acapulco tourist attractions

Acapulco   Travel Guide

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12 Best Things To Do in Acapulco

Updated Feb. 12, 2021

The main attraction here is the beach, which stretches out across the moon-shaped shorelines that border Acapulco Bay. But when you're taking time away from the coast, catch a glimpse of local history at the Fort of San Diego  in the Traditional Zone.

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La Quebrada Cliff Divers La Quebrada Cliff Divers

Acapulco's most storied tradition vaults daily from La Quebrada's daunting clifftops in Old Acapulco. The cliff divers are a must-see and are usually well worth the price of booking an organized tour (which often includes hotel or port round-trip transportation). The show involves several professional divers leaping from more than 130-foot cliffs high above the Acapulco landscape. The divers have drawn attention ever since they began diving as a team in 1934.

The shows get started around 1 p.m. each day and divers must time their jumps with the tide so as to land when the water is deepest. Diving also takes place in the late afternoon and – when divers are feeling especially adventurous – in the dark of a summer evening. Many previous travelers reported grabbing a meal and a drink at Hotel Mirador's La Perla Restaurant, which offers spectacular views of the cliffs.

Playa Condesa Playa Condesa free

Backed by high-rise hotels , Playa Condesa is one of the most central and popular beaches in Acapulco, with a reputation for crowded sands and great access to water sports. To avoid the crowds, try getting to the beach before 11 a.m. You can also rent a lounge chair and umbrellas from nearby vendors.

Like other parts of Mexico, Playa Condesa attracts beach vendors, but a polite refusal (or two) will usually keep them moving. According to recent visitors, the water can also get dirty, but this beach remains popular for its excellent proximity to local restaurants and shopping outlets.

Fort of San Diego Fort of San Diego

If you feel your brain giving way to the Acapulco sun, refresh your historical knowledge at the city's famous Fort of San Diego ( El Fuerte de San Diego ). Considered one of the most important Spanish strongholds during Colonial rule, the Fort of San Diego is a five-pointed, star-shaped edifice that doubles as a museum and gift shop. It showcases 12 exhibits on the history of Acapulco, as well as clothing, articles and trade goods from Pacific trade routes. Other exhibits include a look at piracy, the chapel and navigation. Outside the fort, you can enjoy excellent views of Acapulco Bay and the surrounding city.

While some recent travelers said the view is well worth the price of admission, others recommended that you skip the entry altogether. According to reviewers, the museum's exhibits include explanations in English. Others were delighted to find the fort is located within easy walking distance of the cruise dock.

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Chapel of Peace Chapel of Peace free

Overlooking Acapulco Bay from the southern end, La Capilla de la Paz (The Chapel of Peace) offers visitors beautiful seaside views and a peaceful atmosphere. It opened in the 1970s to memorialize two brothers who died in a plane crash and stands as a symbol of peace in Acapulco. Many travelers are drawn to the highest point in Acapulco by the massive white cross, which is visible from almost anywhere in the city. Although the chapel itself is pretty minimalistic, the surrounding gardens provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the city below.

Many recent visitors agreed that the best time to make the trip up to the Chapel of Peace is in the evening, when you can witness the sun setting over the bay. For a stunning photo, nab a spot near Las Manos de la Hermandad (The Hands of Brotherhood); this sculpture of clasped hands provides the perfect frame for the sunset.

Punta Diamante Punta Diamante free

Acapulco is emerging from its outdated reputation toward a hip, classy and altogether modern Mexican city. This rapid transformation might not hold true in all of Acapulco, but one recently renovated area is really making its mark: Punta Diamante. Located on the south end of the city, across the bay from tourist-heavy Old Acapulco, Punta Diamante's hotels and restaurants are perfect for the luxury or romance traveler seeking a quiet, refined beach getaway far from Acapulco's hustle and bustle. 

And though this stylish area might be too expensive to stay in, you should at least visit for a little while, if only to catch the sunset or take a few pictures atop the nearby Capilla de la Paz . Recent travelers highly recommended the area, stating that they felt very safe and apprieciated the clean beach and many amenities found in the area.

Pie de la Cuesta Pie de la Cuesta free

If you need to get away from Acapulco, travel northwest to Pie de la Cuesta, a small beach resort town that contains a calm lagoon excellent for water skiing. You'll also find many local resorts and restaurants, perfect for couples seeking secluded romance or a break from the frenetic shores of Acapulco. Should you choose to stay the night, Pie de la Cuesta offers a variety of hotel options.

Past visitors raved about the beautiful beach (especially the sunsets), but warned of strong waves that may not be suitable for young or inexperienced swimmers.

Playa Icacos Playa Icacos free

Adjacent to Playa Condesa is the popular – and less-crowded – Playa Icacos. One of the largest beaches in the area, Playa Icacos is home to a variety of water sports, including sailing, motor boating, parasailing and water skiing – a particular highlight for recent visitors.

A few recent travelers were disappointed by the amount of aggressive beach vendors, but said a firm "no, gracias" is usually all that's needed to ward off any unwanted sales pitches.

Playa Revolcadero Playa Revolcadero free

Playa Revolcadero is a true beauty of a beach located just south of Acapulco, but nearly all those familiar with it tell you to look but not touch, or at least not too much. As pretty as Playa Revolcadero may be, its waves can be too rough for even strong swimmers.

Recent visitors praised the cleanliness of the beach and its beauty.

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Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla free

Twin beaches that sparkle brightly near the Traditional Zone, Caleta and Caletilla beckon to tourists with their exhaustive roster of restaurants. From the beaches, you can catch a quick boat ride to the nearby Isla de la Roqueta for more snorkeling, diving and lounging opportunities.

Beachgoers who visited recently enjoyed the traditional vibe, but warned the beach can get quite crowded. They recommended arriving early to snag your place in the sun.

The Zócalo The Zócalo free

Simply put, el Zocalo is a must-see for travelers interested in exploring local Mexican culture and nightlife. The city's main square houses the city's government buildings and several popular and affordable local restaurants. The area also offers excellent opportunities to people-watch, especially during the evening. Recent travelers said it's impossible to get bored here, with lots to see, do and eat.

The square is open (and usually bustling) year-round, but Friday and Saturday nights remain the area's busiest. At those times you'll find the Zocalo flooded with local musicians, street performers and clowns. If you want to tour the city's unique architecture, be sure to check out the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Acapulco (Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral), located right in the heart of the square.

Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral, Acapulco Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral, Acapulco free

The main Catholic church in Acapulco is located in the center of the city, in front of Plaza Alvarez Square. The cathedral's nontraditional exterior, with an onion-shaped blue dome and Byzantine towers, is eye-catching. Inside, visitors will find a yellow-tiled floor, blue and white walls, religious statues and an image of the Virgin of Solitude.

Past visitors said the church, which dominates the Zocalo , is easy to reach from the cruise ship terminal. History buffs in particular were happy to stumble across a historical attraction in a city with few to speak of.

Barra Vieja Beach Barra Vieja Beach

This is a beach that travel guides ignore but vacationers love, raving about all the great places to eat and the clean and peaceful area of the beach. The only problem is Barra Vieja, in San Marcos, is about an hour's drive from Acapulco. Still, most say the trip south is worth the hassle of renting a car.

Just one word of caution before you go: You'll have to rent a car, and it can be expensive. Plus, the U.S. Department of State warns tourists against traveling Mexico's roads at night or alone. We emphasize that Barra Vieja is best as a day trip with buddies. 

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14 Top-Rated Things to Do in Acapulco

Written by Meagan Drillinger Updated Mar 23, 2023

Welcome to Mexico's original vacation destination. Before Cancun and Los Cabos were even blips on the radar, there was Acapulco. Sitting on one of the largest bays in Mexico , this mountain-wreathed coastal city has always been known for its sparkling turquoise water, golden sand, and luxury hotels that climb from the sea up the jade-colored peaks.

Acapulco was once the preferred jet-set stop for the Hollywood glitterati, who would come to see and be seen in the lavish hotels, decadent restaurants, and sun-drenched beaches. The top things to do in Acapulco were always about glamour, fun, and wealth.

The story of the Pearl of the Pacific took a bit of a turn for some decades, as violent corruption made Acapulco the hotbed of it all. Things have drastically improved over the years, and Acapulco still manages to retain relics of its former glory. In fact, as tourism developers continue to pour millions of dollars into the destination, Acapulco is fast on the rise to return.

Today it is still the preferred vacation getaway for residents of Mexico City, who come to explore the many bays, inlets, and towering cliffs of this city on the Pacific. With so much history and natural beauty, you can imagine the list of activities are endless. So to get you started on your trip down Mexico's memory lane, read our list of the top things to do in Acapulco.

1. Relax on the Beaches

2. watch the la quebrada cliff divers, 3. visit fort of san diego, 4. try the xtasea zip line, 5. our lady of solitude cathedral, 6. diego rivera's mosaics, 7. day trip to taxco, 8. take a boat to la roqueta, 9. the zocalo, 10. punta diamante, 11. chapel of peace, 12. laguna de tres palos, 13. stroll the costera, 14. visit puerto marques, map of things to do in acapulco, acapulco, mexico - climate chart.

For decades, Acapulco was the jet-set destination in all of Mexico. The upper echelon from all over the world, including European A-listers and Hollywood celebs, would descend on the shores of Acapulco to indulge in decadent vacations complete with yacht trips, fine dining, and, of course, golden beaches.

While the reputation of Acapulco may not be what it once was, the glory of the beaches remains exactly the same. A visit to Acapulco is incomplete without spending time on some of its most delightful stretches of sand.

Those in the know will make their first stop Pie de la Cuesta , which has miles of golden sand. It runs parallel to the Coyoca Lagoon. The beach is peppered with restaurants and hotels at its entrance, but the activity tends to thin out as you get farther away. This is the place to visit when the sun starts to set.

For more traditional Acapulco beaches, tourists tend to head to Playas Caleta and Caletilla . Separated by the aquarium, these two beaches (which are actually one beach) is where the majority of the activity can be found. From swimming to beach massages, dining, and live music, Playas Caleta and Caletilla are always humming with energy.

You'll also want to visit Playa Condesa , which is known as the Golden Zone Central . This is one of the most popular beaches in all of Acapulco, especially for tourists. Playa Icacos is yet another popular beach, backed by hotels and lined with restaurants.

Other beaches to explore are Playa Puerto Marques and Playa Majahua, as well as Playa Las Hamacas, Playa Hornos, and Playa Tamarindos.

One of the most important traditions has, over the years, become its most famous tourist attraction and one of the top things to do in Acapulco. Known as La Quebrada Cliff Divers, this spectacle will leave even the most jaded skeptic in the group speechless.

Watch as several bronzed and buff men scramble up a rocky cliff face in nothing more than Speedo bathing suits. From the top of the 130-foot cliff, the divers take their marks and plunge gracefully into the narrow chasm of churning water below. Just before panic sets in, their heads emerge from the whitecaps and they take to scrambling up the cliff to do it all over again.

The divers have been doing this as a means to entertain tourists back in 1934, and today it's one of the coolest things you'll see in Acapulco.

Address: La Quebrada 25, Centro, 39300 Acapulco de Juárez, Gro., Mexico

It can be easy to get lost in the sun and sand of Acapulco, so if your brain needs a bit of stimulation head on over to the Fort of San Diego. This impressive structure was of great significance during Spanish Colonial rule. Overlooking the bay, the Fort of San Diego is a five-pointed, star-shaped historical structure that used to protect Acapulco from naval threats.

Today the fort acts as a museum and gift shop, with 12 exhibits that walk visitors through the history of Acapulco. From the top of the fort, you'll have some of the best views of Acapulco Bay.

Not far from the fort is a new museum, the Casa de Mascaras , or the House of Masks. This intimate museum features the masks from the many different Indigenous tribes all across Mexico. It's a quick stop that is worth the drop in to learn all about the many, many tribes of Mexico.

Address: Hornitos s/n, Centro, 39300 Acapulco de Juárez, Gro., Mexico

Even if you're an experienced zipliner, you've seen nothing until you've zipped down Xtasea. This extreme adventure park is the world's longest zipline , and it is nothing if not supremely impressive.

The zipline route starts at the top of a mountain overlooking Puerto Marques in the new Acapulco Diamante district, and crosses over the entirety of the bay to the other side.

The course has four ziplines that can run simultaneously at a speed of 86 miles per hour at a distance of more than a mile and a height of 328 feet. To say it's adrenaline pumping would be an understatement. Still, adventure seekers flock to test out this superlative track, as it is one of the top things to do in Acapulco.

At the end of the line is a lively open-air restaurant that has gorgeous views of the bay – you'll be able to celebrate your achievement when you reach the other side.

In 2019, Xtasea added a new Xmonkey rope park, which offers different hanging bridges and steel cables, all with views over the Bay of Puerto Marques.

Address: Paseo de los Manglares 1007, Granjas del Marqués, 39890 Acapulco de Juárez, Gro., Mexico

In the heart of Acapulco, right off Plaza Alvarez Square, sits this historic, beautiful cathedral and main Catholic Church of the city. The cathedral is marked by its bulb-shaped blue dome with Eurasian-looking towers. The inside is just as intriguing, with blue and white walls and yellow tiles on the floor. The church was constructed in 1930 and was built using parts of an unfinished movie theater.

It is free to visit the church, but if you don't feel like going in, the plaza out front is always humming with activity, from live music to vendors and people sitting and socializing. Take a stroll in the neighborhood to see some other interesting examples of architecture in this part of Acapulco.

Address: Independencia Numero 1 Centro, 39715 Acapulco de Juárez, Gro., Mexico

Lovers of Mexican art are deeply familiar with muralist Diego Rivera (husband to Mexican icon, Frida Kahlo). Much of his work can be found in the museums and buildings of importance in Mexico City. But did you know he also has pieces of art in Acapulco?

The house is called Casa de los Vientos, and it sits perched on a cliff overlooking La Quebrada and the sea. It belonged to Dolores Olmedo, who was one of Rivera's largest collectors, as well as a love interest of his. It was in this house that Rivera was able to create some of his most impressive mosaic work, which is strewn across buildings in Acapulco. The majority of them are found at Casa de los Vientos , while another one sits affixed to the exterior of famous Hotel Boca Chica.

Address: Inalámbrica, Las Playas, 39390 Acapulco de Juárez, Gro., Mexico

Heading north from Acapulco toward Mexico City, travelers will stumble upon the stunning city of Taxco. It's about three hours from Acapulco and is worth the weekend trip to this magical mountain town. Visitors are greeted by beautiful white buildings that dot the valley, with towering mountains in every direction.

The colonial city is known for its silver, which was discovered in the 16th century and kept being discovered all the way through the 20th century. Taxco Silver is very much the real deal.

Today, however, the city runs on tourism. And there is no shortage of that, especially since the geography of the city has prevented urban sprawl. Be sure to check out the Templo de Santa Prisca , which is a Baroque jewel that acts as the city's flamboyant centerpiece.

Just off the coast of Acapulco is the expansive island, Isla de la Roqueta. The grass-covered stony crag has a small beach, Playa Roqueta, and a handful of rustic restaurants, but is known mostly for the diving and snorkeling that happens offshore.

The only way to access the island is by boat, and many of the popular boat tours from Acapulco make a stop at the island. Divers and snorkelers love it for the wide variety of tropical fish, as well as the Capilla Submarina, an underwater statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The island is veined with hiking trails, as well, which pass by a lighthouse and end up at the small, secluded Playa Marin.

