Acapulco has long been considered to be Mexico’s most glamorous resorts. Newer developments have surpassed Acapulco in popularity, but in many ways it remains the “Queen of the Mexican Riviera.” Acapulco is also a major port and a fast-growing city of 1.5 million people.
Located on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Guerrero, Acapulco boasts a spectacular natural setting. The city follows the curve of sweeping Acapulco Bay and is backed by the rugged Sierra Madre mountains. At least 20 beaches line the bay, offering visitors opportunities for enjoying just about every water sport imaginable.
Most of Acapulco’s glittering high-rise hotels, restaurants, and night clubs line the eastern stretches of La Costera, a broad thoroughfare hugging the shores of Acapulco Bay. To the west lies Old Acapulco, which has a traditional Spanish main square or Zocalo with a bandstand and mosque-like cathedral. In front of the Zocalo fisherman still mend their nets on the beach, and at nearby La Quebrada, Acapulco’s famous cliff divers leap into churning waves over 130 feet below.
West of the main square stands Fuerte de San Diego, a pentagon-shaped Spanish fortress dating back to the 17th century. This restored fort now houses the Museo Historico de Acapulco, a museum displaying artifacts from Acapulco’s colonial days as well as opulent furniture and textiles from the Orient. At night, a rousing sound at light show at the fort brings 400 years of Acapulco’s romantic past back to life.
Near San Diego Fort is the Mercado de Artesanias, Acapulco’s main open-air market. Mexican handicrafts and souvenirs of all kinds cram vendors’ stalls, and bargaining is de rigor. High in the hills overlooking downtown sits one of Acapulco’s newest and most unusual cultural attractions, the Palma Sola Archaeological Site in El Veladero Ecological Park. Here, trails lead through scrubby vegetation to huge boulders covered in petroglyphs left behind by Acapulco’s original inhabitants.
For nature lovers, there is Laguna Coyoca, situated a few miles northwest of the city. This large freshwater lagoon harbors many species of birds, and the area’s easygoing atmosphere offers respite from glitzy downtown Acapulco.
Prepared by John Mitchell
