Acapulco is a beach paradise that provides a variety of activities such as tennis, golf, bowling, beach volleyball, soccer, squash and racquetball courts, scuba diving, sailing, deep sea fishing, wind surfing and jet skiing. Spectator sports include bullfighting, diving, boxing and wrestling. Important golf and tennis tournaments are held in Acapulco every year, as well as triathlons and other athletic competitions.

Acapulco sizzles by night, and its nightlife is legendary. There is no place in the world that can compete with Acapulco's dazzling and sophisticated night clubs and the choice of entertainment and restaurants. Magic in the air when you take in a view of Acapulco Bay, with its millions of lights reflecting in the water like stars. It is absolutely breathtaking and probably one of the most romantic scenarios in the world.

The real heartbeat of Acapulco is also the main street, Avenida Costera Miguel Aleman, known locally as just "The Costera". If you are going almost anywhere in your next Acapulco vacations (beaches, shopping, dining or drinking) you will most likely travel down the Costera. Most of Acapulco's major attractions are either on or very close to this busy street. The action along the Costera is varied and constant, making many sections of this strip a perfect spot to have lunch or dinner and to do some serious people watching.

The zocalo or town square is a peaceful area, shaded by giant rubber and mango trees, near the hectic center of Acapulco. The zocalo is lined with ice cream stands and sidewalk cafes. Here you can mingle with the locals as they go about their everyday business, a lifestyle that hasn't changed much in years. On one end of the zocalo is the Cathedral, which was built in 1930 for a movie set. When the film crews moved out, they left the building, which was later adapted to its present state.

Beaches in Acapulco
Acapulco is also a vibrant city with many centuries of history and culture to be explored. It has been witness to the Mexico of pre-Columbian times, the Conquest, the Independence, and Modern times. Acapulco's history even has its share of pirate stories to boot. For those stories, go to the Fuerte de San Diego, several blocks south of the zocalo. It's a fort that was built in the 18th century to protect the city against pirate attacks. The building is very well preserved and houses a museum with some interesting displays pertaining to Mexico's history.

Acapulco for Kids
Acapulco is a great vacation destination if bring children along. CiCi, located on the Costera, at Playa Icacos, and it's a water park that features slides, toboggans, dolphin encounters, seal shows, a wave pool and the Sky Coaster, a thrilling ride that will leave everyone screaming. Mundo Marino is an aquarium and fun center featuring indoor and outdoor marine exhibits, water slides, water sports, restaurants and gift shops. Parque Papagayo is a huge park located on the Costera, the park is filled with carnival rides, go-karts, roller rinks, skateboard courses and many other attractions.

Your children will love their next Acapulco vacation. The two major malls both have fun areas, such a video game rooms so that parents can shop while the kids can have a good time.

Beaches
Acapulco is a city that gives you many choices when it comes to beaches. During the day, it's all about the beach; at night, it's all about the parties. Come and check out the many beachfront restaurants, where they put out umbrellas, chairs and tables in the sand so you can enjoy your food or drink right at water's edge.

Playa Diamante and Playa Revolcadero, south of town near the airport, are areas of major development. Four of Acapulco's golf courses are located in this area, along with some major resorts. Water sports of all kinds, rentals of wave runners and ultra light airplanes as well as horseback riding are available here. This long stretch is a big wave beach so be careful if you are not an expert swimmer. It's a great area for surfing or for beachcombing and collecting a few shells.

Playa Puerto Marques is part a fairly large bay that is a favorite with locals. The entire beach is lined with tin-roofed restaurants serving up fresh seafood, cold beer and tropical drinks at prices that are usually below those of Acapulco proper. This beach is busy every day and is very crowded on weekends.

Playa Icacos is a calm beach, towards the southern end of the bay, lined with high-rise hotels and condominiums. This beach has all of the local watersports available directly on shore. You can not miss Playa Icacos on your next Acapulco vacations.

Playa Condesa, in the heart of The Golden Zone, is one of the most popular of the city beaches, with many beachfront restaurants and a lot of activity. If you're tired of the beach scene, the evenings offer great times near a lot of great restaurants and shopping centers. If all that is too tame for you, Playa Condesa also offers bungee jumping for that thrill-seeker in you.

The Beaches
Caleta and Caletilla Beaches are age-old Acapulco favorites and was famous among jet setters of the 50s and 60s. These beaches are protected naturally by Roqueta Island, which allows you to enjoy gentle waves, ideal for the youngest members of the family.