Any Mexican city or town worth its salt has a Zocalo, or a main plaza, which tends to be the central meeting place for locals. Acapulco is no different. Though today the Zocalo is a bit sleepier than it may have been in years past, it still retains vestiges of its former high-energy glory.

Wander through the Zocalo to see the fountains and gazebo. At one end of the square, you'll find the Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral . Ringing the Zocalo are several cafés and restaurants, as well as shops and a few hotels.

Not far from the Zocalo are several other attractions, including the marina, the Mercado El Parazal, the malecon, and La Quebrada .

A transformation has been taking place in Acapulco for several years. A tourism company has poured millions of dollars into the destination to upgrade its hotels, infrastructure, and add new facilities (like the XTASEA zipline). Part of that investment has included the development of Punta Diamante, a section on the south end of the city, which is quickly growing as Acapulco's newest hot spot.

Punta Diamante is a flurry with restaurants and hotels that swing more upscale, bringing well-heeled travelers out of the more heavily trafficked Old Acapulco. The beaches in Punta Diamante are much quieter and upscale, as well.

Even if Punta Diamante is out of the budget, it's still worth a visit to see the new face of Acapulco, test out one of the many new restaurants, and stay to see the sun dip into the Pacific.

While you're in Punta Diamante, be sure to make a stop at La Capilla de la Paz, or the Chapel of Peace. Opened in the 1970s, the chapel was designed to commemorate two brothers who died in a plane crash. Today it still stands as a symbol of peace in Acapulco.

It is marked by the massive white cross out front, and since it is the highest point in Acapulco, it can be seen from pretty much anywhere in the city. The gardens on the grounds are impressive, and worth an exploration. The chapel itself is somewhat barebones, but the views are incredible. Tip: Make your way to the chapel around sunset, so you'll have the best seat in the house for the view.

Address: 2a. Cda. Vientos Cardinales S/N, La Brisa, 39867 Acapulco de Juárez, Gro., Mexico

The sun-and-city beat of Acapulco is intoxicating, but once in a while it's nice to get away and escape into the natural beauty of the state of Guerrero. Close to Acapulco is the Laguna de Tres Palos, a beautiful lake on the eastern side of Acapulco Bay.

Laguna de Tres Palos is teeming with wildlife within its 9.3 miles. The lagoon is made up of lush, foliage-shrouded channels that visitors navigate by boat. One of the highlights of the lagoon is the delicate lotus flower garden, which is a popular stop on tours.

Not far from Laguna de Tres Palos is the Coyuca Lagoon . This lagoon is near the Pie de la Cuesta beach, and is a nesting ground for migrating birds. Mexico's Pacific Coast is wild and untamed, and stepping out of the concrete of Acapulco allows visitors to see just how pristine this part of the country can be.

Of all the streets in Acapulco, the one to rule them all is the Avenida Costera Miguel Aleman. This is the main artery of Acapulco's downtown, and hugs the entirety of Acapulco Bay. Starting from the fishing docks, it curves all the way around the beautiful stretch of luxury hotels.

If you want to step back in to Acapulco's glamorous past, taking a stroll down the Costera is certainly a great place to start. Lined with restaurants, taco stalls, and other places to hang out, the street truly is the heart of the action.

You'll have the best seat in the house to watch the sparkling turquoise water and the boats darting across the surface. Come sunset, this is one of the top places to visit in Acapulco to catch the spectacular colors.

Puerto Marques is a favorite among the residents of Acapulco who want a beautiful beach experience and a laid-back atmosphere. Catering far more to locals than to tourists, Puerto Marques is where you'll have that same stellar beauty, minus the higher price tags. Development is also much more scaled back here, so it gives a much more tranquil vibe.

Driving from Acapulco to Puerto Marques is stunning. The highway has several viewpoints that give sweeping panoramas over the entire bay. Once you arrive at the bay, you'll find the water is calm for swimming , warm, and deliciously beautiful. Pick one of the many beachfront restaurants for lunch, and you've got yourself a tailor-made perfect day in Puerto Marques.

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Home » Travel Guides » Mexico » 15 Best Things to Do in Acapulco (Mexico)

15 Best Things to Do in Acapulco (Mexico)

Everyone has heard of Acapulco, the glossy beach resort that was the haunt of stars like Sinatra, Bardot and Elizabeth Taylor in the mid-20th century.

Backed by the mountains of the Sierra Madre del Sur, Acapulco has three tourist areas: Las Playas in the north, where the city first took shape, the high-rise Golden Zone on the arc of the bay, and the newer Punta Diamante, now emerging as a luxury escape.

One thing to mention about Acapulco is that its crown has slipped since the 90s.

That is all down to a cartel war, and while the violence rarely affects tourists it’s a serious deterrent.

But with luxury developments sprouting in secluded Punta Diamante, and a new tunnel easing notorious traffic congestion, Acapulco is hoping to regain some of its 20th-century sparkle.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Acapulco :

1. Fort of San Diego

Acapulco’s top historical monument is its star fort, first erected in 1617 to ward off pirate attacks.

At the time it was the strongest fortification on Mexico’s Pacific coast and was built to protect the Manila galleons, a fleet that sailed the Pacific trade route between Acapulco and Spanish-controlled Manila in the Philippines.

After earthquake damage in the 1770s it was rebuilt in a regular pentagonal shape.

In the following decades the fort saw military action, first during the Mexican War of Independence when it was besieged by insurgents, and then during the French Intervention in Mexico in the 1860s.

Available tour :  Acapulco Walking Tour: San Diego Fort and Cliff Divers

2. Acapulco Historical Museum

Since 1986 there has been a museum inside the fort, detailing Acapulco’s past and explaining the fort’s role during important moments over the last 400 years.

Most interesting are the details about the Manila galleons, piracy in the Pacific Ocean, and commerce with Japan and China.

You can view a model of the galleons that crossed the Pacific and some authentic imported artefacts like porcelain vases.

The exhibition goes further back in time to document the pre-Hispanic Mezcala culture, which inhabited parts of the modern state of Guerrero between 700 BC and 650 AD, and is recognised by its highly distinctive geometric stone masks and figurines.

3. La Quebrada Cliff Divers

At La Quebrada, which means “ravine” in Spanish, there’s a narrow inlet walled by vertiginous cliffs where divers have been performing spectacular jumps for crowds since at least 1934. What makes the feat so difficult is the water they dive into: The divers have to wait for a wave to come in to ensure that the water is deep enough and avoid injury.

They’ll climb the cliffs without ropes and leap from ledges at 12 and 24 metres, and there are daily shows at 13:00, 19:30, 20:30 and 21:30. You’ll have to pay a small fee ($2.50 USD) to see the show from a platform, or get a table at La Perla restaurant on a terrace beside the cliff.

Recommended tour :  Acapulco: Half-Day City Tour & La Quebrada Cliff Divers

4. Capilla de la Paz

You can arrange a tour to this monument, 400 metres above the eastern entrance to the bay.

The chapel sits on the hill “El Guitarrón”, one of the highest points in the city, and with a supreme view of the beachfront, cityscape and the Sierra Madre del Sur.

The chapel was commissioned at the turn of the 1970s by the developer Carlos Trouyet in memory of his two sons who died in a plane crash in 1967. The chapel holds Trouyet’s tomb, along with those of his wife Milly and sons Jorge and Carlos Jr.

The site also hosts a 40-metre-high cross and a sculpture of two clasped hands, “Las Manos de la Hermandad”, by Claudio Favier.

5. Mural Diego Rivera

One of Mexico’s great 20th-century artists and the on-off husband of Frida Kahlo left his mark on Acapulco when he stayed in the city in 1956. Diego Rivera’s work adorns the exterior walls of the home of Dolores Olmedo, the famous art patron with whom he had a long-term relationship.

The mural is one of Rivera’s final works before he passed away in 1957, and is a three-dimensional mosaic rich with pre-Hispanic symbols.

You can identify Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, lightning and thunder, and a xoloitzcuintle, hairless dog.

The dominant images are the two feathered serpents of Quetzalcóatl facing off on either side of the gate.

6. Punta Diamante

This new, fast-developing part of Acapulco is outside the main bay, on the sand bar in front of the Laguna de Tres Palos to the southeast.

And while Punta Diamante may not have the charm and buzz of Old Acapulco, what it does have is space and convenience.

The airport is moments away, and since 2017 journey times have been slashed by a new tunnel to the traditional prime tourist zone of Dorada around the bay.

Rolling out for several kilometres along the ocean is a continuous sandy beach, which is broad and shallow and has surf that breaks up to 100 metres out, so kids will be safe.

7. Barra Vieja

On the same beachfront as Punta Diamante, Barra Vieja is a few kilometres further along the sand bar.

Barra Vieja is the place to escape Acapulco’s crowds, as both the relatively far flung setting and the size of the beach allow room for everyone.

As with Punta Diamante, the beach is on a gentle gradient so even though the waves are strong there’s a lot of shallow water.

In high season you can choose from dozens of palapas (palm huts) cooking up fish like red snapper caught that same day.

The Tres Vidas Golf Courses is an 18-hole championship course on a slight elevation with invigorating ocean views.

8. Playa Pie de la Cuesta

Northwest of Acapulco the city starts to thin out and after about 10 kilometres of twisting coastal roads you’ll come to Pie de la Cuesta.

Quiet, laid-back and clear of traffic, this village is at the easternmost point of another sand bar between the Pacific and the expansive Laguna de Coyuca.

To relax you don’t need to go further than the beach, which goes on for miles and is very accommodating.

There are palapas behind with restaurants or you could just order a cocktail like a coco loco and watch the boisterous surf.

The ocean is a little too powerful to swim in, but is stunning at sunset, and during the day youngsters can go for horse rides along the shore.

9. Isla la Roqueta

This lush, undeveloped island is just south of Las Playas at the western entrance to Acapulco’s bay.

The main beach is a tranche of golden sand facing back towards Acapulco, fringed by restaurants and lapped by gentle, transparent waters.

You can get there from Playa Caleta, either by boarding a tourist boat or catching a ferry.

And while the tourist boats can make things easier, providing food, a tour of the island’s waters and even a show, you may prefer the freedom of making your own way across by ferry and being able to go where you want.

One of the main sights is the Virgen de los Mares, a submerged image of the Virgin Mary, while there are two reefs Piedra de Elefante and Piedra de Hierbabuena, loaded with vibrant underwater life.

10. Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral

Conceived by the architect Federico Mariscal, Acapulco’s cathedral was built in the 1940s and 50s.

Its predecessor had only been started in the 1900s, but was toppled by an earthquake and subsequent hurricane.

The cathedral’s architecture is unique in Mexico, fusing Art Deco, Moorish and Byzantine styles.

The two towers, crowned with colourful domes clad with mosaics look more like the minarets of a mosque than traditional church towers.

The apses inside are lined with blue and gold tiles, beneath geometric stained glass windows.

Acapulco’s central plaza, at the foot of the cathedral, offers a rare snapshot of local life.

All of the signatures of a Mexican town square are here, from the bandstand (gazebo) and fountain to the clipped Indian laurel trees, shoe shiners and balloon sellers.

Visit on Sunday afternoons when families take their “paseos” and you can catch a concert by Acapulco’s municipal band.

On a normal day you’ll also find street food stands and souvenir stalls, and there are cafes, restaurants and an ice cream shop on the square’s borders.

12. Laguna de Tres Palos

The lagoon behind Punta Diamante and Barra Vieja has become an important ecotourism destination and is probably the best place to glimpse Acapulco’s tropical birdlife.

Guided boat tours are available, conducted by fishermen who work and live on these waters.

They’ll point out the herons and diversity of other waterfowl that nest on the lagoon.

From the boat you’ll see mangroves and giant lilies with exquisite flowers, and countless fish in the water.

You may also get the chance to try a facial scrub from mud on the lagoon, and sit down in a cabaña to a lunch of grilled seafood and “pescado a la talla”, caught that morning.

Horseback rides are also available on the lagoon’s southern shore.

Recommended tour :  Tres Palos Lagoon and Turtle Farm Tour

13. Puerto Marqués

Between Punta Diamante and Acapulco Bay is Puerto Marqués, lying in a smaller bay.

There’s no indication today, but archaeologists have found Mesoamerica’s oldest stone pottery in this bay, dating back 3,500 years.

The beach at Puerto Marqués is frequented by Acapulco’s residents, and is either very hectic or sociable, depending on your point of view.

Puerto Marqués is one of the best places to try real cuisine from Guerrero, though many restaurants have touts who will do all they can to get to you to dine at their establishments.

The bustling beach has a narrow strip of golden sand, and its crystal clear water is possibly the best for swimming in the Acapulco area.

A brief walk up the slope from the beach is the Laguna Negra, well-known as for its crocodiles.

14. Playa la Condesa

One of the defining images of Acapulco is this beach in the Golden Zone, in the arc of the bay and traced by towering hotels and apartment blocks.

Playa la Condesa is a public beach with coarse golden sand.

The surf can be treacherous at times but is most mostly safe.

Being in the beating heart of Acapulco, the beach is always full of life: Vendors trail to and fro along the sand, there’s a multitude of bars and restaurants close by and activities like jetskiing, parasailing, windsurfing and waterskiing are available.

15. Local Food

As hinted earlier pescado a la talla is when you can select your own fish fresh from the ocean (normally red snapper). This will then be filleted, seasoned with salt and chilli and grilled.

Made roughly the same way, pescado al mojo de ajo has a thin garlic sauce.

Ceviche is a well-known Mexican and Caribbean preparation, and in Acapulco it’s small pieces of fish or seafood marinated in lemon and served with herbs, onion, avocado and salsa picante.

To be really authentic try pozole guerrerense, a maize-based broth with chicken or pork, eaten either on Thursdays or Wednesdays and Sundays depending on whether you have the green version (verde) or white (blanco).

15 Best Things to Do in Acapulco (Mexico):

• Fort of San Diego
• Acapulco Historical Museum
• La Quebrada Cliff Divers
• Capilla de la Paz
• Mural Diego Rivera
• Punta Diamante
• Barra Vieja
• Playa Pie de la Cuesta
• Isla la Roqueta
• Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral
• Laguna de Tres Palos
• Puerto Marqués
• Playa la Condesa

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17 Astonishing Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Acapulco

Acapulco is a city in the Guerrero state of Mexico. Owing to its coast location by the bay, the has been a popular beach resort city since the 1940s. The majority of the best things to do in Acapulco , Mexico are situated by the coastline.

You get to explore pristine beaches, beautiful islands, and several adventure activities. The Acapulco beaches have attracted celebrities, millionaires, and tourists alike. Everyone finds escape in the fun vibe, happening venues, and watersports activities. We have listed the best beaches in Acapulco in the next section.

The coastline also has the top places to go in Acapulco for dining and partying. The beaches have some of the best clubs, bars, pubs, and lounges. They are also known for fun activities to do in Acapulco . This includes jet skiing, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing, and so on.

You can also venture a little deeper into the ocean for boat cruises and scuba diving. The boat tours also take you to small islands close to the coast. These are the best places to visit in Acapulco if you are looking for mesmerizing nature trails and tranquil beaches with scarce crowds.

You will also find some really wonderful natural sites at Acapulco tourist attractions inland as well. There are two major lagoons where you can enjoy boat tours to admire the natural habitats of migratory birds.

The city also has a rich history alongside its charming, fun, leisurely, and entertaining side. There are some spectacular things to see in Acapulco from the colonial and pre-colonial periods. The city has been a major port.

