By Tom Gordon

If you are on a three- or four-day cruise that stops in Ensenada, here are a couple shopping tips that are within easy walking distance of the dock and are affordable.

El Arte de Nuestras Manos (The Art from Our Hands) is a brand-new gallery on Ensenada’s main drag, at 537 Calle Lopez Mateos. The gallery is run by a nice young couple who moved to Ensenada from Acapulco to escape the drug violence. Ask for Keila.

Casa Ramirez — 498 Calle Lopez Mateo — has two floors of Mexican folk art at all price ranges. The store carries hundreds of authentic items, ranging from a couple dollars to hundreds. Ask for Alejandra.

English is spoken in both shops and they are more than happy to discuss the origins of their work.

Tip: There’s a shuttle waiting as you leave the ship.  Don’t bother.  It costs $3 and it’s easier to walk a couple blocks downtown.  Plus the minute they get you on the shuttle they start the tour hard sell.