Located at the center of the bay in Acapulco's Golden Zone, Condesa Beach is known for its great tourist and commercial activity. Waves at this beach can get to be a decent size and are ideal for those wanting to ride the waves on a boogie board. Its festive atmosphere is amazing, due to the fact that along this beach there are several restaurants and bars which serve the public from early afternoon.

On the road to the airport, driving some 27 kilometers, you'll reach Barra Vieja. It's an open sea beach, popular among Acapulco residents and visitors who enjoy eating the famous "a la talla" fish and like to ride horses along the beach to take in a breathtaking view.

Attractions in Acapulco
Pie de la Cuesta is internationally famous for having the most spectacular sunsets, while Puerto Marques is an extensive bay surrounded by mountains, covered with tropical vegetation and dotted with beautiful beaches with gentle ocean waves. Punta Diamante is part of Acapulco's new "Grand Tourism" concept and it is made up of a series of beautiful big wave beaches facing the open sea. Revolcadero Beach is just beyond Puerto Marques and faces the Pacific Ocean directly, with a b undertow so swim with caution.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Solitude
Located in the Zocalo and constructed in 1930, the Cathedral is adorned with a dome in the style of mosques and Byzantine towers while the interior of the Cathedral is very simple. The Virgin of Solitude is the patron saint of Acapulco and dates back to when King Philip II sent the icon of the Virgin, which was later crowned by locals and adopted as part of the banner of Independence.

Cici Aacapulco Magico
Cici Acapulco Magico is a modern water park that is ideal for the whole family. It offers fun under strictly regulated safety guidelines. Have a good time and live the most exciting experience of your life with toboggans, pools, a dolphin show and food courts, where you can recharge and enjoy.

San Diego Fort
The old San Diego Fort, with its singular pentagon shape, has been always an essential part of Acapulco's architecture. Today, this recently restored monument houses the new History Museum. This fortress has been witness to many of the events of Acapulco's past: the South Seas conquest, the commerce with Asia, the pirates of the Pacific, the exploits of Morelos, and other interesting historical facts of the area.

The history behind this fort would not be complete without the famous Nao de la China, the trading barge that created a Silk Road by sea, crossing the Pacific, landing in Acapulco, to Veracruz and then over to Spain. If you want to know more about this folkloric city, this museum is a must-see.

Golf
Acapulco has four spectacular 18-hole golf courses, located in prestigious hotels and residential areas, such as Tres Vidas, the Fairmont Acapulco Princess, the Fairmont Pierre Marques and the Vidafel Mayan Palace. Each offers the latest in diversity, challenge, as well as special characteristics. The Acapulco Golf Club offers a nine-hole course, located next to the Convention Center.

The House of Masks
Located only a block from the Fort of San Diego, on the Cultural Corridor, the House of Masks offers the opportunity to discover this unique artistic expression. Through these multicolored masks, Guerrero???´s artisans take us on a fantastic trip through their religion and culture. In some towns of Guerrero, the mask is closely linked to their dances and traditions and is considered one of popular art's richest form of artistic expression in the state.

Papagayo Park
Papagayo Park is a natural, protected area of over 200,000 square meters that offers the opportunity of becoming familiar with various types of animals and birds that migrate from the northern part of the continent. Its biodiversity and its facilities combine to allow for sports, recreational and cultural activities, and it is an ideal place for children to enjoy an outing with their families. It has a soccer field, basketball and volleyball courts, restaurants, an auditorium, a library, swimming pools, three lakes, a skating rink, a bike path and fairground rides.

Acapulco's International Center
This business and convention center, located in the heart of Acapulco's hotel zone, can accommodate up to 15,000 people at any given time. One of its most famous halls is Salon Teotihuacan, which features 6,320 square meters of space, free of columns and with a 12-meter-high ceiling. Acapulco's International Center is the official headquarters of various events known throughout the world, such as the yearly tourism fair (Tianguis Turistico), the Acapulco Fest, and various film festivals, among other important events.

Handicraft Market
There are a variety of stands displaying and selling arts and crafts from all over the state of Guerrero. Here you can find all your souvenirs.

La Quebrada
Acapulco's world-famous divers of La Quebrada soar from 136-foot rocky cliffs into the surf below and have become an enduring symbol of the city. These fearless divers plummet into a narrow inlet where huge waves enter and crash over the rocks. The timing of their dives is crucial and must be perfectly executed and it is a feat that has become one of Acapulco's main attractions.

