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Acapulco

In Acapulco, gleaming new additions to the coastline herald the return of glamour to a city that saw its glory days in the 1960s and 1970s. If you embrace the kitsch of Old Acapulco while staying in a new luxury hotel, avoid the spring breakers, and enjoy fresh Pacific seafood at low-key beach shacks, you'll understand why it was so popular in the first place. 
 

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Essentials

01 Acapulco is in three parts: the newer areas to the south; the Costera running along the bay; and Old Acapulco to the north.
02 Take in Old Acapulco's faded charm and Diamante's new additions, but pass on the Costera's hotels.
03 Admire the architecture of the great 1950s, 1960s and 1970s villas.
04 Avoid the weeks of American spring breaks (late February to mid-March).
05 Go see Acapulco's daring clavadistas, who dive from the rocky cliffs at La Quebrada.

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