Caliente Casino Review

Caliente Casino in Ensenada, Mexico, offers a compact yet noteworthy gaming experience. Reviews highlight both its charms and areas where it falls short compared to larger establishments, particularly those in the U.S.

What to Expect ✨

Visitors generally describe Caliente Casino as a small and very clean venue. It's often praised for its comfortable atmosphere, providing a relaxed environment for gaming and leisure.

Positive Aspects 👍

Friendly and Helpful Staff: Many guests commend the staff for being extremely friendly, helpful, and patient, even with those still learning Spanish. Bartenders, in particular, are noted for being attentive to customer needs regarding food and drinks, ensuring a comfortable experience.
Dedicated Sports Betting Area: For sports enthusiasts, Caliente stands out. It features a bar area ideal for watching NFL games, notably free from the distraction of constant poker machines often found elsewhere. A unique convenience is the drive-thru lane for sports bets, making it easy to place wagers.
Cleanliness and Comfort: The casino is consistently described as very clean. Patrons report feeling comfortable, even when visiting solo, highlighting a welcoming environment.
Affordable Beverages: Beer is noted to be cheap, adding to the value for some visitors looking to enjoy a drink while gaming or watching sports.
Thoughtful Smoking Policy: The casino wisely offers two distinct rooms: one for smoking and another non-smoking area, where the gaming tables are typically located, allowing for preferences.
Food Options: While not extensively reviewed, the food has been described as "looking good" and bartenders show concern for its quality, suggesting a decent offering for those seeking a bite.

Areas for Improvement & Considerations 👎

Inconsistent Drink Service: A recurring concern is the lackluster drink service on the gaming floor. Several reviewers mention having to "hunt down" staff to order beverages, which can detract from the gaming experience. Unlike many U.S. casinos, free water or standard complimentary drinks are not typically provided.
Money Reloading System: The process for reloading money to play has been a point of dissatisfaction for some visitors, suggesting it might not be as streamlined as preferred.
Bar Location: Although beer is cheap, one reviewer noted that the primary bar was located in the smoking area, which might be a minor inconvenience for non-smokers seeking a drink.

Overall Impression

Caliente Casino in Ensenada appears to be a solid choice for those looking for a laid-back and clean casino experience with a strong emphasis on sports betting. While it excels in customer service and offers a comfortable atmosphere, potential visitors should be aware of the differences in drink service and money handling compared to larger, international casinos.

Sarah Dorman

Was fine, as an English speaker and novice gambler - was a little hard to get to e hang of but was fun. You have to get a card to pay with and they charge a small service fee.

May 2025

Jordia MesaArizona

Except for the fact how you reload money to play I didn't like that! And no free water or anything like the casinos in the U S

July 2024

Joe Conlon

Small, very clean casino that is very helpful and patient as my Spanish is a work in progress. The food looked good. I like the bar where one can watch an NFL game without all those annoying poker machines that are everywhere in Vegas. They have a drive-thru lane for sports bets.

September 2022

Angelica C

This place was pretty cool even though I didn't get lucky. They have two rooms one for smoking and the other non which is where the tables were. I didn't like that the bar was in the smoking area but beer was cheap and the staff was extremely friendly.

April 2018

Grace David

I went to watch football. I was the lone female at the bar watching the games. But I felt very comfortable, and the bartenders were very concerned that my food was good and my drink was exactly what I wanted.

November 2018