Acapulco (Mexico) is a city that delights! Mexican kaleidoscope: from Acapulco to Cancun Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
Acapulco (Pearl of the Pacific) is a resort created by favorable nature. Two magnificent bays, an amazing natural environment, warm beaches with palm trees growing on them - all this makes Acapulco the best city in a tropical paradise. The port city of Acapulco is the famous night capital of Mexico, a city of entertainment, shows, casinos and restaurants. The center of Acapulco's tourist life is the Pie de la Cuesta lagoon with excellent beaches and restaurants on the northern outskirts of the city.
It was thanks to Acapulco that in the 60s Mexico appeared on the tourist map of the world. The grandfather of Mexican resorts still successfully competes with the best of them. If Cancun is the most European of the resorts in Mexico, then Acapulco has managed to preserve its unique Mexican flavor.
Acapulco annually attracts millions of tourists with its heavenly climate, white beaches, fantastic nightlife and fabulous beauty of the bay (Acapulco Bay is one of the four most beautiful bays in the world).
The climate in Acapulco is even throughout the year with average monthly temperatures (26-28°C), absolute minimum +16 °C, maximum +37 °C. The dry season is from October to May.
Since the fifties, Acapulco has been a favorite refuge of stars, and not just Hollywood ones. Elizabeth Taylor and Madonna, Frank Sinatra and Engelbert Humperdinck, Placido Domingo and Julio Iglesias, as well as Baron Rothschild, Henry Kissinger and many others appeared here periodically. Recently, a stream of ordinary tourists has been added to the starfall (about 600 thousand Americans alone come annually).
Acapulco has an airport, a shopping center, and a yacht club. A modern highway connects the resort with Mexico City.
The hotel infrastructure is extremely developed and meets the highest world standards.
Acapulco is the most popular resort among Mexicans. Many Mexican residents come here for the weekend. This is where the nightlife is concentrated and where the best restaurants, nightclubs and casinos are located. The port is also located here - typically noisy for a tropical town. And the best beaches now lie away from the center.
Advantages of the resort
What attracts tourists to Acapulco? We list only the main advantages of the resort.
Weather. According to statistics, there are 360 sunny days a year.
Beaches. Over 20 miles of superb beaches form an integral part of the city itself.
Water sports. The calm waters of Acapulco Bay provide ideal conditions for diving, water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, fishing and most other water sports.
Fishing in coastal waters. The abundance of striped marlin and Pacific sailfish guarantees good luck even for the amateur. As for fishing masters, local instructors promise them big fish in eight cases out of ten. Large by Acapulco standards - from two and a half to three meters!
Shopping. From boutiques and expensive malls to artisan shops where you can buy cheap silver jewelry and other goods made by the skilled hands of Mexicans.
When is the best time to go?
The best time to holiday in Mexico is the end of December and all of January, when the country's coasts experience dry, warm weather with temperatures of 25-30 °C.
Attractions
The city was founded in the 16th century; during the colonial era it was an important transit point on the Asian road - the trade route from Spain to the countries of Southeast Asia. The city has preserved the San Diego fortress (XVII-XVIII centuries).
In the historical center of the city is the Zocalo Municipal Square, where you can see the beautiful Cathedral de la Soledad.
The city has a water amusement park, the colorful Fiesta Mexican show is regularly held, and boat trips along the coast are organized.
The city hosts a unique show. Professional jumpers dive one after another from a 20-meter height into a narrow bay where the depth does not exceed three and a half meters. The most dangerous, final jump is from a 35-meter cliff. The record-breaking trick is demonstrated several times a day: once at 13.00 - a convenient time for photography, but very hot, and three or four times in the evening, at sunset, in the beams of spotlights.
From the beach, you can hire a fishing boat or a glass-bottom boat and go to the resort island of Roqueta, where there is an extensive zoo (animals roam in elaborate pens), or to the Peninsula de las Playas, to the altar of the Virgin of Guadalupe lying at the bottom.
Beaches
On the shores of a beautiful natural bay there are more than 20 municipal beaches to suit every taste (all beaches are open and have free entry). The best places for swimming are the beaches of Caleta, Pi de la Cuesta and Caletilla in the Old Acapulco area, as well as the fashionable Condesa Beach. Due to the strong surf, few people swim in Condesa - here they prefer to beat the heat, from time to time going up to the hotels and cooling off in the pools. After six in the evening, hotels are not responsible for their guests who go down to the ocean. On the beaches of Caleta, in the Old Acapulco area, the ocean is calm: there are always a lot of swimmers, mostly locals.
