Things to do in Acapulco
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Acapulco
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Dry season, best weather, high season prices.
Hot and quiet; good value.
Rainy and hurricane season; August to October is the highest risk window.
Best things to do in Acapulco
La Quebrada
Cliff divers plunge at set times daily; evening shows are lit.
Playa Condesa
Main Zona Dorada beach with palapas and beach clubs; check the flag.
Fuerte de San Diego
18th-century star fort with the history museum and bay views.
Isla La Roqueta
Island with snorkelling and beaches; boats from Caleta, go in the morning.
Zócalo de Acapulco
Old main square and cathedral; best in the early evening.
Jardín Botánico de Acapulco
Hillside botanical garden; steep paths, quiet mornings.
Pie de la Cuesta
Famous sunsets and seafood palapas; do not swim, the current is dangerous.
Parque Papagayo
Big city park on the Costera; good morning walk or run.
Where to stay in Acapulco
Zona Dorada
first-timers, beach and nightlife, walkers
Zona Diamante
resort holidays, families, golfers
Acapulco Tradicional
culture-first trips, cliff divers, budget
Pie de la Cuesta
sunset chasers, quiet beach days
Think twice about
- Inland colonias far off the Costera
- Unsecured apartment rentals
- Pie de la Cuesta for nightlife
Best restaurants in Acapulco
La Jaiba Locca Costa Azul
Gourmet seafood, tostadas and ceviches; reserve for dinner.
Tío Alex Mariscos y Carnes
Big-portion seafood and grilled meats on the Costera.
Cruditos Acapulco
Fresh seafood and micheladas; lively, good for groups.
Cocina Del Mar
Local gastronomy at beach level near La Diana; lunch hours mainly.
El Faro
Seafood restaurant on the Costera; solid dinner pick.
TacoFish Acapulco
Modern Acapulco seafood: pescadillas, aguachile, cevichito.
El Plebe Alegre
Ceviche and aguachile specialist; lunch to early evening.
Cevichido
Ceviche to take away in many styles; cheap and excellent.
Outdoor things to do in Acapulco
Barra Vieja
Rustic seafood beach east of Diamante; pescado a la talla lunch.
Puerto Marqués
Small calm bay south of Diamante; good for swimming.
Laguna de Coyuca
Mangrove boat tours and birdwatching; go in the morning.
Playa Revolcadero
Wide Diamante beach with stronger surf; heed lifeguard warnings.
Laguna de Tres Palos
Large quiet lagoon east of the airport; boat tours with a local operator.
Best hotels in Acapulco
Hotel Emporio Acapulco
Big lively resort on the Costera with pools and a nightclub.
Hotel Los Flamingos
Old Hollywood cliffside hideaway; historic, quiet, full of character.
Mundo Imperial
Huge Diamante resort complex with pools, spa, and venues.
Banyan Tree Cabo Marques
Cliffside luxury villas with private pools; the splurge.
Is Acapulco expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | MX$600 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | MX$1,500 a person |
| Splurge | MX$3,500 a person |
| No limits | MX$6,000 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Acapulco Bay: a few days ahead
- La Jaiba Locca Costa Azul: a few days ahead
- Hotel Emporio Acapulco: weeks ahead
- Hotel Los Flamingos: weeks ahead
- Mundo Imperial: weeks ahead
- Banyan Tree Cabo Marques: months ahead
- December-April high season: book hotels early.
- La Quebrada cliffside dinner tables: reserve the same day at latest.
Is Acapulco safe?
- Violent crime is real here; tourist zones are heavily policed and fine with normal precautions. Avoid inland colonias and night driving. Emergency number: 911.
Acapulco travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Timeshare pitches at the airport and Costera: a firm no saves an afternoon.
- Beach touts: prices start high; walk away or haggle hard.
- Do not swim against lifeguard advice at Pie de la Cuesta or Revolcadero.
Getting around Acapulco: public transport and more
- Costera Miguel Alemán is the spine; most of what you need is on it.
- Use authorized taxis or Uber; agree on fares before getting in.
- Do not drive highways at night; keep out-of-town trips to daylight.
Who Acapulco suits
| Solo travellers | OK |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Great |
| Couples | Good |
| Bachelor parties | Great |
| Families | Good |
| Bachelorette parties | Great |
Make Acapulco your trip
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