You will see many historical Acapulco attractions that were used to support maritime trade. This includes lighthouses, docking stations, piers, and so on. However, the most impressive among these is Fort San Diego. The fort was built to prevent invasions and to ward off pirates. It is one of the biggest places to see in Acapulco. Inside the Fort, you will find a museum that gives you an overview of the city’s history and culture. This gives you an in-depth perspective during Acapulco sightseeing .

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Table of Contents

Top 17 Tourist Places to Visit in Acapulco, Mexico

1. best beaches in acapulco.

Most people visit Acapulco for its magnificent beaches. It has been a popular seaside resort town since the 20th century. Most of the Acapulco beaches have great facilities and are surrounded by resorts.

You can come here to enjoy sunbathing on lounges while enjoying the ocean view. Many of the beaches in Acapulco also have facilities for watersports. This includes jet skiing, snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing, and more.

The best beaches in Acapulco are Playa Condesa, Playa Caletilla, Playa Catela, Playa Revolcadero, Playa Majahua, Bara de Coyuca, Playa Icacos, and Playa Pichilingue. These beaches are also the most happening spots with amazing food joints and nightlife venues. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying any of these beaches.

2. La Quebrada Cliffs

These cliffs are 40 meters high above the sea level. It is one of the best places to visit in Acapulco for the Cliff Diving Show. Professional cliff divers perform an incredible show from La Quebrada.

The daring performers leap from the cliffs performing amazing stunts and dive into the narrow chasm below. The performance goes on all day till sunset. The final dive of the day is one of the most majestic things to see in Acapulco.

The sea below is lit on fire with gasoline and the diver jumps into the flaming ocean with torches in their hands. The show is one of the best things to do in Acapulco at night. You can spend a couple of hours enjoying the show at La Quebrada.

I suggest you should book your Tour to La Quebrada Cliffs with Dinner in advance.

3. San Diego Fort (Fuerte de San Diego)

This fort was first built in 1616 to guard the Acapulco Bay from pirates. It was renovated to its current state after an earthquake in 1776. It is one of the most important historical Acapulco attractions. The fort played a significant role in the Mexican Revolution Wars and the Mexican War of Independence.

You can tour the star-shaped fort and learn about the fantastic defensive architecture. The museum inside the fort covers political and cultural aspects of the city’s history. It covers the history from Mezcala culture to the modern period. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to tour the fort and the museum.

4. Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

Acapulco has some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling spots in Mexico. You can also get certified as a diver here. The clear waters and abundance of marine life make it an incredible experience. No wonder it is one of the top activities to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

Some of the best spots for scuba diving in Acapulco include Rio de la Plata, Las Cuevas, Catella, and Caletilla. You can also enjoy snorkelling closer to the shores to see the marine life in the shallows. It is one of the fun things to do in Acapulco by the beaches. The top spots for snorkelling include La Roqueta Island, Puerto Marques, and Playa Caleta. You will need at least 2 hours for any of these activities during Acapulco travel.

I suggest you should book your Snorkelling Experience in advance.

5. Isla la Roqueta

This island is one of the most beautiful places to explore. It is known for its untouched natural beauty, beaches, and adventure activities. The island is covered with jungle and you can explore some beautiful nature trails. These would lead you to natural pools, high viewpoints, and waterfalls.

La Roqueta is also home to some of the most pristine beaches in Mexico. These are far less crowded than the mainland beaches. If you are looking for tranquil seclusion, these are the best places to go in Acapulco, Mexico.

The island also has a few restaurants and resorts for leisure, dining, partying, and entertainment. Although the most popular activity on the island is snorkelling. The shallow spots close to the shore are perfect for it. You will see small fishes, corals, turtles, and several small marine creatures. You can easily spend an entire day exploring various parts of this island.

I suggest you should book your Trip to La Roqueta Island in advance.

6. Chapel of Peace (Capilla de la Paz)

This church was built in the 1970s and is known for its A-frame design. However, it is popular among Acapulco tourist attractions for the view more than the church itself. The church sits atop a hill and is the highest point in the city. The vantage point gives you amazing views of the entire city, all the way to the coastline. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore the church and the viewpoint.

7. Lucha Libre Wrestling Show

The spectacle of masked luchadors wrestling is an experience unique to Mexico. It is part of the culture and it is loads of fun. The show involves a series of wrestling matches between masked wrestlers presenting different personas.

If you are aware of their wrestling personas, you will get to enjoy the storytelling element even more. It is one of the best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico. If you combine that with beer, snacks, and the wild crowd; you will get an exceptionally entertaining evening. You will need 3 to 4 hours to enjoy a complete show.

I suggest you should book your Show for Lucha Libre Wrestling in advance.

8. Zocalo (Plaza Álvarez)

This central square is considered the heart of the city. The square is a hustling and bustling spot. The square is home to some of the best cafes and restaurants in the city. In the evenings, you will also get to enjoy live music and street performances at this place.

It is also one of the top spots in Acapulco for shopping. The square is the starting point for walking and cycling tours of the old part of the city You can easily spend 20 to 30 minutes exploring the square.

9. Laguna de Tres Palos

This huge lagoon is one of the finest natural habitats close to the city. It is an exceptionally beautiful environment with a variety of trees, flowers, plants, small animals, and birds. The lagoon also attracts numerous migratory birds during winter.

You can enjoy boat tours in the lagoon to admire its natural beauty. It is one of the most pristine places to see in Acapulco. The clay of this lagoon is also quite popular. It is believed to hold medicinal properties for skin care. You will need about 2 hours to enjoy a tour of the lagoon.

I suggest you should book your Trip to Tres Palos Lagoon in advance.

10. Punta Diamante

The Diamond Point is a posh neighbourhood on the southeast side of the city. It faces the ocean and is home to some of the best spots in the city. It is a great place to roam around during Acapulco sightseeing.

The neighbourhood has high-end hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, and entertainment venues. The Playa Revolcadero in the area is one of the best Acapulco beaches for surfing. You will need about an hour or so to explore this area.

11. Costera Street

If you are looking for happening nightlife venues in Acapulco, you just have to get to Costera Street. The entire street is lined with some of the best places to visit in Acapulco for partying.

You will find beach bars, nightclubs, lounges, and more. Some of the most popular ones are Baby O Acapulco, Paradise Bungy, Baby Lobster, and Disco Beach. You can dedicate an evening to hopping clubs on this street.

12. Diego Rivera Mural

Diego Rivera is a renowned artist from Mexico. He is known for his contribution to Mexican and International arts through his unique style of frescoes. Rivera contributed a mural to the city and it has become one of the most popular Acapulco attractions.

The mural depicts elements of the pre-Columbian culture of Mexico. The central figure of the mural is Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent deity from Aztec culture. You should take a couple of minutes from Acapulco sightseeing to stop and admire this mural.

13. Laguna de Coyuca

This lagoon is smaller than Laguna des Tres Palos but has a more vibrant environment. The lagoon becomes home to several migratory birds including herons, storks, pelicans, and more. The lagoon also has several small islands where these birds form their colonies.

You can enjoy a guided boat tour in the lagoon to explore nature and wildlife. People can also opt to ride rowboats as a more adventurous alternative. It is one of the most fun things to do in Acapulco, Mexico. You will need about 2 hours for the tour.

I suggest you should book your Trip to Coyuca Lagoon in advance.

14. El Rollo Acapulco

This amazing waterpark is just a few meters away from a white sand beach. You get to enjoy one of the best Acapulco beaches on one side. And on the other, you can have fun with wave pools, dolphin shows, water slides, and several other fun activities to do in Acapulco. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying the place.

15. Tehuacalco Ruins

These ancient ruins of a Mayan empire site sit in the Sierra Madre Mountains. It is one of the most fascinating things to see in Acapulco. The site once belonged to the Yope civilization and used to be a ceremonial centre.

You can tour this archeological site to peek into the ancient culture and architecture. It is quite interesting to see how such an ancient civilization created such massive structures. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour the ruins including the travel from Acapulco and back.

I suggest you should book your Trip to Tehuacalco Ruins in advance.

16. Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation

This centre works for the conservation of Mexican turtles. They care for turtles and release them into the wild. You can participate in some of the best things to do in Acapulco with the conservation centre. You can care for and feed the turtles. People can also camp by the beaches to watch young turtles hatch from eggs and find their way to the ocean. It is a memorable experience and you will need about 2 to 3 hours for it.

17. Boat Cruise

Once you have explored the Acapulco tourist attractions on land, take time to venture out to the ocean. The boat cruises are some of the best experiences when you visit Acapulco. You can take cruises for dining, partying, and seeing sunsets. You get to choose between tour boats, yachts, and sailboats. You will need at least an hour or so for a boat cruise.

I suggest you should experience the Sightseeing Trip on a Cruise Ship .

If you are looking for more places to go in Acapulco, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of various tourist attractions and activities in the city and around it.

Things to do in acapulco, mexico, monuments, museums & historical places to visit in acapulco, mexico.

• Fort San Diego
• Chapel of Peace
• Tehuacalco Ruins
• Cathedral of Acapulco
• Acapulco Museum of Naval History
• Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia
• Capilla de la Paz
• Aracnee Zoology Museum
• Capilla Maria Estrella del Mar
• Museo de la Mascara Guero
• Museo Interactivo la Avispa

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Acapulco, Mexico

• Laguna des Tres Palos
• Laguna de Coyuca
• Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation Centre
• Mirador Cliffs
• Embarcaciones Kamuri
• Cascada el Salto
• Paradise of Mangroves
• Deposito Aguas Blancas

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Acapulco, Mexico

• La Quebrada Cliffs
• Lucha Libre Wrestling Show
• Parque Papagayo
• Parque de la Iguana
• Recreativo el Veladero Park
• Parque Acuatico Agua Salvaje
• Parque de la Reina
• Acapulco Botanical Gardens

Shopping in Acapulco, Mexico

• Plaza Marbella
• Mercado Centro
• Acapulco Galerias
• Mercado El Parazal
• El Pueblito Craft Market
• Mercado Morelos
• La Isla Shopping Village
• Mercado de Artesanias La Diana
• Acapulco Mall
• Galeria Diana
• Mercado Chilapeno
• Plaza Condesa

Beaches & Islands in Acapulco, Mexico

• Playa Condesa
• Playa Caletilla
• Playa Catela
• Playa Revolcadero
• Playa Majahua
• Bara de Coyuca
• Playa Icacos
• Playa Pichilingue
• Isla la Roqueta
• Playa Papagayo
• Playa Diamante
• Playa Tabachines
• Playa las San Pedro

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Acapulco, Mexico

• Scuba Diving
• Paddle Boarding
• Boat Cruise
• Parasailing
• Snorkelling
• Yatch Tours

Sightseeing in Acapulco, Mexico

• Zocalo Square
• Punta Diamante
• Costera Street
• Diego Rivera Mural
• Diana the Huntress Statue
• Plaza Alvarez
• Mirador Puerto Marques
• Aguas Termales la Escondida

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Acapulco, Mexico

• Grill y Tacos
• Mariscos Pipos
• Cafe al Mar
• Circa La Morena 1
• Tacos Tumbras
• Bellavista Las Brisas
• Becco al Mare
• La Cabana de Caleta
• Lupe de Arena
• Tony’s Bistro
• La Casa de Tere
• Plaza Francia Club de Playa

Where to Stay in Acapulco?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Acapulco. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Acapulco.

Luxurious Hotels

• Pierre Mundo Imperial
• Las Brisas Acapulco
• Palacio Mundo Imperial
• Ritz Acapulco
• Encanto Acapulco
• HS HOTSSON Smart Acapulco
• Real Bananas Hotel & Villas
• Mishol Weddings & Events Hotel & Beach Club
• Holiday Inn Acapulco la Isla, an IHG Hotel
• One Acapulco Costera

Mid-Range Hotels

• Emporio Acapulco Hotel
• Playa Suites Acapulco Hotel
• Hotel Costa Azul
• Las Torres Gemelas Suites & Beach Resort
• Hotel Acapulco Malibu
• Casa Jaguar Hotel & Boutique
• Hotel Maria Eugenia
• Villamar Princesa Suites
• Villas La Lupita Hotel

Budget Hotels

• Donde Mira El Sol
• Alba Suites Acapulco
• Hotel Mision & Spa Acapulco
• Bali Hai Hotel
• Hotel Acamar Acapulco
• Hoteles Aristos
• Hotel Suites Jazmin
• Hotel Romano Palace Acapulco
• We Hotel Acapulco
• Hotel El Tropicano Acapulco

Custom Tours Package in Acapulco

How to reach acapulco, mexico.

The city is served by the Juan N. Alvarez International Airport. You can get direct flights to visit Acapulco from cities in Mexico and North America. The airport receives flights from Mexico City , Montreal , Dallas , Monterrey, Toronto , Cancun , Guadalajara, Leon, and Tijuana. If you are travelling from other destinations, you should get a connecting flight via Mexico City.

You can cabs, buses, and private transport to reach the city from the airport. The best option is to pre-book your ride from the airport. You can also get your hotel to arrange the transport for you.

The Mexico City and Manzanillo train stations are the closest options to travel to Acapulco. You can get buses from each of these cities to get to Acapulco. You can also go for rented cars. The bus network connects the city with several major cities and towns in Mexico.

If you are planning to reach Acapulco by car, you should head for routes 95D or 200D. These routes intersect on the east end of the city.

Despite being a coastline city, there are no direct water routes to visit Acapulco. It does serve as a port for cruise ships going between Panama and San Francisco. Although, you can get boat cruises and tours to reach nearby islands from the city.

Image Reference

• Best Beaches in Acapulco – Mike Ramírez Mx / PixaBay
• La Quebrada Cliffs – Jorge Nava / Flickr
• San Diego Fort (Fuerte de San Diego) – Enrique Galindo / Wikimedia Commons
• Scuba Diving & Snorkelling – jacqueline macou / PixaBay
• Isla la Roqueta – Limor Hader / Flickr
• Chapel of Peace (Capilla de la Paz) – Thank You (24 Millions ) views / Flickr
• Lucha Libre Wrestling Show – yameen9000 / Flickr
• Zocalo (Plaza Álvarez) – Thank You (24 Millions ) views / Flickr
• Laguna de Tres Palos – Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones / Flickr
• Punta Diamante – Carlos Valenzuela / Wikimedia Commons
• Costera Street – Eduardo Francisco Vazquez Murillo / Flickr
• Diego Rivera Mural – travelmag.com / Flickr
• Laguna de Coyuca – Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones / Wikimedia Commons
• El Rollo Acapulco –
• Tehuacalco Ruins – AlejandroLinaresGarcia / Wikimedia Commons
• Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation – Daisy Brust / PixaBay
• Boat Cruise – Javier Hernández Pino / PixaBay
• 20 Unforgettable Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Inverness
• Beautiful Beaches to Visit, Things to See and Fun Activities to Do in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

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10 Best Things to Do in Acapulco, Mexico

benedek/ Getty Images

Located on Mexico's Pacific coast, Acapulco was Mexico's first major tourist destination. This thriving city on the picturesque Bahia de Acapulco underwent extensive renovations in the early 2000s, adding a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, and concert venues for visitors to enjoy and cleaning up the city's many excellent beaches. Whether you're making a short stop as part of a Mexican Riviera cruise or you plan on staying in the city for a while, there are plenty of things to do in Acapulco all year long.

