Acapulco, Mexico: Sun, City, Beaches, and More!
by Paul H. Green
Visit Acapulco de Juarez, one of the most famous beach resorts located on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Acapulco is showing resurgence in popularity and has been a well-known traveler's crossroads for at least a millennium.
Acapulco is a major city and seaport located in the state of Guerrero (the largest city in the state) in Mexico, and is a port of call for shipping and cruise lines. The name “Acapulco” is from a Nahautal word meaning the “plain of dense reeds.” Rich and famous worldwide celebrities have vacation retreats or homes in Acapulco.
Acapulco Travel Today
Today, you can enjoy the consistent sunny, warm, humid climate that ranges from 72 to 91 degrees. Acapulco wraps around a semi-circular shaped bay, built on a narrow strip, scarcely ½-mile wide, between the shoreline and lofty mountains encircling the bay to the north and east. Each side shows the magnificent view of the entire bay, beaches, and city. The night view of the city is also incredible!
Called the “City that never sleeps,” the enticing qualities of this port city are: the beautiful bay, the well established hotels and the amenities offered, and one of the hottest nightlife playgrounds among Mexico's vacation resorts. Nightclubs and discos stay open until the last patron leaves, which may be long past daybreak.
Relaxing Things to Do in Acapulco
Take a leisurely stroll which begins at the airport at Carretera Escenica (the Scenic Highway), then changes name to the main street, the Avenida Costera Miguel Aliman, as it winds down from the hills to the city for proper and easy access to beaches, dining, shopping and clubs.
Linger at the peaceful zocalo (town center), shaded by giant mango and rubber trees, to dine or watch as people pass by. The zocalo is lined with sidewalk cafes and ice cream stands, and it is dominated at one end by a cathedral that was built back in 1930, which was originally built as a movie set.
Acapulco Beaches
The entire bay is lined with beaches. Many beach front restaurants will place tables, chairs and umbrellas for the patrons' comfort to enjoy food or drink at the water's edge.
The Playa Diamante and Playa Revolcadero beaches offer numerous pastime diversities. Enjoy golf, horseback riding, surfing, beach combing, shell collecting, and water sports such as wave-runners and ultra-light aircraft available directly from the shore. Playa Icacos beach has calm waters, high-rise hotels, and condos.
Playa Condesa beach has beach front restaurants and activities. This beach is close to the better restaurants and shopping centers, also the Giant Bungee Jumping attraction which is 165 feet in the air.
The Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla are two small beaches nestled away from most tourist traffic, with calm waters, great ambiance. Incredible seafood at reasonable prices is served at numerous beach front restaurants, which are often shaded by giant trees. Mundo Marino is between these two beaches. Near Acapulco, visit Pie de la Cuesta beach and enjoy the spectacular sunsets.
Travel north to Pie de la Cuesta and enjoy the protected beaches of Coyuca Lagoon. Beach vendors offer a variety of fresh fruit, cooked shrimp and fish, temporary tatoos, and hair braiding.
Visit the infamous La Quebrada, where dare-devil divers plunge into the ocean from the high cliffs above or Puerto Marques with its beautiful bay and calm waters, or visit Barra Vieja restaurant to enjoy meals prepared in the true Mexican tradition such as delectable seafood dishes. Acapulco has more quality restaurants than other Mexico resorts, and offers many specialized cuisine.
Enjoy a delightful abundance of beach pastime activities! Admire the stunning panoramic view of the bay and surrounding mountains when para-sailing or bungee jumping. Choose from Wave-runners, para-sailing, paddle boats, banana rides, sailboards, sailboats, scuba diving, snorkeling, and glass bottom boats. Also, sail out from the docks or marina near the zocalo for an exciting sport-fishing experience.
Scenic Activities
Glass bottom boats travel to Isla Roqueta (Roqueta Island) www.homeandabroad.com/viewSiteDetails.ha?mainInfoId=102156 , which offers an ideal island setting for relaxation, swimming, scuba diving, and even a small zoo. View the sunken statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe from the glass bottom boat along the way to the island.
Fun Activities for Family Vacationers
The Parque Papagayo is a large park of carnival rides, go-carts, roller skating rinks, and skate-board courses among numerous other attractions. Two major malls offer video game rooms. Children find Acapulco a fun vacation spot also. Besides the many beach activities, the CiCi water park www.discoveryacapulco.com/Activities/CiCi_Waterpark/ features water slides, water toboggans, a wave pool, Sky Coaster, seal shows, and dolphin interaction. Mundo Marino has an aquarium and a fun center featuring indoor and outdoor marine exhibits and water slides, water sports, restaurants, and gift shops.
Visit the Fuerte de San Diego Fort www.acapulco.com/es/tours/fuerte/ built in the 18th century to protect the city from pirate attack. The fort is well-preserved and houses a museum with historical Mexico displays.
More Acapulco Attractions
Watch a bull fight, or for a more relaxing pastime, watch a movie from the choice of four air-conditioned theatres. Play tennis at the new, modern, Mayan Palace complex!
You can shop for designer items for your home, designer dresses, or a multitude of unique gift items. When shopping, you'll enjoy lower prices on merchandise than you would in many other Mexican resorts. Shop at two modern air-conditioned malls, many smaller shopping centers, or endless shops and open-air markets.
The world famous Acapulco nightlife starts at sundown and ends early morn. Choose from wild discos, piano bars, live shows, concerts and tropical extravaganzas. Disco dance action usually starts around 11 p. m.
Enjoy all the pleasures of Acapulco, Mexico!