Acapulco fell out of favour with tourists in the late eighties and early nineties, but is now undergoing something of a renaissance. After the hurricane that struck here in 1997, the government has invested over a billion dollars to rebuild infrastructure, clean up the bay, and improve local services. All this is has made Acapulco more accessible, and more pleasant.
The view from the bay is spectacular, and in the evening, the sunsets from Pie de la Cuesta (see Key Attractions, below) is one of the best you'll see on this part of Mexico's coast. At night, when the lights come on, Acapulco becomes a party-goers paradise.
Acapulco is a big resort - you won't see it all in just one visit - and you won't see much of it without transport! There are various options to getting around Acapulco effectively, and you'll find these below in the Getting There and Around section.
For all its contrasts and change in fashions & fortunes over the years, Acapulco still has two things that few other coastal locations can lay claim to: firstly, everyone has heard of Acapulco - it's fame is universal and secondly it still has one of the most stunning bays offered by any coastal resort.
Acapulco is an resort full of energy, vibrancy and colour that never stops, day or night. If it's the beach party of your life that you're looking to experience, then Acapulco has the capability to deliver the goods to you in style.
Conversely, people arriving to enjoy Acapulco’s attractive climate, its great beaches, famed attractions and surrounds and who want a place to get away from the nightlife (either afterwards or permanently) would do better to accommodate themselves in the newer, more cultured Acapulco Diamante area.
If you’re looking for a wild week or weekend, then you’ll be closer to the night action further south closer to the old town, but if you're looking for more culture, style and relaxation then head to the Acapulco Diamante area and resorts instead.
Key Attractions
Main Activities
Besides sunbathing, swimming, resting and partying, Acapulco can be host to
a wealth of Activities, including:
Diving and Snorkelling
Jet Skiing
Power-boating
Fishing
River Rafting on Rio Papagayo
Golf
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for details about firms in Acapulco who
provide Adventure, Water Sport and Golf facilities.
Cliff Divers
Without doubt, Acapulco's most famous attraction. A trip to Acapulco would
seem a half-cooked effort if you missed the world-famous cliff dives at La
Quebrada ("The Break").
Divers plunge off cliffs 130 feet high into the a cove that is only safe to dive in when the wave comes in. Wrong timing would result in a fatal fall.
Dives are scheduled at 1pm, and in hours of darkness at 7pm, 8:30pm, 9:30pm, 10:30pm. At night the divers carry torches to light their descent - quite a spectacle!
Dives can be viewed from balconies near the cove, for a small entrance fee. Alternatively, there is a hotel nearby, called El Mirador, which has a Restaurant-Bar called La Perla. You can watch the divers while eating your meal, or if you buy a drink at the bar.
For more information about the dives off the Quebrada along with pictures, read the In Mexico Diary for Acapulco.
Pie de la Cuesta
Pie de la Cuesta is about 6 miles northwest of Acapulco's centre and consists
of a strip land with the pacific ocean on one side and a freshwater lake (Laguna
de Coyuca) on the other.
This location is quiet and serene in comparison to Acapulco. If you want to swim, swim in the lake - the sea here is dangerous, and people have been killed in the surf. Other activities on the lagoon include a boat trip, and water skiing is very popular here - you can hire the equipment locally - see the Mexperience Directory link below for details.
Pie de la Cuesta has a lot of seafood restaurants on the beachside, and there's a good reason for that: The sunset here is spectacular!
If you want to stay in this area (close to Acapulco proper, but far enough away to get some peace and tranquillity) there are several places to stay nearby.
Parque Papagayo
This is a large amusement and activities park, which also leads to two beaches:
Playa Hornos and Playa Hornitos. Its features include a lake with paddleboats
for rent, a roller-skating rink, a fun-fair with mechanical rides, an animal
enclosure and aviary, and a pathway (circular circuit) which is over 1km in
length is good if you like a morning run. There is no admission charge to
go into the park and it's open from 6am to 8pm daily. The mechanical rides
open later between 4 and 11pm. Great for kids and adults alike.
Local Cruises
If want to see Acapulco Bay from the sea, day or night, you can take a cruise
on one of the many boats offering tours of the bay from the Malecon which
is near the centre of town.
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for details about firms who provide Local
Cruises in Acapulco.
Swimming with Dolphins
If you'd like to experience the sensation of swimming with a dolphin, you
can in Acapulco! There are two places to do this; the CICI (International
Centre) Water Park or Condesa Beach.
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for details about swimming with Dolphins
and other Eco Experiences
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep Sea fishing is another popular pastime in this region, and you can arrange
day trips that include a boat, its captain and first mate, equipment, bait,
food and drinks.
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for Information about local Fishing Trips
on and around Acapulco.
Golf in Acapulco
Acapulco is becoming more and more popular with golfers, as they arrive here
for good weather, and great golf courses! Connect to the Mexperience Directory
for the latest details of golfing experiences in Acapulco.
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for Information about good places to
enjoy rounds of Golf in Acapulco
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Getting There & Around
Getting There
By Air - From Mexico, you can fly to Acapulco from Mexico City or Guadalajara.
You can also connect to Acapulco from various cities in the USA.
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for Airlines
By Bus - Buses run all day from Mexico City's Terminal Sur to Acapulco's
main bus station. The journey distance is about 180 miles and will take around
4-5 hours. There are two bus terminals in Acapulco; Estrella de Oro (the company
which runs the comfortable "Diamante" service to and from Mexico
City) has a separate terminal a few blocks from the main station. You can
book your tickets online in advance with Estrella de Oro.