See the Cliff Divers at La Quebrada

benedek / Getty Images

Whether you choose to go during the day or see the death-defying dives at night when the spectacle is lit by torches, Acapulco's famous cliff divers are a must-see on any visit to this port city. Launching themselves from a height of more than 100 feet into the churning ocean, the divers must time their dives to coincide with the incoming waves. La Quebrada offers a fabulous view of the open ocean and beautiful sunsets, and the cliff divers here perform five times a day.

La Quebrada is located on the northwestern end of the city—between the La Candelaria and La Pinzona neighborhoods and near the Acapulco Historical Museum of Fort San Diego—and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. One of the walls of the cliff has a path to a restaurant in the Mirador Acapulco Hotel, where tourists gather to watch the diving show or view  pelicans  diving for fish.

Enjoy Acapulco's Beaches

rafal_kubiak / Getty Images

Acapulco has year-round beach weather and plenty of great places to lay in the sand to soak up the sun. Whether you're looking for a spot to tan or you want to experience thrills like bungee jumping or parasailing, the beaches in Acapulco—known locally as playas —have something for every type of traveler. However, all of Acapulco's beaches can have a strong undertow, so be cautious when swimming.

Playa Condesa, located in the center of Acapulco Bay near many of Acapulco's popular nightclubs, is the trendiest beach and a good location to enjoy water sports. Meanwhile, playas Caleta and Caletilla have gentle waves and are preferred by families with small children. Another option is to join the locals at the lovely beach at Puerto Marques.

Explore La Costera

Acapulco's main drag is the Costera Miguel Alemán—usually referred to simply as La Costera . This road follows the coastline around the bay and is where most of Acapulco's shops, restaurants, and nightclubs are located, but you'll also find large shopping malls such as La Gran Plaza and Plaza Bahía here as well.

La Costera is the pulsing beat of the city, where all the action is, so it's definitely worth adding to your travel itinerary when visiting Acapulco. In fact, it's hard to miss seeing this thriving strip of local culture no matter what time of day or year you come to the city.

Stroll Around the Zocalo

Unlike planned tourist resort cities like Cancun , Acapulco is a real Mexican town. Nowhere is this more obvious than in Old Acapulco, the heart of which is the city's Zocalo .

Officially known as the "Plaza Juan Alvarez," this is the main public square in Acapulco's old city, a tree-shaded plaza where locals and tourists congregate, particularly in the evenings and on weekends. You'll find the central Acapulco cathedral here as well as plenty of places to eat and shop. Within walking distance is Acapulco's traditional Mercado El Parazal, the Malecón, La Quebrada, and the Marina.

Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Ride to Isla La Roqueta

Sir James / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0

Enjoy a fun day on Isla La Roqueta, an ecological reserve just off the coast of Acapulco, via a glass-bottom boat tour, which is offered from Playa Caleta. This glass-bottomed vessel allows you to observe the sea life and the submerged statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe on your way to Isla La Roqueta. Once there, enjoy the beautiful beach for swimming and snorkeling and then take a hike up the hill to the lighthouse to enjoy the view of the surrounding ocean and distant mainland.

Visit the San Diego Fort

Suzanne Barbezat

San Diego Fort is a star-shaped fort that was constructed at the beginning of the 17th century to defend from pirates galleons carrying merchandise from Asia. The fort was reconstructed in 1778 after an earthquake caused some damage.

At present, El Fuerte de San Diego (San Diego Fort) houses the Historic Museum of Acapulco, with 12 exhibition halls where you can learn about the earliest inhabitants of the area, Acapulco's role in trade with Asia, and the fort's role in Mexico's War of Independence. The Fuerte San Diego is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is free on Sundays.

Hike Around Palma Sola Archaeological Site

Mark Newman / Getty Images

Located on a mountainside six kilometers northeast of Old Acapulco within El Veladero National Park, the Palma Sola ​Archaeological Site features 2,000-year-old petroglyphs and rock carvings made by the Yopes, Acapulco's earliest known inhabitants.

Besides its historical and archaeological interest, this site also offers stunning views of Acapulco and the bay and is a great way to escape the city and see some of the natural area surrounding the urban zone. The Palma Sola Archaeological site is open daily and is free to enjoy, but you can also take guided tours of the petroglyphs if you want to learn more about their history from a professional guide.

Watch the Sunset at Hotel Los Flamingos

The Hotel Los Flamingos was built in the 1930s and purchased in the 1950s by members of the "Hollywood Gang," which included John Wayne, Johnny Weissmuller, Erroll Flynn, and Cary Grant. Now, a 1950s photo collection in the hotel lobby offers a nostalgic look back at the hotel's former owners. Built atop a 450-foot cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Los Flamingos Hotel boasts one of the best views of Acapulco Bay and Isla La Roqueta. It's an excellent spot to have an evening drink and enjoy the sunset.

Sample Acapulco's Nightlife

Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images

Acapulco's nightlife is notorious for its wild parties, fantastic cocktail menus, and massive clubs, and while the action might not get started until later, there's a chance you could be out all night in this thriving Mexican city. Party with a view on the Las Brisas hillside at huge nightclubs like Palladium and Mandara or pop into a variety of packed clubs along La Costera like Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, and Baby O. When in doubt, just head to the oceanfront bars and clubs around 10 p.m. and you should be able to find a party to your liking.

Embark on a Sunset Yacht Cruise

Yate de  Recreo Acarey

The best—and perhaps most luxurious—way to enjoy all the sights Acapulco has to offer is to embark on a sunset tour aboard the Acapulco Acarey Yacht Cruise. Featuring an open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, salsa music, and a knowledgable guide of the city, the sunset tour takes about three hours to complete and is one of the best tours available for Acapulco. As an added bonus, this unique experience is also surprisingly cheap at just under $24 per person.

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Acapulco, Mexico’s original party town, has a stunning topography of soaring cliffs curling into a series of wide bays and intimate coves, fringed with sandy beaches and backed by jungle-green hills. It was dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Pacific’ during its heyday as a playground for the rich and famous, including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Elizabeth Taylor.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Clavadistas de la Quebrada

Acapulco’s most famous tourist attraction, the cliff divers of La Quebrada have been dazzling audiences since 1934. Every night, a team of seven lithe…

Museo Histórico de Acapulco

The Fuerte de San Diego is home to this excellent 15-room museum, an enjoyable romp through history of the region, from its settlement by various pre…

Zona Arqueológica de Palma Sola

One of Acapulco's best attractions is the least well-known and also the least expected. High above the city, on the La Cuesta hill, it's a ceremonial and…

Every night Acapulco’s leafy old town zócalo comes alive with street performers, mariachis and sidewalk cafes; it also hosts occasional festivals. It’s…

Pie de la Cuesta

Just 12km from central Acapulco is Pie de la Cuesta, a rustic beach suburb built on a wide sand spit that acts as a dividing line between the sea and the…

Museo de la Máscara

If you love masks but are unable to visit the epic museums in Zacatecas and San Miguel, swing by this new museum, where visages of devils, conquistadors,…

Isla de la Roqueta

This island offers a popular (crowded) beach, and snorkeling and diving possibilities on the far side. You can rent snorkeling gear, kayaks and more. From…

La Capilla de la Paz

Perched on a hilltop high above Acapulco is this quiet spot for reflection, an airy '70s A-frame chapel surrounded by lovely gardens and providing…

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23 Best & Fun Things to Do in Acapulco (Mexico)

Acapulco, fully known as Acapulco de Juárez, is a city located in Guerrero State, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.

Acapulco is popularly proclaimed as the central tourist destination of Mexico. The city is the principal seaport in the state and the municipal seat of the municipality Acapulco.

The city has about 700 000 residents, making it the largest city in Guerrero, way bigger than the state’s capital.

Acapulco is home to an extensive collection of clubs, sand beaches, restaurants, concert centers, bars, nightlife venues, and many exciting spots.

There are great places to visit in Acapulco, such as Acapulco Historical Museum, La Quebrada Cliff Divers, Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral, Galerías Diana, Malecón de Acapulco, Club de Yates de Acapulco, Playa Pie de la Cuesta, and more.

Let’s explore the top things to do in Acapulco, Mexico

Things to Do in Acapulco

1. bahía de puerto marqués.

Puerto Marqués is one of the most popular attractions in Acapulco, usually visited by numerous locals.

The attraction is a small bay in the middle of Acapulco Bay and Puerto Marquez.

The oldest Stone pottery of Mesoamerica was discovered in this particular bay, dating back to 3500 years by archaeologists.

Visiting Puerto Marqués should be on your list of best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

This bay is an excellent location if you want to try out some of their native cuisines, as there are several restaurants around. You also get to meet and interact with new people.

There is a tiny amount of golden sand with crystal clear water making the beach an excellent place for swimming.

Address: Bah í a de Puerto Marques Carretera Aeropuerto, Acapulco 38892, Mexico

2. La Quebrada Cliff Divers

For the thrill-seekers, visiting La Quebrada Cliff Divers is a perfect addition to your list of best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

La Quebrada Cliff Divers is a tiny passage that has been standing since 1934, where divers perform incredible jumps for the spectators.

Its name, La Quebrada, in Spanish, translates to “ravine.” The passage is relatively challenging because the divers wait until a wave surfaces to prevent injury.

This place is one of the main highlights in Acapulco as you get to watch experienced divers of different ages.

It is always amazing to watch divers get up the cliffs without using ropes, and they jump down from rims of 12 & 24 meters. There is an excellent observatory where you get a closer view of the show.

La Quebrada Cliff Divers is open to everyone for a pocket-friendly fee. Visitors can reserve a table at the restaurant beside the cliff or watch from an outlet.

Address: La Quebrada 25, Centro, 39300 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

3. Playa Pie de la Cuesta

One fun thing to do in Acapulco, Mexico, is to visit Playa Pie De La Cuesta, nestled on the eastern side of a sand bar, right in between the large Laguna de Coyuca and the Pacific.

This village is an excellent place to relax and unwind, offering you a laid-back and serene environment.

Playa Pie de la Cuesta features a beautiful beach that stretches for several miles and can conveniently accommodate everyone.

You will find lots of palapas (palm nuts) and restaurants where you can request a specialty cocktail and enjoy ocean views.

You and your little ones can go horseback riding during the day and watch the sunset over the ocean.

  Address: Av. Francisco l. Madero & Morelos Sur, Acapulco 39900, GRO, Mexico

4. Acapulco Historical Museum

The Acapulco Historical Museum has existed since 1986 and is housed in the Fort of San Diego.

The Museum is filled with lots of history about the city of Acapulco, enlightening the public concerning the role of the Fort for more than four centuries during crucial periods.

You also learn fascinating tales about the trade between China and Japan, the Pacific Ocean’s piracy, and the Manila gallons.

The Acapulco Historical Museum also displays samples of the same gallons that sailed the Pacific and a good number of original artifacts such as imported porcelain vases.

This Museum entirely takes you back in time through the Pre-Hispanic Mezcala culture using exhibitions from 700 BC and 650 AD, which occupied areas of the Guerrero state.

Address: Hornitos s/n, Centro, 39300 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

5. Capilla de la Paz

Capilla de la Paz is a chapel built in the 1970s by Carlos Trouyet in honor of his two sons, who died in 1967 from an airplane crash.

The chapel contains the tomb of Trouyet, Miley, his wife, and Carlos jr. & Jorge, his two sons.

This magnificent chapel is located on Guitarrón Mountain, which directly overlooks Acapulco.

Capilla de la Paz is well known for its unique white cross, which can be seen from far and has become the city’s symbol.

You can go on a guided tour of the chapel, which offers your remarkable views of the sirre Madre del Sur, landscapes, and the beachfront.

Capilla de la Paz features windows that invariably make waves appear closer than it is. Occasionally, some couples are granted permission to host their weddings here.

Address: 2a. Cda. Vientos Cardinales S/N, La Brisa, 39867 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

6. Isla de la Roqueta

Isla La Roqueta is an underdeveloped area located on the Acapulco’s bay western passageway in the southern part of Las Playas.

Several restaurants border the main beach featuring calm and clear waters.

It is easily accessible from Playa Caleta using a ferry or tourist boat; both are excellent choices but offer different conveniences.

The tourist boat offers you a meal, a thorough exploration of the Island waters, and an exciting show. At the same time, the ferry allows you to go wherever you want without any restrictions.

A tour around this Island is one of the fun things to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

You will also sight the Virgen de Los Mares, an underwater portrait of the Virgin Mary, including Piedra de Hierbabuena and Piedra de Elefante, two reefs packed with lively marine life.

Address: Acapulco de Juárez, Guerrero, Mexico

7. Punta Diamante

Punta Diamante is a fast-evolving area of the city of Acapulco nestled on the southeastern side of the Laguna De Tres Palos on the sand bar.

This region is a destination that offers you the comfort and luxury that you desire through the collection of restaurants and hotels available.

If you’re visiting the city of Acapulco, make sure you stay in one of the hotels within Punta Diamante and experience the perfect escape from all the noise in the world.

Living in Punta Diamante doesn’t come cheap, but it is worth it and is highly recommended to every tourist.

Here, you feel comfortable and secure, and you also get to explore the gorgeous crystal-clean beach and more.

8. Mural Diego Rivera

Are you an art enthusiast? If yes, don’t hesitate to add a visit to Mural Diego Rivera to your list of best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

Mural Diego Rivera is a landmark created by one of the most distinguished artists of Mexico in the 20th century.

The artist is also known as the on-off spouse of Frida Kahlo, who resided in Acapulco in 1956.

Diego Rivera’s artworks were used to grace the exterior part of Dolores Olmedo’s home, a renowned client of Diego and a long-term friend.

Mural Diego Rivera was just one of Diego’s final clients before he passed away in 1957. It is adorned with pre-Hispanic signs being a mosaic of three dimensions.

The mural, currently owned by Mrs. Dolores Olmedo, also features the Quetzalcoatl Feathered Serpent and a famous Aztec god.

Every art lover will love this destination. Bring a camera and take memorable pictures of it.

Address: Inalámbrica, Las Playas, 39390 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

9. Barra Vieja Beach

Are you searching for a perfect getaway from all the bustling and hustling of the city? It is located near Punta Diamante.

Barra Vieja is a large beach with a large spacious area that can contain just everyone who wants to come in and have fun.

The beach consists of numerous shallow bodies of water and is fitted on a calm gradient, although it produces strong waves.

There is an 18-hole championship course, the Tres Vidas Golf course, which is relatively high and offers you amazing views of the beach.

Address: Carretera Barra Vieja, Km 12, Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

10. Laguna de Tres Palos

Laguna de Tres Palos is a lagoon located behind Barra Vieja and Punta Diamante. The lagoon is a popular tourist destination in Acapulco.

Visit this place if you want a clear glance at the tropical birdlife of Acapulco, and join the public guided boat tours.

These tours are led by anglers who work on these waters and have lived there for a long time. You get the opportunity to see giant lilies, mangroves, gorgeous flowers, and numerous fish in the water.

Laguna de Tres Palos mud can be used as a facial scrub. Visitors can also relax in a cabana and enjoy delicious seafood.

Address: Laguna de 3 Palos, El Coloso, 39810 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

11. Fort of San Diego

Fort of San Diego, formerly referred to as the Fort of San Carlos, is the major historical monument in Acapulco.

Visiting the Fort of San Diego should be on your list of top things to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

This star Fort, constructed in 1617, was built to prevent pirates’ attacks. During the era, it was known as the most powerful fortification on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.

Fort of San Diego helped secure a fleet called the Manila gallons, which crossed the Pacific route located between the Spanish-owned Manila and Acapulco.