Nightlife
Nightlife. Acapulco has no equal here - more than 160 restaurants, hundreds of bars, and disco clubs with tequila and salsa music do not let anyone get bored. Acapulco's famous nightlife, with its sea of lights, revolves around its world-famous nightclubs and discos.
Acapulco is a port city in Mexico, which in the mid-20th century became a favorite resort for Hollywood stars.
Along with the growth of popularity, new hotels began to appear in it like mushrooms after rain, casinos were built and closed beaches expanded. As a legacy from its golden years, it received many elite restaurants, nightclubs, large gambling establishments and the world fame of another city that never sleeps. Top-tier movie stars vacation here to this day, but wealthy Mexicans and tourists from all over the world are increasingly coming here. The most popular beaches of the resort are located in the bay of the same name, which, thanks to its snow-white sands and blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, is among the best in the world.
In history, Acapulco is often mentioned as the second port city of New Spain, located at the intersection of the main trade routes of the colonialists. Before the expansion of Mexico by the conquistadors, there was a settlement of Indians from the Yopi tribe, and even then the city bore its current name, which came from the name of the hero of one of the Indian legends. Once upon a time, a young man Acatl (translated as “sugar cane”) lived in the bay; he was the son of one of the leaders of the tribe. Fate played a cruel joke on him - one day while on a hike he saw a girl and fell in love with her at first sight. He later found out that her name was Quitil (translated as “rain, hurricane”), and that she was the princess of a hostile tribe. Of course, they were not given the chance to be together.
The grief-stricken young man went to the pier and cried so bitterly that his tears were enough for a whole pond. The girl also suffered for a long time and became a cloud. One day, flying over the place where her lover lived, she learned of his death. Quitl became furious and hit the settlement like a hurricane, completely destroying it, but upon reaching the bay, she calmed down and disappeared - the souls of the lovers were finally reunited. This is how the name Acapulco appeared - “the place of the destroyed reeds.”
By the way, few people know, but this Mexican city is the birthplace of the most popular Margarita cocktail.
According to history, once a wealthy lady from Texas named Margarita Seymes threw a party here at her villa, where she invited the most eminent guests. The highlight of the evening was Ms. Seims' signature tequila-based cocktail. Among the guests of the party was Tommy Hilton, the owner of the hotel chain of the same name, who realized that the new cocktail had great potential, and less than a year later, Margarita became the bestseller of all drinking establishments on the southern coast of the continent.
Acapulco today is the entertainment capital of Mexico, with a heavenly climate and stunning scenery, where millions of tourists from all over the world arrive every year, eager for relaxation and fun.
Cathedral of Lady Solitude
The Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is the main religious building of Acapulco, which is located in the central Zocalo square, in the old town area.
It’s hard to believe, but at the beginning of the 20th century the building began to be built as a cinema, and only later, after laying the foundation, the project was changed. By 1930, a cathedral named after Madonna Soledad, “Our Lady of Solitude,” already stood here, ready to open. Among the people, the building received a simple name - the Cathedral of Lady Solitude.
The architecture of the temple is remarkable for the interweaving of the styles of classicism, gothic and shades of modernism. The listed features are expressed by the blue and white decoration, stained glass windows covered with gilding, the main portal decorated with the image of the sun and the towers on the sides of the facade.
Today, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is the center of the Archdiocese of Acapulco, which includes the dioceses of Tlapa, Ciudad Altamirano and Chilpancingo-Chilapa.
Fort San Diego
Since Acapulco is a border city, it was simply necessary for it to have protective structures in order to repel ill-wishers if something happened.
An exemplary defensive building is Fort San Diego, which served the city well from the beginning of the 7th to the 19th centuries. It was designed by Adrian Buteau, who had previously built a similar structure in Veracurse.
The only time the walls of San Diego could not withstand the onslaught of enemies was the assault of José Maria Morelos in 1813. They say that it was after the battle that the national hero uttered the famous words: “Long live Spain - sister, but not mistress of America.”
In the middle of the 20th century, the fort was seriously damaged by an earthquake, after which it took a long time and thoroughly to restore. During the restoration work, it was possible to recreate the architectural and engineering features.
