Bygone heydays of the Pacific Pearl’s old side

In its heyday, when Acapulco was the place for Hollywood stars and other members of the global jet-set to visit, the fancy places were on the old side. Some exploration around the old Acapulco goes a fair way to explaining why this was so. Acapulco Diamante is essentially flat —hence the airport— while on the other side are most of the natural attractions.

The Marina is in old Acapulco, set inside in the most protected part of the world-famous bay. The beaches of Caleta and Caletilla, now a bit seedy, are coves perfectly protected from the ocean by La Roqueta island. The island itself has several inlets which offer good places for snorkeling, and a ferry takes you there from Caleta.

Cliff divers and fine ocean views

On the same side of the bay is La Quebrada, where the famous Acapulco rock divers perform twice a day: once around lunchtime, and again in the evening, after sunset.

And up the hill from Caleta is the hotel Los Flamingos, where the so-called Hollywood gang hung out. A visit to the hotel, of which the Casa Tarzan is the main suite, provides insight to the reasons for its popularity back then.

The hotel looks out over some spectacular cliffs to the Pacific Ocean, and if no one is renting the suite, it’s possible to look it over, and wander down the path to the ledge for viewing.

Los Flamingos is no longer what would be considered a luxury hotel, but it has some of the finest ocean views anywhere. The lobby offers visitors a nostalgic look back to an era now long passed, its walls covered with pictures of Johnny Weissmuller, John Wayne, and other movie stars who bought the hotel in the 1950s as a get-away haven.

The restaurant-bar —which is open to the public— also has tables looking out over the ocean, and is an ideal place to spend a late afternoon watching the sun set over the sea while taking some refreshment.

In the distance is Pie de la Cuesta, known for its ferocious waves, sunset views, and beach-side restaurants specializing in ceviche—a marinated fish prepared using lime juice.

Wherever you stay in Acapulco, a visit to these sights is well worth the time.

Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover places to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

The most popular places to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.

Emerging locations to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of interest present there.

Underexplored locations to live in Mexico

Discover places that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally ‘off-the-beaten-path’ for most foreigners considering Mexico for living and retirement. These places can offer attractions that may be of interest to some potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

In an era long past, when the Sanborns downtown was one of the few establishments — aside from hotels — with decent air conditioning, and a place to duck in out of the midday heat, the vendors of cloth hats, stuffed turtles (now a definite no-no), embroidered linen clothes, bathing suits, silverware, and ornaments cut from coconuts were part of the attraction of being somewhere more or less exotic.

Vendors with a smattering of English—starting out with “where are you from?”—would ply their language skills to advantage, perhaps explaining why the price being asked for the same obsidian stone set in silver was twice what it had been offered for the previous day by a rival hawker of jewelry. “Ah señor, this stone was in the ground for many more years, this is the real obsidian.” An added touch to this could be that the seller knew the other vendor — his cousin perhaps — who wouldn’t think twice about fobbing-off on unsuspecting tourists an inferior quality product.

Nowadays, instead of people milling through the markets, it’s more common to see people walking past without so much as a glance at the wares, even pretending not to hear the invitation so look “sin compromiso,” no obligation to buy.

The explanation isn’t that far away. And it’s not so much the sneaking suspicion that many of the Mexico theme T-shirts and caps, tequila glasses, and mugs might have been made in China.

The reason often lies right next door in one of the modern malls that crop up with some regularity. Clothing stores with permanent end-of-season sales, stands selling “all natural” ice cream, fast-food courts, Starbucks coffee shops, and the inevitable multi-hall cinemas.

Tourists and locals alike can be found here, browsing the racks, surfing the web on the free WiFi, or texting on their smartphones, waiting for the next movie to start.

The idea of buying something quaint just because you are on holiday remains, but the malls would appear to be taking natural customers from the street markets.

And while the vendors with portable goods continue to traipse along the beaches, offering sunbathers anything from wooden sculptures to coconut oil and hair braiding, could the traditional street market could end up being a casualty of the times, an anachronism, a thing of the past?

This celebrity resort is known as the ‘Pearl of the Pacific’ and is one of the most visited vacation spots in Mexico. Acapulco is one of the world’s iconic destinations.  This port city on the Pacific was the favored destination of the Jet-Set during the 1970s and 1980s, and while they and their old neighborhoods are now part of a bygone era, Acapulco retains its original character, charm, and atmosphere that has made it a world-famous resort destination for decades.  For visitors who want a more contemporary beach resort experience, the new Diamante area of town —situated further south along the coast and close the city’s airport— is an ideal way to experience a more refined and up-scale vacation.

