BajaNomad - How much $ do we need?

How much $ do we need?

funkynassau - 10-20-2011 at 02:19 PM

I'm looking for a ballpark idea of how much money we'll need for two weeks in Ensenada in Nov. Hubby and I are doing a house sit there and will need to buy groceries and there'll be bus fare plus trips to restaurants etc. We are not shoppers, but we do like to look around in the markets etc. There will be day trips here and there, I'm sure.

We are far from extravagant, I consider myself rather cheap if you get right down to it! :lol:

We have about $180. Canadian in pesos and I want to buy some more, but really dont know how much we'll need. Can anyone give me an idea? Yes I know we can get money from an ATM there.

Thanks,
Funkynassau

Barry A. - 10-20-2011 at 02:30 PM

Being in Ensenada (and not out in the boonies) for those two weeks, I would personally have about $2600 in Pesos to start, and go from there. If you get close to running out, as you say you can always access a ATM for more. Get more Pesos and you run the risk of having a LOT of Pesos left over in the end (which you can convert, but it is a hassle).

Barry

Mexican bargain-an oxymarooon

Dave - 10-20-2011 at 02:48 PM

Figure it exactly like you were doing the same things in the U.S. or Canada. Ensenada ain't cheap.

greengoes - 10-20-2011 at 02:59 PM

Cheap is good, beware the high pressure salespeople selling stuff in the tourist area on Calle Lopez Mateos. You may want to pick up a souvenir for the upcoming El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

This can be found for 150 pesos mas o menos. (12.00 USD)

You can have a great time on 400.00 for the two weeks.

DENNIS - 10-20-2011 at 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by funkynassau
Yes I know we can get money from an ATM there.

That's really about all you need to know.
First.......purchase a city map or download one off the net.
Next....familiarize yourself with the bus system. They go all over town.
Spend everything else on Pacifico. :biggrin:

What part of Ensenada will you be staying in?

tripledigitken - 10-20-2011 at 03:23 PM

You'll spend more than you budget, we always do!

Have fun!

DENNIS - 10-20-2011 at 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
You'll spend more than you budget, we always do!

Yeah.......it's easy to spend just about anywhere you are. Living out of the ATM is a constant reminder, although watch the fees.

tripledigitken - 10-20-2011 at 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by greengoes
Cheap is good, beware the high pressure salespeople selling stuff in the tourist area on Calle Lopez Mateos. You may want to pick up a souvenir for the upcoming El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

This can be found for 150 pesos mas o menos. (12.00 USD)

You can have a great time on 400.00 for the two weeks.

Or......up to $300+ ea. for these. (also for sale in Ensenada) Items for every budget!!!

funkynassau - 10-20-2011 at 05:21 PM

Thanks folks! Dennis I dont want to say the name of the street we will be on, out of respect for the owners of the house. It's near the University, and close to the ocean, I will say. I would just as soon avoid the real touristy areas if possible. High pressure sales doesnt work on me, thankfully.

Thanks for the ideas on how much money we'll need.

Anything else I need to know?

On the cheap...

Ken Cooke - 10-20-2011 at 05:32 PM

If you are preparing your own meals and taking the bus, I would estimate $500 U.S./week. But, have an extra $300 "just in case".

shari - 10-20-2011 at 05:38 PM

hey funkydudes....hook up with Sirenita...she's in your neighbourhood and mexicanuck too...she'll dial ya in.

Barry A. - 10-20-2011 at 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
If you are preparing your own meals and taking the bus, I would estimate $500 U.S./week. But, have an extra $300 "just in case".

wow, Ken, you really live-it-up, eh???? :lol:

Barry

DENNIS - 10-20-2011 at 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
hey funkydudes....hook up with Sirenita...she's in your neighbourhood and mexicanuck too...she'll dial ya in.

Yeah...there ya go. You're pretty close to Sauzal. She can get you squared away with the bus routine and save you a lot of headaches.

Ken Cooke - 10-20-2011 at 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
If you are preparing your own meals and taking the bus, I would estimate $500 U.S./week. But, have an extra $300 "just in case".

wow, Ken, you really live-it-up, eh???? :lol:

Barry

Food is not necessarily cheap in Ensenada. The last time I was there in May, the money flew out of my wallet...daily.

DENNIS - 10-20-2011 at 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
If you are preparing your own meals and taking the bus, I would estimate $500 U.S./week. But, have an extra $300 "just in case".

wow, Ken, you really live-it-up, eh???? :lol:

Barry

Jeeeezo...I need 500 just for tips. :lol:

DENNIS - 10-20-2011 at 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Food is not necessarily cheap in Ensenada. The last time I was there in May, the money flew out of my wallet...daily.

Not to mention that they'll be staying dangerously close to Sano's. That place could hurt you.

BajaWarrior - 10-20-2011 at 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by funkynassau
I'm looking for a ballpark idea of how much money we'll need for two weeks in Ensenada in Nov. Hubby and I are doing a house sit there and will need to buy groceries and there'll be bus fare plus trips to restaurants etc. We are not shoppers, but we do like to look around in the markets etc. There will be day trips here and there, I'm sure.

