Acapulco is a city in the Guerrero state of Mexico. Owing to its coast location by the bay, the has been a popular beach resort city since the 1940s. The majority of the best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico are situated by the coastline.
You get to explore pristine beaches, beautiful islands, and several adventure activities. The Acapulco beaches have attracted celebrities, millionaires, and tourists alike. Everyone finds escape in the fun vibe, happening venues, and watersports activities. We have listed the best beaches in Acapulco in the next section.
The coastline also has the top places to go in Acapulco for dining and partying. The beaches have some of the best clubs, bars, pubs, and lounges. They are also known for fun activities to do in Acapulco. This includes jet skiing, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing, and so on.
You can also venture a little deeper into the ocean for boat cruises and scuba diving. The boat tours also take you to small islands close to the coast. These are the best places to visit in Acapulco if you are looking for mesmerizing nature trails and tranquil beaches with scarce crowds.
You will also find some really wonderful natural sites at Acapulco tourist attractions inland as well. There are two major lagoons where you can enjoy boat tours to admire the natural habitats of migratory birds.
The city also has a rich history alongside its charming, fun, leisurely, and entertaining side. There are some spectacular things to see in Acapulco from the colonial and pre-colonial periods. The city has been a major port.
You will see many historical Acapulco attractions that were used to support maritime trade. This includes lighthouses, docking stations, piers, and so on. However, the most impressive among these is Fort San Diego. The fort was built to prevent invasions and to ward off pirates. It is one of the biggest places to see in Acapulco. Inside the Fort, you will find a museum that gives you an overview of the city’s history and culture. This gives you an in-depth perspective during Acapulco sightseeing.
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Top 17 Tourist Places to Visit in Acapulco, Mexico
1. Best Beaches in Acapulco
Most people visit Acapulco for its magnificent beaches. It has been a popular seaside resort town since the 20th century. Most of the Acapulco beaches have great facilities and are surrounded by resorts.
You can come here to enjoy sunbathing on lounges while enjoying the ocean view. Many of the beaches in Acapulco also have facilities for watersports. This includes jet skiing, snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing, and more.
The best beaches in Acapulco are Playa Condesa, Playa Caletilla, Playa Catela, Playa Revolcadero, Playa Majahua, Bara de Coyuca, Playa Icacos, and Playa Pichilingue. These beaches are also the most happening spots with amazing food joints and nightlife venues. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying any of these beaches.
2. La Quebrada Cliffs
These cliffs are 40 meters high above the sea level. It is one of the best places to visit in Acapulco for the Cliff Diving Show. Professional cliff divers perform an incredible show from La Quebrada.
The daring performers leap from the cliffs performing amazing stunts and dive into the narrow chasm below. The performance goes on all day till sunset. The final dive of the day is one of the most majestic things to see in Acapulco.
The sea below is lit on fire with gasoline and the diver jumps into the flaming ocean with torches in their hands. The show is one of the best things to do in Acapulco at night. You can spend a couple of hours enjoying the show at La Quebrada.
I suggest you should book your Tour to La Quebrada Cliffs with Dinner in advance.
3. San Diego Fort (Fuerte de San Diego)
This fort was first built in 1616 to guard the Acapulco Bay from pirates. It was renovated to its current state after an earthquake in 1776. It is one of the most important historical Acapulco attractions. The fort played a significant role in the Mexican Revolution Wars and the Mexican War of Independence.
You can tour the star-shaped fort and learn about the fantastic defensive architecture. The museum inside the fort covers political and cultural aspects of the city’s history. It covers the history from Mezcala culture to the modern period. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to tour the fort and the museum.
4. Scuba Diving & Snorkelling
Acapulco has some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling spots in Mexico. You can also get certified as a diver here. The clear waters and abundance of marine life make it an incredible experience. No wonder it is one of the top activities to do in Acapulco, Mexico.
Some of the best spots for scuba diving in Acapulco include Rio de la Plata, Las Cuevas, Catella, and Caletilla. You can also enjoy snorkelling closer to the shores to see the marine life in the shallows. It is one of the fun things to do in Acapulco by the beaches. The top spots for snorkelling include La Roqueta Island, Puerto Marques, and Playa Caleta. You will need at least 2 hours for any of these activities during Acapulco travel.