Today it is one of the oldest architectural monuments of Acapulco. It houses a museum, the main exhibit of which is a 17th-century Spanish galleon.
Papagayo Park
A unique landmark of Acapulco is the Ignacio Manuel Altamirano Park, or simply Papagayo, one of the largest conservation areas in Mexico with an area of 218,000 hectares. In its urban part there are a lot of objects for which tourists constantly flock here: a Spanish galleon, a copy of the first reusable space shuttle Columbia and, of course, many different plants, birds and animals.
Among them there are such rare species as the egret, great toucan and flamingo. As you can guess from the name, the main inhabitants of Papagayo Park are parrots. For the comfortable existence of animals and plants here, ecologists have created special conditions close to their natural habitat. In a separate part of the park, not far from the entrance, there is an alley where pedestrians will encounter monuments dedicated to prominent natives of Acapulco.
Rock of La Quebrada
La Quebrada is a sheer cliff 35 meters high, from which specially trained people make dizzying jumps into the water.
Large crowds of onlookers have long gathered to watch the extreme antics of young men. For a long time, jumping from La Quebarda has become a kind of calling card of Acapulco.
Such a leap of faith is a deadly thing. Not only is the height 35 meters and the width 9, but while you are flying you need to manage not to touch the sharp ledges of the cliff, and in the water not to hurt yourself on the rocky bottom, which is only 3 meters deep! It’s no wonder that at some point it occurred to someone to start collecting money from spectators and award extreme sports enthusiasts with the title of Hero of Acapulca. By the way, the first person to receive an award for jumping from Quebrada in 1932 was Rigo Berto Arak.
He also laid the foundation for an unusual tradition, which today is an extreme sport.
It is noteworthy that the nature of the cliff’s origin is artificial - in 1930, in order to increase the flow of fresh air into Acapulco, the authorities decided to blow up one of the bay’s rocks with dynamite.
Monument Chapel Submarine
Another unusual local attraction is the Submarine Chapel monument, which is a statue of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, which is located on the seabed. A bronze statue was erected here in 1958 in memory of the fallen divers.
The Holy Virgin Mary of Guadalupe is the patroness of all of Mexico, and many still believe that it was only thanks to the help of the Virgin Mary that the Mexicans managed to win the War of Independence. There are two ways to see the monument: the first is to swim, following the coordinates, to the desired place in the sea on a boat with a transparent bottom, the second is to dive to it with special diving equipment. In the second case, you will get much more impressions, since at the same time you will have a chance to get acquainted with the local marine inhabitants who often scurry around the statue.
For both occasions, boats depart daily from Kalteila beach to the monument.
The most popular day to visit the statue of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe is December 12th - the day of the Virgin Mary. The city celebrates for two days, hundreds of residents dive to the statue and leave wreaths and flowers there.
Leisure
The main types of leisure activities in Acapulco are in one way or another connected with the bay: either relaxing on a snow-white beach, or swimming in clear and warm water, or diving or underwater fishing.
But the city itself also has fascinating places, for example, the Museum of Archeology, which houses a large collection of objects from ancient Indian tribes. For a family holiday, take a walk in Papagayo Park or visit the Magico Mundo Marino Aquarium. You will also probably be recommended to sail to the La Roqueta islands on a glass-bottomed boat, making a stop along the way at the very place where the statue of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe is located in the sea.
On the island you can plunge into the thick of the tropical forests or visit the local zoo, which is home to crocodiles, lions, tigers, giraffes, turtles, monkeys and even deer.
There is no less entertainment in Acapulco at night than during the day. There are especially many discos held in clubs and in the open air. The biggest holiday in the city is the Day of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. Despite the fact that the holiday is quite Christian, throughout Mexico Indians do not hesitate to remember their gods on this day, so do not be surprised if on December 12 you see monks in cassocks and Indians dancing in traditional costumes not far from the temple.
The main events of Mary's Day are a large town fair and a huge fireworks display late in the evening.
How to get there
Both international flights from America and local ones arrive at Acapulco Juan Alvarez Airport.
From Europe they usually fly to Mexico City first, and then get there by bus or car within 4-6 hours. The most convenient way to Acapulco is from Moscow with a transfer at Cancun airport - this way the flight duration will be only 13 hours.