We are far from extravagant, I consider myself rather cheap if you get right down to it! :lol:

Your going to need $185 minimum, sorry but you can't go now! :lol:

BajaBlanca - 10-20-2011 at 06:22 PM

I would definitely not carry a lot of cash down - use the ATM when needed ... much safer all around and then, like someone already mentioned, you will not have all those pesos to deal with at the end of your stay ...

Have fun eating seafood .... so delish ....

bajabass - 10-21-2011 at 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
If you are preparing your own meals and taking the bus, I would estimate $500 U.S./week. But, have an extra $300 "just in case".

wow, Ken, you really live-it-up, eh???? :lol:

Barry

Jeeeezo...I need 500 just for tips. :lol:

I don't think he is planning on Anthony's excursions Dennis!

Bajaboy - 10-21-2011 at 06:25 AM

469.54 is my estimate

funkynassau - 10-21-2011 at 06:36 AM

$469.54 eh? Sounds good to me :lol:

$500 a week is scary, tho! We dont live high on the hog, as it were. Our experience with Mexico is Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, at resorts, so what we are doing next is totally different. This time we have to pay for food

Lefotover pesos is fine as we plan to find a last minute cheapskate all incl. trip in Jan. or Feb. and can use them then. Also I have a friend who is going to Mexico for 6 months (lucky guy!) and I can sell them to him if need be.

MitchMan - 10-21-2011 at 12:51 PM

You can make it for food that you prepare at the house for $6/day on the low end for two people to $10/day USD for pretty decent eats ($80 to $130 pesos/day). Restaurant prices will be the same as in USA.

You mentioned that you are not much of a shopper. Well, on a tight budget, become a shopper.

[Edited on 10-21-2011 by MitchMan]

funkynassau - 10-21-2011 at 01:43 PM

We will for sure eat brekkie at the house, lunch and dinner to be decided from day to day.

I meant that I dont like shopping as a sport! I dont hang out in malls or big box stores at home, it just doesnt appeal to me. I want to shop at the market for fresh fruits and veg. probably daily or every other day.

The US is much cheaper for restaurants than Canada is. I'm not on a tight budget I just dont like blowing money :yes:

MitchMan - 10-21-2011 at 03:01 PM

Yeah, I love shopping for food, fishing tackle, and home furnishings at thrift stores, hate any other kind of shopping. Worked my way through college as a cook, so I like to cook.

If you eat breakfast and lunch everyday at the house, then you can probably get by with $5 to $7 USD/day, that would average out $84 for two for two weeks. Then if you spent $20/day for dinner that would be $280 USD for two for two weeks. That's a total of $364 USD just for food. Then there's Taxis, Bus, two FMMs, incidentals, etc., etc., etc. If I were to eat out as much as you intend to, I wouldn't go to Mexico with a budget of less than $600 USD and a cushion of available funds in an ATM of $1,000 for a cash emergency and a credit card to boot. Just a suggestion, you've got to be safe.

Barry A. - 10-21-2011 at 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan
Yeah, I love shopping for food, fishing tackle, and home furnishings at thrift stores, hate any other kind of shopping. Worked my way through college as a cook, so I like to cook.

If you eat breakfast and lunch everyday at the house, then you can probably get by with $5 to $7 USD/day, that would average out $84 for two for two weeks. Then if you spent $20/day for dinner that would be $280 USD for two for two weeks. That's a total of $364 USD just for food. Then there's Taxis, Bus, two FMMs, incidentals, etc., etc., etc. If I were to eat out as much as you intend to, I wouldn't go to Mexico with a budget of less than $600 USD and a cushion of available funds in an ATM of $1,000 for a cash emergency and a credit card to boot. Just a suggestion, you've got to be safe.

Yes, Mitch, all good suggestions and ideas. But to me half the allure and adventure of Baja was the vague feeling that you are NOT SAFE, and must be on your toes. As I have grown older, that feeling is less appealing, I admit.

Barry

funkynassau - 10-22-2011 at 06:00 AM

Maybe I gave the wrong impression, so, money is not an obstacle to us having a good time. We are just not the kind of people who go to upscale restaurants or shop in "designer" stores. I dont buy knick knack dust collector things. We are more interested in seeing and touring the area than buying more stuff we dont need. I love second hand stores, there's a chain here called Value Village and that's the only place I actually enjoy shopping in.

We do have $$ in our bank account we can access, I was just trying to get an idea of how much we may need since our previous Mexican holidays have been to all inclusive resorts where you actually dont need much money at all once you get there. So this trip will be quite different and I wanted to be some form of prepared!

MitchMan - 10-22-2011 at 08:09 AM

Good point, Barry. As part of Baja's allure (in my opinion, anyway) is a perception of somewhat more personal freedom, less structure, less curltural pressure to have to always put your best foot forward and "measure up" in order to be accepted, and a feeling that law enforcement and rules are less rigorous than in the US.