MEXICO - TRAVEL SERVICES GUIDE:

Attractions of Acapulco, Mexico!

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ACAPULCO:
* maps / guides
* history
* excursions
* attractions
* off the path
* port & cruise
CANCUN:
* maps / guides
* history
* excursions
* attractions
* dive sites
* off the path
* port/cruise
COZUMEL:
* maps / guides
* history
* excursions
* attractions
* off the path
* port & cruise
GUADALAJARA:
* history
* attractions
HUATULCO:
* maps / guides
* beach guide
* port & cruise
IXTAPA & ZIHUATENEJO:
* beach guide
* port & cruise
LOS CABOS & SAN LUCAS:
* maps / guides
* tours/activities
* beaches
* port & cruise
MANZANILLO:
* attractions
* Port & Cruise
MAZATLAN:
* history
* attractions
* off the path
* port & cruise
MERIDA:
* maps / guides
* attractions
* off the path
OAXACA:
* maps / guides
* attractions
* off the path
PLAYA DEL CARMEN:
* maps / guides
* port & cruise
PUERTO VALLARTA:
* maps / guides
* history
* tours/activities
* attractions
* off the path
* port & cruise
MAYAN RUINS:
* Chichén Itzá
* Coba Ruins
* Mayapan
* Tulum Ruins
* Uxmal Ruins

Click for Acapulco, Mexico Forecast

~ Centro de Convenciones ~

Acapulco’s convention center is a huge complex with a permanent crafts gallery (Galería de Artesanías), temporary special exhibitions, a large plaza, theaters and concert halls.  Also here are the tourist offices, Casa Consular and Locatel.  A Fiesta Mexicana is held several evenings each week.  Phone the center to ask about current offerings.

CICI - Centro Internacional de Convivencia Infantil

The Centro Internacional de Convivencia Infantil (always known as CICI) is a much-loved family water-sports park not far from the Centro de Convenciones.  Dolphin, seal and diving shows are presented several times daily; there's also an 80m (260ft) water toboggan, a pool with artificial waves, a small tide pool aquarium and a Sky ride.   A new attraction at CICI is Acapulco Mágico, offering swimming with dolphins.   Any local bus marked 'CICI,' 'Base' or 'Puerto Marqués' will take you there.

~ Fuerte de San Diego ~

Fuerte de San Diego!

This beautifully restored pentagonal fort was built in 1616.  Its mission was to protect from marauding Dutch and English buccaneers the Spanish naos (galleons) conducting trade between the Philippines and Mexico.  It must have been effective because this trade route lasted until the early 19th century.

Apparently the fort was also strong enough to forestall for four months the takeover of the city by independence leader José María Morelos y Pavón in 1812.

After a 1776 earthquake damaged most of Acapulco, the fort had to be rebuilt.  It remains basically unchanged today, having been recently restored to top condition by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH).  The panorama of Acapulco you’ll get from the fort is free and alone worth the trip.

The fort is now home to the Museo Histórico de Acapulco, which has fascinating exhibits detailing the city’s history, with Spanish and English captions.  When skies are clear during the high season the museum puts on an evening light show.

~ La Quebrada Cliff Divers ~

The famous clavadistas (cliff divers) of La Quebrada have been dazzling audiences since 1934, swan diving with graceful finesse from heights of 25 to 35m into the narrow ocean cove below. Understandably, the divers pray at a small shrine before leaping over the edge, as did Elvis Presley in the 1963 flick Fun in Acapulco.

At least three divers perform each time, and you’re allowed to stay for more than one show.  The aerial view of the divers you get from La Perla restaurant/bar at the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel comes at a price.

There's a great view of the action from the terraces of the Plaza Las Glorias El Mirador Hotel, where celebrities have scrawled their admiration for the divers on the wall.  La Quebrada is also a superb spot for watching sunsets.  It's easy to get there on foot or by taxi from the Zócalo (town square).  La Quebrada is also an excellent place to watch the sunsets.  See Tour Below...

~ Mágico Mundo Marino ~

Click to Enlarge: Magico Mundro Marino!

Highlights at this aquarium include a sea lion show, the feeding of crocodiles, piranhas and turtles, swimming pools, water toboggans and an oceanographic museum.  There's also a restaurant, and you can take scuba lessons or hire snorkelling equipment.

The area was the original Acapulco hotspot, but now has a non-touristy, nostalgic feel, especially the small shady plaza in front of the aquarium.  Playas Caleta and Caletilla are favoured by locals, particularly families with small children, as the water is very calm.

Purple Flashing Bar!

~ Events for: Acapulco, Mexico ~

Acapulco never needs an excuse for a party, but like all of Mexico it loves its fiestas.  The Festivales de Acapulco, held for one week in May, features Mexican and international music at many venues around town.  International film festivals include the Festival de Cine Negro (Black Film Festival) held the second week of June, and the Festival de Cine Francés (French Film Festival) held for a week in late November.  As Mexico is the location of many mysterious UFO sightings, the Congreso Mundial OVNI (World UFO Congress) is held regularly in Acapulco, usually in December.  The Festival de la Virgen de Guadalupe, for Mexico's patron saint, is celebrated all night on December 11 and all the following day, with street processions accompanied by small marching bands, fireworks and folk dances, all converging on the cathedral in the Zócalo (town square), where costumed children congregate.  There are also smaller religious celebrations, regattas and fishing tournaments held throughout the year.

Purple Flashing Bar!

~ Activities for Acapulco, Mexico ~

Away from the water, there is bowling, roller skating, horse riding, ultralight aircraft rides and bungee jumping.  As well, there are golf courses and scores of tennis courts.  Mountain bike tours and jungle tours can also be arranged.  For a fast, white-knuckle boat ride on the Río Papagayo, try the New Zealand import, the Shotover Jet.  If it's the kind of thing that takes your fancy, you can watch a bullfight, held weekly at the Plaza de Toros.   See: Excursions/Tours.

~  Acapulco: Guerrero, Mexico  ~
Acapulco  / Maps  / History  / Tours / Attractions  / Off-Path  / Port

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