Transport
Public transport in Acapulco is quite well developed, as there are many bus routes throughout the city.
Travel on local transport costs 1 MXP; tickets can be purchased at special kiosks or from the driver at the entrance. According to experienced tourists, the best transport here is yellow buses. The fare for them is 5.5 MXP.
An equally popular form of transport is taxi. Typically, drivers do not give change, so you need to agree on the price with them in advance, even if the car has a meter. The fare depends on the distance. 1 kilometer costs 5 MXP. A taxi for the whole day will cost 1,000 MXP. At night, rates increase by 10%.
Hotels
Acapuolco is the most popular hotel in the resort of the same name, which is located a 15-minute walk from the private beach on the bay. Each room here is equipped with air conditioning, a TV and an Internet access point. Most of them have a private balcony, a work desk and a minibar; the bathrooms always have a set of bath accessories and a hairdryer. Other amenities include an on-site pool and hot tubs.
A good option for a family holiday would be the Departamento en Diamante Lakes complex, located in the outskirts of the city. Clients of the establishment will have at their disposal apartments that have a separate bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and more. Each bungalow features a seasonal pool, golf course, free parking and a terrace overlooking the garden or ocean.
There is also a restaurant on site that serves a buffet breakfast every morning.
Banyan Tree Cabo Marques is a five-star hotel, one of the most luxurious in Acapulco. It is located on top of a cliff with superb views of the Pacific Ocean. This place boasts a wide range of spa services, 3 restaurants and villas with a pool each. Each villa has panoramic windows, a private terrace, a TV and other household appliances that people use every day. The establishment is located 20 minutes from Acapulco International Airport.
Restaurants
The El Cabrito restaurant has two large rooms and an open veranda, which are suitable for both social gatherings and business meetings. The menu consists mainly of Mexican dishes such as fajitas, burritos, tacos, nachos with sauces and more.
It also contains names of traditional European pizza, pastas and salads.
100% Natural is a restaurant that specializes in vegetarian cuisine. The peculiarities of the establishment include an unusual interior with oriental motifs and an abundance of green. Visitors note the high level of service and prices, which are higher than the city average - 30-35 USD. Here you can order shrimp in pineapple, pasta with seafood, fish stuffed with cream cheese, salad with caramelized pecans and goat cheese, as well as juices and lemonades. If desired, some dishes can be packed with you.
Su Casa is an establishment whose full potential is revealed in the evening, with the arrival of darkness.
Of course, candles are not lit here and orchestras are not playing, but nevertheless, an atmosphere of romance reigns. The restaurant is located on the roof of a building, which offers a beautiful view of the city, which, like a Christmas tree, is full of colorful lights. The menu features European dishes (grilled fish fillet with lemon sauce, signature shrimp, etc.). The average check is 25 USD.
Shopping
The essence of shopping in Acapulno is fully reflected in the words “a mixture of exoticism and luxury.” Here you can often see neighborhoods with souvenir shops and large shopping centers containing fashionable boutiques. The largest retail outlet in the city is The Golden Zone shopping and entertainment center. There are enough shops of all kinds so that everyone can satisfy their passion for shopping.
The TOP souvenirs from Acapulco are all kinds of miniature attributes of the Mayan and Aztec cultures, for example, the famous Mayan calendar disk or figurines of Aztec and Indian gods such as Quetzalcoatl. Also traditional Mexican souvenirs are sombreros, ponchos, tequila and maracas. Some take home authentic Mexican sauces.
The entire tourist area of the resort is schematically divided into three areas:
Old Acapulco is located in the western part of the bay. This is where the first holidaymakers arrived in the 50s and 60s.
Golden Acapulco is located in the central part of the bay and is the main hub of hotels, bars, nightclubs, shopping centers, restaurants and beach bars. The central area starts from the “Old Town” and stretches along the Costera Miguel Alemán promenade to the east. The cost of hotel apartments here is relatively high, with a downward trend towards the “Old Town”.
Diamond Acapulco begins at the point where the main promenade, Costera Miguel Alemán, smoothly turns into the Carretera Escénica highway, which stretches to the airport. The most expensive hotels, luxury villas, and exquisite restaurants are located on the mountain slopes, offering an extremely beautiful view of the bay.
Where to stay?