In the 1770s, it was destroyed by an earthquake and was later restored but in the shape of a pentagon. Now it is a significant landmark open to the public as a museum.

You certainly cannot leave Acapulco city without exploring the historic Fort of San Diego.

  Address: Hornitos s/n, Centro, 39300 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

12. Jardín Botánico de Acapulco

Jardín Botánico de Acapulco, or the botanical garden of Acapulco, is located on the Jesuit University Campus in Acapulco and is a must-visit for nature lovers.

There are botanical gardens featuring an outstanding collection of fauna and flora. There is also a fully marked walkway that extends above sea level from 204 m to 411 m to a shadowy tropical forest featuring many benches where you can stop and inhale the fragrance of the flowers.

Jardín Botánico de Acapulco stretches over fourteen acres of land space encompassed by mountain ranges.

You will find a variety of shrubs and plants, including good timbre trees such as Pelogyne Mexicana, on the brink of dying.

Take a walk through the stunning trails inside the property as you enjoy the beauty and serene environment. You will also find a few reptiles, such as snakes and iguanas.

  Address: Avenida Heroico Colegio Militar sin numero, Frac, Cumbres de Llano Largo, 39820 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

Considering a Mexico road trip? Here are the best things to do in  Tijuana  for a fun Mexico road trip

13. Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral

Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral, located in the city’s heart, is the city’s central catholic temple, also known as Acapulco Cathedral.

The Cathedral was erected in the 1940s and 50s by an architect named Federico Mariscal. The construction of the first structure began in the 1900s, but an earthquake and a successive Hurricane destroyed it.

The cathedral architectural style is unique in the country, showcasing Byzantine, Moorish, and Art Deco styles.

Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral features two towers covered by vibrant domes encased with mosaics, making it stand out from other regular church towers.

Every emerging and professional architect will appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Cathedral.

Address: Independencia 1, Centro, 39715 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

14. Playa la Condesa

Playa la Condesa is an energetic spot in the heart of Acapulco, revered as one of the major happening places in the city.

Something that makes the beach stand out is the Golden Zone in the bay’s arc and the overlooking hotels and homes that outline it.

This public beach is well known for its thick golden sand. The beach offers locals & visitors the chance to engage in fun activities.

You can enjoy activities like waterskiing, windsurfing, parasailing, and jetskiing, coupled with the fact that there are countless restaurants and bars to chill out.

Address: Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, Acapulco de Juárez 39690, Mexico

If you genuinely want to experience the city’s local lifestyle, visiting Zócalo should be on your list of top things to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

Zócalo is the city’s central Plaza offering visitors an exceptional experience and giving insight into what it feels like living in Acapulco.

Here, you will find every feature of an original Mexican city square without having to move from one place to another.

There is a fountain, a bandstand, balloon vendors, Indian laurel trees, and many more here. On a Sunday afternoon, you get to watch a concert hosted by Acapulco’s municipal band as many families grab their paseos.

Along the street, there are several food stands and lovely booths, including restaurants and cafes.

Address: Juan Álvarez, Las Cruces, 39770 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

16. Restaurante Condimento

Restaurante Condimento is a renowned restaurant that has consistently served the public with delectable Mexican cuisine.

Aside from Mexican meals, they also offer an impressive selection of international delicacies made by professional chefs.

The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals, so they are here to fill your stomach every time of the day.

 Restaurante Condimento uses nothing lesser than fresh and high-quality ingredients in the preparation of the meals beginning from scratch.

Try out their delicious seared sesame-crusted tuna, Baja-style fish tacos, fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp, marinated flank steak, Rib eye tacos, and many more.

The staff and owners are well known for attending to customers politely and professionally; they are passionate about what they do and exhibit great qualities.

Address: Av Costera Miguel Alemán 121, Fracc Magallanes, Magallanes, 39670 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

17. Centro Internacional de Convenciones Acapulco

Another perfect addition to your list of best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico, will be a visit to Centro Internacional de Convenciones Acapulco.

Centro Internacional de Convenciones Acapulco is an outstanding thirty-four-acre complex built with a touch of pre-Hispanic style.

The complex houses theatres like Plaza Azteca, Netzahualcoyotl, and Juan De Alarcon. Plaza Azteca is the place where the Voladores de Papantla is executed (a traditional ritual to gods praying for a great harvest) and Mexican Night, a famous carnival.

The location features many function rooms with large spaces used for different kinds of events, both International and national events.

These events include seminars, paintings exhibitions, seminars, musical concerts, the annual French Film Festival, and more.

Address: 4455 Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, Acapulco, Mexico, 39850

18. Club de Yates de Acapulco

Club de Yates de Acapulco was officially founded in December 1955 and has served as the venue for numerous sailing events in Mexico City for the 1968 Summer Olympics.

The attraction has continuously served as a sailing venue since the 1968 event. If you want to go for a memorable cruise visiting Club de Yates de Acapulco is one of the best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

A marina of 250 berths is available alongside some 15 berths for those needing a bigger yacht with lots of essential amenities.

This marina is a true escape from the bustling and hustling in the city, where you get to have a feel of fresh air and rejuvenate.

Amenities like dock carts, launch ramp, pool, restrooms, dry storage, clubhouse, electricity, restaurant, water, showers, and more are made available.

Address: Avenida Gran Vía Tropical &, Tambuco S/N, Las Playas, 39390 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

19. Juan Alvarez Plaza

Your list of top things to do in Acapulco would not be complete without a visit to Juan Alvarez Plaza with your travel companions.

The Juan Alvarez Plaza, named in honor of a local man who fought with General Morelos

, comprises gorgeous gardens and incredible ocean life sculptures, which contribute to the facility’s beauty.

 You will also see a lovely shop within the facility, plus a basilica open for all visitors to come in for a mass.

Address: Costera Miguel Alemán s/n, Centro, Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, 39300 Mexico

20. Café del Mar

For that fantastic family dinner, either for a celebration or a lovely get-together, add a visit to Café del Mar to your list of best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

Café del Mar offers patrons an outstanding menu featuring French, Italian and Spanish cuisine with a unique feel of Australia.

They also offer quality drinks from their extensive drink list with specialty tapas and several kinds of drinks to cater to the needs of everyone.

The classic interior design of the restaurant offers a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that depicts luxury.

Café del Mar is divided into a stylish dining room, a bar section with soft sofas, and a private dining room that can accommodate thirty persons.

Don’t miss the waterfront entertainment, which takes off on the sun deck featuring banquettes, lounge space, and table seating.

Address: Costera Miguel Alemán SN Interior Plaza Marbella, Local 28, 39850 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

21. Malecón de Acapulco

Malecón de Acapulco is a beautiful boardwalk on the seaside. This boardwalk is the best choice if you have been searching for a trail out to the sea.

Malecón translates to “Pier,” and it starts at the Plaza Juan Alvarez and then leads to the Jardin de Puerto before connecting to the San Diego Fort.

Here, you will witness breathtaking views. As you get to the Plaza Naval, you will appreciate the sculptures used to design the pier, showcasing culture and art.

You will find boats and yachts on one side of Malecón de Acapulco, while on the other side, there are shops, restaurants, and the main square.

Make sure you truly explore the walkway by going on peaceful walks and taking pictures. Visitors can also take a boat ride.

Address: Av Costera Miguel Alemán, Zona Urbana 49, Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

22. Galerías Diana

Galerías Diana is the number one shopping center in the city and is a must add to your list of best things to do in Acapulco.

It features over one hundred stores under Shasa, a dominant fashion brand offering nothing but stylish and trendy merchandise.

You can shop for several footwear, accessories, and clothing for men and women from as low as 15 to 35 years.

The products offered here comprise high qualities with great longevity values and are given at affordable prices.

Galerías Diana is clean and well organized; every item is rightly arranged according to its category with super helpful staff.

Address: Av Costera Miguel Alemán 1926, Fracc Magallanes, Magallanes, 39670 Acapulco de Juárez, GRO, Mexico

23. Fisher’s Acapulco

Fisher’s Acapulco is a highly recommended Mexican restaurant that specializes in serving the most delicious meals every day.

The restaurant provides everything you need, from food to drinks; get ready to be blown away beyond every imagination.

They provide the customers with a clean and well-ventilated environment featuring comfortable tables and chairs.

Fisher’s Acapulco offers meals like Modelada Con Camarones, Carpaccio de Salmón, Chilaquiles Verdes Con Mariscos, Aguachile de Camarón, Camarones Empanizados, Pulpo A la Parrilla, Ceviche Peruano, and more.

From their extensive collection of beers and wines, pick one which would complement your meals and satisfy you.

For a romantic dinner date, friends hang out, family eat-out, corporate dinner, and so on, Fisher’s Acapulco never disappoints.

Have more time in Mexico? check out our tourist guide on things to do in Rosarito , things to do in Ensenada,  and fun  things to do in Puerto Vallarta  for a great time in Mexico.

Plan Your Trip to Acapulco

Acapulco is a rugged city in Mexico and one of the top places in the country, visited mainly by tourists annually.

There are many things to do here and several amazing places to visit, ranging from beaches, historic sites, shopping centers, restaurants, nature centers, and more.

Acapulco always has something new and fresh for everyone, so it doesn’t matter if you visit yearly; there is always something that will make your eyes pop.

Whether traveling alone or with your entire family, you are guaranteed a remarkable and memorable experience.

• List of Hotels

Acapulco Tourist Attractions, Sightseeing and Things To Do

A complete list of places to visit in Acapulco Mexico including a wide range of Acapulco tourist attractions, sightseeing and things to do in Acapulco.

Acapulco Diamante - Sun, Sea and Condos

Acapulco Diamante is many things, but in one word, it's exclusive. Acapulco Diamante is what you might call “New Acapulco.” It's a series of new luxury real estate developments and gated-communities, which stretch from Puerto Marques to the airport.

Acapulco Diamante is one of Acapulco's most beautiful regions, encompassing some of the area's best beaches, top luxury resort hotels, and the wealthiest neighborhoods. With its lush green mountains, million dollar houses, beautiful beaches, elegant shopping malls and peace and quiet, it reminds one vaguely of Orange County, California, but transferred thousands of miles down the Pacific Coast. In Acapulco Diamante it is easy to forget that you're really in Mexico. This is the place where people go to escape the city - whether the city in question is old Acapulco, Mexico City, Los Angeles or New York.

Inside of Acapulco Diamante you can find a couple of traditional areas, including small villages, that provide a contrast with the “in-your-face” commercialism and hustle of the hotel zone.

The Diamante area offers some of the best of Acapulco: The five-star hotels are The Fairmont Acapulco Princess, Fairmont Pierre Marques, the Fairmont Pearl, the Mayan Palace, Las Brisas, La Quinta Real, Park Royal, and the Camino Real. The beautiful Puerto Marques is on the way, as well as one of Acapulco's most active and fashionable beaches, Playa Revolcadero. Beyond, you can enjoy the rustic, tropical delights of Barra Vieja and Tres Palos Lagoon.

No matter what your interests, if you want to be able to say that you really know Acapulco, you should take a day to explore Acapulco Diamante.

Acapulco Philharmonic Orchestra

The Acapulco Philharmonic Orchestra (OFA) is one of the port city's most enjoyable assets. Supported entirely by a government grant, its concerts are free to the general public. Almost all the concerts are given in the 1000-seat Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Theater in the International Convention Center of Acapulco, in Costa Azul. Established in 1998, the OFA relies on 85 talented and experienced professional musicians, who provide a full and artful orchestral sound that easily rivals any other orchestra from a larger urban center.

Under the direction of Maestro Eduardo Alvarez, the OFA presents approximately 24 concerts each year in Acapulco, in addition to sixty or more concerts for children and performances in other venues. Half an hour prior to the concert, Maestro Alvarez comes out on stage to talk to the audience, in the tradition of Leonard Bernstein. He gives listening tips about the program and explains details about some of the instruments. The OFA sometimes performs baroque works, and also pieces from the classical period; however, strong suit by far is romantic music, starting with Beethoven and coming down to the modern era. The OFA also periodically plays traditional Mexican music as well as the works of contemporary composers, like George Gershwin. The romantic and popular music permits all 85 musicians to open up and play with great expression, in response to the creative leadership of their conductor, Maestro Alvarez. They also frequently invite distinguished soloists to perform with them.

To learn about the concert schedule, check the web site or call the office during normal business hours. Admission is free, and you can get in without a ticket. But tickets can be had at the business office or the Casa de Cultura in Costa Azul (on the Costera Alemán), or printed from the website. Having a ticket saves time when entering the hall, and will secure you a seat if the event will fill to capacity. In Costa Azul, the executive offices are at Plaza Bombay, Av. Cristobal Colón No. 100. Tel: 744 484-6626 or -4854.

Acapulco offers several "party areas". Las Brisas boasts Acapulco's big, high-end discos where shorts and sandals definitely are unwelcome. Palladium, Mandara, Classico del Mar, and Sky Garden are some of the hippest options in the area. Another area is closer to downtown. Starting at La Quebrada, along the Pacific side, stroll to the Sinfonia del Mar and beyond. Here you can party the night away. The streets fill with locals, who park their cars, crank up their music, and break out the cerveza. A handful of small bars also dot the landscape, but most people just bring their own supplies. With minor exceptions, the remainder of Acapulco's nightlife can be found scattered along the Costera, Acapulco's main drag, starting at the salsa club at the Copacabana all the way to El Alebrije at the end of the Golden Zone. If you go past Las Brisas, down the winding Scenic Highway to Acapulco Diamante, you will also find a few, mainly upscale offerings. That said, hands down the main party spot in all of Acapulco has been, and remains, The Condesa.

Acapulco's La Condesa district is where the nightlife begins and the place to go for door to door partying. Like a lady of the evening, La Condesa seems a little dowdy and commonplace during the day, but it really comes alive after the sun goes down. Some of Acapulco's most lively and noisy clubs are located here, along with the famous bungee jump at Paradise. Some of the other flagships in this fleet are Barbaroja, Mango's, Mojito, Disco Beach, Beto's Condesa, and Baby Lobster Bar. Hotels such as Fiesta Americana, Tortuga, and Romano Palace are located right in the center of the action. The Condesa also boasts Acapulco's main gay beach, and some of the bars welcome gay couples. Near the Condesa are several strip clubs, and you can find, if you look for it, practioners of the world's oldest profession. This is no place to be if you want a taste of traditional Mexico or some R & R. However, if your plans include getting wasted and maybe meeting someone interesting in a bar for an evening of fun later on, La Condesa is ground zero. If you're in the mood for a party, you've come to the right place.

Acapulco Night Clubs

For more information, see our Nightlife section.

The Corrida de Torros, also known as “La Fiesta Brava,” is held at the Plaza de Torros in the Caletilla area of Traditional Acapulco. Cost ranges from $35 to $15 depending upon how close the seats are and whether they're on the shady side of the ring. There is so much space though that once inside you're pretty much free to move around wherever you want. The plaza de toros is a pleasant arena. It has an especially exotic feeling with its tropical palms and lush green trees all around the edge. These photos were taken at a bullfight on February 27th, 2005.

The bullfight begins with the brave matadors, about 10 of them, who make their way to take a bow in the center of the ring. They are all decked out in the height of matador fashion. You can hear a collective “wow” from the ladies in the audience. Though they look very dashing in the bull ring, the getup probably would not score too many points in the discos at the other end of the bay. By now the audience — mainly gringos — is eagerly awaiting the excitement to come. From high in the stands two live brass bands kick into the bullfight music with horns blaring. The first bull enters the ring, snarling and charging at everything in site. A great cheer rises from the crowd. Then the mood begins to change. As the bull makes a charge at the matador, he takes two small colorful small spears and plunges them into bull's back above his neck. Then blood starts gushing out of the wounds and down its sides. The smiles on the faces of the tourists stiffen with shock and horror: “This isn't what happened in bullfights in Lonely Tunes!”