I suggest you should book your Snorkelling Experience in advance.
5. Isla la Roqueta
This island is one of the most beautiful places to explore. It is known for its untouched natural beauty, beaches, and adventure activities. The island is covered with jungle and you can explore some beautiful nature trails. These would lead you to natural pools, high viewpoints, and waterfalls.
La Roqueta is also home to some of the most pristine beaches in Mexico. These are far less crowded than the mainland beaches. If you are looking for tranquil seclusion, these are the best places to go in Acapulco, Mexico.
The island also has a few restaurants and resorts for leisure, dining, partying, and entertainment. Although the most popular activity on the island is snorkelling. The shallow spots close to the shore are perfect for it. You will see small fishes, corals, turtles, and several small marine creatures. You can easily spend an entire day exploring various parts of this island.
I suggest you should book your Trip to La Roqueta Island in advance.
6. Chapel of Peace (Capilla de la Paz)
This church was built in the 1970s and is known for its A-frame design. However, it is popular among Acapulco tourist attractions for the view more than the church itself. The church sits atop a hill and is the highest point in the city. The vantage point gives you amazing views of the entire city, all the way to the coastline. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore the church and the viewpoint.
7. Lucha Libre Wrestling Show
The spectacle of masked luchadors wrestling is an experience unique to Mexico. It is part of the culture and it is loads of fun. The show involves a series of wrestling matches between masked wrestlers presenting different personas.
If you are aware of their wrestling personas, you will get to enjoy the storytelling element even more. It is one of the best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico. If you combine that with beer, snacks, and the wild crowd; you will get an exceptionally entertaining evening. You will need 3 to 4 hours to enjoy a complete show.
I suggest you should book your Show for Lucha Libre Wrestling in advance.
8. Zocalo (Plaza Álvarez)
This central square is considered the heart of the city. The square is a hustling and bustling spot. The square is home to some of the best cafes and restaurants in the city. In the evenings, you will also get to enjoy live music and street performances at this place.
It is also one of the top spots in Acapulco for shopping. The square is the starting point for walking and cycling tours of the old part of the city You can easily spend 20 to 30 minutes exploring the square.
9. Laguna de Tres Palos
This huge lagoon is one of the finest natural habitats close to the city. It is an exceptionally beautiful environment with a variety of trees, flowers, plants, small animals, and birds. The lagoon also attracts numerous migratory birds during winter.
You can enjoy boat tours in the lagoon to admire its natural beauty. It is one of the most pristine places to see in Acapulco. The clay of this lagoon is also quite popular. It is believed to hold medicinal properties for skin care. You will need about 2 hours to enjoy a tour of the lagoon.
I suggest you should book your Trip to Tres Palos Lagoon in advance.
10. Punta Diamante
The Diamond Point is a posh neighbourhood on the southeast side of the city. It faces the ocean and is home to some of the best spots in the city. It is a great place to roam around during Acapulco sightseeing.
The neighbourhood has high-end hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, and entertainment venues. The Playa Revolcadero in the area is one of the best Acapulco beaches for surfing. You will need about an hour or so to explore this area.
11. Costera Street
If you are looking for happening nightlife venues in Acapulco, you just have to get to Costera Street. The entire street is lined with some of the best places to visit in Acapulco for partying.
You will find beach bars, nightclubs, lounges, and more. Some of the most popular ones are Baby O Acapulco, Paradise Bungy, Baby Lobster, and Disco Beach. You can dedicate an evening to hopping clubs on this street.
12. Diego Rivera Mural
Diego Rivera is a renowned artist from Mexico. He is known for his contribution to Mexican and International arts through his unique style of frescoes. Rivera contributed a mural to the city and it has become one of the most popular Acapulco attractions.
The mural depicts elements of the pre-Columbian culture of Mexico. The central figure of the mural is Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent deity from Aztec culture. You should take a couple of minutes from Acapulco sightseeing to stop and admire this mural.
13. Laguna de Coyuca
This lagoon is smaller than Laguna des Tres Palos but has a more vibrant environment. The lagoon becomes home to several migratory birds including herons, storks, pelicans, and more. The lagoon also has several small islands where these birds form their colonies.
