What to See and Do in Acapulco

To those in the know, Acapulco offers much more than nightlife and beaches. This is because the city is an old city, not just a municipality developed to attract tourists. In Old Acapulco, you can visit the town’s traditional square, or zocalo. Nearby, you can visit Fort San Diego, a 400 years old garrison that once protected Acapulco Viejo (Old Acapulco) from pirates. The Acapulco Historical Museum is also located in the Fort – there, you can learn about the pre-Hispanic history of Acapulco and the conquistadors. There’s also a special light and sound show offered in the evenings called the Foro Cultural Multimedia.

If water sports are more your thing, you can ride the water slides at the Centro Internacional de Convivencia Infantil. You can watch dolphins swim or participate in the dolphin swim program, where you can get in the water and swim with them yourself. However, if you’re interested in this experience, make your reservations well in advance as spaces are limited.

And no discussion of the attractions in Acapulco would be complete without mentioning the experience that’s quintessential Acapulco – cliff diving. The place to go is La Quebrada, where divers plunge 130 feet into a patch of roaring surf that’s only 20 feet wide and about 12 feet deep. You’ll often see the divers stop to pray at a small shrine before they make their dive and afterwards, you can watch as they accept the congratulations of the crowd – along with financial contributions. During the final performance of the day, the divers even carry flaming torches with them. You can also watch the dives from the Hotel Plaza Las Glorias, El Mirador or La Perla, although reservations are recommended at these locations.

Another great attraction, the Acapulco Ballet Folklorico and Los Voladores, performs together in the Gran Noche Mexicana. Many of the major hotels in the area also hold fiestas with dinner and entertainment. If you prefer art that doesn’t move, you might consider the art gallery known as Galeria Espacio Pal Kepenyes. There, you’ll see the bronze sculptures of artist Pal Kepenyes on display.

And if, at the end of the day, you want to hit a nightclub, you’ve plenty of time. Most don’t open until 11:00 p.m. and the fun doesn’t start in earnest until after midnight. Cover charges vary from $10 to $20, but women often get in for free. There are also frequent promotions, so keep your eyes open and check with your concierge – you may be able to get in for less.

Finally, if you love to dance, but hate the stuffy atmosphere, why not try an open air dance club? There are a number that can be found along the Costera Aleman. This is also a good destination if you like alternative rock or techno. Look at the stretch of beach between Fiesta Americana and the Continental Plaza hotels and you’ll find many clubs to try. Friday nights are foam nights, and live entertainment is common at these locations – especially during occasions like spring break.