Acapulco, Mexico: A Place of Fun, Relaxation, and Natural Beauty

Acapulco is one of the world's most popular and prestigious tourist destinations. Few places for fun and relaxation can provide so much year-round. The stability of its pleasant climate, the permanent clearness of its waters, and its abundant beaches are now showing a new image as they are more illuminated and cleaner, making Acapulco a privileged center of world tourist geography.

Acapulco has beaches bathed by the Pacific and the Caribbean Sea, great natural reserves, archaeological sites, colonial cities, and modern urban centers. Mexico is ideal for good shopping, great food, and lots of fun. In Acapulco, you're sure to see for yourself. Its excellent services and marvelous natural beauties are capable of pleasing even the most discerning.

Acapulco is Mexico's largest and most eye-catching entertainment center. Its rhythm is that of a modern city that offers all kinds of activities characteristic of big cities.  Impressive hotel developments, exotic nightclubs, and world-class restaurants coexist with the beauty of the quiet, sun-drenched beaches and lush vegetation that surrounds one of the most beautiful bays on the Pacific.

With a beach of more than 7 kilometers long, it is famous for its mild climate and the quality of its tourist services, available to everyone. Here you will find a great variety of things to do for the whole family. Beaches, streets, hotels, amusement parks, nightclubs, and restaurants are some of the places where you can spend a pleasant time in a safe and fun-filled environment.

The main attraction of the bay is simply its location. Connected by 326 kilometers of superhighway, it is the closest beach to Mexico City. It has an international airport, where airlines from almost all over the world land.

Mexico is considered one of the countries that offer the greatest number of possibilities in terms of ecological tourist destinations in the western hemisphere. Acapulco offers points of interest for visitors who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of the port, without losing the comforts offered by this famous resort.

Surrounded by an extensive area of ecological zones that constitute the recharge of the aquifers of the place, it has varied species of birds and reptiles that inhabit a vast area of 3,160 hectares. For your enjoyment, this ecological zone has sites for picnics and horseback riding.

Weather like in Acapulco

In Acapulco, the rainy season is cloudy, the dry season is partly cloudy and it is very hot and oppressive throughout the year. During the year, the temperature generally varies from 21 °C to 32 °C and rarely drops below 18 °C or rises above 33 °C. The best time of year to visit Acapulco for hot activities is from late November to early May.

The hot season lasts 1.2 months, from May 13 to June 19, and the average daily maximum temperature is more than 32 °C (90 °F). The hottest month of the year in Acapulco is June, with an average maximum temperature of 32 °C and a minimum of 25 °C. The cool season lasts 3.5 months, from December 23 to April 6, and the average daily maximum temperature is less than 31 °C. The coldest month of the year in Acapulco is January, with an average minimum temperature of 21 °C and a maximum of 30 °C.

The probability of wet days in Acapulco varies very considerably during the year, with the wettest season lasting 4.5 months, from May 31 to October 14, with a probability of more than 34% that a certain day will be a wet day. The month with the wettest days in Acapulco is September, with an average of 18.8 days with at least 1 millimeter of precipitation. The driest season lasts 7.5 months, from October 14 to May 31. The month with the fewest wet days in Acapulco is April, with an average of 0.4 days with at least 1 millimeter of precipitation.

Getting to Acapulco

Acapulco is a place within the reach of all budgets and has an extensive network of communication routes: modern international airports, superhighways to important tourist destinations, and national and international maritime transportation. There are 3 ways to get to Acapulco, either by plane, bus or car.

Arriving by plane

From Mexico, you can fly to Acapulco from Mexico City or Guadalajara. You can also connect to Acapulco from several cities in the United States. The airport is 20 minutes southeast of central Acapulco. Ground transportation options, including cabs, car rental, and shuttle service, are available at the airport. The local shuttles will also take you into the city for an affordable price.

Arriving by bus

Buses run all day from Mexico City's Central de Autobuses del Sur to Acapulco's main bus station. The travel distance is approximately 180 miles and will take approximately five hours. There are two bus terminals in Acapulco; Estrella de Oro (the company that runs the very comfortable "Diamante" service to and from Mexico City) has a separate terminal a few blocks from the main station. You can book your tickets online in advance with Estrella de Oro. For detailed information on bus transportation, read Mexperience's guide to bus travel in Mexico.

Arriving by car

The trip to Acapulco by toll road from Mexico City is fast and efficient, taking approximately four hours. The toll road is Highway 95, the same highway taken by the first-class bus; a very scenic route that includes crossing the suspension bridge over the Balsas River, the largest of the four suspension bridges on the highway. There is a free route you can take as an alternative to the toll road, but this will inevitably be slower, and we recommend that you take the toll road for efficiency and safety.

Acapulco Hotels

Acapulco also offers diversity in accommodations. It has hotels for all tastes and to meet all kinds of needs. There are very modern hotels with a large number of rooms, suites, and villas. Most of them with ocean views and with television, cable, internet, mini-bars, and balconies. In short, all the amenities you can imagine. Some are located on the famous Costera Miguel Alemán or in strategic locations on the bay, where the view is truly a treat for your eyes.

