ACAPULCO TRAVEL GUIDE

Don't miss...

...the Museum Fort, which has been wonderfully restored. The pentagon-shaped El Museo Histórico Fuerte de San Diego has many rooms, each containing a different theme: indigenous cultures, navigation, the Manila Galleon’s cargo, colonial culture, religion, and so on. Individual explanation tags are in Spanish only, although each room’s main information placard is in English and Spanish. Entrance: 37 pesos (less than US$3.50). Calle Hornitos at Calle Morelos, tel. 744/482-3828. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9:30 to 6. Ask about the occasional weekend evening light-and-sound shows.

Cliff Divers

La Quebrada Cliff Divers perform daily at 1 PM and in the evening at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30. Pay a small fee to see the short but breathtaking show from the viewing platform, or have dinner or drinks at Plaza Las Glorias or El Mirador hotels. During the 10:30 show the men dive with flaming torches.

Golf

Play at one of two more exclusive and expensive, 18-hole courses at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess (Playa Revolcadero, tel. 744/469-1000), at the Mayan Palace (Playa Revolcadero, tel. 744/469-6000), or nine holes at the older, cheaper Club de Golf (La Costera s/n, by the convention center, tel. 744/484-0781).

Nightlife

Nightlife is famous in Acapulco. Among the hippest and most expensive, exclusive clubs are Palladium, Mandara, Zucca, and Baby O. The cabbies know the way, but if you decide to hit these spots, go late (after 11 PM at the earliest), dress up, and bring wads of cash. (Zucca and Baby O are far and away the most expensive.) Try Niñas or the venerable Salon Q for serious salsa and merengue dancing.

Spas

Fairmont Princess Acapulco’s Willow Stream (Playa Revolcadero, tel. 744/469-1000) offers high-end treatments in the classiest of settings, complete with waterfall. There are 16 treatment rooms and a Japanese hydro-massage tub. For something less expensive, away from the main tourist zone, check out Vida Integral Humana (Calle Heróico Colegio Militar, Barrio Azteca, Col. Cumbres de Llano Largo, tel. 744/484-1145), which has an indigenous temazcal steam room.

Sportfishing

The best deep-sea fishing is December through August. Contact Fish R Us (744/482-8282) a day or two in advance to book a charter for 6 people (same price for fewer passengers, about US$380---$450 for a 6-hour trip) to hook up with boats seeking marlin, roosters, tuna, and other big game fish. Check www.fish-r-us.com for more information and different types of tours.

Tours to Isla Roqueta

Glass-bottom boat tours make a short trip to the offshore island throughout the day, departing from Playa La Caleta. $5 round trip. Longer and more expensive bay tours on larger boats depart from various locations around the bay, including the downtown pier and Playa Manzanillo.

Getting Wet

CiCi Water Park, Costera Miguel Alemán, near McDonalds and Gigante, tel. 744/484-8210

Mundo Mágico Marino, between Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla, tel. 744/483-9344

Acapulco Dining - Click here for price key

Fonda de Cristina ($, La Costera across from La Caleta Beach and Acamar Hotel, Old Acapulco). See our review on the Meal Deal page. Cristina has another location at Mercado Santa Lucía, downtown. Open daily 7:30 to 7:30. Cash only.

La Cabaña ($--$$; Playa Caleta, tel. 774/482-5007, www.lacabanadecaleta.com) offers a variety of typical seafood dishes overlooking the beach, with more tables right on the sand.

Half a block off busy off Costera Miguel Alemán, La Tortuga ($--$$, Lomas del Mar 45, Fracc. Club Deportivo, in the Golden Zone; tel. 774/484-6985) has an inexpensive daily meal special consisting of rice, beans and choice of soup and entreé as well as reasonably priced seafood and meats. Open daily 9:30AM to 1AM. Cash only.

Featuring recipes from throughout Guerrero state, El Jaguar ($--$$,Costera Miguel Alemán 79, Fracc. Club Deportivo, Golden Zone; tel. 774/481-4099; www.eljaguar.com.mx) offers friendly service, a festive, casual atmosphere and some unusual eats. Open daily tkfor lunch and dinner.

Acapulco Hotel Recommendations -
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At Playa La Caleta, Hotel Acamar ($$; Costera Miguel Alemán 26, Fracc. Las Playas, tel. 744/482-2119) offers rooms right overlooking the beach; you won’t find a better deal for a plain but roomy lodging with cable TV, a/c, a pool, and restaurant right on the beach. Ask for an ocean-facing room (same price and more modernized than those facing the mountains).

The 80-room Hotel Malibu ($$; Costera Miguel Alemán 20, tel 744/484-1070, www.acapulcomalibu.com) has twin towers; make sure to book a room in the one closest to the ocean. Rooms have marble floor tiles, hair dryers, small fridge, cable TV and quiet air-conditioner. Nothing fancy but not bad for a beachfront hotel in the Golden Zone. About US$75 including tax; higher during holidays.

For a bit of a splurge in the hills overlooking the bay, book Villa Vera ($$$; Lomas del Mar 35, tep; 744/484-0333, www.clubregina.com), with a great spa and restaurant; polite, professional service; two clay tennis courts and multiple swimming pools. A ways from the beach, but worth it.