When I first saw a photograph of Acapulco and read that Frank Sinatra himself was here, I immediately realized that I would go to this glamorous city and explore it far and wide. The reality turned out to be very far from my imaginary image. Acapulco, like any large mexican city, appeared before me as very noisy, with entire chains of electrical wires constantly hanging over it, and only the bay of the same name exceeded my expectations. It was as if she sheltered the city from all misfortunes, such as the great Pacific Ocean and its power, and at the same time gave big city almost a provincial mood, as the areas were “scattered” along this bay.

Relief Acapulco seems stunning in photographs, but when in reality you are faced with the fact that your “hotel 500 meters from the sea” turns into “hotel 35 minutes walk from the sea along winding streets and steep slopes,” you begin to dislike the special charm of this city . Especially if all this happens in 38-degree heat, and you forgot to take water with you to the beach.


So, Acapulco, full of shabby buildings, construction debris, small and inconvenient food shops, extremely unequipped suburbs for the poor and electric wires strung over every street, still has its own coastal charm. However, the surprisingly developed infrastructure owes its existence to tourists, and Acapulco as a whole seems amazing modern city, which incredibly appeared at the end of the world.

How to get there

By plane

Acapulco has an international airport, with popular flights available from the USA and Cancun. The cost from - from 400 USD, from Los Angeles - from 300 USD, the cheapest from Houston - from 250 USD. For travel from Europe there are transfers in Warsaw. Flying from Acapulco by plane is quite cheap and very fast, 45 minutes and 2000-3000 MXN per person. The cheapest flight option with two transfers is through the USA (or) and costs about 500-600 USD per person one way. Served by Aeroflot and Aeromexico. The flight takes about 30 hours. True, for the USA you need to have a visa even for transit.
From (Sheremetyevo) there are also flights with two transfers in Europe (you can choose from London, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam) and. Travel time is about 21 hours, with transfers. The cost of a ticket for one is much higher - about 1300-1500 USD per person one way. If you buy a round-trip ticket, it will be noticeably cheaper. You can find air tickets on aggregator sites or, for example,. The best way to get from the airport to the center is by taxi.
A taxi from the airport costs around 40-50 USD, depending on the make and size of the car. There are also shared taxis that you can take with someone for approx. 15 USD per person. Or go to the city by minibus for about 5 USD per person. The minibuses are parked right outside the airport on the roundabout, they are private and do not have a special coloring or flight number.

By train

Acapulco has railways, but they do not serve private passengers. By 2020, they promise a high-speed train between Acapulco and.

By bus

It is possible to get there by bus from the Estrella company (Estrella de Oro and Estrella Blanca), departures all day, the last one in the evening at 23-30, arrival at 4-5 in the morning (400 or 500 MXN per person). Official website of the Estrella company.
The bus from can arrive at three different terminals (check when boarding), two of which are in the very center, from which it is easy to take a bus to other parts of the city, the third on Boulevard de las Naciones in the Diamante district (eastern part of the city, near the airport). If you need to get to your hotel in the center, you can take a city bus from the first two terminals or take a taxi. It only makes sense to get to the Diamante area if you are going to the airport or have already booked a hotel here.

By car

Getting to Acapulco with a rented car is quite easy - the roads in the area are quite modern. True, it will be inconvenient to rent a car, for example, in, if you do not intend to return back. The route from Acapulco to the northern cities is called the Pacific Coastal Highway (MX 200).

By ferry

You can also get to Acapulco by cruise ship; the parking lot is located near the historical landmark Fort San Diego (El Fuerte de San Diego). Upon arrival, buses are already waiting here to take you to the center. Most of cruise ships are coming from . The most popular cruises are from and Los Angeles, usually taking approx. 14 nights. Cost starts from 2500 USD per person. There are no regular connections with these cities.

Clue:

Acapulco - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 9

Kazan 9

Samara 10

Ekaterinburg 11

Novosibirsk 13

Vladivostok 16

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Acapulco in summer

The rainy season, with downpours and even hurricanes strong enough to make you not want to go outside all week, is Acapulco's traditional "summer" from April to November.

However, in the summer, hotel prices in Acapulco are lower, and both American and European tourists still come here to relax. Water temperature is 30°C, during the day about 32°C, at night – 26°C.

Acapulco in autumn

In autumn, from November to December, it reigns best time year - the deciduous season, even in the tropics, has a special feel and is very attractive to tourists. Water temperature is 30°C, about 31°C during the day, and 24°C at night. You can find your way around prices for tours to Acapulco.

Acapulco in the spring

In spring in Acapulco you can find good weather Lil' in early April. Still, tourists come here all year round. In principle, the sea is always warm here, but during the rainy season there is no point in coming for less than 1-2 months, otherwise you risk missing all the good sunny days. Water temperature is 28 °C, during the day about 32 °C, at night about 25 °C.

Acapulco - weather by month

Clue:

Acapulco - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Costera Street Miguel Aleman connects all the most interesting places for tourists in Acapulco and is, in principle, an elongated shopping alley and the concentration point of all large hotels.
If you had told me before I came here that I wouldn’t like Acapulco, I wouldn’t have believed it. True, there are stunning beaches with spreading palm trees, all the opportunities for my favorite windsurfing, relief suburban areas with villas that are quite affordable for an ordinary ordinary specialist.

Map of territorial divisions of Acapulco districts

But, besides this, there is also a high population density, which sometimes oppresses, especially in the Zona Tradicional (Mercado), a large number of poor and poorly dressed people on the streets and even slums, the appearance of which causes at least slight anxiety. For myself personally, I found only two areas suitable for living at a normal European level, and this turned out to be too few for the vacation to smoothly turn into permanent residence, as originally planned.

Acapulco Bay is very picturesque place. The city's districts are located in several valleys, which are surrounded by forested hills, which in reality feels like a real oasis in the middle of a wild world. By coastline there are high-rise buildings, far on the hills there are sleeping areas with cottages and small apartment buildings, a little behind it we see mid-rise houses and many hotels, as well as infrastructure completely focused on tourists. If you take an apartment or a room in a high-rise hotel, in the distance you can see the chain of Sierra Madre mountains, which was named so since the founding of the city in 1521 by its first mayor, the very same Ernen Cortes, the Spaniard who conquered.

Map of mini-neighborhoods in Acapulco

So, I found myself in a decent area of ​​Icacos, where you can even walk freely, although it is not entirely aimed at tourists. The streets are lined with very nice palm trees, which is rare for areas in the city, and the location near the embankment gives views of a couple of skyscrapers.

Districts of Acapulco:

  • I consider the Hicacos region (there are three Hicacos here at once, for example, Upper Hicacos is only 20 meters from the central one) the most acceptable for a European to live - it is quite far from the Mexican dirty and poor areas, and is surrounded on both sides by hills and forests. Just around the corner is a large casino (one of the favorite activities of American retirees in Acapulco) and Walmart. The latter makes the area extremely convenient.

  • The area next to mine is called Costa Azul and is home to mini-hotels and small apartment buildings with 8-12 apartments, one of which I would definitely choose for a long stay if I were to stay here for a long time. There are always "renta" signs on the houses here. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is about MXN 6,000-8,000 per month (furnished). Without furniture you can find it for 3000 MXN, because Mexicans highly value furniture itself and take great care of it. The area is well landscaped, has good sidewalks, clean streets, flower beds and green spaces and a small number of street eateries, which also has a very good effect on the overall feel of the area.