Other hotels, very close to downtown, are nicely decorated buildings with a view of their beautiful swimming pools if you prefer to be close to the city. For those who come to the Port on business, there are hotels near the Convention Center that will help you enjoy your breaks and make the most of your time.

The most popular attractions in Acapulco

Acapulco's beautiful beaches, together with the unique and splendid panoramic view of its bay, are undoubtedly the best of its attractions. With more than twenty beaches that make up the bay and its surroundings, the variety of recreational possibilities is enormous.

There are those of extremely calm waters such as Caleta and Coletilla, Tamarindo, Dominguillo, Lo Angosta, Tlacoponocha, Manzanillo, Ensenada del Patal, Largo, Honda, Muelles, Roqueta Island and Puerto Marqués. Of the high and relatively dangerous waves, Pie de la Cuesta is one of the most spectacular. A variety of options makes the waters of Acapulco a paradise where you can practice sports such as diving, skiing, windsurfing, sailing, or go parasailing, rafting or yachting along this impressive coastline.

One of the most famous attractions in Acapulco is the spectacle of La Quebrada, a majestic cliff from where brave divers dive off the rocks into the sea. The show is most attractive during the night, as they throw themselves into the water with lighted torches. Another trip not to be forgotten is the one made by boat to the island of La Roqueta, where you can admire the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe under the water.

Other sites that deserve your attention are the picturesque Malecon, where the Carretela, a large horse-drawn vehicle, is the best place to take a tour, the unique Cathedral building, the Main Square, and the Guerrero Institute of Culture. The Convention Center has the most modern facilities such as the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theater, the Ecumenical Chapel of La Paz, and the Son Diego Fortress, which is now known as the Historical Museum of Acapulco, which shows the historical aspects of the Port.

Acapulco also offers entertainment centers and facilities for practicing various sports such as golf courses, tennis courts, and Papagayo Park, which has amusement rides. The CICI recreational center offers many attractions such as its dolphin and seal show, aquarium, artificial wave pool, water slide, giant slide, shopping area, auditorium, and other services.

For those who love hiking, the excursion to the Cerro del Veladero, located in the National Park of the same name, is recommended, where the ascent to the summit will take about 3 hours; the Laguna de Tres Palos, where you can go hunting and fishing; the beautiful Coyuca Lagoon, which is located in the lake of the same name; and the Sabana, an archeological zone with vast deposits of Tlahuica ceramic beads.

For all that, no one has forgotten that Acapulco is the ideal place for its nightlife, its contagious hustle and bustle at night, and its excellent entertainment centers. You can find the best nightclubs in the country for your amusement. The big hotels have lobby bars with live music.

Acapulco Beaches

Acapulco is famous for its beaches bathed in the sun and charm. Each has its personality. If you prefer a calm, family-friendly sea, visit Caleta and Caletilla, where the Nuevo Mágico Mundo Marino, a marine exhibit center, is located. On Roqueta Island you can snorkel and visit a zoo of exotic species. La Condesa, Playa Hornos, and Puerto Marqués are beaches with moderate waves that you can also visit with the whole family.

El Revolcadero is one of the most beautiful and exotic beaches in the area. Located outside the bay, it offers its tempestuous open ocean waves for the amusement of visitors who prefer to practice more exciting activities such as surfing. Coyuca Lagoon is an exotic estuary, notorious for its tropical vegetation, wildlife, and small islets.

Shopping in Acapulco

The Miguel Aleman waterfront is where most of the stores, boutiques, and commercial centers are located, where not only do they offer typical articles of the port, such as necklaces, ashtrays, rings, and various items made with seashells and marine pearls, but also gold and silverware: necklaces, ashtrays, rings and various ornaments made with shells and shellfish, but also gold jewelry, items made of mace, deco, leather and powdered wood, saddlery, pottery, textiles, Taxco silver, cashmere hats, and Saltillo shells, among other things.

The main places where you can get a handicraft item are Mercado de Artesanías, Noa Noa, Mercado de Artesanías El Pueblito, Mercado Villa Artesanal, and Taxco Viejo; handicraft stores of the Government of the State of Guerrero, and for those who have not had the opportunity to buy a souvenir and travel by plane, they will find the handicraft shops at the airport.

Acapulco's modern shopping malls offer all kinds of stores and boutiques in an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. Stroll along the Coastal Promenade in search of souvenirs and visit the shopping areas of the luxurious hotels. Acapulco is recognized as a leader in high-quality summer clothing.

Several Mexican and international designers have boutiques in the port, with the latest of their exclusive designs. You can also buy silver articles and jewelry, handcrafted jewelry, leather accessories, shoes, and the curious mother-of-pearl ashtrays.

Things to do around Acapulco

Once you have enjoyed all the natural beauties and opportunities to enjoy the lure offered by the astonishing port of Acapulco, we recommend that you visit other sites and locations that will also win you over.

Barra Viejo: Approximately 40 km south of Acapulco we find this place, where you can enjoy sensational freshly caught fish.

