March

Spring Break
It feels like spring break in Acapulco year-round, but during March the city transforms into party paradise. The Golden Zone along the Costera is alive with students (and just about everyone else) enjoying their break in Acapulco. Along with Easter and the week after Christmas, spring is the high season for vacations in Acapulco.

May

Acapulco Music Festival ("Acapulco Fest" or "Acafest" for short) is held annually in May at the Convention Center in Acapulco. It is a huge event lasting a week and featuring dozens of famous Latin artists. Two separate events/stages run concurrently - each with its own admission.

Acapulco Philharmonic Orchestra: Monthly concerts on the first or second Friday of the month (visit or call the Convention Center for dates). The shows start at 9:00 pm, but get to the Convention Center 30-45 minutes early for free tickets and a chat with the conductor of the orchestra.

Bullfights: You can attend bullfights in Acapulco on Sundays from November through March.

Mexican Open Tennis Tournament

The Mexican Open is a clay court tennis tournament held annually at the Fairmont Princess Hotel in Acapulco. Players from all over the world compete in the tournament - traditionally, many of the players are from Central and South America and Spain. In addition to the tennis matches, there is an assortment of booths for snacks, drinks, meals, and merchandise. The stadiums are in the sun, so bring your sunscreen or find a seat higher up in the shade.

December

The Acapulco Fair is held at the Convention Center every year during the Christmas holidays. It runs from a week before Christmas to the week after the New Year. There are many rides for children and adults.

There are also the usual carnival games and prizes and over a thousand vendors.

Fort San Diego
Left along the Costera past the steamship dock and up the hill, 744/482-3828, Open 10:30-4:30
This fort museum features many antique relics such as beads; shells; baskets; ceramics embroidered silk tapestries, Kimonos, porcelain vases, and offers a glorious view of the bay. The fort was originally built in 1615, and then rebuilt in 1776 following a massive earthquake. It is built in a classic five-point design and surrounded by a moat. It was constructed by the Spaniards to protect the port of Acapulco and its lucrative Manila trade link from pirates. It now serves as a fascinating history and anthropology museum.

Zocolo
This is the former center of the city, which is now called the Centro area. It is a large village square located in front of the cathedral. The cathedral was erected in 1930 with a dome in the shape of a Mosque and with Byzantine towers. Zocolo is the main public plaza in town. This is a center of family activity and a place to stroll about on a sunny day. It is quite common to encounter a band concert at the music gazebo. Enjoy the charm of the plaza, as well as the stores and small restaurants that surround it!

Caleta
Caleta is known as the oldest beach in Acapulco. It features a beautifully clear beach, restaurants, The Magico Mundo Marino (aquarium),boats to Roqueta and glass bottom boats that carry visitors around the bay.

Magico Mundo Marino
483-1215, Mágico Mundo Marino waterpark is next to the aquarium, which has indoor and outdoor marine exhibits and is a great place for family fun. Located in front of the Caleta beach area, it has a swimming pool, two water slides, the aquarium, restaurant, snack bar and a dolphin show.

Isla la Roqueta
A 10-minute boat ride from Caleta Beach. The island is located directly in front of Acapulco bay. The area is known as one of the best places to hike and snorkel in Acapulco. It is reached via a short boat ride from Caleta beach.  On the island there is an excellent beach and a unique zoo with lions, alligators, leopards, giraffes, zebras, an aviary exhibit, and a serpentarium.

Pie de la Questa
Pie de la Questa is the world-famous sunset beach. It not only offers a great view of the setting sun, but also a great meal at any one of the beachfront restaurants.

Cici
Cici is a water park located in the center of the Acapulco strip. Children and adults will enjoy a day at this water-based amusement park. Cici has everything from a big wavepool, some smaller pools, a giant water slide, and seal - dolphin water shows. It also features a pool for a swim with dolphins. Visitors enjoy the beauty of the gentle waterfalls and fountains that surround the park. 

Nature Tour of Tres Palos Lagoon
Parque Ecological deViveristas,462-0302.
Visitors can embark on an exciting adventure in a natural setting to view some of the most beautiful sights that Acapulco has to offer. A unique feature of this tour is sightseeing while driving your own wave runner.

Areas of Acapulco

Tourist areas are roughly divided into three sections:

(1) Old Acapulco (Acapulco Viejo):  the original town

(2) The second section is the Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera); it follows the main boulevard, Costera Miguel Alemán (or just "the Costera"), runs east along the bay from downtown.

Avenida Cuauhtémoc is the major artery running roughly parallel to the Costera.

(3) Carretera Escénica (Scenic Hwy.):  The third major area begins just beyond the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where the name of the Costera changes to Carretera Escénica (Scenic Hwy.), which continues all the way to the airport. The area fronting the beach is Acapulco Diamante which many consider to be Acapulco's most desirable address.

Jungle Tour
460-1960
While visiting Acapulco, take a tour of Coyuca Lagoon. It is here where Rambo II was filmed. Tours leave daily from Hotel Continental Plaza at 9:30 and 11.

Palaco
Latin rhythms can be found in Palaco. This is a large restaurant on Roqueta Island. The special feature of Palaco is the daily dancing and floorshow. There are two shows daily at 11 and 1:30.

Roller Papayago
A great place for the whole family. Roller Papayago is it! It is an outside roller skating rink in front of Papayago Park.

Papayago Park
Papayago Park is a large park featuring a roller rink, acres of trees, plush grass, and an amusement park. The amusement park has a number of rides, including many carnival rides. It also features a beautiful aviary.

Quebrada
483-1155
This is the site where spectators gather to view the legendary cliff divers of Acapulco. This is not to be missed. Visitors can watch the sunset at the Symphony of the Sea,at a grandstand built into the side of the mountain. Following this show, divers perform at the Quebrada. For generations, brave young men have taken this majestic dive into the Pacific Ocean.

Convention Center
484-32118, The Acapulco Convention Center is home to the Mexican Fiesta Folklore Show commemorating the Mexico of the past. The entertainment includes regional dancers, lively music, and pole climbers. The Convention Ceter is also the site of the Acapulco Symphony Orchestra and the famous Acapulco Music Festival The huge garden areas contain a large variety of tropical plants and palms.

Chapel of Peace
One of the most recognized sights in Acapulco, the Chapel of Peace is in the form of a large cross and is located on the top of a mountain.

Sky Flight
484-8575
Take a thrilling ride on this high-powered hang glider. The glider takes off from the beach and reaches an altitude of 450 feet, then cruises over the beaches of Acapulco.

Cathedral on the Plaza
The design of this church is a product of Spanish, Moorish and native influences. Its distinguishable blue dome dominates the downtown plaza. Inside is an extensive collection of religious artifacts.

Mercado Municipal
One of the largest markets in Acapulco, the Mercado Municipal is a favored place for early morning shopping. It is open daily, but closes early in the afternoon.

Guerrero Cultural Center
The Guerrero Cultural Center features a unique gallery and a small archaeological museum.