In Acapulco, many hotels are ready to warmly welcome you and provide their services, among which you will certainly be able to choose the one that suits your liking. The following hotels are especially popular.
"Elcano" 4* is located in the "Golden" area and is located on one of the most famous beaches - Condeza. The drive from the hotel to the city center takes only 15 minutes. It offers comfortable and cozy rooms, swimming pools, restaurants serving traditional Mexican cuisine and plenty of entertainment.
Those who prefer luxury and exoticism will certainly like the Pierre Marques 5* hotel, which is one of the best in Mexico and offers a relaxing holiday on white sandy beaches. Quaint bungalows and small houses, immersed in lush tropical greenery and surrounded by the ocean, will create an unforgettable experience.
A wonderful budget option would be the Ritz Acapulco 4* hotel, located in the “Golden” area on Playa Hornos beach. Near the hotel there is a shopping and entertainment center, a park and a flea market, where you can buy all sorts of souvenir trinkets.
The hotels “Fiesta Americana Condesa” 5*, “Fiesta Americana Villas Acapulco” 5*, “Las Brisas Acapulco” 5* and “Fiesta Inn” 4* have also proven themselves well.
The resorts of Mexico are very popular for their luxurious sandy beaches, which annually attract thousands of tourists from all over the world. Every Acapulco beach is unique in its own way and attracts with the perfect combination of luxurious natural landscapes with first-class service.
The beaches of Galetilla and Caleta are considered classic thanks to the calm surf, soft waves and rounded strips of sand that define the island line and the La Roqueta recreation area. This is a private area where, for a fairly high price, you can experience all the delights of a luxurious holiday in fashionable hotels, exclusive villas and contemplate the expanses of the ocean. The journey from the mainland to the island of La Roqueta is very tempting, thanks to the transparent boats, through the glass bottom of which you can admire the beauty of the underwater world.
In the northwest of Acapulco there are the beaches of Ornos and Tamarindos, which are limited by two luxury hotels located on them - Paraiso Acapulco and Amakas. It perfectly combines natural exoticism with European chic, which often attracts Hollywood and show business stars.
In the heart of the resort is La Condesa Beach, where many Latin American TV series have been filmed. This beach attracts tourists with the opportunity to swim in a crystal clear artificial waterfall, dive in the coastal zone, enjoy the lush vegetation and watch colorful starfish.
For an active holiday, the small beach area of Puerto Marques is ideal, where there are many children's playgrounds and the opportunity to take a boat trip or take part in sailing tournaments. In a separate area on the beach there are 7 Mexican restaurants, each of which prepares dishes to suit your taste. Therefore, true gourmets will have something to enjoy here.
The beaches of Caletilla, Caleta and Pi de la Cuesta are ideal for families with children due to the gentle entrance to the water, small waves and well-developed infrastructure. The beach here, like all others in Acapulco, is a grayish-yellow hue, and the water is a rich dark color.
Attractions of Acapulco
In addition to a variety of entertainment and gorgeous beaches, tourists have the opportunity to visit the cultural and historical places of this Mexican resort. You can start getting acquainted with historical relics from the Cathedral, known as the Cathedral of the Lady of Solitude, located in the central part of the resort. A special feature of the modernist building are the figured stained glass windows, revealed with blue and gold paint.
At the highest point of the resort - Mount Las Brias, there is the ancient castle of the Chapel of Peace, next to which there is a high (42 meters) cross that brings good luck to sea travelers. From here you have a magnificent view of the city and mountain ranges.
By visiting the Gererense cultural center, you can get acquainted with folk art and visit the art and photography gallery. Also on the territory of the center is the Mezcal Archaeological Museum, which displays exhibits from the ancient era and a huge library with more than nine thousand books that were carefully collected by the townspeople over the years.
It is definitely worth visiting the Papagayo National Reserve, on whose territory there are artificial lakes, a bird park, a water park and an area with astronomical telescopes. The park's opening hours are daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
To experience Spanish culture, visit the Fortress of San Diego, which was built in the 17th century. Today there are 12 permanent halls of the historical museum and one temporary one.
Entertainment
After you get tired of basking on the sandy beaches, you can get active and feel the thrill of local entertainment. Particularly daring tourists should definitely jump from a cliff more than 30 m high into the sea near La Quebrada Bay.