The ensuing minutes bring more daggers and more blood. If the matador gets into a spot of trouble, the other matadors rush in to distract the bull until he can get away. By now blood and gore are streaming down the bull's back and he's getting slow. At this point, the matador moves in to give the crowd its show. Using the cape and dancing around the dizzy bull with ease to shouts of “¡Olé!” he sticks his sword into the bull's back. The bull grows weak in the knees and crumples down. Then the matador plunges the final dagger into the back of the bull’s neck, and the animal dies slowly, convulsing blood everywhere before the carcass is unceremoniously dragged out of the ring by a team of horses. But for the trumpets, you can hear a pin drop after the death of the first bull. Usually the tourists are just stunned.

Then there are three more rounds just like the first one — no rodeo clowns and no half time show. Dozens upon dozens more stab wounds are to come, culminating in three more dead bulls. The shock of the first bull usually has a numbing effect so that by the fourth bull, a few in the crowd will be getting more into the experience to the point of shouting “¡Olé!” themselves. Some will go home reporting that the whole affair was “interesting.” Others will say they cried. A few, perhaps, will report having looked in on a strange ritual of a foreign culture. If you are inclined to favor the underdog in competitions, bull fights are not for you. The bull never wins, and only very seldom does he even get in a good shot.

The Convention Center is on the Costera Alemán, just to the north of the traffic circle where the Acapulco Golf Club ends and the neighborhood of Costa Azul begins. It is easily spotted because of the long promenade from the street area up to the main concourse, which takes you past fountains and sail-like design features. At night, classical music plays, and the water in the fountains are illuminated by lights that change color.

The Convention Center is technically called the “Centro International de Acapulco” or “CIA.” Locally, almost everyone calls it simply the “Centro de Convenciones.” The facilities include two great indoor theater venues and one large area for outdoor concerts near the principal building. One of the theaters, named for Juan Ruiz de Alarcón (Mexico's principal dramatist of the "Golden Age," holds 1,000 attendees, and provides near perfect acoustics for plays and symphonic presentations.

In another wing of the Convention Center there is a grand meeting and banquet hall, with a large series of smaller meeting rooms besides. The main hall can easily accommodate up to 5,000 attendees. Also in the main part of the structure visitors will find a few shops, a post office, and several offices, including one of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a couple of foreign consulates. Except when a large concert is going on, the Convention Center seems unusually quiet and deserted, especially in contrast to the frenetic Costera out front.

The open lawn space in front of the Convention Center is often given over to large-scale outdoor concerts of popular rock or country groups, as well as special tent events like “Holiday on Ice” and a circus.

The Convention Center is undergoing a general renovation during 2010-11, so that visitors may find that some of the events, stores and offices have moved to temporary quarters elsewhere while the work proceeds.

In 1956 Diego Rivera completed the seashell mosaics that adorn the outside of the house of art patron Dolores Olmedo in Acapulco. The murals took the famous artist over 18 months to complete and depict various Mesoamerican deities (the dragon above is Quetzacoatl).

Diego Rivera passed away in this house in 1957. Although there has been talk of converting it into a museum, no action has been taken yet, so one is left to view the murals from the street. Unless you are a real fan of Diego Rivera, a special trip is not necessary. There is not much to see. These photos give you a good idea about the place. The neighborhood is pleasant to walk around and has some interesting old architecture. You will find a castle-like structure with stone lions guarding the front and some spooky old abandoned hotels. For art, however, think first of the Dolores Olmedo gallery, which is in the Convention Center is at the other end of town.

Calle Inalámbrica, 6, Fracc. La Pinzona, Acapulco, Gro. Mexico.

Principles of ecotourism include enjoying the natural environment while minimizing the tourist's impact on it; being responsible stewards of the Earth; and being respectful local populations. At the very least, it means avoiding trampling plants and throwing garbage (unlike the locals and tourists who seem to feel free to litter without hesitation).

Acapulco is a great place to take in the beauty of the tropics. There is no shortage of places to go for relaxing moment in the hand of creation. Exotic flora and fauna can easily be found among Acapulco's many jungles, mountains, lagoons and virgin beaches.

Here are some good options, but if you're creative, just rent a car and drive out until paved roads give way to dirt roads and where shoes and sandals are optional.

Barra de Coyuca & Coyuca Lagoon

The Laguna de Coyuca is a fresh water lake near Pie de la Cuesta and the small pueblo of Embarcadero, approximately 6 miles (10 km) north of Acapulco, along the coast. Laguna de Coyuca is a fairly large body of water, over 10 miles (16km) long and almost 5 miles (8km) wide. The maximum depth is 23 feet (7m). The water is clear. This is a fine location for fishing or sailing. Robalo and a dozen other species of fish live there. Fishermen can also try for freshwater shrimp and crabs. Motorized boats are allowed, so water skiing is also possible. There is a bird sanctuary around the Laguna de Coyuca and on the four islands in the middle: Presidio, Montosa, Pío Quinto and Pájaros. Black and white herons, pelicans, ducks, storks, and many other aquatic species can be photographed there. Boat tours are available for you to have a closer look at everything. Early Tarzan movies and Rambo II were filmed here, as the Laguna de Coyuca is everyone's idea of what a tropical jungle should look like. Nearby, several restaurants provide refreshments and fresh seafood.

Tres Palos Lagoon

From the top of Las Brisas, on the Escénica that rises above Acapulco on the east side, one can look past Puerto Marqués (a small, quiet inlet of the ocean) to Playa Revolcadero, an often turbulent beach where the waves can be very strong. Beyond lies the international airport. To your left, extending out along the point of land on which the airport is built, is the Laguna de Tres Palos. It is a large, natural, fresh water lagoon that is home to many different species of vegetation, birds, fish and mammals. This natural body of water is so large and wide that it is often mistaken for a sea inlet. You can explore the Laguna de Tres Palos by boat or jet-ski. As the waters flow through the lagoon towards the sea, they tend to make small channels in the vegetation. There, a quiet visitor will be able to see wildlife up close. A couple of good restaurants are open along the shores of the lagoon, with boat rentals and places for the children to play. There is a national movement in Mexico to protect the Laguna de Tres Palos from further contamination and to create a nature reserve of some sort. So far, this area has not been made into a park or ecological preserve.

Barra Vieja

Barra Vieja is a long, tranquil, sandy beach east of Acapulco, about 20 miles (32 km) past the airport. It is probably much like Acapulco in the 1950’s and earlier. Because of its relative remoteness, it attracts very few partiers and spring breakers. Mainly, the visitors are couples and families. Along the coastal road you will see several signs to a restaurant or “beach club,” usually a few hundred feet down a dirt road to the ocean. Barra Vieja has many such places. You may see people standing at the main road, trying to usher passing cars into their establishments. It is a good idea to make some inquiries and check out places before you go, particularly if no one in the group speaks Spanish. There are several excellent places on the way to the village itself, and several more once you get there. If you go as far as the lagoon, turn around.

The restaurants and “beach clubs” have a familiar format. Once you pull in, there will be a lot of parking. Then, closer to the ocean, you will come to the main bar and restaurant, usually under a metal roof or a large palm palapa. Next there may be a modern swimming pool with places to shower and change clothes. Beyond the pool, closer to the ocean, you will find palapas or cabanas, many hung with hammocks. You can choose where you want to stay: the restaurant, the pool, or the beach. Many prefer the beach for the view and the chance to take a stroll up and down or to bathe in the sun by the waves. The restaurants will serve down on the beach side as well as up at poolside. The menus are replete, of course, with seafood prepared in many different ways, as well as other snacks and drinks. The beaches are almost deserted by comparison with Acapulco, with very few vendors. A camp nearby raises sea turtles to help preserve this endangered species. This may be a worthwhile stop, especially for the kids. During certain seasons of the year (around 5:30 pm) the hatchlings are taken down to the beach and released. Visitors can also make an outing on ATV’s (4-wheelers), go horseback riding on the beach and environs, or lounge about on the sand. Try a beach massage, or order a bucket of beers and watch the sunset.

El Veladero National Park

El Veladero National Park is a large ecological reserve located in the high area above the geological amphitheater that forms Acapulco Bay and protects Acapulco's watershed. The park, established by law in 1980, extends for nearly 8,000 acres (3,160 hectares) along El Veladero ridge. During the war for Mexican Independence, El Veladero was a strategic point of attack and defense of Acapulco. It served as a lookout point, outpost and supply place for insurgent troops under General José María Morelos and for Spanish forces under the command of José Gabriel de Armijo. Today, most of the park is covered with jungle vegetation and deciduous trees. Sea Eagles, song birds and many other bird species are in abundance, as well as small mammals, reptiles (including boa constrictors and iguanas) and insects of all sorts.

El Veladero National Park is a great place for hiking and horseback riding. One popular destination is Palma Sola, which consists of several boulders containing numerous petroglyph made by the Yopes, the area's earliest inhabitants (200 BC to 600 AD). The simple carvings are made in 18 massive rocks of 1 to 8 meters in width and 1 to 4 meters in height. They are spread around 10 acres (4 hectares) of an area recently equipped with paths and steps to make access easier. The glyphs represent humans, animals and geometric shapes, each carved several millimeters into the rocky surface. Another great destination is to the top of Veladero Ridge, from whence one can see for miles and miles to the east and west as well as down to the entire bay around Acapulco. About 700 persons, mainly indigenous peoples, still live in the confines of the park. The best way to get here is by taxi or car. Parking is plentiful. If you come by taxi, arrange a pick-up time with your driver, as there is no taxi stand at the park. Calle Independencia s/n (Surrounds Acapulco). Open during daylight hours.

Botanical Garden

Acapulco's Botanical Garden, located at Heroico Colegio Militar (near Loyola University of the Pacific), has large, pleasant grounds and gardens.

Hiking on La Isla de la Roqueta

This is a fantastic option for ecotourists. See our page on Isla de la Roqueta in the attractions section for more information.

Puerto Marqués Lagoon

A third lagoon offering is Puerto Marqués Lagoon, also known as the black lagoon, due to the ink-like water, which is colored by the the dark roots of the mangrove trees. Its canals connect it to Revolcadero Beach.

They were created when limestone rock was deposited on the land by a primordial sea that covered the territory millions of years ago. Water, which at first dripped and then flowed, created the vaulted rooms of the caverns and the colorful, majestic stalactites and stalagmites that adorn the chambers and the path that runs through them. For centuries they were inhabited by Chontal and Olmec tribes, who found they provided shelter and protection, as well as a fitting setting for religious ceremonies.

No one really knows how far the caverns go. The public is permitted to explore a bit more than the first two kilometers, which are well-lit and easy to navigate. A total of 10 kilometers have been opened up by spelunkers, but they have still not reached a definitive end. The roof overhead varies from 10 meters to 30 meters in the part open to the public. There are 90 chambers, some of which have natural lighting. Some of the formations resemble faces or figures, others profiles of animals or fountains. A famous chamber is called the throne room, another, the cathedral. All of them display the splendor of the limestone sculptures performed by the natural process of water erosion over millennia. Regardless of the weather outside, the caverns remain at a constant, cool temperature. The air is moist, but the caverns themselves are dry.

The caverns have been a protected park since 1936. Tours take two hours and depart from the entrance museum frequently, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. A full ticket costs $65 pesos, with discounts for children, students and the retired. Transport by Estrella Blanca (from the Taxco terminal) or by the more frequent city buses is about $20 pesos each way. There is a gift shop and snack bar in the museum area as well, and room for kids to play and families to have a picnic.

The park’s official website is http://cacahuamilpa.conanp.gob.mx .

Holy Week and Spring Break

National holidays, civil holidays (no day off), more religious observances.

House of Masks

We're sad to report that the House of Masks is closed .

The House of Masks (“La Casa de la Máscara”) is a small, private museum collection on Calle Morelos, just off the Costera Alemán and a few feet past the entrance to the Fort of San Diego as you head towards the center of the old part of town. An old residence houses the collection.

Well before the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico the indigenous peoples had developed a highly complex system of beliefs and rituals, many of which used animals and animal spirits as models or totems. The House of Masks is a fascinating tour through this native culture, employing the masks as a way of explaining it. The pre-Columbian tradition used wood and clay masks to portray jaguars, crocodiles and tigers. Priests and dancers would don them on festive occasions. The later masks showed the indigenous peoples’ view of the Spaniards, with spade-like beards and devil’s horns. Even today in the State of Guerrero these traditions survive with dances like the “Dance of the Old Men,” in which the native elders outlast the decrepit old Europeans. There is also the dance of the “Moors and Christians” and the “Battle of the Tigers.”

The House of Masks displays around 400 examples of masks of all different sizes, shapes and colors. The whole collection is much, much larger — over 1,000 — but space is limited. Videos of native dances are shown, such as a supplication for rain. From time to time mask artisans run workshops for kids and grownups on how to make and decorate masks, as well as how the dances are performed. Entry is free; a donation is requested. The museum is open from 10 to 5 on Monday through Saturday. Calle Morelos s/n, Ex-Zona Militar B, a half block from Fuerte de San Diego.

Las Brisas - Enclave of the Rich and Famous

When visitors arrive in Acapulco, they may hear about “Las Brisas”, but not know where it is or what is there.

The term refers, of course, to the luxury “Las Brisas” Hotel, which rises up over Acapulco's bay on the eastern slope of ridge surrounding the city. But above the Hotel, and past it, as you take the Scenic Highway (“Carretera Escénica”) up and over towards Puerto Marqués, you pass the neighborhood called “Las Brisas.” It is probably the wealthiest residential section of town, with multi-million-dollar villas set into the hillside, overlooking Acapulco’s bay and facing the Golden Zone. The more easterly neighborhoods and those with higher vantage points may also have a view of Puerto Marqués, Playa Revolcadero, Laguna de Tres Palos, or back towards Isla Roqueta at the mouth of the bay.

Along the Escénica in the Las Brisas area, you will find several of Acapulco’s most elegant restaurants (like Bellavista, Kookaburra, Baikal, Casa Nova, and Pagliacci) and some of its top nightclubs (like Palladium and Siboney).

At the top, on the ridge line, the large cross of the “Chapel of Peace” (“Capilla de la Paz”) towers over the terrain. It is inside the exclusive, gated community of Las Brisas. The Chapel is accessible by leaving a credential with the gate guard during the chapel's hours of operation. Otherwise, an authorized visitor can take a pleasant walk around these wealthy neighborhoods, which are truly beautiful; however, one must be able to state some form of “business” to the security guard, or else entry will be denied.

Technically speaking, “Las Brisas” is a general term, applied to a number of contiguous neighborhoods strung across the hillside above the Navy Base and continuing over the top until reaching Puerto Marqués. Some of the more noteworthy neighborhoods are:

• Joyas de Brisamar - a relatively affordable residential neighborhood.
• Brisas Guitarrón - an often overlooked luxury residential area that has many affordable villas for rent.
• Marina Las Brisas - a continuation of Brisas Guitarrón.
• Club Residencial Las Brisas - the residential area also known as “upper Las Brisas”.
• Fraccionamiento Las Brisas - the residential also known as “lower Las Brisas”.
• Brisas Marqués - a still developing residential area where Las Brisas ends and neighborhoods like Pichilingue, Joyas de Marquez, and La Cima take over on the down slope into Puerto Marqués and Punta Diamante.

