Acapulco Attractions

* La Quebrada Cliff Divers - No visit to Acapulco is complete without watching the cliff divers perform their impressive jumps into the shallow stream of water of dangerous tides that forms in the bottom part of La Quebrada. They have been doing it since 1934. You can see the dives from a small platform by the cliff for a small entrance fee, or eat at the La Perla restaurant which offers a good view of the divers. Showtime at 1 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM.

* Zócalo - Zócalo, Acapulco's town square, lies on the western side of La Costera. It tends to expose more local culture than other, more tourist-centric, areas. Zócalo contains Acapulco's cathedral, as well as many restaurants ranging in size from sidewalk bistros and tiny street-corner kitchens. Many of the smaller restaurants will provide full dinners for as little as 35 pesos.

* Pie de la Cuesta - Pie de la Cuesta is a quiet strip of land roughly 6 miles northwest of Acapulco, bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by a freshwater lake (Laguna de Cuyoca) on the other. The lagoon is extremely tranquil, but tourists are advised not to enter the Pacific Ocean at Pie de la Cuesta, because the surf is very dangerous. One can reach Pie de la Cuesta via bus. If you are on the Bay Side along the Costera, between Escudero and Diego Mendoza, look for the bus that says Pie de la Cuesta PLAYA LUCES. These go up that narrow strip of land. You can also take one that says San Isidro and that will let you off in the Zocalo in Pie de la Cuesta, but you have to walk a couple blocks to the strip and about a half kilometer up to the lagoon.

* Puerto Marquez - Located at a smaller bay just east of Acapulco, Puerto Marquez sees much less tourist traffic than Acapulco. One side of the bay is completely covered by adjacent beach-side restaurants offering very reasonably priced food and beer. The restaurant owners (as well as most other locals) are very friendly to tourists and some will offer discounts or a free round of beer to groups. Tourists and locals alike munch on shrimp enchiladas, sip negra modelos, wade in the waters, and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets. Fewer locals speak English in Puerto Marquez than in Acapulco, so it is recommended that visitors speak some rudimentary Spanish. One can reach Puerto Marquez via bus.

* Isla de la Roqueta - Isla de la Roqueta has a beautiful beach with shallow areas for families to play. You can get there by water taxi (around $3.50 USD) or the glass-bottom harbour tour boat (around $7.00 USD) from Caleta Beach. The harbour tour provides many sightseeing opportunities as well as seeing the yachts and homes of the rich and famous. As well, you can experience the cliff-divers’ show at La Quebrada, the submarine Virgin of Guadalupe, and see a diver with the tour swim under the boat with food to attract fish. If you don’t pack food while on your tour, there is a great opportunity to have lunch by way of a boat restaurant that comes alongside the boat and prepares your order. Just be prepared to wait depending on the number of people on the tour with you. Once on Isla de la Roquet there are numerous well-maintained trails, a lighthouse and beautiful snorkeling spots - but they can be rough (if this doesn’t suit you, your best bet would be to go to the Camino Real for snorkeling). And the bonus, you can take as much time as you want as the tour company’s boats dock throughout the day.

Beaches

Most beaches are in the bay area fronting the main boulevard "La Costera". This bay area is what made Acapulco famous and its beauty and majesty have not faded over the years. Some of the most popular beaches inside the Bay and lining the Costera are Hornos, the traditional "afternoon beach", Papagayo, Tamarindos, and Icacos. Condesa beach at the east end of the bay is gay friendly. Caleta/Caletilla beaches and Langosta Beach are on the open ocean, and usually a bit cleaner. Most hotels in Acapulco are found along the Costera, and prices generally go down as you move west toward the Zócalo and old Acapulco.

Another open water beach, more suitable for surfing, lies in front of the Fairmont Acapulco Princess and Fairmont Pierre Marqués Hotels. Playa Revolcadero is east of Acapulco, closer to the airport. The wave action is much higher than inside the bay or at Caleta/Caletilla, which are protected by La Roqueta island. Transportation from La Costera takes about 35 minutes through a winding and scenic road.

Don't miss Barra Vieja, approx. 20 past the Airport coming from the costera($500-$800 Pesos for a cab all day)

5 Attractions to Visit in Acapulco, Mexico

1) La Quebrada Cliff Divers

A visit to Acapulco is incomplete if you do not make the time to visit the famed La Quebrada Cliff Divers. This is a group of professional sky divers who put on daily shows for the public. In each of these shows, they will dive 45 metres from the cliffs into the sea. Their stunts will literally take your breath away. Night shows are also held, and are even more fascinating to behold. The divers bring torches with them as they make their dives and look like bright lights streaking into the dark sea.

2) Nightlife on La Costera

Acapulco's nightlife is known the world over and any visitor looking to let down their hair and enjoy themselves must make it a point to visit La Costero. This is a street in Acapulco with a variety of pubs and clubs that will allow you to hop from club to club without having to travel long distances. Three clubs frequently visited by foreigners include Disco Beach, which features a dance floor directly adjacent to the Condesa beach, Barbarroja, a club in the shape of a pirate ship, as well as Andromedas, which features a real mermaid in a tank by the wall! (The mermaid is actually a scuba diver, but it is still a pretty cool sight to behold!)

3) Coyuca Lagoon

Coyuca Lagoon is a breathtaking fresh water lagoon and is a gorgeous sight for the eyes to behold. Surrounded by palm trees and a variety of flora and fauna, framed by blue shallow waters, and teeming with wildlife, Coyuca Lagoon is the stuff that stories are made of. A variety of lagoon tours are offered. Visitors can enjoy a cruise along the Lagoon before hopping off and enjoying the food at the local beachfront restaurant. Or, you can simply find an empty hammock and de-stress. Either way, Coyuca Lagoon is a must-see for visitors.

4) Acapulco Botanical Garden

Acapulco Botanical Gardens is a beautiful piece of greenery located in the picturesque Southern Sierra Madre Mountains. Visitors will find themselves entranced by its two creeks, its tropical weather and its mind-boggling range of flora and fauna. The animals also feature prominently among the Garden's many attractions. Have fun trying to spot the iguanas, lizards, snakes, possums and racoons as you trek through the Garden.

5) Fort of San Diego

The Fort of San Diego is Acapulco's most revered historical monument. The Fort attracts a steady stream of visitors who are not only interested in seeing its unique star shape design, but who want to visit the Acapulco History Museum, which is housed within the Fort. The museum features several collections which portray Acapulco's general history and the role of the Fort in Acapulco's past. The Fort also has beautiful gardens and provide countless phototaking opportunities.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Holiday accommodation in Acapulco & Holiday apartments Mexico