The waters of the Acapulco coast are famous for their abundance of fish, and this entertainment will bring a lot of pleasure to fishing lovers. In these waters you can catch dorado, barracuda, tuna and blue marlin. All fishing equipment and boats are rented on site.
In addition, you can go diving, windsurfing, water skiing or sailing, or parachuting. Acapulco has several tennis and golf clubs.
In the evening, you can go on a night boat trip on a glass-bottom boat, which is illuminated by lanterns and has music playing on board, which creates a very enchanting romantic mood.
Entertainment for children
The entertainment structure of the resort is designed in such a way that both adults and children can “have a blast” here. Especially for children who came with their parents to Acapulco, there are many amusement parks. For example, on the huge (more than 52 acres) territory of the park " Papagayo", planted with tropical plants, the most popular are the water slides, the roller skating rink and the children's railway. After the entertainment, the whole family can go to the restaurant located in the park and recuperate.
The CiCi Aquatic Center offers its small and large visitors to ride high water slides, watch shows with seals and dolphins, watch tropical fish in the aquarium and swim in the pools.
With special permission, older children can go diving, and especially for younger guests in Acapulco there is a golf club called Clubde Golf, which provides special training. 
The nightlife of the Acapulco resort is represented by various clubs, show programs, beach discos and lounge areas, which are filled with modern rhythms and fun after sunset until dawn.
Among the most popular nightclubs that visiting young people like to visit is El Alebrije, which is the largest club in Latin America and can accommodate more than 5,000 people. The main contingent is young people from 18 to 30 years old. Every Friday the club hosts a foam party. The entry fee for girls is 350 pesos and for men 400 pesos. The entrance ticket also includes a free bar until 5 am. If you want to have a positive evening, don’t skimp on tips, otherwise you may not wait for your next order.
The Palladium Club is located on the slopes of Mount Las Brisas, with glass walls offering stunning views of the bay. The admission price includes a free bar and the price for girls is $30 and for men $40.
The Mandara club is a smaller version of the previous establishment. The main musical direction is reggae and hip-hop. The club starts at 22-30, and the entrance ticket costs $30 for girls and $40 for guys. 
It’s quite difficult to make recommendations regarding restaurants, since everyone has different preferences, but we can highlight a few of the most popular ones.
So, lovers of Italian cuisine can go for dinner to the restaurants “Raffaello”, “Dino`s” or “Italianissimo”. You can try exotic Japanese cuisine at Sushitogo or San&Town, and incredibly tasty traditional Mexican dishes are prepared incomparably at the Elzorrito, Cocula and Fersatos restaurants.
The city is located on the Pacific coast, 411 km from, in the picturesque Acapulco Bay, surrounded by mountains:
Story
For many years, before the advent of Cancun, Acapulco, with its long beaches, numerous bars and discos, remained the tourist capital of Mexico. The mild climate, beautiful coastline, calm waters and numerous activities have made Acapulco a true pearl of the Pacific coast. Famous actors, politicians, and show business stars like to come here.
The word "acapulco" is translated from the Nuatl language as "the place where the giant reed grows." Archaeologists have found evidence that by the time the Spaniards landed here in 1521, these places had been inhabited for more than 2 thousand years. During the 250 years of their rule, the Spaniards turned a small village into a city, which was an important transit point on the route of trade galleons from the Philippines to Spain.
Resort Acapulco
The rebirth of Acapulco occurred in 1927, when a highway was built connecting the city with Mexico City. Mexicans and then Americans began to come here on vacation. In the fifties, Acapulco became a holiday center for the elite, and Hollywood stars fell in love with it. At various times, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sylvester Stallone vacationed here. John and Jackie Kennedy spent their honeymoon in Acapulco.
Decline and rebirth
Too fast construction led to pollution of the bay and overpopulation, so foreign tourists preferred to relax in and on. Only in the late nineties did a large program to clean up the bay begin in Acapulco. Now its waters have become clean, as before, but Acapulco has turned into a national resort, where most of the Mexicans themselves relax. This is facilitated by the proximity to the capital.
Attractions of Acapulco
La Quebrada Cliff
The main attraction for tourists in Acapulco is cliff diving (La Quebrada). The difficulty of these jumps is to avoid hitting neighboring ledges, fly along the correct trajectory and crash into the waves in a precisely calculated place. As darkness falls, the cliff is illuminated and some divers jump with lit torches. This dangerous attraction has amazed spectators since 1934, becoming a kind of calling card of the city. Today the 2nd and 3rd generation of divers are already jumping and they even have their own trade union.
