Acapulco Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
The original Mexican resort town, Acapulco has been eclipsed by Cancun and other resort towns. Still, it remains a major destination and a worthwhile trip and is the number one spring break destination among college students.
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Understand
Get in
Many buses go from major cities (e.g. Mexico City) to Acapulco. Most buses are safe, fast and comfortable and usually not very expensive. Some bus lines offer student discounts.
There is a modern four lane highway from Mexico City to Acapulco (Autopista del Sol). It is somewhat expensive, but will take you there in 3 and a half hours, approximately.
Alvarez International Airport (ACA) is well connected domestically and internationally. Flights from Mexico City to Acapulco take approximately 35 minutes and ground transportation from the airport to the major tourist area of La Costera takes more or less the same time. Round trip fares depending on the season and class, range from USD$230.00 to USD$500.00.
Get around
Taxis are everywhere in Acapulco. Since they are unmetered, make sure that you agree on a fare before entering. You should not have to pay more than $50 pesos per cab ride within the Costera area but fares can reach as much as $120 pesos for rides from La Costera to La Quebrada, Princess Hotel (Revolcadero Beach) and the airport. Alternatively most hotels can arrange for taxi transportation for a fixed fare. Prices will usually be about 50% more expensive than for a taxi hailed on the street.
There are several public transportation options: Yellow cabs are 10 pesos per person; buses are 4 pesos or 5 pesos with the luxury of air-conditioning. Because of the sheer amount of taxis here, when one is dining out it is often worthwhile for them to offer a round trip and simply wait around while you have your meal, and they will not charge extra.
See
- La Quebrada Cliff Divers - No visit to Acapulco is complete without watching the cliff divers perform their impressive jumps into the shallow stream of water of dangerous tides that forms in the bottom part of La Quebrada. They have been doing it since 1934.
- Zócalo - Zócalo, Acapulco's town square, lies on the western side of La Costera. It tends to expose more local culture than other, more tourist-centric, areas. Zócalo contains Acapulco's cathedral, as well as many restaurants ranging in size from sidewalk bistros and tiny street-corner kitchens. Many of the smaller restaurants will provide full dinners for as little as 35 pesos.
- Pie de la Cuesta - Pie de la Cuesta is a quiet strip of land roughly 6 miles northwest of Acapulco, bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by a freshwater lake (Laguna de Cuyoca) on the other. The lagoon is extremely tranquil, but tourists are advised not to enter the Pacific Ocean at Pie de la Cuesta, because the surf is very dangerous. One can reach Pie de la Cuesta via bus.
- Puerto Marquez - Located at a smaller bay just east of Acapulco, Puerto Marquez sees much less tourist traffic than Acapulco. One side of the bay is completely covered by adjacent beach-side restaurants offering very reasonably priced food and beer. The restaurant owners (as well as most other locals) are very friendly to tourists and some will offer discounts or a free round of beer to groups. Tourists and locals alike munch on shrimp enchiladas, sip negra modelos, wade in the waters, and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets. Fewer locals speak English in Puerto Marquez than in Acapulco, so it is recommended that vistors speak some rudimentary Spanish. One can reach Puerto Marquez via bus.
Beaches
Most beaches are in the bay area fronting the main boulevard "La Costera". This bay area is what made Acapulco famous and its beauty and majesty have not faded over the years. Some of the most representative beaches in La Costera are Icacos, Condesa, Hornos and Caleta, of which Condesa is the cleanest and most scenic. Beaches on La Costera have mostly calm waters suitable for practicing sports and even riding "la banana", the fruit shaped inflatable. Most hotels in Acapulco are found along La Costera.
Perhaps the best beach in Acapulco can be found close to the hotel 'Princess de Acapulco'. Playa Revolcadero is about three miles from the airport and as opposed to beaches in La Costera that are protected by the bay, this is an open water beach with strong tides that warrant extra caution. Transportation from La Costera takes about 35 minutes through a winding and scenic road.
Do
- CICI - It's a water park. Especially nice for kids.
There are several more attractions, including golf courses, night clubs and post-hispanic fortifications. Nightlife in Acapulco is pretty much fun, and many places are suited for tourism including "El Alebrije", "Disco Beach" and "Palladium", this last having a awe-inspiring sight of the whole bay of Acapulco..
Eat
- Señor Frog's - Señor Frog's is a party place; outside you will see signs that read "Drunk Crossing"; from that you can infer what this place is like.
- Casanova - Excellent Italian food with a great view of the city.
- Kookaburra - Also good food with a great view of the city.
- La Perla - La Perla's claim to fame is that they provide a wonderful view of the cliff divers. However, the food isn't quite up to par; it resembles cheap casino food.
Drink
La Costera, Acapulco's main drag along the coast, is full of bars and clubs. Locals tend to frequend Ibiza a lounge club on the beach which is very pleasant and plays mainly electronic music. The super clubs in Acapulco are El Alebrije and Palladium. El Alebrije is the largest night club in Latin America, capable of holding over 5,000 people. Cover is $350 Pesos for men and $300 Pesos for women with a free open bar until 5am. Be prepared to tip if you plan on drinking heavily. If arriving by car, you can park in the Walmart 24 hour carpark just up the road and save on the valet parking charges. Palladium is perched on top of a cliff overlooking Acapulco. The large panoramic glass wall which forms one side of the dancefloor is very impressive. Prices are about the same as in Alebrije and also offers an open bar.
Other clubs in Acapulco include: Disco Beach whose main attraction is a dance floor fronting the beach and is very popular with foreign visitors and locals. Barbarroja a bar/club in the shape of an old pirate ship that caters mainly to the 30 and over crowd and; Baby'O, one of Acapulco's perennial favorites. Baby'O is by far the most luxurious (and expensive) club in Acapulco and is favored especially by the 18 to 35 set of Mexico City's upper-class. Here, you will be able to revel in luxury. Expect to pay at least a $250 pesos cover charge and $80-$150 pesos for a drink.
In the past few years Acapulco has become a preferred destination for spring breakers, with tens of thousands of students descending upon this resort town to drink away the sorrows of midterms in a multitude of bars and clubs.
Another nice place to go is called Andromedas, music is electronic and is full of beautiful girls.
Sleep
Hostels
- Kingdom Youth Hostel
A former athletic training facility, Acapulco's Kingdom Youth Hostel is a treat for the active or indolent. Friendly managers as of 2005. Inexpensive, with excellent showers and plenty of hammocks, internet access and a small bar. Outside of Acapulco proper, but that means it's near a quiet beach; a cab ride into the disco zone is about 10 pesos. A hostel worth checking out.
- La Mision
Clean room, clean sheets, painted brick, and cold showers. The rooms range from one bed to three. La Mision is 2 blocks outside Zócalo. The staff does not speak English. A basic breakfast may be purchased from the kitchen, though there are a multitude of small restaurants nearby. Depending on the time you stay, you may be able to negotiate 200 pesos per person per night (regardless of the number of rooms occupied).
Resorts
- Hyatt
- Las Brisas
- Quinta Real
- Fairmont Acapulco Princess
- Copacabana Beach Hotel
- Las Torres Gemelas
- Fiesta Inn Acapulco
- Park Royal
Get out
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