Backed by the rugged mountains of the Sierra Madre del Sur, Acapulco has long been one of Mexico’s most popular Pacific beach resorts. It was made famous in the 1950s and 60s by jet-setting Americans, with its nightlife, beaches and professional cliff dives luring visitors in from across the globe today.

Things to do

Spend an afternoon exploring the main waterfront boulevard of “La Costera”, which hugs Acapulco Bay and some of the city’s most popular beaches. Soaring skyscrapers and statues of influential figures line the strip, together with shopping malls and international restaurants.

Acapulco is famed for its cliff divers, and no visit to the city is complete without stopping at La Quebrada to watch them plunge 40 metres into the shallow waters below. A platform adjacent to the cliff offers the best views or you can witness the spectacle while dining at the nearby restaurant La Perla.

Stroll through Acapulco’s shady main square of Zocalo to admire Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral, which fuses Moorish, Neoclassical and Byzantine architectural styles. Locals flock here in the evenings to be entertained by musicians and street performers and a variety of nearby restaurants serve authentic Mexican fare.

Make a day trip to beautiful Isla de la Roqueta, which lies at the entrance to Acapulco Bay and can be accessed by water taxis or glass-bottom boat tours. Explore one of the walking trails and visit the whitewashed lighthouse or spend an afternoon snorkelling in the shallow surrounding waters.

Getting around

Acapulco International Airport is located around 45 minutes’ drive from the city centre and has regular flights to Mexico City. Brightly painted public buses access all corners of the city, while taxis are also available for getting around.