Opposite the cliff there is a bar-restaurant called La Perla, which offers a great view of the jumpers' performance. And next to it is the Sinfonia del Mar staircase, on the steps of which concerts are often held. But most often the staircase serves as an observation deck for watching the sunset.
Fortress San Diego
A visit to the historical center of the city deserves special attention. The pentagonal fortress of San Diego (Fuerte de San Diego), located on the main square of the Zocalo (Zocalo), was built in 1616 to protect Spanish ships from numerous English and Dutch pirates who robbed ships with goods. Inside the fortress there is the Acapulco History Museum (Museo Historico de Acapulco).
Near the fortress there is a small but very interesting Mask Museum (Casa de la Mascara), where you can see traditional masks from different regions of Mexico.
Cathedral
There, in Zocalo Square, is the Cathedral of Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, 1930), which is distinguished by its unusual architecture in the neo-Byzantine style.
The square has many restaurants and bars, as well as the largest handicraft market in the city. Here you can buy wooden masks, machetes, silver jewelry, lacquered boxes, ceramics, sombreros, traditional Mexican costumes, etc. You should definitely try local sweets made from coconut, mango, banana and tamarindo.
From the Zocalo, the street Costera Miguel Aleman stretches along the coast, where most of the restaurants, discos, hotels and bars are located.
Archaeological zone
If you turn from Costera Miguel Aleman onto Aquiles Serdan street and then take Constituyentes to La Mona street, you will find yourself in the Archaeological Zone of Petroglyfos de Palma Sola. Cave paintings made by unknown artists around 200 BC have been found here. and 600 AD The drawings depict scenes from everyday life, battle patterns and simply figures of people or animals. Next to the drawings there are signs with descriptions and explanations.
Other attractions in Acapulco
On Icacos Beach on the Costera-Miguel Alemán highway is the popular Cici Acapulco Magico water park with pools, slides, a large aquarium and a daily dolphin show.
Another interesting place is the Acapulco Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanico de Acapulco), located on the territory of the Loyola del Pacifico University (Universidad Loyola del Pacifico). It houses an impressive collection of plants and animals from the region.
Rocket Island
For lovers of snorkeling and diving, it is best to go to (la Isla de la Roqueta). Boats depart to the island from Playa Caleta Beach, located on the southern coast of the Peninsula de las Playas. The beach is connected to the city center by the Lopez Matieos highway.
8 days / 7 nights
The Mexican Kaleidoscope tour takes in all the diversity of Mexico from the Pacific Coast to the Caribbean. Wildlife, a unique symbiosis of pre-Hispanic and colonial cultures, a mixture of vibrant flavors and ethnic diversity - all this will be discovered during this fascinating tour.
Route: Mexico City - Acapulco - Taxco - Puebla - Cholula - Villahermosa - La Venta - Palenque - Gulf of Mexico - Merida - Cenote - Chichen Itza - Cancun / Riviera Maya
Day 1. Mexico CityMeeting at the airport. Transfer and accommodation in a 4* hotel. Free evening to relax. Day 2. Mexico City - Teotihuacan - Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Sightseeing tour of Mexico City - one of the largest metropolises. Elite neighborhoods and slums, skyscrapers built using modern technologies, and small mansions - all this creates a unique image of a city of contrasts - Mexico City. You will go to the Zocalo Square, which is an important historical center of the capital. The main historical and architectural monuments are concentrated here; Cathedral, National Palace with frescoes by Diego Riviera (provided that the Palace is open to the public), etc.
After driving along one of the most beautiful streets of the city - Reforma Avenue, you will go to the mysterious Teotihuacan - the cult center of the ancient Indians, striking in its scale and grandeur of the buildings. You will have the opportunity to climb the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon to enjoy the view of the city from above. There is a hypothesis that the ancient inhabitants of Teotihuacan had knowledge of cosmic energy, which is now lost, and that the precise orientation of ancient buildings according to the sun, moon and stars has its own deep meaning. The strict geometric layout of Teotihuacan confirms these assumptions.
During the tour you will also visit the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe (patroness of Mexico), surrounded by legends and miracles.