Acapulco fell out of favor with tourists in the late 80s and early 90s, but is now experiencing something of a renaissance. After the 1997 hurricane that struck Acapulco, the government invested over a billion dollars to rebuild infrastructure, clean up the bay, and improve local services. This new investment has made Acapulco a more accessible and more pleasant coastal resort to enjoy.

The view across the bay remains one of the most spectacular cove-views anywhere in the world.  When the sun sets, views from Pie de la Cuesta (see Key Attractions, below) are some of the best you’ll see anywhere on Mexico’s Pacific coast.  At night, when the lights come on and the bay glitters, Acapulco’s downtown district comes to life in bars, discos and restaurants along the main avenue that runs along the beachfront.

Acapulco is a big resort —you won’t see it all in just one visit— and it’s quite spread out.  There are various options available for getting around Acapulco effectively, and you’ll find these listed below in the Getting There and Around section.

For all its contrasts, and change in fashions and fortunes over the years, Acapulco still has two things going for it that few other coast resorts can lay claim to: first, everyone has heard of Acapulco—its fame is almost universal and, secondly, it still has one of the most stunning bay views offered by any coastal resort.

Acapulco is full of energy, vibrancy, and color.  If it’s the beach party of your life that you’re looking to experience, then Acapulco has the capability to deliver the goods to you in style.  Conversely, people arriving to enjoy Acapulco’s attractive climate, its great beaches, famed attractions and surroundings and who want a place to get away from the nightlife (either afterwards or permanently) the newer, more cultured and upscale Acapulco Diamante area, situated to the southeast of the city, is the place to go.

If you’re looking for a wild week or weekend, then stay at one of the resorts in the near the city’s center along the coast to be closer to the night life. If you’re looking for more culture, a refined resort style and relaxation then stay instead in the Acapulco Diamante area and enjoy one of its first-class resorts.

Key Attractions

Main Activities

Besides sunbathing, swimming, resting and partying, Acapulco can be host to a wealth of activities, including:

• Diving and Snorkeling
• Jet Skiing
• Power-boating
• Fishing
• River Rafting on Rio Papagayo
• Golf

More Information: See our guide to Nature and Adventure in Mexico for full details and local contacts.

Cliff Divers at La Quebrada

This spectacle is one of Acapulco’s most famous attractions. Some believe that a visit to Acapulco might be incomplete if you missed the world-famous cliff dives at La Quebrada (“The Break”).

At La Quebrada, divers plunge off cliffs some 130 feet high into a cove that is only safe to dive in when the wave comes in. Wrong timing would result in a fatal fall.

Dives are scheduled at 1 pm, and in hours of darkness at 7 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm, 10:30 pm. At night the divers carry torches to light their descent which is quite a spectacle in its own right.

Dives may be viewed from balconies near the cove for a small entrance fee. Alternatively, there is a hotel nearby, called El Mirador, which has a Restaurant-Bar called La Perla. You can watch the divers while eating your meal or if you buy a drink at the bar.

Some people take a boat trip to La Quebrada, drop anchor, and watch the divers from there; most of the boats are privately owned although if you wanted to see the divers from this perspective you could hire a boat and crew.

Pie de la Cuesta

Pie de la Cuesta is about six miles northwest of Acapulco’s center and consists of a strip of land with the Pacific ocean on one side and a freshwater lake (Laguna de Coyuca) on the other.

This location is quiet and serene in comparison to the center of Acapulco. If you want to swim, swim in the lake—the sea here is dangerous, and people have been killed in the surf. Other popular activities on the lagoon include boating and water skiing. You can hire the equipment locally.

Pie de la Cuesta has a lot of seafood restaurants on the beach side, and there’s a good reason for that: The sunset here is spectacular!

If you want to stay in this area (close to Acapulco proper, but far enough away to get some peace and tranquility) there are several places to stay nearby.

Parque Papagayo

This is a large amusement and activities park, which also leads to two beaches: Playa Hornos and Playa Hornitos. Its features include a lake with paddle boats for rent, a roller-skating rink, a fair with mechanical rides, an animal enclosure and aviary and a pathway (circular circuit) which is over one km in length — good if you like a morning run. There is no admission charge to enter the park and it’s open from 6 am to 8 pm daily. The mechanical rides open later between 4 pm and 11 pm.

Local Cruises

If you want to see Acapulco Bay from the sea, during the day, at sunset, or at night, you can take a cruise on one of the many boats offering tours of the bay from the Malecón, which is near the center of town.

Swimming with Dolphins

If you’d like to experience the sensation of swimming with a dolphin, you can in Acapulco. There are two places to do this: the CICI (International Center) Water Park or Condesa Beach. See Also: Swimming with the Dolphins in Mexico

Sports Fishing Experiences

Acapulco is one of Mexico’s top destinations for sports fishing.
See Also: Sports Fishing in Mexico.