  • Brisas Del Marquez. If you want to make your vacation as relaxing as possible, then it is better to stay at the hotels and travel around the city only as part of excursion groups. True, in such places there is absolutely no infrastructure - the areas on the hills are autonomous, there are no supermarkets or parks. However, it can be easy to rent a villa, apartment or townhouse here long term, but you won’t be able to live comfortably here without a car, since there is no bus service to the center. However, the area is only 5 minutes by car from the embankment, is full of small apartments and private houses and is very convenient for family life surrounded by greenery.
  • The Diamante area was also considered for recreation, but turned out to be inconvenient. It is too far from here to shops, the historical center, the Fort and most of the beaches. At the same time, Diamante Beach is much less atmospheric than the beaches in the center; it does not have a bay, it seems to be flatter and the sand on it is not so light. This area is also close to the airport, which can be very convenient.
    In the Diamante area there are mainly old hotels of different heights. Local residences here are located far from the sea, between two small hills. I think Diamante is suitable for a week's vacation, but not for permanent living. True, the largest shopping center La Isla (Mexican chain) is located right here.
  • One of the most colorful areas of the city is the center (other names Downtown, Mercado). There are always dozens of restaurants, bars, nightclubs open here, and there are many good and cheap cafes. This area is located in the western part of the bay of Acapulco Bay and has a particularly inconvenient terrain for walking. However, this is where you can find the most interesting places in an architectural, cultural and entertainment sense.
  • The Renacimiento (San Jose) district is located in the north of the city and is a middle-class residential area sandwiched between two large mountain ranges. It is not recommended for tourists to come here alone.
    This is where ordinary Mexicans of Acapulco live, who service hotels, bars, restaurants, and work in the construction and service industries. The streets here are not clean, but, unlike the residential areas of other Mexican cities, San Jose can still be called quite decent. Renacimiento is divided into several separate neighborhoods and is mainly composed of duplexes, private houses and apartment buildings of 2-3 floors. There are rich and poor areas here, which are located, respectively, to the left and to the right of Route 95. In all of San Jose there is only one shopping center - Cinepolis.
  • The Las Playas area is located on a peninsula in the southern part of Acapulco Bay. Its entire territory is aimed primarily at tourists, as well as wealthy Mexicans. There are some stunning little beaches that are sandwiched between the cliffs, and it is here that the most popular beaches, Caleta and Caletilla, are found.
    The Las Playas area may appeal to those who have always dreamed of living on an island overlooking the sea with big mountains. The panoramic views from most hotels, villas and apartment buildings here are truly breathtaking.

Map of Acapulco districts

For the safety of tourists, I advise you not to leave areas close to the coastline. If you want to see how the locals live in Acapulco, then take a walk north of the Center (Mercado, on the map on the left), it is most prosperous there. For a long period of time, it will be quite comfortable to rent an apartment in the Hicacos or Costa Azul area (on the map on the right), while the area in the center of the bay has a reputation as a rather noisy place to live.

What are the prices for holidays?

  • A hotel room starts from 25 USD per day, you can book it on, and you can compare prices from different sites.
  • Apartments – from 250 USD per month and from 350 USD per month in good area(1 bedroom, furnished and good view to the mountains, the city or even the sea), options and prices.
  • Dinner in a restaurant – from 50 USD for two, in the dining room – from 10 USD for two.
  • Taxi fare – from 5 USD.
  • Boat trip (3 hours, lunch) – from 40 USD. Fishing (equipment, 3 hours) – from 30 USD. Jungle tour by jeep from 30 USD adults, from 15 USD children. Diving (6 hours, training) from 80 USD. Historical city tour by bus with a visit to the Fort from 40 USD (half day). Excursion to Rocket Island from 50 USD (snorkeling, equipment, 4 hours).

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Mexican peso, $

Main attractions. What to see

Top 5

  • The Chapel of Peace is a cathedral that is visited by perhaps every tourist in Acapulco. To get to it, you need to climb to the very top of the rocky mountain Las Brisas. You can come here not only for prayer, but also for panoramic views of the sea and the bay. The cathedral itself is open to the public without paying a fee until 18:00, and prayers can be performed by people of any religion. (Address: Calle de la Paz, s/n, Fraccionamiento Las Brisas).

  • Papagayo National Park (Centro Social Parque Papagayo) with artificial lakes and a water park is an amazing pastime for families with children. Another name for the park is Ignacio Manuel Altamirano, which often appears on maps. Entrance to the park is free, you get access to a cafe and an area with a lake where flamingos, many species of parrots, toucans, egrets and other exotic birds walk around. Only the toilet (0.15 USD), boat rides (2 USD per half hour), trolleybuses and attractions for children (from 5-10 MXN) are paid. Walks in the park are available until 20:00. (Address: Av. Cuauhtémoc s/n, Centro)
  • The 17th-century fortress of San Diego sits on a hill in the old downtown area. The fortress has an interesting pentagonal shape, and nearby there is a small park for recreation. Opening hours – from 9 to 18, entrance fee – 2 USD.

  • A special place in Acapulco is La Quebrada Cliffs, a rocky cliff with a cove located outside the city. From special viewing platforms here you can photograph the stunning beauty of the rocks right in the turquoise, with a slight mint tint, sea. There is also a special place for diving from a great height, which looks very exciting. Professional divers jumping into the water from a height of 45 meters can be seen here during the day almost every day during the season.

  • A separate attraction is Rucolla Island, which allows tourists to enjoy exciting diving in turquoise waters with excellent views from behind the white sand bottom. It also has a zoo and a lighthouse.

Beaches. Which ones are better

Old Acapulco is best oriented towards beach holidays. Caletilla and Caleta are wonderful family beaches(Playas Caleta y Caletilla, turquoise water). Pie de la Cuesta is outside the city in the north and has a bohemian feel and big waves. Another unique and very beautiful beach– Playa Condesa, it has stunning views of the bay, and yachtsmen are concentrated around Barra Vieja Beach, near the airport.

The best beaches in Acapulco

  • Playas Caleta y Caletilla are located on a peninsula, at the southern end of the bay in the city center. You can get here by regular city bus from Miguel Aleman Street. There are free sun loungers at the bars or you can just lie on the sand. The beach is ideal for children, as the sea level is gradually decreasing. True, this is where there are always a lot of tourists. The cleanliness of the beach is average, but there are no waves, and in some places the water is exceptionally turquoise.

  • Playa Langosta is located in a very small bay in the Las Playas area. The stunning emerald waters are unique to this area. You can get here using any city bus that goes to Las Playas; ask to be dropped off near Playa Langosta. The entrance to the sea here is slightly rocky, the beach itself is very narrow, but the color of the water is worth it!

  • Playa Icacos is located in the Icacos district of the same name and is surrounded by modern high-rise hotels. The beach is accessible to everyone, but to use sun loungers, you need to be a client of a bar or restaurant at one of the hotels. The beach is very clean, the waves are mostly small. You can get to the beach along Miguel Aleman Street, getting off in the Icacos area and turning down one of the small streets leading to the sea.

  • Pie de la Cuesta is located outside the city (to the north) and boasts the charming atmosphere of a surfer's paradise. The waves here are big, but you can also find a completely calm ocean. Entry into the water is gradual, there are no stones. The beach has a darker sand color; there is no infrastructure directly on the beach, but nearby hotels have cafes, restaurants, toilets and changing cabins available when ordering lunch.

  • Playa Condesa is a real picture from a guidebook, but only on sunny days! The cleanliness of the water here is simply ideal; Mexican families with children often come here. This beach is located approximately in the center of the bay, near the intersection with Pizza Hut. It's amazing that the tropical charm has been preserved here even with a fairly large flow of tourists! Thanks to a couple of bars and a few hotels, the beach has infrastructure, but overall it is just a strip of sand. Children love to play on the large stones; the cleanliness of the beach is from average to good. different seasons. The color of the water is the most amazing in the city, and big waves absolutely not.

  • Barra Vieja Beach is one of the beaches in the Diamante area, which is distinguished by its width and gently sloping beach. There is basically no infrastructure here; it is a wild beach, convenient for tourists from hotels in this part of Acapulco. The waves here are usually small, but they can also be big. The entrance is very shallow; it takes several minutes to reach a depth sufficient for swimming. The beach is popular not only among tourists, but also among local Mexicans with children due to its size and incredible sense of spaciousness. The density of vacationers here is the lowest.