Coyuca de Benítez: located 35 km northwest of Acapulco along the federal highway 200, it is famous for its beauty and extensive lagoon, where you can take a pleasant boat trip to visit its small islands known as La Montosa, Los Pájaros, La Pelona, and El Presidio.

San Marcos: located 66 km west of Acapulco, on the federal highway 200. The popular San Marcos songs have made this town internationally famous. In the surrounding area is Laguna Tecomota, a water reservoir where you can enjoy a variety of water sports.

Ayotla: is located 74 km northwest of the previous town on the federal highway 200, where the Plan of Ayola was signed in 1854 to combat the dictatorship of General Santo Anna, and where the local artisans make machetes with engraved legends and silver pieces. Near this locality, you can visit El Tabacaco and Chizutengo Lake, ideal for practicing sports such as sailing.

Acapulco's festivities and traditions

The most important festivals where the port of Acapulco becomes colorful are the annual competition of sailfish, the world championship of dowsing in La Quebrada, and the carnival on Tuesday, which can take place in February or March, there are parade floats and a flower fight. The celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12, where the little seas are lit and there is a pilgrimage by boat to the Yerba Buena Island, where the divers deposit floral offerings to the foot of the submerged Virgin.

Typical food and drink in Acapulco

Eating in Acapulco means much more than just enjoying a good meal. Its international character with Polynesian, Italian, French, Japanese, etc., allows it to offer a wide range of local and foreign dishes, always accompanied by an appropriate atmosphere. The port dresses up to receive its guests. It has small and cozy spaces that call for romanticism and delight the senses.

Exquisite dishes, finely prepared and with the exact ingredients, await to please the most demanding palate. There are also more modest places in Acapulco where you can go with your children at any time of the day and order fast food to take away, with the assurance that you will be kindly served.

Acapulco is the traditional beach center in Mexico with the largest number of restaurants in the country, and although it is famous for its fresh seafood, you can also enjoy international dishes from all over the country, including the typical Guerrero food, which will take you on a gastronomic journey worth remembering.

The menu includes among other things: fish head broth al la Guerrero, small bites from Puerto Marques, fish tamale with yerba santo, ceviche a la Acapulco, octopus in vinegar a la costa chica, pozole verde, beef tongue in stew Petatlan style, Creole carbonada, prepared with ground beef and pork, different chilies, beans, and squash; tlemole pot, coastal aporreadillo, iguanas in garlic chili, clams with chorizo, calamari stuffed with bread crumbs, fish fillet in güero marinade.

If your palate craves dessert or sweets, we recommend tasting the guayaizote made from izote flower, traxcalá, puff pastries, cuajoda tamales, tropical rice pudding, and the cajitas, which are regional bread from Teloloapan. As for drinks, you can try the chichihuilco and petaquillas made with mezcal and sangre de baco, prepared with wild grapes from the region.

Nightlife in Acapulco

Acapulco offers a movie-like nightlife. It is perhaps the colorful marquees of the bars and lounges that have illuminated the nocturnal charm of its exciting nights and have spread its legendary fame throughout the world. The clubs, lounges, and bars open their doors and design their spaces and music for young and old, with the only slogan of having a good time. Many of them have a panoramic view of the bay, which is colorful thanks to its lights, fireworks, and laser beams.

Nightlife starts late and lasts until the next day. It has as a backdrop the light of the stars or the moon. You can then walk along the boardwalk or enjoy the festive spirit of the port, accompanied by the sea breeze, or get into different worlds of fun in any of its night establishments. During the summer and on weekends, it is best to make sure that there is space at the desired site, so it is best to make reservations in advance, from the comfort of your hotel.

Sports in Acapulco

Acapulco has the natural resources and ideal facilities for the practice of many and varied sports, including golf, tennis, and above all, water sports. Its calm waters are the ideal setting for any type of sea sport. Lovers of sportfishing will find in Acapulco's seas an ideal environment to carry out their conquests.

Another popular water sport in the port is scuba diving; Piedra Elefante and Piedra de Hierbabuena are two very good places to practice this sport. Water skiing and snorkeling are other sports that can be practiced in the bay; in addition, in the Coyuca Lagoon, it is a delight to practice skiing.

Business in Acapulco

Acapulco is the perfect place to conduct any type of business. Its high-quality hotel facilities put at your disposal luxury rooms to hold congresses and conventions of the highest level. You will also have at your disposal telephone lines, faxes, computers, copiers, and all kinds of office equipment to support your business activities.

The Acapulco International Center has the appropriate facilities and trained personnel to attend business meetings, industrial fairs, and first-class events. Acapulco's charm is the ideal resource to entertain clients with its bars and restaurants, where you will find the appropriate environment for your business meals.

Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy Acapulco full of magic that will captivate you all the time. You will enjoy a unique experience.

Services in Acapulco

In Acapulco, you will find restaurants, bars, and nightclubs for sophisticated diners and tourists eager for constant entertainment. There are postal, internet, and telephone services, medical services, golf courses, tennis courts, yacht clubs, and all the facilities for water sports, as well as an international airport and bus terminal. Let yourself be tempted by Acapulco which has everything for everyone. Let Acapulco win you over.