Golf in Acapulco

Acapulco is becoming more and more popular with golfers; they arrive here for good weather and great golf courses.

Mexican Tennis Open

Acapulco also plays host every year to the Mexican Tennis Open, which attracts a number of world class players. The tournament is usually held in February.

Getting There & Around

By Air – From Mexico, you can fly to Acapulco from Mexico City or Guadalajara. You can also connect to Acapulco from various cities in the USA. The airport is 20 minutes south-east of Acapulco’s central area. Ground transportation options, including taxis, car rentals and shuttles, are available from the airport. Local colectivos will also take you into town for an affordable price. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – Buses run all day from Mexico City’s Central de Autobuses del Sur to Acapulco’s main bus station. The journey distance is about 180 miles and will take about five hours. There are two bus terminals in Acapulco; Estrella de Oro (the company which runs the very comfortable “Diamante” (Diamond) 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 about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – The drive to Acapulco on the toll road from Mexico City is fast and efficient, taking about four hours. The Toll Road is Highway 95 – the same one the first-class bus takes; a very scenic route that includes driving across the suspension bridge over the Río Balsas, the largest of four suspension bridges on the highway. There is a free road you can take as an alternative to the toll highway, but this will inevitably be slower, and we recommend you take the toll road for efficiency and safety. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico’s provincial towns and cities — including its beach locations and the scenery and attractions nearby them — consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

Local Buses – These are frequent and plentiful, but do tend to be a bit rickety. They are a very economical means of getting around locally and will take you anywhere you want to go in the Acapulco bay area.

Taxis – Taxis in most of Mexico’s beachside towns and cities are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Local Events Calendar

Easter Holiday (Semana Santa) – This is Acapulco’s busiest time of year. People who live in Mexico City empty out of it and one of their favorite destinations during Easter is Acapulco. All kinds of special events are laid on at this time of year – your hotel will have details. Note: Reserve early for this season.

Film Festivals – The Festival de Cine Frances (French Film Festival) and Festival de Cine Negro (Black Film Festival) are held here in late November and early June respectively.

Virgen de Guadalupe – On December 11th in Acapulco a festival begins to celebrate the Virgin, Mexico’s patron saint, with parties and street processions taking place on December 11th and 12th.

Expo-Acapulco – is an established commercial/industrial conference. Its prime function is to attract investment to Acapulco. The conference takes place late December thru early January. Connect to the Guide to Doing Business in Mexico for information about business culture in Mexico.

Acapulco Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico page on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: You’ll find Banks with ATM machines throughout Acapulco; even some hotels have them now. During business hours they and Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Safety: Acapulco’s tides can be dangerous – its undercurrents can be particularly strong, and they claim lives every year from people who ignore the warnings. If you see a Red or Black Flag on the beach – it is NOT safe to swim – stay out of the water. Yellow flags signify caution; White or Green flags indicate that swimming is safe.

What to Buy in Acapulco

Acapulco is not the greatest place to buy Mexican arts and crafts as it is mainly a town designed for vacations, seaside relaxation and dancing and partying the night away. However, there are shops and markets in Acapulco where you can buy an assortment of Mexican mementos as well as practical goods for your trip.

Local Climate

Acapulco’s climate is hot and very humid – perfect for the seaside. Average temperatures hover around 80F, with high humidity levels all year round. The town boasts sunshine nearly every day of the year. The rainy season here is between June and October, although downpours tend to be reasonably brief and occur in the late afternoon / early evening.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico

The bugs were always versatile vehicles, and particularly useful in their hey-day as taxis for short hauls around town. In Mexico City, they have been gradually replaced over the years by newer sub-compacts, and App-Cab services like Uber have also contributed to transforming the entire taxi-ride experience.

VW bugs, it is well known, last for years and years. So where are they all going?

The answer appears to be the provinces. The thousands of combis that used to supply most of Mexico City’s “collective” taxi routes can still very occasionally be seen in some smaller towns (although these, too, have been largely replaced by new-style vehicles), and likewise, VW bugs can still be seen as taxi cabs in some places.

Acapulco still has a few of the VW taxis buzzing up and down the main coast road, but the place for which the bug is particularly well suited is colonial Taxco, an old silver mining town in Guerrero state that’s still the country’s best-known place for buying silver handicrafts, even though there is only limited silver mining there now.

Taxco is built on the side of a mountain, with its main square and famous Santa Prisca church at the top. Access is along some very narrow, steep, cobbled roads, many of which are two-way traffic but only really wide enough for a single file of cars. This is where the bug comes into its own: not only able to squeeze in and out through very small gaps in the traffic, but also able to handle the sharp climbs as well as any four-by-four, so not surprisingly most of the taxis in town are VWs.

It’s hard to see what could replace them in Taxco.