in one of the inside booths. Right: Looking down the main aisle in the fish market.
How do you find the fish market? When you're coming into Ensenada, when you see the Pemex station, take a hard right towards "San Quintin." Then, it's 1 short block on Blvd.. Lazaro Cadenas, then west (right) on Calle Miramar for one short block.
Photos: Inside the fish market, you can find any kind of fresh seafood that you can imagine.
If you miss your turn, it's about 3 blocks north of the huge Mexican flag, just inland from the Malecon. Look for the white building and the sign "Mercado de Mariscos." If you have a GPS, the mercado's coordinates are N31.51.695, W116.37.691. Look for the tall, vertical pillar that announces "Plaza Nautical," as its located just north of the fish market, near the intersection of Cardenas and Miramar.
Left: All varieties of seafood are for sale at very reasonable prices. Right: Smoked tuna is for sale at only $50.00 per kilo.
Ensenada's fish market is one of the largest seafood markets on the west coast of the U.S. and Mexico. I spent portions of two days around the market, watching the daily activities, the vendors and the customers. I found the whole thing simply fascinating.
When you visit Ensenada, pay a visit to the Mercado de Mariscos. You'll be glad you did.