Fishing
In Acapulco, going fishing is an unforgettable experience. A short distance from the bay, you can find an abundance of species, among which you can find good sized sail fish, as well as a diverse number of species such as dorado, snapper, marlin, shark, etc. Your award can be a thumbs up from the local fishermen who will surely applaud your good work. In the marina and yacht club, organize boat or yacht trips to navigate the high seas and search for your own prized treasure.

Calandrias
These popular horse-drawn carriages are decorated with multicolored balloons and trot up and down the Costera Miguel Aleman, the main avenue in Acapulco. They go from the roundabout to La Diana in the Papagayo Park. On this unique ride, enjoy the view of the city and the hotels. At night, get into the party ambiance of the city. In the streets, the main restaurants, bars and nightclubs illuminate their billboards, making a ride down the strip a very singular experience.

Coyuca Lagoon
Sailing through the jungle landscape of this lagoon, you will discover several islands that you might have seen in the movies. There is Birds Island, the Island of the Man with Seven Wives, the channel where Rambo II was filmed and La Barra (where the Tarzan TV series was shot), a magical place where the lagoon, the ocean and the river meet.

Diego Rivera Mural
This mural is located in the Traditional area of Acapulco, in the home of the late Dolores Olmedo, art collector who possessed the largest collection of Diego Rivera paintings in the world and was a long-time friend of Rivera's. She was also the woman that Diego Rivera asked to marry after the death of his wife, the controversial painter Frida Kahlo. Between 1956 and 1957, Rivera lived in Acapulco while recovering from cancer and it was then that he created the works found here. This house represents Mexican cultural heritage and is a living witness to the art of Diego Rivera in Acapulco. If you have time, stop by this house to appreciate the mural located on the outside wall titled ''Exekatlkalli'', a sculpture-painting where the gods Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc, of the Aztec culture, can be appreciated.

Baikal
Baikal always maintains an avant-garde profile in international cuisine in Acapulco. The main feature is the exotic Asiatic decor, with its pond and waterfall surrounding the entrance. It is a perfect fusion between modern and nature-influenced architecture. The design conveys sensuality and harmony that blends elements such as stone, wood, water and light. Its spacious windows allow you to see the sparkling bay below. The menu has the best of the French, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.

Becco al Mare
Becco al Mare is a modern restaurant with an architectural influence that is elegant and casual, offering a selection of the best food of the high Italian gastronomy. In your visit to Becco al Mare you will be able to enjoy a great variety of mostly Italian wines. Its contemporary cuisine is sustained in the quality of the ingredients used and combined with an exquisite oil selection from all over Italy. It is the meeting point of business people, artists and politicians. Come for a bite!

Carlos'n Charlie's
Get there early or you may be in for a long wait. This bustling terrace restaurant has a lively atmosphere and delicious barbecue ribs and offers a friendly atmosphere, typical of this chain. The ribs are simply delicious so try them!

El Olvido
El Olvido is a unique concept and an excellent choice for contemporary Mexican cuisine. An elegant restaurant with a variety of dishes, ranging from seafood to steaks, it offers exquisite dishes and decor that combines the colors of the sand and the blue of the sea. Your visit to El Olvido will be an unforgettable experience.

Hard Rock Cafe
Dining in Acapulco's Hard Rock Cafe needs no introduction. The London and New York branches are already famous all over the world. Come and discover the Acapulco touch at our Hard Rock Cafe.

Hooters
Hooters is the perfect place to enjoy a good game of football or any other sporting event. This restaurant-bar has a series of big screens around the restaurant so that the client can enjoy the game from any angle. The menu consists of hamburgers, chicken, hot dogs and a variety of sandwiches and beers. It also offers a large terrace where you can enjoy your food with a pleasant view of La Costera.

Pampano
This restaurant in Acapulco features lovely decor that has artistic lighting and a cozy ambiance, made even cozier by the the restaurant itself, which is made almost entirely out of wood. The world famous opera singer Placido Domingo, along with renowned Chefs Richard Sandoval and Josefina Santacruz are the associate owners of Pampano, a restaurant that is quickly becoming one of Acapulco's favorites.

The menu has been manufactured from a perfect blend of the finest products, from land and sea, creating such delightful delicacies as red snapper fillet in guajillo chili sauce, grilled fillet mignon in chipotle sauce or slices of octopus meat with arugula, avocado and mango.

Mezzanotte
Italian fusion is the featured style of food here, offering a casual atmosphere for your events or meetings. Perfect for those looking for exclusivity in a casual ambiance and ideal for business lunches, events and presentations.

Senor Frog's Senor Frog's Acapulco offers a crazy atmosphere with all sorts of pranks being played, tequila shooters being offered and some things you just have to see to believe. But it all fits perfect with the carefree tourist attitude of Acapulco. Stop by and see for yourself.

