ACAPULCO:
Home to 31 Editions of Mexico's Famous Tourism Tianguis
Explosive
nightlife, postcard beaches, unlimited water-sports, first-class
hotels, gourmet restaurants and breathtaking landscapes, only partially
describe all that Mexico's Jewel of the Pacific, Acapulco, has to
offer.
Located within the state of Guerrero on Mexico's Pacific coast,
Acapulco is merely 200 miles south of Mexico City, and easily
accessible via road and air. Aca, as the locals call it, is fondly
regarded as a famed celebrity haunt, attracting the likes of Richard
Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Placido Domingo and Julio Iglesias. Today, Aca's
rare mixture of golden beaches, Sierra Madre Mountains, tropical
jungles and lagoons, as well as the Mexican warmth, mysticism and
tradition, all combine to form a unique experience to last a lifetime.
The famed Acapulco Bay, irresistible to humans since the days of the
Aztec Empire, was once considered the official Pacific port authorized
in the New World to receive Spanish galleons from the Philippines and
China. In recent times, the bay continues to attract thousands of
visitors each year, not so much for its trading, but for its infinite
number of attractions and pristine beaches.
Encircled by the Costera Miguel Aleman Avenue, Acapulco
Bay is home to some of the Pacific coasts' most beautiful beaches.
Some of the most popular include Hornos, Hornitos, Condesa and
Icacos. Two smaller beaches, Playas Caleta and Caletilla, are ideal
for families with small children, as the water tends to be calmer.
All beaches are easily accessible via local buses that run along the
avenue for a small fee.
Another equally breathtaking, yet less-crowded beach area is the
pristine Puerto Marques, sheltered within a small bay east of Playa
Icacos, boasting the most tranquil waters in the area, breathtaking
sunsets and charming little restaurants. In addition, the bay offers
plentiful opportunities for water sports activities, including
snorkeling, scuba diving and jet-skiing.
Only a few minutes from downtown Acapulco is the open stretch of
beach known as Pie de la Cuesta. This long sandbar rests between the
crashing Pacific Ocean on one side, and scenic Coyuca Lagoon, whose
hidden coves and tiny islands teeming with wildlife were featured in
the film The Night of the Iguana (1964) and Rambo III (1988). For a
small fee, visitors can tour the area by lancha (small motorboat) and
take in the sights, sounds and smells of one of Acapulco's most
precious gems.
In addition to the wonderful beaches, families will find an infinite
number of attractions for their tots. Children can enjoy Cici, a
water-oriented theme park, featuring dolphin and seal shows, water slides,
and an enormous pool area with a wave machine. The 52-acre playland,
Papagayo Park, is also a favorite, featuring countless carnival
rides.
After a day of sightseeing and relaxation, nothing will taste better
than typical Acapulcan cuisine. Some of the area's most popular
dishes include ceviche, a fish or shellfish dish marinated in lime
and tossed with onions, tomatoes, cilantro and spiced with green
chiles; sopa de aguacate, a creamy soup made with avocado with
several herbs that may be enjoyed either hot or cold; and camarones
al tamarindo, a delectable entrée of shrimp medallions layered
with tamarind sauce. To culminate your meal, a local favorite is
crema quemada, a Mexican style crème brulée. Dining
facilities range from thatched roof, open-air taco huts along the
beach to sophisticated temples of haute cuisine.
For those seeking historical information on Acapulco, look no further
than the San Diego Fort. Originally built in the 17th century to
protect residents from Dutch and English pirates, the Fort currently
houses a fascinating museum focusing on the cultural exchange between
Asia and the Old World, with exquisite, rare relics on exhibit. In
addition, the Guerrero Cultural Center is home to a small
archaeological museum and gallery with changing art displays. If
you'd like to take a piece of Acapulco with you, be sure to visit the
zocalo (central square), where you will find a mercado de artesanias
(crafts market) and mercado municipal (town market), offering
everything from fresh vegetables and fruits to love potions.
Visitors who wish to swing away stress will find that Aca offers a
number of golf courses. Two 18-hole championship courses are shared
by the Fairmont Acapulco Princess and the Fairmont Pierre Marques
hotels as well as 18-hole courses at the Mayan Resorts the Tres Vidas
Golf Course. These courses are generally reserved for hotel guests
and club members, but the Club de Golf, a public course, can be found
across from the Acapulco Malibu Hotel.
As evening approaches, no trip to Acapulco is complete
without seeing the world-famous divers at La Quebrada. Brave men plunge
from 130 feet into a narrow cove of just 11 feet of water, perfectly
timed as the wave comes in. The death-defying act is performed daily at
1:00 p.m., and nightly at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:30
p.m. The final show is visually spectacular as the divers carry torches
on their hike up the cliff, followed by a small prayer to an altar
located at the very top, right before they take the imminent plunge.
Night owls will revel in the number of nocturnal activities to be found
in Acapulco, including the massive nightclubs that are state-of-the-art
temples of sensuality packed with beautiful people partying until
sunrise. Some of the most popular discos include Baby O, El Alebrije,
Palladium, Mandara (pop and techno music), Yucca, Salon Q, Mambo
Café and Nina's (salsa and tropical music); and Zucca.
Acapulco's nightlife attracts both visitors and locals to the latest
rhythms from Latin America and abroad.
For those who prefer a quieter, yet equally thrilling
evening activity, the Fiesta & Bonanza Yacht offers afternoon and
evening cruises leaving from the downtown area near the zocalo; many
hotels and shops sell the tickets. The cruises leave at 4:00 p.m.,
returning at 8:00 p.m.; and at 10:00 p.m., returning at 1:00 a.m.
Getting to Aca has never been easier. North Americans can enjoy from
a number of flights arriving in the Juan Alvarez International
Airport (ACA) daily. Most major airlines have either direct flights
or connections in Mexico City, including Aeromexico, Air Transat,
America West, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Mexicana
Airlines and Northwest. Frontier Airlines and Delta Airlines have
also recently added flights to Acapulco.
While in Acapulco, popular side trips include Taxco, one of Mexico's
most beautifully-preserved colonial cities and the center of the
country's silver industry, located just a few hours from Acapulco.
Whitewashed buildings with red tile roofs are nestled across a
hillside with narrow cobblestone streets, cozy plazas and a
cosmopolitan atmosphere despite its small size. Taxco's colorful main
plaza - Borda Plaza - is the hub for day and night activities and
features the Santa Prisca Church with its pink façade and
filigree spires, beautiful silver shops and top-floor restaurants
with flower-decked balconies overlooking the action below. Smaller
squares surrounding the Plaza de Borda are also worth a visit for
their magnificent colonial buildings and ambiance.
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