The most convenient beaches for relaxation are located in the bay - there are no number of them, they stretch along the entire embankment of the highway. By the way, you can swim with dolphins in the special CiCi Acapulco Magico center with a swimming pool at the water park.

Map of the main beaches of Acapulco in the center of the bay (from left to right Suites Acapulco, Condesa, Hornos, Icacos)

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

In addition to the Chapel of Peace, it is worth seeing the Iglesia Adventista, Iglesia Presbiteriana and Holy Cross. All three churches are located in the city center, near the island of San Lorenzo. They are open to the public before and after lunch (usually from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm).

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

  • Acapulco Historical Museum at Fort San Diego (Museo Historico de Acapulco). Historical artifacts up to the early Middle Ages, including an exhibition on the War of Independence from Spain. On Sundays – free, closed Monday. .Opening hours from 9:30 to 6:30, admission for adults 2 USD.

  • The Acapulco Historical Museum is even more exciting. Unlike the Fort Museum, it has the atmosphere of an era of extensive trade with the Philippines, Japan and China (via Pacific Ocean) and, in principle, makes up a great show, and not just an exposition, after which you are left with an impression, like after a theatrical production. Closed Monday, opening hours from 9:30 to 6:30, admission 3 USD.

Parks

Acapulco Botanical Garden – Botanical Garden Acapulco is a must-visit for all nature lovers. The private tour includes a 30-minute walk through an exclusive section of the jungle, carefully furnished with exotic plants. There are unique trees entwined with colorful flowers that are worth seeing! The garden is located on the campus of Loyola University of the Pacific. The park is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Entrance 5 USD, private tour another 3 USD.

Tourist streets

The main tourist street of the Church of Miguel Aleman (Avenida Costera Miguel Aleman) is the only major street of interest to tourists. It runs along a crescent-shaped bay, with narrow, small streets leading from it to various beaches in the bay. Along the street there are shops, restaurants, shopping centers, sometimes parks and even hypermarkets.

What to see in 1 day

If you only have one day in Acapulco in one big Mexican tour, I would advise choosing something that suits you personally. Acapulco has a zoo, diving opportunities, and simple beach recreation. In my opinion, only one of the observation platforms is a must-see, for example, at the Chapel of Peace, to look at the city and take photographs.

What to see in the area

In the format of my personal Mexican tour, I visited many cities and I can say that the most convenient option Traveling in this part of the world is by plane. Initially, it seemed to me that I was losing the landscapes outside the window, turning them into clouds from the porthole, but it turned out that in fact it is a huge country, and the distances between interesting points are much greater than it seems. In addition, about 90% of American tourists and about 70% of European tourists I met considered Acapulco only as an all-Mexico tour and were interested in every interesting town along the way.

Where to go from Acapulco

  • From Acapulco you can easily travel by car or bus to just a few points. Among them are the suburban Bara Vieja (in the south) and Lucas en el Mar (in the north). It takes about 30 minutes to get to each point from the city center, including traffic jams and stops. The main attractions are the beaches, which are much cleaner and larger than those in the bay.
  • Amazing Chilpancingo is accessible via the only road to the north and is an excellent example of "no beauty" with typical housing, poor areas and lack of tourism. From Acapulco to Chilpancingo you can drive in 1.5 hours (105 km).

  • The town of Taxco de Alarcón (Taxco) is very interesting, which was founded back in 1529 and now attracts tourists with its surprisingly stunningly preserved city center. The city itself is small, but has some decent hotels, as well as many architectural attractions. From Acapulco to Taxco you can drive in 3.5-4 hours (245 km).
  • The next interesting city is Cuernavaca, which is one of the most popular points in excursion routes from tour operators. The whole city spread out in a valley and on small hills and that’s why it looks simply fantastic. In Cuernavaca, the Cathedral and the Palace of Cortés are a must-see. From Acapulco to Cuernavaca you can drive in 4 hours (290 km).

  • The most tempting of close trips may be a trip to Morelia - an amazing garden city with stunning parks and a particularly beautiful Cathedral. You can get from Acapulco to Cuernavaca in 7 hours (630 km) and you can stop at both Chilpancingo and Taxco.

The northernmost highway from Acapulco leads to Mexico City (370 km), from which the most interesting cities are accessible further along highway No. 1500. Such as the huge mountain town (450 km), Veracruz (720 km) on the Gulf of Mexico and then Yucatan with Merida, Cancun (1900 km) and Playa del Carmen. In general, an acceptable route from Acapulco to Cancun should be at least three weeks with stops in cities and sightseeing, otherwise you will spend more time in the car than on the air. The minimum duration of such a trip is 5 days. It is worth taking care of warm clothes, socks and closed shoes for such a trip, as it passes through the mountains.

The easiest way to get from Acapulco is by plane, via, for about 300 USD per person. And from there you can get to other cities, to neighboring countries, for example, to Guatemala (capital -).

Nearby Islands

  • With a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of sailors, underwater, Rocket Island makes an ideal spot for an excursion boat trip with a group of divers.

  • Arugula Island is a zoo, the entrance to which is paid, and the beach is truly white. There is a lighthouse, and among the animals you can find lions, tigers, monkeys, deer and even giraffes. Tourists get to the island on a special boat.

  • El Amigo Miguel has a huge menu of various Latin American dishes, so if you want to explore the cuisine of this part of the world, then you should definitely stop by here. The cost of dishes is from 5 USD. There are three restaurants with this name, one is in the center, the other on the embankment, the menu is the same.

  • On Hornos beach there is an amazing cafe-restaurant called La Playita Santa Lucia with high but reasonable prices. Dinner for one with salad, drinks, appetizers, first and second course will cost about 20 USD. The main thing you pay for is the atmosphere of dining with your favorite burger and cocktail right on the beach.

Budget

  • There is even a Burger King on Costa Miguel Aleman - right opposite the islet of San Lorenzo, which is easy to see from the beach, in the area of ​​the zoo. Basically, any dining room with simple Mexican decor will... budget option for lunch.
  • For example, the small Che Pibe in Costa Azul offers grilled meats starting from MXN 10 per dish. In general, to get an idea of ​​Mexican cuisine, I would recommend trying guacamole, turtle soup, and tortillas with different flavors. The main rule of cheap canteens is to choose those that are closer to the embankment!

Mid-level

  • Best place for good restaurant By affordable price- Costa Azul area. Here you can really go to restaurants every day, even on a fairly modest budget. Lunch for one will not cost more than 6 USD, and if you find a couple of especially cheap places, you can get some Mexican chicken dish, cola and salad for 4 USD.
  • Yes, vegan Costa Verde Vegan was a real revelation for me and the only place, after Burger King, where I kept coming back.
  • In the Hicacos area, Mariscos El Corralon is my favorite for its not-too-spicy Mexican dishes and seafood.

Expensive

  • Carmenere's international cuisine in the Costa Azul area has amazing service, looks like a five-star hotel and should definitely be on your list for at least a one-time visit.
  • It's hard to find Restaurante Zolache, but it's worth it - French cuisine starting at 12 USD per dish, with pasta starting at 6 USD.

Holidays

All major holidays, such as Day of the Dead (November 1), Independence Day (September 16) and Carnival week at the beginning of February every year, are celebrated in Acapulco. In addition, churches and cathedrals host various shows on Catholic Christmas, Day of the Virgin Mary and other religious holidays. Most holidays in the country fall in November-December, and if you come at this time, you will definitely catch some kind of show in a couple of weeks.

Safety. What to watch out for

The basic rule of safety is not to eat too cheap food, not to drink tap water and not to go to areas where only locals live. In addition, you should not talk to intrusive merchants, especially on the beaches, about where you are staying and for how long. And, of course, you should not wear expensive jewelry or take your laptop with you unless absolutely necessary. Wi-fi is usually available in hotels, at least in the lobby.