Tabachin
This is the signature restaurant at The Fairmont Pierre Marques Hotel. It's a real tribute to contemporary Mexican cuisine, offering a creatively inspired menu and a unique concept in Acapulco. With exquisite decor and a refined atmosphere, Tabachin is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in Mexico and has been awarded Four Diamonds by AAA. For the last three years, Tabachin has received the Wine Spectator award for its unique selection of wines. For aperitifs or cocktails, the restaurant's Tequila Bar boasts the most extensive Tequila collection in the region. Open for dinner only.

Zuntra
Zuntra is the synonym for beauty, avant-guard tendencies, flavor, magic and fun and offers a unique concept, with an exquisite fusion that garners a harmony between good food and good living. The perfect combination in space and material in architecture and interior design, this elegant mix will be the perfect complement to the innovative combination of Mediterranean, Mexican and a touch of Asian influence, which makes the cuisine of Zuntra a true delight.

Baby'O Discotheque in Acapulco
Baby'O Acapulco is one of the best places to mingle with socialites as well as national and international stars. With that said, it's a club that can't ever go wrong because when you go into Baby'O, you will always be guaranteed fun and great service. When you visit Acapulco, don't forget to visit Baby'O. You won't regret it!

El Alebrije
Located on the costal avenue, Miguel Aleman, and with the capacity of accommodating more than 5,000 people, El Alebrije is one of the most important nightclubs in Acapulco. It is where the clientele is a very select group of socialites and artists from Mexico and afar. Have a good time and listen to different types of music (pop, rock, disco, ballads, nortenas, etc...). If you've got style, come to El Alebrije.

Hard Rock Cafe
The emblematic neon guitar of the Hard Rock Cafe is easy to find on La Costera, in the Gold Zone of Acapulco. Enjoy the unusual decor, consisting mainly of musical instruments and personal items of internationally renowned singers. It doesn't matter if you came for the fishing, playing a round of golf, sunbathing or partying; the Hard Rock is a must for your Acapulco visit.

Mandara
Mandara Acapulco, previously known as Enigma, has a new concept with a fresh, new take on the club scene. It offers room for 2,000 people and a wide variety of music ranging from pop, rock and house, among others. The Mandara features minimalistic decor and the best in music, lighting, drinks and service. The best day to go is Friday.

Mangos
Mangos is a famous bar located in the Gold Zone of Acapulco, located on Condesa Beach, the heart of the nightlife of Acapulco. Mangos offers rock, pop and Latin music. The bar is packed on the weekends and the ambiance is exceptional. Margos is the perfect place to get a drink before hitting the clubs.

Ninas Club Tropical
Ninas Club Tropical is a space filled with surprises so that you can enjoy and spend a night listening and dancing to all sorts of music. You can find Latin music, salsa, mernegue, bachta, reggeaton, pop, house and classic hits, as well as live music, so there is no reason why you can't dance the night away. There is also a show of professional dancers and imitators of famous people. Located in the Gold Zone of Acapulco.

Palladium Discotheque in Acapulco
Palladium is located on Las Brisas Scenic Route, high up in Acapulco. The nightlife of this city reigns in this nightclub. Those who visit it experience the optical illusion of being suspended in the air while enjoying the view of the bay of Acapulco through a 164 foot wide stained glass window. Lasers and air cascades are only some of the many attractions of this incredible club.

Pure
With the capacity to hold 2,000 people, the latest in audio and sound technology, and features steel and glass bar, about 20 feet tall, a marble floor and luxurious finishings. Simply the best. The only thing missing is you!

If you need to go shopping in Acapulco, you can find International brand names, boutiques and exclusive jewelry stores, temptations for those who appreciate the very best. In addition, there are many clothing and beach accessory stores and a variety of handicraft bazaars. Shop and compare and you're guaranteed a good buy.

With modern air conditioned malls, many smaller shopping centers and an endless numbers of shops and open-air markets to choose from, you should be able to find that perfect souvenir. Acapulco's proximity to Taxco has created a large market for unique silver creations of every imaginable shape and size.

Plaza Bahia
This plaza offers the fashionable items such as jewelry, footwear, furniture, athletic products and restaurants. Enjoy a family atmosphere that's upbeat and fun, with the best in entertainment. Go bowling, place a bet or hang out at the bar and watch sporting events on a big screen TV.

Handicrafts Market
Located in downtown is the sprawling Handicrafts Market with good deals on crafts and clothes. A colorful place you can not miss.