Mexico Vacations in Acapulco

Mexico is one of the top seven vacation destinations in the world and Acapulco is Mexico's most famous beach resort town. Best known for its exciting nightlife, an Acapulco vacation also offers much in the way of fun in the sun. Golfing in Acapulco as well as boating are very popular pastimes.

In Acapulco Bay, scuba divers can explore a sunken ship, and snorkelers can enjoy the calm waters found off the white sand beaches. A myriad of water sports and extreme activities can be found in Acapulco. This is where the famous La Quebrada Cliff Divers of Mexico perform! With its spectacular sunsets, fine dining and horseback riding on the beach, this lovely seaport is also perfect for the romantic at heart.

Acapulco Activities

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Acapulco diving tours offer a unique variety of opportunities to the Mexico traveler -- a sunken ship, caves and an interesting array of fish, including trumpet fish, sea horses, manta rays and whale sharks. Snorkeling is also very good at many spots where you can view these fish as well. The average water temperature is 72ºF (24ºC) and visibility ranges from 18 to 35 feet (5 to 16 meters). 

• Roqueta 
  
• Puerto Marques 
  
• Caleta and Caletilla 
  
• Icacos 
  

Sport Fishing

The sport fishing in Acapulco, especially for sailfish, is legendary. Marlin and swordfish are also abundant here. If your fishing tour includes the mangrove swamps, you'll be amazed by the multitude of heron, pelicans and black-throated divers that accompany you while you fish among the lovely water lilies. Because the Pacific coast of southern Mexico is mountainous, the deep blue water frequented by most big game fish is usually very close to Acapulco Bay. Blue Water Sport fishing reports billfish being caught only 100 yards from the shore!

• Laguna de Chautengo 
• Laguna de Tecomate 
  
• Puerto Marques 
  
• Laguna de Coyuca

Acapulco Golf

If golf is part of your Mexico vacation plans, then Acapulco is sure to please with its pro, world-class golf courses. All of three of following clubs offer the service that you would expect from a first class resort city like Acapulco.

• Tres Vidas Country Club 
• Mayan Palace Acapulco (Vidafel) 
  
• The Fairmont Acapulco Princess 
  

Horseback Riding, Hiking and More

The surrounding terrain of Acapulco features a large canyon, a river, caves and one of the steepest mountains of the Sierra Madre del Sur range, making Acapulco a desirable Mexico vacation destination for hikers, rock climbers and spelunkers. Equestrians and beginning horseback riders can ride on beautiful beaches and even in the water. Sunset rides along the Pacific here are quite romantic too. The following are great places for enjoying the great outdoors of Acapulco while traveling in Mexico.  

• Pueblo Bravo 
• Pie de la Cuesta 
  
• Revolcadero 
  
• Palma Sola and El Veladero National Park 
  

Extreme Sports

If you're looking for big thrills, bungee jumping at Acapulco Bay allows you to take adrenaline filled plunges from 165 feet (50 meters). There's also Skycoaster, a giant and very tall bungee cord swing.
On the less extreme end of exciting, Acapulco offers parasailing and hot air balloon rides that provide amazing views of the beautiful bay.

Speedboat tours and waveriders are popular with those looking for adventure on the bay, and just a few miles north of Acapulco the Laguna de Coyuca is a hot spot for water-skiing.

On the Rio Papagayo (about 45 minutes from Acapulco), you can take a high-speed boat tour that makes wild 360° spins and skillfully maneuvers between jutting rocks and the shoreline. They do brake occasionally to let you take in the jungle scenery including the birds that soar above the canyon -- before shooting off for another wild ride. Kayaking tours are also fun on this fast moving river.

Those new to whitewater will find much excitement plunging through the l, II and II + plus rapids of the stunning River Papagayo canyon with a Pueblo Bravo river rafting guide to show them the ropes.
 

Beaches of Acapulco

Acapulco offers more than 12 miles (20 kilometers) of beaches, many with soft sand and most with calm waters. You'll find all sorts of activities to do, including just soaking up the warm sun, just about day of the year. In the evening, the sunset followed by the city lights of Acapulco make a stroll on the beach very romantic. Here is a sampling of Acapulco's beaches:

• Roqueta (Island) Beach 
  
• Puerto Marques 
  
• Caleta and Caletilla
  
• Condesa 
  
• Tamarindo, Hornos and Hornitos 
  

More Attractions

• La Quebrada Cliff Divers - Probably the attraction that draws the most tourists (and locals) (besides the nightlife) in Acapulco is the world-famous cliff diving at La Quebrada where divers plunge off cliffs 130 feet high into the a cove. Timing is as important as diving skill because the dive must coincide with an incoming wave to be safe. Dives are scheduled throughout the day and after dark when the cliff divers carry torches.

• CiCi Waterpark is a fun thing to do on a family Mexico vacation and is  located on the bay of Acapulco. The park features wave pools, toboggan and water slides, and a swim with dolphins program. This is also where the hot air balloon rides are found.

• Coyuca Lagoon Tour - This picturesque fresh water lagoon is resplendent with palms, water hyacinths and native flora. Boat tours include wonderful lunches too!

Acapulco Nightlife

Known as "the city that never sleeps," Acapulco's famous nightlife is found in the countless number of bars and discos that line Costera Miguel Aleman Avenue. Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood offer lots of fun and extensive menus, and the discos El Alebrije and Palladium, spin electronic music, and Baby’O and Disco Beach are famous discos with an ocean views.



Accommodations

Acapulco Bay is lined with resorts and hotels to fit every budget. Among the most magnificent of these are the Grand Mayan Acapulco, Camino Real Acapulco Diamante, Mayan Sea Garden Acapulco and The Fairmont Acapulco Princess. A long time host to first class hotels and luxury resorts, the city has enjoyed some revamping, especially in the Acapulco Diamante neighborhood where several new hotels and timeshares had been developed.  

Mexico Travel Tips in Acapulco

Many airlines, especially from the United States, fly in tourists to Acapulco year-round. The city's transportation includes buses, taxi service and the government subsidized 'Colectivo' cab system where you can travel on the cheap if you don't mind sharing the ride.

Alcapulco's climate is warm, sunny and humid throughout the year with temperatures ranging from 72º F (22º C) to 91º F (33º C).  (91º F).

Most Mexico vacations take place during December, mid-summer, and the week preceding Easter and college spring break. Since Acapulco is a hot spot with college students, it is best to book your Mexico tours well in advance.