What to watch out for in Acapulco

  • Beach vendors. For this type of employee, the concept of “friendship” is the main tool for sales, as well as announcements about non-existent promotions, holidays, and “tomorrow” sales.
  • Cheap cafes and canteens. Poisoning here is not uncommon among tourists, although for locals their food is quite edible and “not at all spicy.”
  • Small shops and shops. It is better to focus on supermarkets, Walmart and brand stores if you do not want your vacation to become an eternal bargain.
  • Bad, littered areas. Initially, it seems that the area is simply poorer than the rest, but in the end you see suspicious characters on the streets and remember that drug trafficking from Colombia is happening somewhere here.

Things to do

Shopping and shops

The city's main artery, the Costera Miguel Aleman, will take you anywhere in Acapulco. Mini-markets of the OXXO network are located in every district; they have everything you might need at home and in everyday life. There are several hypermarkets in the city center. TelCel network stores (mobile communications and Internet) are also located on every corner. In the Mercado area (center, western part of the bay) there is a mini-center Plaza De La Tecnología. The best shopping and entertainment center in the city is called La Isla Shopping Village and is located on the outskirts of the city in the Diamante district (next to the airport, in the eastern part of the city). There are also several large shopping centers. All of them are located in the center of the bay, close to the promenade and Miguel Aleman Street. From left to right: Galerias Acapulco, Costera 125, Galerias Diana and Plaza Bombay.

Shopping in Acapulco is primarily associated with the purchase of clothing from Mexican and American brands. A European or Russian tourist certainly shouldn’t miss this opportunity. Prices for the same American brands are lower here than in the USA itself, which is especially pleasing. Sales usually happen in winter, this is when the old collection is sold, which has not been completely bought up by tourists. Therefore, from the beginning of May to November you can expect a drop in prices.

Bars. Where to go

El Pescador on the beach serves both excellent seafood food and interesting cocktails. The restaurant is part Hotel Grand Hotel with stunning views of the beach. It itself is created under a tropical dome and decorated in a marine style. There are exquisite Italian desserts that go great with fruit cocktails.

The restaurant and bar are open until 23:30. The audience of both these establishments and the hotel itself is mainly represented by wealthy tourists from and, there are two noticeable age categories: 20-28 and 40-50 years old.

Clubs and nightlife

Acapulco is famous for its discos, which are held based on performances by professional DJs, soloists and ensembles. In many of the city's luxury establishments you will find regular live music nights, and in bars there are nights with one or even two DJs per evening. The show is complemented by fireworks and performances by dancers. There are also very popular piano bars, beloved by Europeans, where pianists perform. Finding such a place is not at all difficult, just go to the center on Costera Miguel Aleman, along the entire length of which there are wonderful establishments at a distance of about 50 meters from each other.

Most clubs are open until 5 am, with the most activity happening on weekends. A special influx of tourists to such establishments occurs during student holidays both in the USA and in Mexico itself. There is a dress code in clubs, but it is not strict; the main thing is not to wear beachwear. Entrance to clubs can be either free or on an all-inclusive basis, when for 5-15 USD the bar is completely open to you. In piano bars, it is customary to tip the pianist (approx. 2 USD per guest).

TOP 5 nightclubs in Acapulco:

  • MOJITO Acapulco (Latin Salsa Club). Open until 5 am.
  • Believe Acapulco. One of the best nightclubs in the city with the largest dance floor. It works until the morning.
  • Palladium. The most popular night club in Acapulco. The most amazing and enchanting shows take place here, the best DJs from Mexico and even the USA come here. Entrance – 35 USD. Activity starts only at midnight and runs until 6 am.
  • Barracuda Bar Acapulco. A small nightclub in the city center with no strict dress code. Drinks – from 1 USD.
  • Sky Garden. A luxury club with a strict dress code and high prices for drinks. Cocktails – from 5 USD.

Extreme Sports

In Acapulco you can windsurf, and in season there are even small waves for surfing. The most popular sport for tourists is diving, with prices starting from 25 USD per trip and suit.
Most surfers only go to Playa Bonfil, which is part of the Princess/Mayan Palace resort in the Diamante area. There's a surf shop here. Also good place for surfing is Playa Escondido. Both beaches in different time Suitable for both beginners and amateurs, depending on the weather and wave height.
For professionals, there are no particularly large waves in all of Acapulco. There is also no surf school here. The waves come during the rainy season, from May to September. This time of year there are big waves for advanced amateurs. For beginners, any spot at any time of the year will be acceptable.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Traditional tequila and sombreros are held in high esteem here, just as in the souvenir shops of any other town in the country. Personally, I would recommend bringing professional photos of the beach or viewpoint from a real photographer. You want to remember landscapes like Acapulco Bay for the rest of your life.

How to get around the city

Taxi. What features exist

Taxi – the best option transport for trips to interesting corners of the city, bars and restaurants. True, hiring a taxi is always a subject of bargaining. It is usually impossible to avoid it, and if you do not need additional stress, then it is better to use the bus. You can share a taxi with other tourists; this practice is quite popular among Americans in Mexico. A taxi from the airport costs around 40-50 USD, depending on the make and size of the car. Usually taxis are taken directly on the street, but you can also call them by phone. Most taxi drivers don't speak English English language. Payment only in cash, in $ or MXN. Taxis around the city - 25 MXN, at night - 30 MXN (yellow) and about 100 MXN (blue, new). All taxis have the option of paying by the meter, but this is often not used to give drivers a chance to bargain.

Buses

The yellow tourist city buses with air conditioning and the word “Acapulco” right on them are very comfortable. There are also local buses, painted brightly and noticeably by the drivers themselves; the fare here is only 2 USD. True, the driving style of local drivers, who are not aimed at tourists, is appropriate.

Transport rental

Car rentals are available in Acapulco in the city center, but a decent option starts at $74 USD per day. Always take out insurance! To rent a car you will need an international driving license. Some companies do not rent cars to people under 21 years of age. Unlike Mexican cities such as or, Acapulco, due to its wide roads, is quite convenient for traveling by rented vehicle, even with European driving experience. You can, for example, select a rental car in advance.

Acapulco - holidays with children

Acapulco would be suitable for European families with children if it were not so far from Europe and did not have such narrow sidewalks. In general, teenagers feel best. Those who are interested in everything will definitely find something they like— historical Center With beautiful houses, beaches and diving, zoo or boat trips.
With small children, I strongly advise you to stay in hotels near the sea, maximum 100 meters from the coastline, since the relief is most often not noticeable on the map and can become a problem. In residential areas 300-500 meters from the beach you will find narrow streets without sidewalks, along which neither a stroller nor a bicycle can pass normally without causing a traffic jam.
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Anything to add?

A world-famous resort on the Pacific coast of Mexico, which attracts millions of tourists every year due to its mild climate, beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. The port city of Acapulco is the famous “night capital” of Mexico, a city of entertainment, shows, casinos and restaurants.

The resort welcomes tourists all year round, but the best time to visit it is the dry season from November to April.

Despite the fact that Acapulco's hotel infrastructure is well developed and fully complies with international standards, a significant part of its hotel base is in a rather dilapidated condition. After all, this resort was at the zenith of its glory back in the 50s of the last century. It was then that the lion's share of hotels were built, which, of course, are updated from time to time.

How to get there

Juan Alvarez arrives at Acapulco airport as international flights from America, so local. Alternatively, the resort can be reached by bus from Mexico City.

Search for flights to Mexico City (closest airport to Acapulco)

How to navigate the city

Stretching along picturesque bays for 35 km and framed by green hills, Acapulco is divided into three districts. The city center, "Old Acapulco", occupies the western side of the bay. The main hotel area is "Golden Acapulco". There is also “Diamond Acapulco” - a zone of elite villas and luxury hotels in the east. The most convenient way to get around the resort is by taxi or special yellow buses marked Acapulco.