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for National Busses
By Car - The drive to Acapulco on the Tolled Road between the city and Acapulco is fast and efficient, taking about 3 hours; however the road is the most expensive stretch of toll road in Mexico, costing around US$60 each way for a car. The Toll Road is Highway 95 - the same one the First Class Bus takes; a very scenic route that includes driving across the "Solidaridad" Bridge - an amazing structure that connects the highway across a breathtaking gorge. There is a free road you can take an alternative to the tolled highway, but this will inevitably be slower. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico's Toll Roads on Mexperience.
Getting Around
From the Airport - The airport is southeast of Acapulco's central area, and you can buy ground transportation into town; buy your ticket before you leave the Airport Terminal Building.
Local Buses - These are frequent and plentiful, but do tend to be a bit rickety. They are a very economical means of getting around locally and will take you where you want to go in the Acapulco bay area.
Taxis - If you speak Spanish, hail one off the street, it will be cheaper than taking one from your hotel. All of the hotels display "fixed rates" for taxi rides between the hotel and certain places (e.g. The Diving Cliffs at La Quebrada). These fees are higher than the street rates, but do offer the convenience of door-to-door transport.
Rent a Jeep - An open-air jeep is a fun way to travel around the Acapulco
area - especially if you want to get out to the fringe areas like the newly
developed "Acapulco Diamante" area of town independently. Experience
the warm wind in your hair and great views! See additional information about
Driving in Mexico and Mexico's Toll Roads on Mexperience.
See the Mexperience Directory for Car Rental in Acapulco
Local Events Calendar
Easter Holiday (Semana Santa) - This is Acapulco's busiest time of year. People
who live in Mexico City empty out of it and one of their favourite destinations
during Easter is Acapulco! All kinds of special events are laid on at this
time of year - your hotel will have details. Note: Reserve early for this
season.
Tianguis Turistisco - Tianguis is an Old Mexican word for open-air market (Mercado). During the second or third week in April a trade fair, created especially for those working in the Mexican tourism industry gets into full swing in Acapulco.
Film Festivals - The Festival de Cine Frances (French Film Festival) and Festival de Cine Negro (Black Film Festival) are held here in late November and Early June respectively.
UFO Conference - If you like UFOs the Annual World UFO Conference gathers in Acapulco the second week in December.
Virgen Guadalupe - Virgin Guadalupe is Mexico's patron saint, and on December 11th in Acapulco a festival begins to celebrate the Virgin with parties and street processions taking place on December 11th and 12th.
Expo-Acapulco - is an established commercial/industrial conference. Its prime function is to attract investment to Acapulco. The conference takes place late December thru Early January. Connect to the Mexperience Business Center for full details about doing business in Mexico.
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Practical Information
Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico Page on Mexperience for
full information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialling
codes.
Exchanging Currency: You'll find Banks with ATM machines throughout Acapulco; even some hotels have them now. During business hours they and Casas de Cambio will buy traveller's cheques and cash from you as well. Read about money and currency exchange in Mexperience's Money Section.
Internet Access: Connect to the Mexperience Directory for a list of Internet Cafes in Acapulco.
Safety: Acapulco's tides can be dangerous - its undercurrents can be particularly strong, and claim lives every year, from people who ignore the warnings. If you see a Red or Black Flag on the beach - it is NOT safe to swim - stay out of the water. Yellow flags signify caution; White or Green flags indicate that swimming is safe. If it's not same to swim in the sea, use your hotel's swimming pool to cool off.
Local Tourist Office: Connect to the Mexperience Directory for details of the nearest Tourist Information office.
Accommodation
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for details about Hotels in and around
Acapulco.
Restaurants
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for details about Restaurants in and
around Acapulco.
When Night Falls
Gran Noche Mexicana - Three days a week; Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, you
can experience the "Great Mexican Night" - a party hosted in the
Plaza by the Convention Centre from 7pm. You pay a fixed fee or around US$50
which includes dinner and an open bar, and a performance from the Ballet Folklorico.
Locally Hosted Parties - Many of the Hotels host their own parties which include dinner, dancing, a show and all drinks for a fixed fee. Ask at your hotel to find out what is happening locally.
Nightclub Scene: If you want to go clubbing - Acapulco is one of the top two venues in Mexico (the other one is Mazatlan). Lots of young people go to Acapulco for the night-clubs. Some night clubs charge an all inclusive cover fee; some a smaller cover and drinks on top. Drinks are served all night - don't even consider going to a nightclub before 11pm. Nightclubs keep going all morning and most people will start to leave between 5 and 7 am.
Beach Clubs - Most of open-air beach night clubs (which are becoming more and more popular) offer their clubbers all the services of a nightclub out in the open air - often near and on a beach. Connect to the Mexperience Directory for a List of worthwhile Night Spots in Acapulco.
What to Buy in Acapulco
Acapulco is not the greatest place to buy Mexican arts and crafts, as it is
mainly a town designed for holidays, seaside relaxation as well dancing &
partying the night away. However, there are shops and markets in Acapulco
where you can buy an assortment of Mexican mementos as well as practical goods
for your trip.
Connect to the Mexperience Directory for a List of worthwhile Shopping Experiences
in Acapulco.
source: www.mexperience.com
