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~ 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.
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...
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.
~ 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.
~ 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.
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