Beaches of Acapulco

Best beaches resorts: Caleta, Pi de la Cuesta and Caletilla in the Old Acapulco area. They are ideal for families with children: gentle entrance to the sea, developed infrastructure, absence of large waves. In addition, Playa Condesa Beach in the “golden” area is quite popular.

All beaches are sandy and yellowish-gray in color. The sea here is darker than on the Caribbean coast, where the water is azure and the sand is fine and white.

Weather in Acapulco

Average monthly temperature, °C day and night, water

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Popular hotels in Acapulco

Entertainment and attractions of Acapulco

Cathedral in Art Nouveau style, "Capella of Peace" - a castle from the times of Spanish rule in high mountain next to the 42-meter cross blessing sea travelers, the Museum of Archeology with a rich collection of objects of Indian culture, national park Papagayo with three artificial lakes and a water park, the San Diego fortress, built in the early 17th century, now houses a historical museum. It is also worth taking a trip on a glass-bottomed boat to Roqueta Island, admiring the beauty of the underwater world and the statue of the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of sailors, installed right at the bottom.

The resort of Acapulco awakens after sunset when its lively and very diverse night life. All kinds of nightclubs and bars pulsate to the rhythm of dance. Acapulco's discos are considered the best in the country: they have excellent DJs, great ensembles and famous soloists, light music and fireworks. You can dance until dawn or sit in piano bars, where there is also music, but more calm.

In Acapulco you can party on the best discos country, as well as indulge your gastronomic cravings in restaurants on the roof of a skyscraper, on a “pirate ship”, on a sea cape or on the mountains and islands closest to the city.

Stunning views of Acapulco

There is also plenty of entertainment for children at the resort: a historical museum in seaport, a water amusement park, a zoo on the island of Roqueta, a huge Mundo Marino aquarium.

A special spectacle in Acapulco is the dizzying jumps into the sea in La Quebrada Bay from a cliff 34 m high. The history of this “attraction” begins in 1932, when in the artificial crevice of La Quebrada, created for ventilation of the city, Rigoberto jumped from a cliff for the amusement of the public Arak. Having instantly become famous, this brave man set a bad example for dozens of desperate seekers of fame. At the same time, in the 30s, the El Mirador hotel was built near the rock. Since then, it has been like this: tourists tickle their nerves with these mini-performances, and the brave ones gain the desired fame.

Fishing in Acapulco

The underwater world of Acapulco is surprisingly rich, but, alas, there is nothing for divers to profit from there - the water in the Pacific Ocean is too muddy. But fishermen will be delighted: barracudas, tuna, dorado and blue marlin weighing up to 2-2.5 kg are found in abundance in these waters.

A major port city in Mexico and one of the most popular resorts on the Pacific coast. The first stream of tourists poured into Acapulco in the 30s, when the city became a favorite vacation spot for Hollywood stars and the American rich. At different times, Elizabeth Taylor, Julio Iglesias, Placido Domingo and Frank Sinatra loved to come here. Following the “star” tourists, serious investments came to the resort. Now Acapulco is a fashionable resort with kilometers of snow-white equipped beaches, hundreds of hotels and a huge number of nightclubs, thanks to which the city is also called the night capital of Mexico.

Acapulco never sleeps. During the day, tourists spend time on the beaches, yachting and parasailing, and at night they flock to Costera Miguel Alemán Street, where they have fun and spend money on dance floors, casinos and restaurants. The nature of Acapulco seems to be created for relaxation in " tropical paradise" The local bay is one of the four most beautiful bays in the world and attracts millions of tourists every year. At the same time, the city, unlike Cancun, was able to preserve the unique Mexican spirit. The resort is great for families with children, older tourists and young people.

Beaches in Acapulco

Acapulco is called the pearl of the Pacific Ocean. First of all, for its magnificent beaches. They stretch for almost 30 kilometers. Condes is considered the most popular of the 20 municipal beaches. Its length is one kilometer. Entry here is free. The sand on Condes is fine, pleasant yellow color. The ocean water is not the calmest. There are waves, so the beach is popular among lovers aquatic species sports Condes is well equipped. Here you can rent sun loungers, umbrellas, if necessary, go to the toilet and shower, and also visit local cafes and restaurants.

Hicacos Beach, similar to Condes, is another favorite tourist destination. This is two kilometers of well-equipped coastline with clean yellow sand and turquoise ocean water. The waves here are not strong, but the water cannot be called calm either. A whole string of fashionable hotels, restaurants and nightlife spots stretches along Icacos. The beach is quite crowded. Hornos is considered one of the oldest beaches. It is located in a city park, where you can easily hide from the scorching sun under palm trees, eat in a cafe, soak up the sand and swim to your heart's content in the calm ocean. Mexicans themselves and families with children like to relax here. Every year Hornos hosts the famous Sand painting competition.

Fans of a relaxing beach holiday should take a closer look at hotels near the beaches of Caleta and Caletilla. A small island opposite protects the shore from the invasion of ocean waves, so this place is popular with families with children and elderly tourists. The beach infrastructure is created for a relaxing family vacation: “paddling pools” for children are fenced in the water, sun canopies are installed, family restaurants and cafes are open, and noisy parties are not held at all. There is enough in Acapulco wild beaches. One of these is Revolcadero, in the southern part of the resort. The place is very picturesque. The water in the ocean is clear, and the sand on the beach has a grayish tint. The beach is not suitable for swimming, as the waves at Revolcadero are large and there is a strong undercurrent. The beach is also not equipped for relaxation: there are no sun loungers or toilets here. However, lovers of a secluded holiday surrounded by wonderful nature will certainly enjoy this place.

Climate and weather in Acapulco

According to long-term observations, the sun shines in Acapulco 360 days a year. The climate here is mild throughout all 12 months. The average summer temperature is +30 degrees Celsius, with a light breeze blowing. Sometimes there are rains, but they are short-lived. The high season in Acapulco is winter. From November to the end of April the chance of rain is minimal. The air warms up to a comfortable +26, the same temperature as the water in the ocean. This is the time that is considered the most favorable for tours to Acapulco.

During the day At night Sea Season
January +30 +23 +24 Beach
February +30 +23 +24 Beach
March +30 +23 +25 Beach
April +30 +24 +26 Beach
May +31 +25 +27 Beach
June +31 +25 +27
July +32 +25 +27
August +32 +25 +27
September +31 +24 +27
October +31 +25 +26
November +31 +24 +25 Beach
December +31 +24 +24 Beach

Hotels and inns in Acapulco

When choosing a trip to Acapulco and comparing hotels, you should pay attention to the division of the resort into zones. The areas are called “traditional”, “golden” and “diamond”. There is also an urban area - the place of residence of the Mexicans themselves. But it’s better for tourists not to go there, as they can become easy prey for criminals. To the west of the resort is “traditional Acapulco.” This is a concentration of city attractions. There are several hotels here, but they are more suitable for a short stay while visiting historical monuments. Budget accommodation, such as guest houses, is popular in this area of ​​the city. Prices for the room are low. Tourists, as a rule, are offered only breakfast.

Main tourist area Acapulco is the "golden area". Many hotels have been built here, both expensive and not so expensive. The area is full of all kinds of entertainment venues and entertainment places. Acapulco has a traditional five-star hotel classification system. But according to tourists, in Mexico the “star rating” of some hotels is still too high. However, they can provide you with comfort and safety. They will also offer the all-inclusive package, which is popular among tourists.