The only way in or out of Las Brisas is via the Scenic Highway (“Carretera Escénica”). Las Brisas is definitely not pedestrian friendly. When you walk along or across the Escénica, you take your life in your hands. The narrow road has many blind curves, virtually no shoulders, and no room for pedestrians. There is barely room for two lanes of vehicles. To make matters worse, most drivers – including the police and the buses – take the curves at high speed.

One misconception is that Las Brisas has good beaches. A small number of villas down low may have access to a small beach. A couple of beach clubs have been built in the area by hotels like the Park Royal and Las Brisas. But in general, Las Brisas has no beachfront. This is compensated by the breathtaking views the area enjoys of Acapulco – particularly at night. Click here for a guide to Acapulco beaches .

Capilla de la Paz

La Capilla de la Paz (the Chapel of Peace) is Acapulco's large non-denominational church with the towering 130 ft. tall cross that is visible from pretty much everywhere around the bay. It is high up on the cliffs (some 1,200 feet above sea level) in the Las Brisas neighborhood off the Scenic Highway. To get there you take the highway from the city and make a hairpin left at the huge entryway into the Las Brisas gated community (not the Hotel). The security guard will permit you to go in to visit the Chapel during its hours: from 10am to 6pm. If you like to pray of just want a great view of the city and a tour of Acapulco's answer to Beverly Hills, you might enjoy a trip to see La Capilla.

Acapulco welcomes visitors with hundreds of different places to dine. In general, the type of restaurant will give you a good idea of how much the food will cost. Fine dining has the widest range, of course – from $25 per entrée to $75 or more. Less formal restaurants in the traditional format are plentiful, and they take advantage of Acapulco's casual lifestyle.

These places will serve you a full and satisfying meal for between $15 and $25 per entrée. This is around $25 to $40 per person, total bill, without drinks or tip. Family restaurants and cafeterias are more economical yet, and generally allow a diner to get in and out for between $10 and $20 for a meal or snack. The taco places ("taquerías") and fast food places are clearly the most economical. Even so, some taquerías really serve a full range of Mexican dishes, from the most basic up to the most elegant.

Click here for our extensive list of Acapulco restaurants

Spring Break

In Acapulco, the Spanish word for “Spring Break” is “Spring Break.” All Acapulco locals understand what it means. Lots of signs on hotels and bars declare “Welcome Spring Breakers.” Beginning in late February and continuing until Easter (more or less) thousands of college students come to Acapulco from all over North America. Acapulco was the original Spring Break destination in Mexico, and it still outperforms the others in fun, sun and unbridled hedonism. During Spring Break, Acapulco’s main avenue – the Costera Miguel Alemán – lights up with college revelers.

Getting to Acapulco for Spring Break isn't hard, but it’s really a good idea to plan in advance. Lots of travel companies organize charters and tours. Many combine air fare, ground transfers and lodging into a single discounted package. But these flights fill up fast, so it is best to jump on them right after Christmas – at the latest. If all else fails, you can fly into Mexico City and ride into Acapulco on a large, comfortable bus (which takes about 5 hours or so).

You might want to put together a group of friends and rent a villa in Acapulco for Spring Break. With enough people in the equation, the per-head cost can be competitive with other high-end lodging, and it's vastly more fun than a hotel . If you want to rent a prime villa, book in October.

Spring Break activities tend to take place in a couple of different places. The main one is in Acapulco’s “Golden Zone,” which starts around the Avalon Excalibur and continues down the Costera towards the Naval Base. The center of everything is the Condesa - the strip between the Playa Suites and El Presidente. This encompasses Playa Condesa, where many of the best bars and dance clubs can be found. Your landmark is the naked, voluptuous statue of Diana the Huntress, in the middle of the traffic circle that bears her name. The other Spring Break hot spot is in Las Brisas, where Acapulco's best and most up-scale discos are located. It's about 5 to 10 minutes by taxi from the Condesa.

Things to do during the day

The mornings are, naturally, really made for sleeping in, but if you want to get out for sightseeing, there is a lot to do. Just take a look at our Acapulco Attractions section. If you want to organize an outing to a quiet beach on the outskirts of town, check out Pie de la Cuesta, Barra Vieja, Bonfil and Tres Vidas on our Acapulco Beaches page. For surfing, the beaches at Bonfil, Tres Vidas and Revolcadero are the best ones. For boating, fishing, skiing, jet skis and other water sports, check this out. For something a bit more extreme, take a look at that .

The early afternoon is a great time to try a local restaurant for a taste of traditional Mexican food. If you feel like something more exotic, visit our Acapulco Restaurants section.

The main daytime activity during Spring Break is working on the tan and getting rid of that hangover ("cruda" in Spanish). Be sure to use lots of sunscreen: the sun can be punishing on Acapulco’s tropical beaches. If you can't live without having one of the beach folk braid your hair into corn rows, remember to protect your scalp from burning, becuase, well, it will if you don't.

Many Spring Break hotel destinations organize special events and parties for the afternoons, so be sure to ask about them both when making your plans and also after you arrive. The key words are foam parties, pool fiestas, bikini contests, splash pools with cold beer, keggers, wet t-shirts, and competitions like pool volley ball. Yeah, and go for a ride on the bannana, take a picture and put it on your Facebook page.

And when the sun goes down . . .

The evenings in Acapulco start early and do not end until the next day – well after sunrise. If you want crazy, rowdy debauchery, there’s plenty out there. Visit the Acapulco Nightlife page to see what's happening. The drinking age is 18 for Mexicans and for gringos, well, approximately 18. Some clubs say they check ID's at the door, and a few actually do.

Weddings are one of Acapulco's specialties. All the details can be easily taken care of by using a local wedding planner or by consulting the wedding staff at one of the major hotels . For details on how to go about it, take a look at our page on Getting Married in Acapulco . If you would rather do things "a la carte" instead of opting for the package approach, you will find all the elements – flowers, clothing, music, catering, photographers and notaries (to help with the paperwork) – on different pages of our Business Directory .

You can choose the venue you like. Many brides like a traditional service in a local church, including the magnificent Chapel of Peace at the top of Las Brisas. Many other wedding couples want to be married on the beach, accompanied by the sea breeze and the lapping waves. Sunset weddings are especially beautiful and memorable.

And regardless of the venue, Acapulco also offers plenty of choices for elegant banquets, classy receptions, festive bachelor and bachelorette parties, and, of course, the unforgettable honeymoon! You do not need to be a celebrity to start your married life in romantic Acapulco!

Isla de la Roqueta is the large island off the coast of the Las Playas area of Traditional Acapulco. It's a big stony crag of an island topped with green vegetation and offering the tiny, rustic beach Playa Roqueta, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and a few palapa-style restaurants. The only way to get to the island is by boat. Most larger boat tours of the bay stop off at the island and there are some good glass-bottom boat tours as well. Not only can use see all varieties of tropical fish, but the Capilla Submarina, an underwater statue of the Virgin of Gaudalupe is located offshore.

The island also offers a small zoo containing a good sampling of exotic animals. Hiking the island is another great activity for the ecotourist and adventurer in you. Trails pass by the lighthouse and go to the tiny, isolated Playa Marin.

If you like the sun, sea, sand and a bit of peaceful seclusion, you'll enjoy a trip to the Isla de la Roqueta. If going with a big group doesn't turn you on, a few bucks, a little Spanish, and a handshake will get one of Acapulco's fisherman to take you over there.

Capilla Submarina

If you have the time, a boat trip or two during your stay is recommended. And if you take a boat trip, don't forget to try the glass bottom boats and ask to see the Capilla Submarina. It's a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe located on the sea floor between La Isla de la Roquta and the Caleta beaches.

How do you get there?

How do you get back?

Cathedral - Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

Puerto Marques - Acapulco's Other Bay

Puerto Marqués is a favorite of many Acapulco locals, and most of those relaxing on the sand are from the area. It has the informal, easy atmosphere of a small seaside resort, without the tourist traps. You are surrounded by natural beauty, and what development you can see is unobtrusive. During the mornings, the beaches can easily become crowded with singles, couples and families. In the late afternoon, when the tide starts coming into the bay, activity quickly ceases. Puerto Marqués falls quiet as evening approaches.

Puerto Marqués has five great things going for it: First is its lush vegetation, surrounded by the mountains. It gives you the feeling that you have just stepped into nature at its purest. Second, the Scenic Highway (Carretera Escénica), which leads to Puerto Marqués from Acapulco proper, offers you numerous miradores (special lookout spots for admiring the view). You can see both the Golden Zone and Puerto Marqués from those vantage points. Third, water is calm and good for swimming. If you can't swim, rent an inner tube. You'll have a great time undulating with the gentle tide. Fourth, you can get find great seafood at Puerto Marqués, and they will put your table right on the beach so close to the shore that when the tide comes in late in the day, you can actually get your feet wet. Finally, Puerto Marqués is special because it still remains "real Acapulco." The village is simple. It gives you a good look at how local people used to live, before all the real estate development. It is beautiful. It is not elaborate or luxurious, but it comes closer to paradise than any place that has been contrived to attract tourist dollars and pesos.

Getting to Puerto Marqués is easy: Take a city bus (they say "Pto. Marques"). It will let you off right where you want to be. If you get off too early, you will have the chance to take a pleasant walk through the village and maybe buy yourself a fresh "coco." This is a coconut with a hole on top so you can drink the milk. It's safe. Then they will chop up the hull so you can eat the coconut meat, preferably with chili.

Getting back from Puerto Marqués to Acapulco proper is a little more challenging if you don't know exactly where you're going or speak no Spanish. Hail a cab or just walk back through the village towards the highway. Any bus that is going towards Acapulco will work for you. If you're headed towards traditional Acapulco, you may need to switch to a second bus that goes to Caleta. The Puerto Marqués buses stop at "Hornos" (by the Comercial Mexicana).

If you want to spend the night in Puerto Marqués, you have a choice of several small and simple hotels along the main beach. Of course, the luxurious Camino Real Hotel is also an option. It is located at the opposite end of the cove from the public beach, set in a truly beautiful and secluded gated community that would inspire envy from the rich and famous of Hollywood Hills.

No matter how many times you see the divers perform, you come away impressed. Sometimes you will see some moves that are a little different, like a swan dive with a full somersault, or night dives with torches, or dives in tandem. The divers must time their dive with the ocean current, which is in constant ebb and flow. At the same time, they have to aim to land away from any rocks. Acapulco’s cliff divers are a breed apart. They train for their unusual skill from very young ages. Even the climb up to the top of the cliff is hazardous — one misstep and they can go tumbling down the side of the mountain. On any given night you might see only four or five divers, but in reality there are dozens of them. They work in shifts, mainly so they don't injure themselves from the impact of the dive day after day.

Acapulco’s cliff divers perform every night in hourly intervals. The first show is at 1:00 pm. La Quebrada is at its best during the evening shows at: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, and 10:30. You can arrive there by taxi or walk. It takes about 10 minutes to walk there from the Zócalo.

Art Galleries

Critics agree, in the world there are three "must-see" locations if you call yourself a true art lover: Paris, Florence and Acapulco. All right, maybe Acapulco is stretching it, but the truth is, Acapulco has outstanding local artists. Also, famed muralist Diego Rivera spent his last years in Acapulco, and you can see some of his work and visit his house. Acapulco also has a reasonable selection of art galleries. Not bad for a beach town.

Galería Espacio

By appointment only. Galería Espacio is dedicated to the work of a single artist, Pal Kepenyes, a sculptor born in Hungary, whose works in bronze, copper and other metals are known, loved and respected around the world. Pal Kepenyes has created some of Acapulco’s most admired public sculptures. Some pieces are encrusted with quartz, amber and other precious stones. The magic is the transformation of metal and minerals into an idea, a new aesthetic vision that arises from the materials from which the work of art has sprung. Costera Guitarrón 140 (Brisas Guitarron), Acapulco, Gro., México +52 744 446 5287 or [email protected].

Sergio Bustamante

This large gallery is across the street from the bars and restaurants and dance clubs of Condesa. Works also appear in the Gallery of the Hotel Mayan Palace [link] and the Grand Hotel Acapulco [link]. The gallery is open daily except Sunday, 10a-2p; 5:30p-9p. It is totally dedicated to the work of Sergio Bustamante, who is best known for his colorful suns and moons, as well as derivatives of folk art animals. Papier-mâché is his medium of preference, but Bustamante also creates in iron, other metals and ceramics. His designs are eclectic, drawing on several different aesthetic traditions. Look for Sergio Bustamante's beautiful designs for silver and gold jewelry in addition to his large, bright, colorful and whimsical ceramic creations. Costera Alemán 120-9, Galerías Picuda (Condesa Area), 39690 Acapulco, Gro., México. +52 744 484-4992.

Edith Matison's Art Gallery

This gallery features reproductions of some of the world’s most famous artists, including Salvador Dalí and Alexander Calder. Well-known Mexican artists are also represented, such as David Alfaro Siqueiros (muralist) and Rufino Tamayo (painter). Original works and some reproductions are also on sale by some of the upcoming generation of Mexican fine artists. Excellent examples of native folk art are also on sale. The gallery is on the Costera, on the bay side, opposite Acapulco's Golf Club. Costera Alemán 2010 (Club Deportivo), 39690 Acapulco, Gro., México. +52 744 484 3084

Galería Rudic

The Galería Rudic adjoins the restaurant Jardin des Artistes in a small plaza of the Hotel Emporio, near the Glorieta Diana on the Costera. Some of Mexico’s most prominent contemporary artists have their work on display here. Examples are Casiano Garcia, a painter born in Guerrero, Victor Salmones (painter, Mexico City 1937-1989) and Zuñiga, well-known sculptor (Costa Rica, 1912-1988). Vicente Yáñez Pinzón 9 (Diana Traffic Circle), 39670 Acapulco, Gro., México +52 744 484 1004.

Dolores Olmeda Gallery

This gallery is located in Acapulco's Convention Center. Dolores Olmeda was a patron of Diego Rivera. He died while living at her house in 1957. Address: Av. Costera Miguel Alemán No. 4455 Fracc. Costa Azul 39850 Acapulco, Gro., Mexico Telephone: (744) 484-7101/7050/7204; Fax (744) 484-7498.

For unique art with the distinct flavor of Acapulco, with all the exaggerated lust for life of a Bolero. Address: Costera Miguel Aleman No. 120 Local 9 Fracc. Magallanes 39300 Acapulco, Gro., Mexico Telephone: (744) 484-4992; Fax: (744) 484-2251

Galeria Abraham Ramírez

Address: Costera Miguel Aleman # 127 local 10 Col. Fraccionamiento Magallanes 39300 Acapulco, Gro, Mexico Telephone: (744) 496-3993

Galería de Arte Rudic

Address: Vicente Yañez # 9 Fracc. Magallanes 39300 Acapulco, Gro. Telephone: (744) 484-4844/8344; Fax: (744) 484-1004

Galería Víctor Salmones

Address: Costera Miguel Aleman No. 125 Fracc. Magallanes 39300 Acapulco, Gro., Mexico Telephone: (744) 486-6806; Fax: 482-2035

Galería Ixcateopan

Instituto Guerrerense de la Cultura Address: Av. Costera Miguel Alemán No. 4834 Col. Costa Azul 39580 Acapulco, Gro., Mexico Telephone: (744) 484-2390/3814; Fax: (744) 484-2390

Galería Inmuebles Esteban

Address: Av. Costera Miguel Aleman No. 2010 Col. Club Deportivo 39580 Acapulco, Gro., Mexico Telephone: (744) 484-3084/1175; Fax: (744) 481-8152

Galeria Las Brisas

Located in the Hotel Las Brisas. Address: Carretera Escenica No. 5255 Fracc. Las Brisas 39868 Acapulco, Gro., Mexico Telephone: (744) 484-1650

Galería Espacios Palescos

Address: Guitarrón # 140 Col. Fracc. Brisas Guitarrón 39868 Acapulco, Gro., Mexico

The CICI (which stands for Centro Internacional de Convivencia Infantil) is Acapulco's massive water amusement park. The CICI has it all, including dolphin shows, wave pools, water sides, beach club, "the sky coaster", "Kamilancha", "the Tornado", and a big balloon where you can go up 120 meters and get a 360-degree view of Acapulco. CICI also has all sorts of other fun things to do.