You can enjoy a guided boat tour in the lagoon to explore nature and wildlife. People can also opt to ride rowboats as a more adventurous alternative. It is one of the most fun things to do in Acapulco, Mexico. You will need about 2 hours for the tour.
I suggest you should book your Trip to Coyuca Lagoon in advance.
14. El Rollo Acapulco
This amazing waterpark is just a few meters away from a white sand beach. You get to enjoy one of the best Acapulco beaches on one side. And on the other, you can have fun with wave pools, dolphin shows, water slides, and several other fun activities to do in Acapulco. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying the place.
15. Tehuacalco Ruins
These ancient ruins of a Mayan empire site sit in the Sierra Madre Mountains. It is one of the most fascinating things to see in Acapulco. The site once belonged to the Yope civilization and used to be a ceremonial centre.
You can tour this archeological site to peek into the ancient culture and architecture. It is quite interesting to see how such an ancient civilization created such massive structures. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour the ruins including the travel from Acapulco and back.
I suggest you should book your Trip to Tehuacalco Ruins in advance.
16. Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation
This centre works for the conservation of Mexican turtles. They care for turtles and release them into the wild. You can participate in some of the best things to do in Acapulco with the conservation centre. You can care for and feed the turtles. People can also camp by the beaches to watch young turtles hatch from eggs and find their way to the ocean. It is a memorable experience and you will need about 2 to 3 hours for it.
17. Boat Cruise
Once you have explored the Acapulco tourist attractions on land, take time to venture out to the ocean. The boat cruises are some of the best experiences when you visit Acapulco. You can take cruises for dining, partying, and seeing sunsets. You get to choose between tour boats, yachts, and sailboats. You will need at least an hour or so for a boat cruise.
I suggest you should experience the Sightseeing Trip on a Cruise Ship.
If you are looking for more places to go in Acapulco, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of various tourist attractions and activities in the city and around it.
Things to do in Acapulco, Mexico
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Acapulco, Mexico
- Fort San Diego
- Chapel of Peace
- Tehuacalco Ruins
- Cathedral of Acapulco
- Acapulco Museum of Naval History
- Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia
- Capilla de la Paz
- Aracnee Zoology Museum
- Capilla Maria Estrella del Mar
- Museo de la Mascara Guero
- Museo Interactivo la Avispa
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Acapulco, Mexico
- Laguna des Tres Palos
- Laguna de Coyuca
- Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation Centre
- Cave Devil
- Mirador Cliffs
- Embarcaciones Kamuri
- Cascada el Salto
- Paradise of Mangroves
- Deposito Aguas Blancas
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Acapulco, Mexico
- La Quebrada Cliffs
- Lucha Libre Wrestling Show
- El Rollo
- Parque Papagayo
- Parque de la Iguana
- Recreativo el Veladero Park
- Parque Acuatico Agua Salvaje
- Parque de la Reina
- Acapulco Botanical Gardens
Shopping in Acapulco, Mexico
- Plaza Marbella
- Mercado Centro
- Acapulco Galerias
- Mercado El Parazal
- El Pueblito Craft Market
- Mercado Morelos
- La Isla Shopping Village
- Mercado de Artesanias La Diana
- Acapulco Mall
- Galeria Diana
- Mercado Chilapeno
- Plaza Condesa
Beaches & Islands in Acapulco, Mexico
- Playa Condesa
- Playa Caletilla
- Playa Catela
- Playa Revolcadero
- Playa Majahua
- Bara de Coyuca
- Playa Icacos
- Playa Pichilingue
- Isla la Roqueta
- Playa Papagayo
- Playa Diamante
- Playa Tabachines
- Playa las San Pedro
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Acapulco, Mexico
- Hiking
- Scuba Diving
- Paddle Boarding
- Kayaking
- Surfing
- Boat Cruise
- Jet Skiing
- Parasailing
- Sailing
- Snorkelling
- Yatch Tours
Sightseeing in Acapulco, Mexico
- Zocalo Square
- Punta Diamante
- Costera Street
- Diego Rivera Mural
- Diana the Huntress Statue
- Plaza Alvarez
- Mirador Puerto Marques
- Aguas Termales la Escondida
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Acapulco, Mexico
- Grill y Tacos
- Mariscos Pipos
- Taquitos
- LaVicenta
- Cafe al Mar
- Sirocco
- Ika Taco
- Circa La Morena 1
- Origen
- Carmenere
- Tacos Tumbras
- Bellavista Las Brisas
- Becco al Mare
- El Zorrito
- Zibu
- La Cabana de Caleta
- El Pesca’O
- El Fogon
- Cafe Wadi
- Lupe de Arena
- Tony’s Bistro
- La Casa de Tere
- Plaza Francia Club de Playa
Where to Stay in Acapulco?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Acapulco. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Acapulco.