In Acapulco, unlike other resorts in the world, there is a special category for super-hotels - Grantourismo. It couldn’t get any cooler, as they say. Such hotels are located in “diamond Acapulco” - an area in the east of the resort, which is famous for its luxury housing. There are luxury villas and premium hotels everywhere. The expensive Las Brisas, for example, has become famous for the number of “star” guests who leave their handprints on the “wall of fame.” The territories of Grantourismo hotels are usually huge. It has its own shopping centers, golf courses, nightclubs, and beaches. You can spend your entire vacation without ever leaving the hotel.

Attractions of Acapulco

Despite its reputation as an exclusively beach resort, Acapulco will also be of interest to lovers of historical monuments. In the city center, for example, is the Cathedral, better known as the Cathedral of the Lady of Solitude. The building was built in Art Nouveau style and decorated with extraordinary stained glass windows and sculptures. It is interesting that the premises were originally built as a cinema, but later it was transferred to the church. Despite its name, the temple is popular with lovers who get married here.

The fortress (fort) of San Diego is a striking example of Spanish influence on the culture of Mexico. It was built in the 17th century according to the design of the Dutch architect Andriano Boot. At this time, pirates ruled the waters of the Pacific Ocean. This fort was built to protect the city. Now there is a city museum here. Cultural Center Guererense was opened in Acapulco in 1976. Tourists can visit the archeology museum, art and photography gallery, and also find many interesting exhibits in the handicraft shop. Arriving in Acapulco, you can’t help but visit the famous Papagayo Park, which traces its history back to the 40s of the 20th century. Tourism was just beginning here at that time. The park began to be built specifically for visitors. Now this picturesque place with three artificial lakes, a large population of birds, a water park and an astronomical site is very popular among both tourists and local residents.

The hallmark of Acapulco is the world-famous La Quebrada show, which takes place every night in an artificial crevice of the same name. During the performance, professional divers jump into the water from a height of 35 meters. Moreover, the depth of the bay in this place is only 5 meters. To avoid breaking, daredevils wait for big waves and push off strongly with their feet so as not to hit the rocks. The spectacular show can be watched from the observation deck or from nearby restaurants.

Cuisine and restaurants in Acapulco

In Acapulco you can find many restaurants and cafes specializing in national cuisine. But most likely you will first become acquainted with it on the beach, where a local merchant will offer you elote. This is what they call boiled corn in Mexico. It is sold as a cob, strung on a stick, or as individual grains in a glass. Corn in Mexico is different from ours. After all, here it is boiled with the addition of chili powder and lime, and served with butter, sour cream or mayonnaise. Mexicans eat nachos and corn chips as snacks. In an Acapulco restaurant, you will be served them on a large plate while still hot, along with various sauces: cheese, guacamole (avocado sauce), pico de galla (tomato and coriander sauce) and the hottest diablo.

Soups are not so popular in Mexico, but if they are prepared, they can devote the whole day to it! This is how long it takes to prepare the national dish posole. This is a hearty soup made from meat, legumes, avocado and radishes, with the addition of lemon and signature spices. Another popular soup in Acapulco is mushroom soup. Its taste is absolutely not similar to Russian. Therefore, it’s definitely worth a try. As a main course, you can order a stuffed tortilla (from meat, seafood, vegetables or all together), as well as a real Mexican steak. The freshest beef is briefly fried in a frying pan along with plenty of vegetables. The meat must remain slightly pink inside and be served hot.

Those with a sweet tooth, having arrived in Acapulco, can then proudly say that they visited the birthplace of chocolate. According to one version, it was here that it was invented and created. There are many types of chocolate in Mexico, including those with an unusual taste and even completely unsweetened. For dessert you can also order caramelized guava. The fruit is dipped in thick sugar syrup in advance and allowed to cool. The sweet is served with ice cream, chocolate and even chili pepper. This is such a spicy Mexico!

What to bring from Acapulco

Mexico is always associated, first of all, with the ancient Mayans. Therefore, any symbolism of a disappeared civilization is an excellent souvenir. Despite the fact that there are no Mayan monuments in Acapulco itself, the famous calendars that promised us the end of the world are sold everywhere. Be sure to find room in your suitcase for a multi-colored wide-brimmed sombrero hat, as well as a national warm poncho and a hammock. All these things are inexpensive, but without them Mexico is not Mexico. Acapulco's markets offer many ceramic products. These are bright, cheerful plates that can serve not only as a souvenir, but also as real dishes in the house, reminiscent of carefree days in colorful Mexico.

If you see skulls in souvenir shops, do not be alarmed, but rather buy several as a gift. After all, the skull in Mexico symbolizes life after death. Skulls with smiles are even made from chocolate here. You can also buy silver items for which Mexico is so famous. Bottles of real chili sauce and tequila will serve as edible souvenirs.

Acapulco is a port city in Mexico, which in the mid-20th century became a favorite resort for Hollywood stars.

Along with the growth of popularity, new hotels began to appear in it like mushrooms after rain, casinos were built and expanded closed beaches. As a legacy from its golden years, it received many elite restaurants, nightclubs, large gambling establishments and the world fame of another city that never sleeps. Top-tier movie stars vacation here to this day, but wealthy Mexicans and tourists from all over the world are increasingly coming here. The most popular beaches of the resort are located in the bay of the same name, which, thanks to its snow-white sands and blue waters The Pacific Ocean is among the best in the world.

In history, Acapulco is often mentioned as the second port city of New Spain, located at the intersection of the main trade routes of the colonialists. Before the expansion of Mexico by the conquistadors, there was a settlement of Indians from the Yopi tribe, and even then the city bore its current name, which came from the name of the hero of one of the Indian legends. Once upon a time, a young man Acatl (translated as “sugar cane”) lived in the bay; he was the son of one of the leaders of the tribe. Fate played a cruel joke on him - one day while on a hike he saw a girl and fell in love with her at first sight. He later found out that her name was Quitil (translated as “rain, hurricane”), and that she was the princess of a hostile tribe. Of course, they were not given the chance to be together.

The heartbroken young man went to the pier and cried so bitterly that his tears were enough for a whole pond. The girl also suffered for a long time and became a cloud. One day, flying over the place where her lover lived, she learned of his death. Quitl became furious and hit the settlement like a hurricane, completely destroying it, but upon reaching the bay, she calmed down and disappeared - the souls of the lovers were finally reunited. This is how the name Acapulco appeared - “the place of the destroyed reeds.”

By the way, few people know, but this Mexican city is the birthplace of the most popular Margarita cocktail.

According to history, once a wealthy lady from Texas named Margarita Seymes threw a party here at her villa, where she invited the most eminent guests. The highlight of the evening was Ms. Seims' signature tequila-based cocktail. Among the guests of the party was Tommy Hilton, the owner of the hotel chain of the same name, who realized that the new cocktail had great potential, and less than a year later “Margarita” became the best seller of all drinking establishments south coast continent.

Acapulco today is the entertainment capital of Mexico, with a heavenly climate and stunning scenery, where millions of tourists from all over the world arrive every year, eager for relaxation and fun.

Cathedral of Lady Solitude

The Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is the main religious building of Acapulco, which is located in the central Zocalo square, in the old town area.

It’s hard to believe, but at the beginning of the 20th century the building began to be built as a cinema, and only later, after laying the foundation, the project was changed. By 1930, a cathedral named after Madonna Soledad, “Our Lady of Solitude,” already stood here, ready to open. Among the people, the building received a simple name - the Cathedral of Lady Solitude.

The architecture of the temple is remarkable for the interweaving of the styles of classicism, gothic and shades of modernism. The listed features are expressed by the blue and white decoration, stained glass windows covered with gilding, the main portal decorated with the image of the sun and the towers on the sides of the facade.

Today, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is the center of the Archdiocese of Acapulco, which includes the dioceses of Tlapa, Ciudad Altamirano and Chilpancingo-Chilapa.

Fort San Diego

Since Acapulco is a border city, it was simply necessary for it to have protective structures in order to repel ill-wishers if something happens.

