Acapulco Mexico
By Anna Lynn Sibal
A mere three-and-a-half hours drive from Mexico City, along the country’s Pacific coastline, is the sandy paradise of Acapulco de Juarez. More known as Acapulco for short, the city is one of the leading seaside resorts of Mexico, reaching its heyday in the 1950s and still enjoying immense popularity from foreign and local tourists alike. It is a major trade port for Mexico and a popular port of call for cruises coming from the Pacific side of North America.
Because of Acapulco's close proximity to Mexico City, most tourists visiting the country’s capital feel compelled to spend the weekend at Acapulco. It is actually a favorite getaway among Mexicans living in the capital. Regardless of the season, the subtropical climate in Acapulco makes the weather so warm and pleasant all year round.
The Beaches of Acapulco
Acapulco beaches are one of the two prime attractions that Acapulco has for tourists. The weather in Acapulco is balmy and pleasant regardless of the season and the beach is so pristine. Most of all, the water is divine. It is no wonder that the jet-set crowd of the 1960s went in droves to Acapulco.
The Bay of Acapulco is actually divided into three areas. Acapulco Dorado, or Golden Acapulco, lies to the center and to the east of the bay. This is also the most beautiful part of the seaside and thus the most popular spot for tourists. To the south of the city is Acapulco Diamante (Acapulco Diamond), a newer area of development in the city. This area caters more to the high-end visitors of Acapulco. The Costera Miguel Aleman, on the other hand, is the main drag of the bay.
Water sports are quite popular in Acapulco, and the visitors can enjoy jet skiing, wind surfing, parasailing, snorkeling and scuba diving aside from just swimming. Take care, though, because the waves can be quite dangerous. Parents should never let their children wandering unsupervised at the beach. Also, since it can be quite sunny in Acapulco, the application of sunscreen is an absolute must.
Acapulco's Nightlife
The second of Acapulco's primary tourist magnets is its nightlife. The nightlife in Acapulco is famous all over the world and can rival even the likes of Ibiza in Spain. A typical night about town does not start until 11:00 PM and usually does not end until six in the morning. Discos, bars and dance halls abound in Acapulco, especially in the main tourist areas. The music in the discos and dance halls vary from Latino ballroom music to current dance favorites both in Mexico and the United States.
When you go out at night in Acapulco, be prepared to cough up $25 to $33 for cover charge when you go to the discos or bars. This may seem steep to you, but the good thing about this is that most of these night establishments offer open bars. Drink wisely, nonetheless; making your way home staggering drunk is likely to get you into harm’s way or getting dragged by the Acapulco police for a night’s stay in jail. Also, prepare yourself for some long lines just to get into these bars, especially during spring break season and in summer.
If you are going to Mexico for a trip or for a long weekend, make it a point to visit Acapulco before you go on your way back home. It is a great way to cap a holiday in Mexico.
More on Mexico travel destinations
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