Known as the ‘Pearl of the Pacific’, Acapulco de Juárez is the principal sea port of Guerrero, lying on the Pacific coast of Mexico, 300 km southwest of Mexico City. The climate, splendid beaches and the wonderful natural surroundings all make Acapulco an attractive tourist spot with travelers arriving here from across the world. It is one of the oldest and the most popular beach resorts in Mexico and was made famous by high-profile tourists who began visiting the resort from the 1950’s. Although the city has a very modern infrastructure, its natural surroundings are still untouched, thereby retaining its original beauty.
The beach resort has two sections, the north end of the beach is known as the ‘traditional beach’ where the famous stars of Hollywood vacationed. The south end is where you will find all the luxury high-rise resorts. The major attraction of Acapulco is its vibrant nightlife for which it is famous. The night clubs generally open after eleven at night and remain open till the wee hours of the morning. Discotheques and bars suitable for all kinds of people are found here. Apart from this there are a plethora of beaches that offer a wide variety of activities that include snorkeling, diving, water skiing and deep sea fishing.
A historic building that still exists in the city is the San Diego Fort that lies to the east of the main square. This fort had been built in 1616 as a defense against pirate attacks that were very frequent during that period. A part of the original building had been destroyed in the mid 17th century by the Dutch, rebuilt and again destroyed in an earthquake and then finally rebuilt again in 1783 with renovations done in 2000 and this is the structure that we see today. It is now the Acapulco Historical Museum and displays the history of the pre-Hispanic period and up to the time of independence.
The La Quebrada Cliff Divers are a wonderful treat to watch. These are young divers who compete with each to see who can dive from the highest point. A cruise from the Caletilla Beach to the Roqueta Island is also an enjoyable day cruise. The Centro Internacional de Convivencia Infantial is an aquatic park with amusement rides and dolphin shows that take place everyday. This is a fun place to visit if you are traveling with family. Other places of interest are the Dolores Olmedo House, known for its mural paintings and the Casa de la Máscara or the House of Masks. The Acapulco Airport receives regular flights from the US while a fleet of private buses operate within the city along the coast.
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Photo by markpakal provided courtesy of Panoramio.com