An exemplary defensive building is Fort San Diego, which served the city well from the beginning of the 7th to the 19th centuries. It was designed by Adrian Buto, who had previously built a similar structure in Veracurse.

The only time the walls of San Diego could not withstand the onslaught of enemies was the assault of José Maria Morelos in 1813. They say that it was after the battle that the national hero uttered the famous words: “Long live Spain - sister, but not mistress of America.”

In the middle of the 20th century, the fort was seriously damaged by an earthquake, after which it took a long time and thoroughly to restore. During the restoration work, it was possible to recreate the architectural and engineering features.

Today it is one of the oldest architectural monuments of Acapulco. It houses a museum, the main exhibit of which is a 17th-century Spanish galleon.

Papagayo Park

A unique landmark of Acapulco is the Ignacio Manuel Altamirano Park, or simply Papagayo, one of the largest conservation areas in Mexico with an area of ​​218,000 hectares. In its urban part there are a lot of objects for which tourists constantly flock here: a Spanish galleon, a copy of the first reusable space shuttle Columbia and, of course, many different plants, birds and animals.

Among them there are such rare species as the egret, great toucan and flamingo. As you can guess from the name, the main inhabitants of Papagayo Park are parrots. For the comfortable existence of animals and plants here, ecologists have created special conditions close to their natural habitat. In a separate part of the park, not far from the entrance, there is an alley where pedestrians will encounter monuments dedicated to prominent natives of Acapulco.

Rock of La Quebrada

La Quebrada is a sheer cliff 35 meters high, from which specially trained people make dizzying jumps into the water.

Large crowds of onlookers have long gathered to watch the extreme antics of young men. Over time, jumping from La Quebarda has become a unique business card Acapulco.

Such a leap of faith is a deadly thing. Not only is the height 35 meters and the width 9, but while you are flying you need to manage not to touch the sharp ledges of the cliff, and in the water not to hurt yourself on the rocky bottom, which is only 3 meters deep! It’s no wonder that at some point it occurred to someone to start collecting money from spectators and award extreme sports enthusiasts with the title of Hero of Acapulca. By the way, the first person to receive an award for jumping from Quebrada in 1932 was Rigo Berto Arak.

He also laid the foundation for an unusual tradition, which today is extreme view sports

It is noteworthy that the nature of the cliff’s origin is artificial - in 1930, in order to increase the flow of fresh air into Acapulco, the authorities decided to blow up one of the bay’s rocks with dynamite.

Monument Chapel Submarine

Another unusual local attraction is the Submarine Chapel monument, which is a statue of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, which is located on the seabed. A bronze statue was erected here in 1958 in memory of the fallen divers.

The Holy Virgin Mary of Guadalupe is the patroness of all Mexico, and many still believe that it was only thanks to the help of the Virgin Mary that the Mexicans managed to win the War of Independence. There are two ways to see the monument: the first is to swim, following the coordinates, to the desired place in the sea on a boat with a transparent bottom, the second is to dive to it with special diving equipment. In the second case, you will get much more impressions, since at the same time you will have a chance to meet locals marine life who often scurry around the statue.

For both occasions, boats depart daily from Kalteila beach to the monument.

The most popular day to visit the statue of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe is December 12th - the day of the Virgin Mary. The city celebrates for two days, hundreds of residents dive to the statue and leave wreaths and flowers there.

Leisure

The main types of leisure activities in Acapulco are in one way or another connected with the bay: either it’s a holiday snow-white beach, either swimming in clear and warm water, or diving or underwater fishing.

But the city itself also has fascinating places, for example, the Museum of Archeology, which houses a large collection of objects from ancient Indian tribes. For a family holiday, take a walk in Papagayo Park or visit the Magico Mundo Marino Aquarium. You will also probably be recommended to sail to the La Roqueta islands on a glass-bottomed boat, making a stop along the way at the very place where the statue of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe is located in the sea.

On the island you can plunge into the thick tropical forests or visit the local zoo, which is home to crocodiles, lions, tigers, giraffes, turtles, monkeys and even deer.

There is no less entertainment in Acapulco at night than during the day. There are especially many discos held in clubs and under open air. The biggest holiday in the city is the Day of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. Despite the fact that the holiday is quite Christian, throughout Mexico Indians do not hesitate to remember their gods on this day, so do not be surprised if on December 12 you see monks in cassocks and Indians dancing in traditional costumes not far from the temple.

The main events of Mary's Day are a large town fair and a huge fireworks display late in the evening.

How to get there

Both international flights from America and local ones arrive at Acapulco Juan Alvarez Airport.

From Europe they usually fly to Mexico City first, and then get there by bus or car within 4-6 hours. The most convenient way to Acapulco is from Moscow with a transfer at Cancun airport - this way the flight duration will be only 13 hours.

Transport

To Acapulco public transport is developed quite well, as there are many bus routes around the city.

Local transport costs 1 MXP; tickets can be purchased at special kiosks or from the driver at the entrance. According to experienced tourists, the best transport here are the yellow buses. The fare for them is 5.5 MXP.

An equally popular form of transport is taxi. Typically, drivers do not give change, so you need to agree on the price with them in advance, even if the car has a meter. The fare depends on the distance. 1 kilometer costs 5 MXP. A taxi for the whole day will cost 1,000 MXP. At night, rates increase by 10%.

Hotels

Acapuolco is the most popular hotel in the resort of the same name, which is located a 15-minute walk from the private beach on the bay. Each room here is equipped with air conditioning, a TV and an Internet access point. Most of them have a private balcony, a work desk and a minibar; the bathrooms always have a set of bath accessories and a hairdryer. Other amenities include an on-site pool and hot tubs.

A good option for a family holiday would be the Departamento en Diamante Lakes complex, located in the outskirts of the city. Clients of the establishment will have at their disposal apartments that have a separate bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and more. Each bungalow features a seasonal swimming pool, golf course, free parking and a terrace overlooking the garden or ocean.

There is also a restaurant on site that serves a buffet breakfast every morning.

Banyan Tree Cabo Marques is a five-star hotel, one of the most luxurious in Acapulco. It is located on top of a cliff with superb views of the Pacific Ocean. This place boasts a wide range of spa services, 3 restaurants and villas with a pool each. Each villa has panoramic windows, a private terrace, TV and other household appliances that people use every day. The establishment is located 20 minutes from international airport Acapulco.

Restaurants

The El Cabrito restaurant has two large rooms and an open veranda, which are suitable for both social gatherings and business meetings. The menu consists mainly of Mexican dishes such as fajitas, burritos, tacos, nachos with sauces and more.

It also contains names of traditional European pizza, pastas and salads.

100% Natural is a restaurant that specializes in vegetarian cuisine. The peculiarities of the establishment include an unusual interior with oriental motifs and an abundance of green. Visitors note the high level of service and prices, which are higher than the city average - 30-35 USD. Here you can order shrimp in pineapple, pasta with seafood, fish stuffed with cream cheese, salad with caramelized pecans and goat cheese, as well as juices and lemonades. If desired, some dishes can be packed with you.

Su Casa is an establishment whose full potential is revealed in the evening, with the arrival of darkness.

Of course, candles are not lit here and orchestras are not playing, but nevertheless, an atmosphere of romance reigns. The restaurant is located on the roof of a building, which offers a beautiful view of the city, which, like a Christmas tree, is replete with colorful lights. The menu features European dishes (grilled fish fillet with lemon sauce, signature shrimp, etc.). The average check is 25 USD.

Shopping

The essence of shopping in Acapulno is fully reflected in the words “a mixture of exoticism and luxury.” Here you can often see the neighborhood of neighborhoods with souvenir shops and large shopping centers housing fashionable boutiques. The largest retail outlet in the city is The Golden Zone shopping and entertainment center. There are enough shops of all kinds so that everyone can satisfy their passion for shopping.