When it comes to the CICI, the calculation is really pretty simple: If you have children, you should not miss out on the CICI. The CICI is located in Costa Azul and is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm every day.

Mágico Mundo Marino

Mágico Mundo Marino ("Magic Marine World") is Acapulco's aquarium and water fun park. It is really more of an aquarium and less of a water fun park than its cousin, the CiCi. You will find it between Caleta and Caletilla beaches. It is a really good option for the kids. There are slides, a little museum, a nice restaurant and swimming pools. The best part is the seal show. If you did not bring any children along, then Mágico Mundo Marino is probably not worth a special trip, unless you can plan for a half day of lounging on Caleta beach, where, after having a few cervezas you can go to check out the show.

Castillo de los Reyes

Castillo de los Reyes is another of Acapulco's water fun parks. This one is located out at Pie de la Cuesta.

Bungee Jumping

50 meters up, you can't miss Hacket Bungy at Paradise as it always draws a big crowd at night along Acapulco's main drag, La Costera. Located at: Av. Costera Miguel Alemán 107, Playa Condesa.

Climbing & Repelling

A variety of extreme outdoor adventures in and around the Papagayo River, including Mountain Climbing and Repelling, River Rafting and Kayaking.

High-speed Turbo Boating

High-speed Turbo Boating at extreme speeds is available. See the excursions section for providers.

River Rafting, and Kayaking

A variety of extreme outdoor adventures in and around the Papagayo River including Mountain Climbing and Repelling, River Rafting, and Kayaking are offered by various tour companies in town.

Sky Coaster

Located in the Cici, the skycoaster is Acapulco's version of where you jump from 100 feet up and fall at some 80 mph.

Skydive Acapulco

What could be more extreme than jumping out of a perfectly good airplane?

Parasailing

Available in the Condesa area along the beach.

Also available in the Condesa area along the beach.

It's been described as the "world's fastest game." Surely you have seen it before. It's the game where two uniformed and helmeted players (4 in the case of doubles) dart around an over-sized racquetball court (with the left wall missing), whipping a rubber ball against a wall, using a claw-like "cesta," a curved wooden basket worn on the right hand. It gives the ball extra velocity. This sport is gaining followers in Mexico, even though it was invented in Basque Country, Spain over 400 years ago and was, until recently, the domain of Caribbean countries. You can see a match at the Bingo Sports Book building across from the Hyatt Regency. It is only one of two sports that do not permit left-handed players. (Polo is the other.)

Note: Companies offering these and other services can be found in our business directory and tours and excursions section.

Though far from being an elaborate colonial site like those you can see in places like Mexicc City and Taxco, Fort San Diego does have a few interesting exhibits. It is home to the Acapulco Historical Museum, and one of the best book stores in Acapulco. (It has only a few rows of books, but they are all good ones).

If you like pirates and reminiscing about the past, Fort San Diego is worth a visit. Though unspectacular, it is a great way to while away a couple hours and acquire a sense of Acapulco's historical roots, together with its commercial history (complete with pirates), in contrast to the beaches and the bars.

Fortín Alvarez

A "fortín" is a small, fortified outpost, usually related to a larger fort, used for storing armaments for locals living nearby to organize a defense of their land. As a defensive measure it was like a bunker, and for arming people it was an arsenal. The Spanish built several around the tops of the ridges above Acapulco, to give advance warning of the arrival of anyone, friend or foe, by land or by sea. The Alvarez Bunker (Fortín Alvarez) is one of these, and perhaps the best preserved of its kind. It was built when Fort San Diego was first constructed, in 1616. One of its functions was to act as powder magazine for the larger fort. Storing gunpowder in the fort itself was considered too dangerous. A keeper's house and a foundry are also nearby Fortín Alvarez, Which is on "Cerro de la Mira," roughly meaning, "Lookout Ridge." Though the site has been allowed to deteriorate in recent years, it still remains an important historical site, with lots of information about Acapulco in the 17th century. It is located at Avenida Fortín Alvarez, Cerro de la Mira, Acapulco, Gro., Mexico.

Most tourists who visit the area corral themselves in the mirador close to the cliffs to watch the divers perform. Others watch from the nearby Hotel Mirrador restaurant. Those dining there will get a chance to meet the brave young cliff drivers before their jump (and hopefully pay them a tip) for their daring feat.

We recommend that you don't limit yourself to just this one area of La Quebrada because there are beautiful walkways with glorious views all along the nearby avenue where you can see all the way to Pie de la Cuesta and little inlets that let you walk down near the ocean. Very well maintained and attractive sidewalks invite you to stroll all the way to Acapulco's seaside amphitheater Sinfonia del Mar, or continue on to the little known gem, Playa Angosta.

The locals park along the streets and drink with their friends at night. Lovers kiss and hold hands. You'll never see a more beautiful sunset than from Acapulco's Quebrada as the sun sinks and turns into a green flash of light before disappearing into mysterious Pacific Ocean.

Sinfonia del Mar - Acapulco's Amphitheater by the Sea

The Sinfonia is an small amphitheater built right into the cliffs overlooking the ocean near la Quebrada. Performances held there with the sound of the ocean crashing against the rocks below for dramatic effect would be an amazing to behold. Unfortunately, the only show one is likely to see at the Sinfonia are Acapulco kids drinking beer and making out. La Quebrada at night is lined with locals - guys drinking beer and couples doing the "lookout point" thing.

The entire area found between La Sinfonia and La Quebrada has been recently remodeled and provides for some of the most stunning ocean views on the entire west coast of North America. To describe the area as merely romantic or awe inspiring fails to capture its grandeur.

Acapulco, and Mexico more generally, has been flirting with the idea of legalizing gambling for years. In Acapulco, some marginal gambling has made an appearance on the scene in the form of bingo games, sports betting, and off track horse betting at the bingo, jai-alai and sports book building located on the Costera across from the Hyatt Regency. The hall is large: it holds up to 450 people. Its open from 7pm-1am daily. Quasi-casinos featuring slots and sports betting can be found in Galarias La Diana, Acapulco's newest shopping center, and in the Gran Plaza, on the Costera Alemán near Parque Papagayo.

Acapulco Sports

In the Progresso district of Acapulco the city has constructed a large sporting facility called the Unidad Deportiva de Acapulco or “UDA.” It includes a baseball diamond, an Olympic-size pool and diving tank, and a soccer field with room for up to 6,600 fans on each side. The arena can also be used for events like boxing, “lucha libre” and musical concerts. It is the home field for Acapulco’s division III soccer team, the Acapulco Manta Rays.

The Manta Rays were established in August of 2003. They have enjoyed successful seasons since the beginning. The first year they went 11-4-2 and won the opening tournaments for both the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Acapulco has a second soccer team as well, based in Ciudad Renacimiento on the outskirts of town. That team is the Club de Fútbol Galgos. Both are division III, group III.

Acapulco became the home of the "Jaguars" in 2009, a division I team in the "futból rápido" (called "indoor soccer" in the US), which came to town from Cancún.

Acapulco is also the host every year for the Mexican Open Tennis Tournament. It takes place in the Mextenis Stadium in Acapulco Diamante, where crowds up to 6,000 can watch their favorite players. Acapulco is also the forum for the International Beach Volleyball Tournament, which is on the world tour of the International Volleyball Federation. There is a men’s division and a women’s division.

Fashion Shows

Spas and Health Clubs in Acapulco

Acapulco has several options for those who want to rid themselves of stress and get ready for a relaxing night out. Many freelancers will provide massages at most of the beaches, and you can also find ads for outcall massages in the papers and phone books. (Be careful: be sure the ads offer massages and not, ahem, another type of service.)

Most vacationers will be looking for more than just a beach massage. For the full treatment, go to our Spa section to learn where to go and what to ask for.

Taxco flourished during colonial times because it was the center of silver mining in the mountains. The miners built their city on the side of the mountain, so the streets are narrow and steep. The paving is with cobblestones, and the houses have the traditional exposed beams with whitewashed walls and red roof tiles. About 50,000 inhabitants live in the town itself.

Today the work of Taxco’s talented silversmiths has made it one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations. From Acapulco it is possible to go to Taxco, spend the day and return in the evening. It makes for a long day, but many visitors believe a day in Taxco should be part of their trip to Acapulco. Taxco is also a popular destination because its colonial architecture has been well-preserved, and the beauty of the old town center, with the famous Baroque church of “Santa Prisca,” is widely known. The Government of Mexico has conferred upon Taxco the recognition of being one of the country’s “Magic Towns” (“Pueblo Mágico”).

Taxco’s post-Columbian history starts with Cortez himself, who explored the area in 1524 looking for tin to help fashion armor for his troops. He found both tin and iron. Six years later the town was established, and mining continued, including much silver, which was sent to Spain. Soon the silver seemed to have been exhausted, and the town no longer prospered. Then, in 1716, a prospector named Don José de la Borda discovered a new vein rich in silver, and Taxco had a rebirth of prosperity from the trade in silver and pieces crafted from it. Don José himself became very wealthy and built many of Taxco’s oldest surviving buildings, including a school, a government office, and Taxco’s iconic parish Church of Santa Prisca. Many call Santa Prisca a cathedral, even though it is a parish church and not the seat of a diocese. Don José is thought of as the father of Taxco. His son was a priest at Santa Prisca.

During the struggle for independence, the Spanish barons who controlled the silver mines in Taxco destroyed them rather than have them fall into the hands of the insurgents. It was not until the 20th century that silver mining again was taken up in Taxco. William Spratling, a professor of architecture from Tulane, visited Taxco in 1926. At the suggestion of Dwight Morrow, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Spratling commenced a project to resuscitate the silver crafts of Taxco. In 1931 he brought in a goldsmith from nearby Iguala and trained locals in the art of working fine metals. William Spratling is honored in Taxco as the “father of Mexican Silver.” The Spratling Museum by the Church of Santa Prisca contains many pre-Columbian artifacts and a large collection of silver pieces. During the last week of November of each year Taxco celebrates its silver heritage with a National Silver Fair.

The Golden Zone is not an old part of town. Before the 1950’s, the rocky terrain made it difficult to go by land from the area of Parque Papagayo any farther east on the bay. Then, with considerable assistance and encouragement from the federal government, Acapulco reclaimed whole sections of the eastern bay and opened the coastal road. The result was an enormous economic boom. Post-war prosperity in the U.S. and Mexico, combined with advances in transportation and communication, permitted the “democratization of tourism,” that is, the opening up of resorts like Acapulco to middle-class tourists from all over the world, who suddenly had the time and money to be able to come. These influences made the Golden Zone what it is today: a monument to leisure that represents all that is at once glorious and regrettable about the impact of tourism on the local culture.

Whether you're in the middle of it, or off shore in a boat, or peering down at it from an airplane, or just looking at photos online, you will be struck by the panorama of Acapulco's Golden Zone. This scene is one of our hemisphere’s most impressive, ranking with the skyline of New York, the bay in San Francisco and the view from Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro.

Would a seaside town in tropical Latin America really be complete without a “Malecón” or town pier? A Malecón is a seaside boardwalk in the Spanish colonial tradition. Perhaps the most famous malecón is in Havana, Cuba. Acapulco’s Malecón is a fascinating example. It is a lively, inviting place, with marvelous views of the bay, and a great variety of things for sale. Usually you will find a blend of tourists and locals at the Malecón. You can negotiate a good rate for a boat ride around the bay or arrange a fishing excursion. If you are so inspired, for not much money you can buy bait, pole and line for an impromptu fishing session right from the pier. This is also the place to board the bay cruiser Acarey for a spin around Acapulco's aquatic neighborhoods. Some of the dive boats also leave from here. In the cool of the evening it is especially pleasant to walk on the Malecón and look at the yachts and other boats at their moorings. It is also a healthy way to walk off the effects of a festive meal at one of the nearby restaurants. Families can bring their children to enjoy the sights.

To find the Malecón, head to the traditional part of town (often called "Acapulco Nautico"). Once you arrive at the central plaza or Zócalo , look accross the street towards the water. There you are.

All the imaginable varieties of vessels and captains can be hired in Acapulco, and you have a wide range of choice for places to visit up and down the coast. Heading west and north, you will go towards La Quebrada and then Pie de la Cuesta. On the way, be sure to notice the traditional hotels, set up on the cliffs of old Acapulco. You can also aim south and east out of the bay towards Puerto Marqués and Acapulco Diamante, or just cruise the bay and look at the grand homes of the wealthy and well-known in the traditional part of town.

In truth, there are two Acapulco's: Splendorous Acapulco by day and the sultry Acapulco by night. Each has its own personality. Day trips are filled with swimming, snorkeling, fishing and sightseeing. At, night the excursions are all about romance (the moonlight cruises) or partying (the "booze cruise," where you can drink till you drop).

Acapulco Yacht Club

The Acapulco Yacht Club is a well-known anchorage, where many of world's rich and renowned have docked. Services include water, ice, restaurants, fuel, telephones, internet, gym, dry docks, stream rooms, pool, and more.

The Nautical Club offers slips for 332 boats, condos, gardens, and 24 hour security.

Scuba Diving &; Snorkeling

Several companies in Acapulco offer scuba lessons and outings Look for them under tours and excursions or got the business directory.

Parasailing & Paragliding

You can't miss it. At all hours of the day you can people high in the sky on Acapulco bay. The way to find it is to go out on the beach in the hotel zone and follow the para-sailers to the source. An outing of paragliding normally runs about $30 USD.

Surfing & Boogie Boarding

Though Acapulco Bay is not a very good location for it, Acapulco does has some decent surfing at Diamond Point, Revolcadero Beach, and Bonfil.

Water Skiing

Acapulco is a great place to go water skiing, especially over by Manzanillo Beach and the Yacht Club, where the waters are a little calmer than out in the bay or up at the east end.

Waver Runners and Jet Skis

Over in the hotel zone (Condesa and Icacos more specifically), you can rent jet skis by the hour or half hour. The machines are lined up along the beach. Look for the parasailing and you'll find the jet ski rentals. The cost is about $25-30 for a half hour.

Windsurfing in Acapulco

Acapulco has some decent windsurfing around the Costa Club Hotel and Hornos beach.

Take a ride on "the banana." Paris has its cafes, London has its pubs, and Acapulco has the banana. It is little more than a large, yellow inflated... well, banana. A group of people climb on it and then are pulled behind a motor boat. They are a lot of fun, especially for kids. Highly recommended for people who are too dignified to enjoy themselves while on vacation. Be sure to take their picture to show to the friends back home.