Luxurious Hotels
- Pierre Mundo Imperial
- Las Brisas Acapulco
- Palacio Mundo Imperial
- Ritz Acapulco
- Encanto Acapulco
- HS HOTSSON Smart Acapulco
- Real Bananas Hotel & Villas
- Mishol Weddings & Events Hotel & Beach Club
- Holiday Inn Acapulco la Isla, an IHG Hotel
- One Acapulco Costera
Mid-Range Hotels
- Emporio Acapulco Hotel
- Playa Suites Acapulco Hotel
- Hotel Costa Azul
- Las Torres Gemelas Suites & Beach Resort
- Hotel Nilo
- Hotel Acapulco Malibu
- Casa Jaguar Hotel & Boutique
- Hotel Maria Eugenia
- Villamar Princesa Suites
- Villas La Lupita Hotel
Budget Hotels
- Donde Mira El Sol
- Alba Suites Acapulco
- Hotel Mision & Spa Acapulco
- Bali Hai Hotel
- Hotel Acamar Acapulco
- Hoteles Aristos
- Hotel Suites Jazmin
- Hotel Romano Palace Acapulco
- We Hotel Acapulco
- Hotel El Tropicano Acapulco
Custom Tours Package in Acapulco
How to Reach Acapulco, Mexico?
By Air
The city is served by the Juan N. Alvarez International Airport. You can get direct flights to visit Acapulco from cities in Mexico and North America. The airport receives flights from Mexico City, Montreal, Dallas, Monterrey, Toronto, Cancun, Guadalajara, Leon, and Tijuana. If you are travelling from other destinations, you should get a connecting flight via Mexico City.
You can cabs, buses, and private transport to reach the city from the airport. The best option is to pre-book your ride from the airport. You can also get your hotel to arrange the transport for you.
By Road
The Mexico City and Manzanillo train stations are the closest options to travel to Acapulco. You can get buses from each of these cities to get to Acapulco. You can also go for rented cars. The bus network connects the city with several major cities and towns in Mexico.
If you are planning to reach Acapulco by car, you should head for routes 95D or 200D. These routes intersect on the east end of the city.
By Water
Despite being a coastline city, there are no direct water routes to visit Acapulco. It does serve as a port for cruise ships going between Panama and San Francisco. Although, you can get boat cruises and tours to reach nearby islands from the city.
Image Reference
- Best Beaches in Acapulco – Mike Ramírez Mx / PixaBay
- La Quebrada Cliffs – Jorge Nava / Flickr
- San Diego Fort (Fuerte de San Diego) – Enrique Galindo / Wikimedia Commons
- Scuba Diving & Snorkelling – jacqueline macou / PixaBay
- Isla la Roqueta – Limor Hader / Flickr
- Chapel of Peace (Capilla de la Paz) – Thank You (24 Millions ) views / Flickr
- Lucha Libre Wrestling Show – yameen9000 / Flickr
- Zocalo (Plaza Álvarez) – Thank You (24 Millions ) views / Flickr
- Laguna de Tres Palos – Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones / Flickr
- Punta Diamante – Carlos Valenzuela / Wikimedia Commons
- Costera Street – Eduardo Francisco Vazquez Murillo / Flickr
- Diego Rivera Mural – travelmag.com / Flickr
- Laguna de Coyuca – Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones / Wikimedia Commons
- El Rollo Acapulco –
- Tehuacalco Ruins – AlejandroLinaresGarcia / Wikimedia Commons
- Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation – Daisy Brust / PixaBay
- Boat Cruise – Javier Hernández Pino / PixaBay
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