Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay. Many consider it to be one of the best harbors on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and it is a port of call for shipping lines running between Panama and San Francisco.

In 2003 the estimated population was 638,000 people.

The rare mixture of golden beaches, Sierra Madre Mountains, tropical jungles and lagoons, and the Mexican warmth, mysticism and tradition perfectly blend in together to form a unique experience to last a lifetime.

Acapulco is a paradise with lots of fun things to do. Activities to be found include tennis, golf, bowling, beach volleyball, soccer, squash and fronton courts, scuba diving, sailing, deep sea fishing, wind surfing and jet skiing. Spectator sports include bullfighting, diving, boxing and wrestling. Important Golf Tournaments and Tennis Cups are held in Acapulco every year, as well as Triathlon and other athletic competitions. No visit to Acapulco is complete without watching the cliff divers from La Quebrada dive into the waters. They have been doing it since 1934.

The real heartbeat of Acapulco is also the main street, Avenida Costera Miguel Aleman, known locally as just "The Costera". If you are going almost anywhere in your next Acapulco vacations (beaches, shopping, dining or drinking) you will come in contact with the Costera. Most of Acapulco's major attractions are either on or very close to this busy street. The action along the Costera is varied, and constant, making many sections of this strip a perfect spot to have lunch or dinner and do some serious people watching.

The zocalo or town square is a peaceful area, shaded by giant rubber and mango trees, near the hectic center of Acapulco. The zocalo is lined ice cream stands and sidewalk cafes. Here you can mingle with the locals as they go about their daily business. The daily routine around the zocalo is pretty much the same as it has been for years. One end of the zocalo is dominated the cathedral which was built in 1930 originally for use as a movie set. When the film crews moved out in they left the building, which was later altered into its present state.

Acapulco sizzles by night, and its nightlife is legendary. There is no place in the world that can compete with Acapulco's sophisticated dazzling night clubs and the choice of entertainment and restaurants. There is magic in the air! The view of Acapulco Bay, with its millions of lights reflecting in the water like stars, is simply breathtaking, and probably one of the most romantic scenarios in the world.

Acapulco is also a vibrant city with many centuries of history and culture to be explored. Acapulco is a living witness of pre-Columbian times to Mexican Conquest, Independence, and Modern times. Acapulco's history even has its share of pirates, and love stories to share. Several blocks south of the zocalo is the Fuerte de San Diego, a fort built in the 18th century to protect the city against pirate attacks. The fort is very well preserved and houses a museum with some interesting displays pertaining to Mexico's history. This is another; easy to get to, attraction that is very enjoyable to the younger set.

ACAPULCO FOR KIDS

Acapulco is a great vacation destination if your children are going to join you. CiCi, located on the Costera, at Playa Icacos, is a water park featuring water slides, water toboggans, dolphin encounters, and seal shows a wave pool and Sky Coaster, a ride that will leave youngsters and grownups alike screaming. Mundo Marino is an aquarium and fun center featuring indoor and outdoor marine exhibits, water slides, water sports, restaurants and gift shops. Parque Papagayo, is a huge park located on the Costera, the park is filled with carnival rides, go-karts, roller skating rinks, skateboard courses and many other attractions.

Your kids will love their next Acapulco vacations. The two major malls both have many diversions, such a video game rooms, for the younger set, so that the parents can shop while the kids amuse themselves.

TIP There are pharmacies on just about every street corner in Acapulco.

BEACHES

Acapulco is a city that gives you many choices when it comes to beaches. During the day most of the focus in Acapulco is on the beach. The theme in Acapulco seems to be party all night and play on the beach all day. The whole bay is lined with beaches, we will cover a few of them; you can check them all, time permitting, when you visit. Many of the beachfront restaurants will put umbrellas, chairs and tables in the sand so you can enjoy your food or drink right at waters edge.

Playa Diamante and Playa Revolcadero, south of town near the airport are areas of major development. Four of Acapulco's golf courses are located in this area, along with some serious resorts. Water sports of all kinds, wave runners, ultra light airplanes and horseback riding are available here. This long stretch of beach is open to high waves, so be careful if you are not an expert swimmer. Because of the waves this is a great area for surfers as well as beachcombing and collecting a few shells.

Playa Puerto Marques is part a fairly large bay that is a favorite with locals. The entire beach is lined with tin roofed restaurants serving up fresh seafood, cold beer and tropical drinks at prices that are usually below those of Acapulco proper. This beach is busy every day and is very, very crowded on weekends.

Playa Icacos is a calm beach, toward the southern end of the bay, lined with high-rise hotels and condominiums. This beach has all of the local water sports available directly from shore. You can not miss Playa Icacos on your next Acapulco vacations.

Playa Condesa, in the heart of The Golden Zone is one of the most popular of the city beaches, with many beachfront restaurants and a lot of activity. Playa Condesa is also where much of the pre nightlife originates, and is very close to many of the better restaurants and shopping centers so that you have a choice of other things to do should you become bored with the beach scene. Playa Condesa is also the home of the giant bungee jumping attraction.

The best beach in Acapulco can be found close to the hotel Princess de Acapulco. While not within a walking distance from the city (about 35 minutes), it's definitely worth it. The sand is much finer, the water is clearer, it's less crowded. This is an open-sea beach so the tide is much stronger. Caution is advised.

GETTING AROUND

Taxis are everywhere in Acapulco and it is easy to get one almost any time, anywhere. The taxis are un-metered so be sure that you agree on a fare before entering. You should not have to pay more than $30 pesos per cab ride for almost anywhere in Acapulco; feel free to use your negotiating skills BEFORE you get in a cab. Also, the yellow cabs are only 10 pesos per person but we recommend using blue and white Volkswagen Bug taxis.

Make sure you have exact change, or ask if they do when you are negotiating the fare.

Buses are 4 pesos, or 5 pesos with the luxury of air-conditioning.

NIGHT-LIFE

La Costera, Acapulco's main drag along the coast, is full of bars and clubs. Locals tend to frequent Ibiza a lounge club on the beach which is very pleasant and plays mainly electronic music. The super clubs in Acapulco are El Alebrije and Paladium.

El Alebrije is the largest night club in Latin America, capable of holding over 5,000 people. Cover is $350 Pesos for men and $300 Pesos for women with a free open bar until 5am.

If arriving by car park in the Wal-Mart 24 hour car park just up the road and save on the valet parking charges. Paladium is perched on top of a cliff overlooking Acapulco. The large panoramic glass wall which forms one side of the dance floor is very impressive. As with Alebrije the cover is relatively high but the bar is also free. Other clubs in Acapulco include Disco Beach, Barbarroja, and Baby-Os.

AIRPORT

General Juan N. Álvarez International Airport [IATA: ACA, ICAO: MMAA], also known as Acapulco International Airport, is located 26 km [16 miles] from Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.

Services at the airport include; restaurants, VIP lounges, telescopic boarding gates, duty-free, and shops. The airport is divided in two terminals, Terminal 1, and the Air-Terminal, which is a state-of-the-art concourse, comprising 8 boarding gates.

It is the largest international airport in the country's southern Pacific region, and one of the largest air facilities in Mexico. Frequent flights are available daily from Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City as well as less frequent flights from other parts. The airport can accommodate jets up to the size of the Boeing 747.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Acapulco Hospitals and Health Concerns