The TOP souvenirs from Acapulco are all kinds of miniature attributes of the Mayan and Aztec cultures, for example, the famous Mayan calendar disk or figurines of Aztec and Indian gods such as Quetzalcoatl. Also traditional Mexican souvenirs are sombreros, ponchos, tequila and maracas. Some take home authentic Mexican sauces.

The entire tourist area of ​​the resort is schematically divided into three areas:
Old Acapulco is located in the western part of the bay. This is where the first holidaymakers arrived in the 50s and 60s.
Golden Acapulco is located in the central part of the bay and is the main hub of hotels, bars, nightclubs, shopping centers, restaurants and beach bars. central District starts from the “Old Town” and stretches along the Costera Miguel Alemán promenade to the east. The cost of hotel apartments here is relatively high, with a downward trend towards the “Old Town”.
Diamond Acapulco begins at the point where the main promenade, Costera Miguel Alemán, smoothly turns into the Carretera Escénica highway, which stretches to the airport. The most expensive hotels, luxury villas, and exquisite restaurants are located on the mountain slopes, offering an extremely beautiful view of the bay.

Where to stay?

In Acapulco, many hotels are ready to warmly welcome you and provide their services, among which you will certainly be able to choose the one that suits your liking. The following hotels are especially popular.
"Elcano" 4* is located in the "Golden" area and is located on one of the most famous beaches- Condeza. The drive from the hotel to the city center takes only 15 minutes. It offers comfortable and cozy rooms, swimming pools, restaurants serving traditional Mexican cuisine and plenty of entertainment.
Those who prefer luxury and exoticism will certainly like the Pierre Marques 5* hotel, which is one of the best in Mexico and offers a relaxing holiday on white sandy beaches. Quaint bungalows and small houses, immersed in lush tropical greenery and surrounded by the ocean, will create an unforgettable experience.
A wonderful budget option would be the Ritz Acapulco 4* hotel, located in the “Golden” area on Playa Hornos beach. Near the hotel there is a shopping and entertainment center, a park and a flea market, where you can buy all sorts of souvenir trinkets.
The hotels “Fiesta Americana Condesa” 5*, “Fiesta Americana Villas Acapulco” 5*, “Las Brisas Acapulco” 5* and “Fiesta Inn” 4* have also proven themselves well.

The resorts of Mexico are very popular for their luxurious sandy beaches, which annually attract thousands of tourists from all over the world. Every Acapulco beach is unique in its own way and attracts with the perfect combination of luxurious natural landscapes with first-class service.
The beaches of Galetilla and Caleta are considered classic thanks to the calm surf, soft waves and rounded strips of sand that define the island line and the La Roqueta recreation area. This is a private area where, for a fairly high price, you can experience all the delights of a luxurious holiday in fashionable hotels, exclusive villas and contemplate the expanses of the ocean. The journey from the mainland to the island of La Roqueta is very tempting, thanks to the transparent boats, through the glass bottom of which you can admire the beauty of the underwater world.

In the northwest of Acapulco there are the beaches of Ornos and Tamarindos, which are limited by two luxury hotels located on them - Paraiso Acapulco and Amakas. It perfectly combines natural exoticism with European chic, which often attracts Hollywood and show business stars.
In the heart of the resort is La Condesa Beach, where many Latin American TV series have been filmed. This beach attracts tourists with the opportunity to swim in a crystal clear artificial waterfall, dive in the coastal zone, enjoy the lush vegetation and watch colorful starfish.

For active rest the small beach area of ​​Puerto Marques is ideal, where there are many playgrounds and the opportunity to go boat trip, take part in sailing tournaments. In a separate area on the beach there are 7 Mexican restaurants, each of which prepares dishes to suit your taste. Therefore, true gourmets will have something to enjoy here.
The beaches of Caletilla, Caleta and Pi de la Cuesta are ideal for families with children due to the gentle entrance to the water, small waves and well-developed infrastructure. The beach here, like all others in Acapulco, is a grayish-yellow hue, and the water is a rich dark color.

Attractions of Acapulco

In addition to plenty of entertainment and gorgeous beaches, tourists have the opportunity to visit cultural and historical places this Mexican resort. You can start getting acquainted with historical relics from the Cathedral, known as the Cathedral of the Lady of Solitude, located in the central part of the resort. A special feature of the modernist building are the figured stained glass windows, revealed with blue paint and gold.

At the highest point of the resort - Mount Las Brias, there is ancient castle Chapel of Peace, next to which stands a high (42 meters) cross, bringing good luck to sea travelers. From here you have a magnificent view of the city and mountain ranges.
By visiting the Gererense cultural center, you can get acquainted with folk art and visit the art and photography gallery. Also on the territory of the center is the Mezcal Archaeological Museum, which displays exhibits from the ancient era and a huge library with more than nine thousand books that were carefully collected by the townspeople over the years.

It is definitely worth visiting the Papagayo National Reserve, on whose territory there are artificial lakes, a bird park, a water park and an area with astronomical telescopes. The park's opening hours are daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
To experience Spanish culture, visit the Fortress of San Diego, which was built in the 17th century. Today there are 12 permanent halls located there. historical museum and one temporary.

Entertainment

After you get tired of basking on the sandy beaches, you can get active and feel the thrill of local entertainment. Particularly daring tourists should definitely jump from a cliff more than 30 m high into the sea near La Quebrada Bay.
The waters of the Acapulco coast are famous for their abundance of fish, and this entertainment will bring a lot of pleasure to fishing lovers. In these waters you can catch dorado, barracuda, tuna and blue marlin. All fishing equipment and boats are rented on site.
In addition, you can go diving, windsurfing, water skiing or sailing, or parachuting. Acapulco has several tennis and golf clubs.
In the evening, you can go on a night boat trip on a glass-bottomed boat, which is illuminated by lanterns and has music playing on board, which creates a very enchanting romantic mood.

Entertainment for children

The entertainment structure of the resort is designed in such a way that both adults and children can “have a blast” here. Especially for children who came with their parents to Acapulco, there are many amusement parks. For example, on the huge (more than 52 acres) territory of the park " Papagayo", planted with tropical plants, the most popular are water slides, a roller skating rink and a children's playground. Railway. After the entertainment, the whole family can go to a restaurant located in the park and recuperate.
The CiCi Aquatic Center offers its small and large visitors a ride on high water slides, watch shows with fur seals and dolphins, watch tropical fish in the aquarium and swim in the pools.
With special permission, older children can go diving, and especially for younger guests in Acapulco there is a golf club called Clubde Golf, which provides special training.

The nightlife of the Acapulco resort is represented by various clubs, show programs, beach discos and lounge areas, which are filled with modern rhythms and fun after sunset until dawn.
Among the most popular nightclubs that visiting young people like to visit is El Alebrije, which is the largest club in Latin America and can accommodate more than 5,000 people. The main contingent is young people from 18 to 30 years old. Every Friday the club hosts a foam party. The entry fee for girls is 350 pesos and for men 400 pesos. The entrance ticket also includes a free bar until 5 am. If you want to have a positive evening, don’t skimp on tips, otherwise you may not wait for your next order.
The Palladium Club is located on the slopes of Mount Las Brisas, with glass walls offering stunning views of the bay. The admission price includes a free bar and the price for girls is $30 and for men $40.
The Mandara club is a smaller version of the previous establishment. The main musical direction is reggae and hip-hop. The club starts at 22-30, and the entrance ticket costs $30 for girls and $40 for guys.

It is quite difficult to make recommendations regarding restaurants, since everyone has different preferences, but we can highlight a few of the most popular ones.
So, for the lovers Italian cuisine you can go for dinner to the restaurants “Raffaello”, “Dino`s” or “Italianissimo”. You can try exotic Japanese cuisine at Sushitogo or San&Town, and incredibly tasty traditional Mexican dishes are prepared incomparably at the Elzorrito, Cocula and Fersatos restaurants.