Downtown & Old Acapulco

This is the traditional heart of the city, noted for its bustling seaside promenade, main square, San Diego Fort, Aquarium and world-famous La Quebrada Cliffs.

The downtown area has the clamor and excitement of a tropical harbor, but the area may not appeal to everyone due to its bustling tempo and seaport unsightliness. The zocalo, or main square, is a pretty, tree-shaded plaza teeming with activity. It faces one of Mexico’s more unusual churches, Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, with its stark white exterior and two bulb-shaped, blue and yellow tiled spires. It looks more Russian Orthodox than Roman Catholic.

It´s a short walk to historic San Diego Fort. Perched on a hill overlooking the harbor, the fort was built in 1616, then rebuilt in its present configuration following a massive earthquake in 1776. The Fort was the staging area for the loading and unloading of the Manila Fleet and served to protect the lucrative trade link from Dutch and English pirates.

The Fort is a classic five-point fortress surrounded by a moat. A fascinating museum (Spanish/English signage) is housed within the fort's original hallways. Displays focus on the cultural exchange between Asia and the Old World, with exquisite, rare relics on exhibit (open Tues.-Sun., 9:30AM -6:30PM).

The sprawling Municipal Market was destroyed by fire in 1996. It was rebuilt and re-opened in late 1997.

You'll also want to see Caleta and Caletilla Beaches, two picturesque coves. This is the historic residential heart of the city with many palatial homes. It is where Acapulco got its start and then spread southward. The beaches here tend to be crowded on weekends.

Between these two placid coves is the new Mágico Mundo Marino aquarium. It combines indoor and outdoor marine exhibits with a pool, two water slides, a restaurant, scuba lessons, snorkeling equipment rentals and family fun. Admission is about $6 U.S. for adults, $3.30 for children (tel. 831215). Caleta Beach is where you can hire a skiff to whisk you across to Isla Roqueta. The five-minute boat ride to the island costs about $2.75 U.S. per person. There you will find the world's only island zoo, gentle waters, good snorkeling and the Palao Restaurant.

Another fascinating downtown attraction is the Casa Dolores Olmedo, where artist Diego Rivera spent 18 months creating a 60 ft. long mural of tiles, seashells and stones.

At sensational La Quebrada, site of the famous cliff divers’ performance. Since 1934 this has been one of Mexico's featured attractions. The divers leap from cliffs 136 feet above the crashing Pacific, landing in an 11 ft. deep inlet. There are five perfomances daily, including four evening shows, perfomed with divers carrying torches-an unforgettable spectacle. Best viewing is from the La Perla Nightclub at the cliffside Mirador Hotel.

Pie de La Cuesta and Coyuca Lagoon

6 mi. west of the city, is beloved for its rustic, palm-lined beach and dreamy sunsets. The nearby lagoon is an exotic "Tarzan-meets-Jane" estuary noted for its tropical vegetation, wildlife and tiny islands.

To take a break from the activity of downtown and the resort circuit, take a taxi or bus to the open stretch of Pacific Ocean beach known as Pie de la Cuesta, a long sandbar resting between the crashing Pacific Ocean on one side and scenic Coyuca Lagoon on the other. The main draw is the area's flaming tropical sunsets. Grab a hammock, order a cool one and relax. Coconut gin is the specialty.

Coyuca Lagoon offers boat tours, excellent water skiing and exotic wildlife. Freshwater fishing is quite good here. "Rambo II" was partially filmed at the lagoon along with some early Tarzan movies and a few scenes from "African Queen." There are several restaurants in the area.

There is a new all-inclusive excursion to the Coyuca area. Travel by boat along jungle-shrouded canals, enjoy lunch at Isla de los Pájaros, and finish with a mud bath!

The "Costera" Resort Zone

The resort’s main boulevard (6 miles long) is home to most of Acapulco´s hotels, shopping, nightlife and dining. This palm-lined, four lane highway is shadowed by dozens of towering hotels, condos and apartment buildings. Behind the Costera, Acapulco slopes upward into the rugged hills that surround the bay.

COSTERA: This attractively landscaped, yet very urban boulevard, is where Acapulco earned its reputation as Mexico´s original party town. Countless restaurants - from fast food to gourmet - and bars - from quiet to uproarious- keep the action going 24-hours a day. There’s plenty of shopping here (souvenirs, art galleries, clothing boutiques, even Wal-Mart!) as well as family attractions.

PARADISE ON CONDESA BEACH: this new facility features a “swim with dolphins” program, bungee jumping and a full-service beach club.

PAPAGAYO PARK: A 52-acre playland and one of the best parks in Mexico for family fun, there are of carnival rides, a replica of a Manila galleon, a wonderful aviary and meandering tree-lined paths.

CiCi: A childrens’ water park, there are also dolphin and seal shows, a water slide and an enormous pool area with "wave machine".

GUERRERO CULTURAL CENTER: Located next to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the center has a small archaeological museum and gallery with changing art displays.

CENTRO INTERNACIONAL ACAPULCO: this is a 35-acre state-of-the-art convention center that hosts Mexico’s annual Tianguis Trade Show. Fiesta Mexicana with Ballet Folklórico performance, including dinner, is held here on Wednesdays at 7:15PM (Mondays during winter season). Tel. (74) 847050.

Puerto Marquéz & Revolcadero Beach

To the southeast, between the airport and town, you'll find pretty Puerto Marqués, a lovely bay of white sand beaches surrounded by jungle-clad mountains. Just south are the seemingly endless open-ocean beaches.

PUERTO MARQUES: A tranquil bay that used to get lost beside the sheer grandeur of neighboring Acapulco Bay, the bay and its southem peninsula are the sites of the new Punta Diamante development. Today visitors come to lounge on the bay’s pretty beach where dozens of restaurants line the shore.

REVOLCADERO BEACH: This wide swath of white sand lined with tropical plantations and palm groves is a beach comber´s delight with its open-ocean surf and long untouched stretches of sand. Four fine 18-hole golf courses are nearby.

Other Things To Do

Bay Cruises

Several operators offer daytime and evening excursions around scenic Acapulco Bay and nearby Puerto Marqués. Day cruises point out some of the interesting sites, such as the mansion where JFK spent his honeymoon. Dinner cruises include live salsa music and dancing.

DINING & NIGHT LIFE

Acapulco really comes to life after sunset, and dining in Acapulco is an event. Some of Mexico's best Interntional and local cuisine is served around the Bay.

Choose from upscale restaurants or go casual at one of Acapulco’s plentiful, fun-filled bistros. Acapulco is a party town, with the festivities often starting at happy hour and lasting until dawn.

While dining is generally informal, shorts and jeans are not recommended at dinner. Finer restaurants are on the expensive side, with dinner for two costing $70 U.S. and up. There are dozens of moderately priced spots that serve excellent food as well as a variety of American junk food outlets.

NIGHT LIFE

Acapulco’s non-stop night life is legendary, and disco-hopping takes center stage. There is no place in the world that can rival Acapulco for sophisticated, dazzling discos. Many feature heavenly bay views, fireworks, and laser shows.