Accommodation in a 4* hotel. Day 3. Mexico City - Acapulco (400 km)
Breakfast at the hotel and early departure to Acapulco - one of the most famous resorts in the world, famous for its comfortable climate, white beaches, nightlife and fabulously beautiful bay. Arrival at 14:00. Hotel accommodation.
Acapulco has become a favorite holiday resort for Hollywood movie stars and millionaires. Acapulco is a luxurious, unforgettable vacation on the Pacific coast.
In the evening, at 20:00, visit the diving show “La Quebrada”, amazing the bravery of jumpers from a high cliff into a crevice. Day 4. Acapulco - Taxco - Puebla (450 km)
Breakfast at the hotel and early departure to one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico - Taxco. The city, located in the mountains in the heart of the country, is a world heritage of humanity and is protected by UNESCO. Narrow cobbled streets, exquisite Spanish Baroque architecture, the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Prisca and much more will amaze you with their beauty and special flavor. Taxco is also famous for its silver coins and silverware. Departure for Puebla at 15:30. Churches and houses decorated with talavera ceramic tiles, the landscapes of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes make the “City of Angels” Puebla a dream for lovers of beautiful photos and ancient architecture. Walk through the evening city, visiting the cathedrals and churches of Puebla.
Hotel accommodation. Rest. Day 5. Puebla - Cholula - Villahermosa (650 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. At 08:30 departure to Cholula - a former Indian city, famous for the Toltec pyramid, which is considered one of the largest pyramids in the world. At the top of the pyramid is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Comforter. It is believed that the city of Cholula was once an important political and ceremonial center of Mesoamerica during the classical period, like a mirror image of Teotihuacan in its heyday.
At 11:00 - departure to the colonial city of Villarmosa, the capital of the state of Tabasco. Arrival in the city at 20:00. Hotel accommodation. Day 6. Villahermosa - La Venta - Palenque (190 km)
Breakfast.
Departure to a unique open-air park-museum - “La Venta”, where monuments of the Olmec culture are collected - the mother of all Mesoamerican cultures, the oldest and most mysterious civilization of America. Giant heads with Negroid features are one of the biggest mysteries of this civilization, which scientists have not yet solved. Next on the program is a move to Palenque, located in the state of Chiapas. Palenque is one of the most famous Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico, rivaling the eighth wonder of the world, Chichen Itza. Thousands of tourists make a pilgrimage to this ancient city, located among the high jungle-covered hills, to witness this man-made miracle.
Accommodation in a 4* hotel. Day 7. Palenque - Gulf of Mexico - Merida (550 km)
Breakfast. Departure from the hotel at 08:30.
On this day you will have a long drive to the city of Merida, with a stop in the town of Champoton to swim in the Gulf of Mexico. Free time will be provided for rest and lunch at a local Mexican restaurant.
Arrival in Merida at 21:00. This charming city with narrow streets, colonial architecture and shady parks enchants at first sight. The “White City,” as Merida is also called, is famous for its cuisine and pork dishes, which can be tasted in any of the many cafes and restaurants. Rest at the hotel. Day 8. Merida - Cenotes - Chichen Itza - Cancun (350 km)
Breakfast. Departure to the center of the Yucatan Peninsula to explore its main attraction - Chichen Itza. This ancient city is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kukulkan Pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, the world's largest ball court Pok-ta-Pok, the Temple of the Jaguars, the Observatory and other buildings of the city will appear before you and amaze you with their grandeur. Next, you will have a swim in a crystal clear karst lake or cenote, where you can experience the healing properties of underground waters.
Transfer to Cancun/Riviera Maya, hotel accommodation according to prior reservation.
The tour price includes:
- Transport (depending on the number of people in the group: minivan, sprinter or bus).
- Entrance fees to all archaeological areas and reserves indicated in the program.
- Accommodation in hotels of at least 4* category. Buffet or American breakfast included.
- Services of a Russian-speaking guide.
- Group transfer from your Cancun/Riviera Maya hotel to the airport on the day of departure.
The tour price does not include:
- Lunches and dinners along the route.
- Tips for the guide and driver.
- Accommodation in hotels after the end of the route.
We reserve the right to adjust the program due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control: weather, strikes, road conditions, force majeure, health problems, etc. These changes can only be made for the benefit and safety of customers.
It is recommended to combine the program with a beach holiday in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
