Destination overview

Acapulco is located on the Pacific coast 245 miles from Mexico City and is one of Mexico’s most important and celebrated beach resorts. The Hollywood jet set discovered this magical place in the 50s, and it has been drawing people here ever since. Whether you’re famous or not, Acapulco remains a holiday favourite, with its warm, humid climate and sunny days that you can count on most of the year. Among this port city’s many enticing qualities is its beautiful bay, which is one of the best in the world.

Add to this the calm waters of its beaches and the city’s unbeatable nightlife and you’ll find one of the hottest playgrounds among Mexican holiday destinations.

It will probably be at night that you will be able to fully appreciate the true extent of sprawling Acapulco. The hills gently curve around the C-shaped bay and almost shine brighter than the Milky Way itself.

Acapulco’s marine life, with its varied rock formations and wide variety of interesting species make it the ideal location to scuba dive, snorkel and even cave dive. The beaches offer waves ideal for surfers as well as calm waters for those just wanting to paddle around. Icacos is one of Acapulco’s biggest and longest beaches. The waves are generally moderate and it is perfect for snorkelling. Certified divers can explore more diverse areas at greater depths, such as the spot where the sunken ship, Rio de la Plata lies. Caleta and Caletilla are both known for calm waters and gorgeous scenery and are two of Acapulco’s most traditional beaches.

A trip to Acapulco is not complete without a visit to La Isla de la Roqueta (Roqueta Island) where you can either relax or enjoy some scuba diving. The outer-lying areas of this rocky island have tropical plant life that you can get to via small boats which will take you to remote spots. If you enjoy observing flora and fauna, this island is a good option thanks to it rich eco-system full of iguanas, other reptiles and many different species of birds.

The spectacularly dangerous La Quebrada cliff divers are a must-see, and if you head to the bottom tier, you’ll also see them hitting the water. This is something you will talk about for ages and shouldn’t be left off your itinerary.

If you’re looking for a little excitement of your own, Acapulco offers a wide variety of both sedate and thrilling options. On most beaches, you can rent wave runners that accommodate two or more people, hire a boat for water-skiing, or soar high above on a parasail. You will also find many places to visit which offer eco-tourism activities. You can visit nature reserves with indigenous animal and plant species, set off by beautiful tropical scenery.

Puerto Marques, just over nine miles south-east of Acapulco is reached by a panoramic highway. In its black lagoon you can take a tour in a dug-out canoe to marvel at the plant and animal life in a mangrove swamp. This place is ideal for fishing and it’s possible to catch swordfish, bass and fiddler crabs, among others.

Rio Papagayo, about 45 minutes from Acapulco is considered one of the region’s most important river valleys and runs through the jungle of Guerrero in the Sierras. You can see birds flying above the canyon and stroll through this eco-system to enjoy the many varieties of plant and animal life, from the regional bird species to the enormous crocodiles lying in their natural habitat along the shore of the river. For those who like kayaking, you can also experience the excitement and adrenaline rush of the rapids of the Papagayo River.

Jardin Botanico is a tropical botanical garden located within city limits and offers a pleasant tour of a large variety of indigenous plant species including sago palms, numerous tree varieties, heliconia and orchids. You can also see various birds, reptiles and mammals. Or, you can visit a recently discovered archaeological site, Palma Sola, on the grounds of Acapulco Bay’s amphitheatre, which is part of El Veladero National Park. Here you can see rock carvings of human figures dating back to ancient times. El Fuerte de San Diego is an old fort that has been converted into the Acapulco History Museum. There is a spectacular light and sound show which narrates the history of the port during colonial times and is an interesting way to spend a few hours.

To keep the kids amused, make sure you include CICI Acapulco Magico a modern aquatic park mostly for children. Its main attractions include a pool with man-made waves, water slides and an air balloon that floats 100 feet high. You’ll be able to ride the rapids or swim with dolphins.

Golf is a sport with great tradition in Acapulco and you would expect nothing less from a top-notch tourist destination. For golf enthusiasts, the port city has four professional, world-class 18-hole courses set in a warm, tropical environment.

Brave the traffic to go to the Marcado Municipal markets for stalls crammed to the rooftops with an amazing selection of goods. Fresh flowers, fake flowers, chillies and spices, blue ceramic swans, sides of beef or silver jewellery. You’ll find it all here! Spend an afternoon exploring Old Acapulco – the sidewalk cafes that edge the shaded zócalo are very inviting. Make sure you take a look at the lovely mural along Diego Riviera and the nautical museum at the star-shaped Fuerte de San Diego and the ceremonial masks at the Casa de Máscaras; are all must-sees.

You can choose from a variety of crafts from many different parts of the nation, however most come from the state of Guerrero. You’ll find seashells and conches, crafts made from coconut palms, traditional sweets, silver jewellery, ceramics and handmade clothes. If you want something with more local flavour, many small towns sell attractive and original crafts.

Acapulco offers the best in international cuisine and traditional dishes including pellizcada, a type of gordita filled with fish, olives and spices; fish tamales with Mexican pepper leaf; and coconut sweets. And don’t forget the traditional quesadillas, fajitas, burritos and tacos. The cuisine is a delicious mixture of European meets Mexican in many of the fine restaurants. Enjoy a meal at one of the gorgeous lantern-filled brasseries on the beach itself. Or go more upmarket. Either way, you’re bound to find some great food. To accompany your feast, have a drink of petaquilla, a mescal derivative prepared with local grapes, or sip on a regional drink called a tuba, prepared with coconut or regional fruits.

A countless number of bars and discos line the strip of Costera Miguel Aleman Avenue, making Acapulco the city that never sleeps. And neither will you!

It won’t take long for you to understand why Acapulco was the first place to be dubbed ‘the Mexican Riviera’. And, although the old Hollywood stars have long gone, the glamour is still there to be found, and enjoyed.