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Acapulco

Drug violence in Acapulco ebbs and flows, and though a recent spate has edged down tourism, the line of new hotels and high-rises extending the city’s famous twinkling shoreline shows that its renaissance as a glitzy resort is on its way. Stay in an ocean-view suite, have a Margarita at sunset, and you’ll see why 1960s Hollywood once viewed Acapulco as the pearl of the Mexican Pacific.
 

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Essentials

01 Getting around is relatively painless. Many places are walkable, buses are cheap and taxis are plentiful.
02 Avoid the crowds in the centre and venture south for daytime swimming.
03 Stay sharp out on the town; don’t sport your flashiest jewellery.
04 Don’t miss the decadent charm of Old Acapulco’s 1950s and 1960s architecture.
05 Do watch the boats roll into the bay as night falls at Las Brisas hotel’s Sunset Bar.

Hotels

Independent and easy
Hotel Boca Chica
Punta Caletilla
+ 49 30 884 940 040
designhotels.com/bocachica

Dependable chain
Fairmont Pierre Marqués
Playa Revolcadero
+ 52 744 435 2600
fairmont.com/pierremarques

Premium
Las Brisas Beach Club
5255 Carretera Escénica
+ 52 744 469 6900
brisas.com.mx


Dining

Fast breakfast
Any branch of 100% Natural
100natural.com.mx

Leisurely breakfast
Los Flamingos
Hotel Avenida Adolfo López Mateos
Between Caleta beach and La Quebrada
+ 52 744 482 0690
hotellosflamingos.com

Mid-morning coffee
Pierre's Café and Delicatessen
Fairmont Pierre Marqués
Playa Revolcadero
+ 52 744 435 2600
fairmont.com/pierremarques

Lunch with friends
El Cano Diamante
Carretera Barra Vieja, km3.5
+ 52 744 444 5400

Picnic spot
Playa Pie de la Cuesta
Head north out of Acapulco for 10km on mex 200 highway

Lunch on your own
La Cabaña de Caleta
Playa Caleta (east)
+ 52 744 469 8553
lacabanadecaleta.com

Sunset cocktail
Sunset Bar
Las Brisas 5255
Avenida Escénica
+ 52 744 469 6900
brisas.com.mx

Dinner for two
Zibu
Avenida Escénica (no number)
+ 52 744 433 3058
zibu.com.mx

Dinner with friends
Tres Marias Restaurante y Bar
Playa Pie de la Cuesta, km1.5
+ 52 744 460 0178

Barbecue spot
Restaurant Beto Godoy
Carretera Acapulco-Pinotepa, km32
+ 52 744 444 6101
restaurantbetogodoy.com

Big dinner with friends
Becco al Mare
14 Avenida Escénica
+ 52 744 446 7402
beccoalmare.com

Late drinks
The deck at Zuntra
Avenida Escénica inside of Marina Brisas
Acapulco neighbourhood
+ 52 744 446 5601
zuntra.com.mx

Reading
You can buy international newspapers and magazines at any branch of the Sanborns store. sanborns.com.mx


Basics
Pharmacy at any branch of Sanborns.
sanborns.com.mx


Shopping

Something you can't get anywhere else
You can buy fresh fish from the seafood market at Puerto Marqués

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
La Isla Shopping Village
18 Boulevard de las Naciones

Something for the kids
Crafts from the central market
Mercado Central, Zona Tradicional

Something for someone you love
Guayabera shirts and espadrilles from Emil Plaza
Bahia Costera Miguel Alemán
+ 52 744 486 1516

Something for yourself
Mezcal Don Fili from La Europea
2908 Costera Miguel Alemán
+ 52 744 484 8043

Two-hour tour

01

Visit the historical museum at the Spanish fort Fuerte de San Diego
Calle Hornitos
Calle Morelos
+ 52 744 482 3828

02
Watch the cliff divers at La Quebrada.
Plazoleta de la Quebrada
Old Acapulco

03
Check out Zócalo, the main square, and Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Church, Old Acapulco


Limousine/car
Most hotels and fine restaurants have taxi ranks; if not, they will call a cab for you. If you are staying at a private home or villa, call the nearest hotel and they will send a taxi to wherever you are.


Transport
Taxis are cheap and safe, but make sure to call ahead for one.


Fitness

Good gym
Stick with the hotel gym, as there are not very many local ones.

Good running route
Head east from the Fairmont Pierre Marqués along the beach into the newly developed Diamante zone.

Alternative diversion
Embark on a fishing excursion on the Pacific.
Fish R Us
100 Costera Miguel Alemán
+ 52 744 482 8282
fish-r-us.com