Acapulco Travel Guide
Best neighborhoods, things to do, and when to visit
Acapulco, Mexico
Acapulco wraps around a deep Pacific bay, where divers leap from the La Quebrada cliffs and small boats cross the water at dusk. The Costera road traces the shoreline past mid-century hotels, while the old town keeps its zócalo shaded by tall trees.
Bay swimming · Cliff diving · Seafood dining
Airport
Acapulco International Airport, just outside the city to the southeast
Language
Spanish, with some English in tourist zones
Currency
Mexican peso (MXN, $); cards common, cash for markets
Ideal trip length
4 to 5 days
Best time to visit Acapulco
December – April
Average temperature
69-91°F (21-33°C), Warm, sunny days with very little rain and comfortable ocean breezes along the bay.
Crowd Level
High
Reason To Visit
Between December and April, Acapulco stays sunny and dry, with days near 90°F (32°C) and nights around 70°F (21°C). Calm bay water makes swimming, boat rides, and long beach walks easy.
Fall eventDía de la Independencia
Zócalo de Acapulco
Things to do
Swim in the sheltered coves of Caleta, watch the cliff divers at La Quebrada, and take an evening stroll along the Costera before dinner at a seafood palapa.
Popular events
Spring
Semana Santa, Día del Niño, Día del Trabajo
Summer
Día de la Marina, Día del Padre
Fall
Día de la Independencia, Día de la Revolución Mexicana, Día de los Fieles Difuntos
Winter
Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, Nochebuena, Día de la Candelaria
Where to stay in Acapulco
From cliffside coves to quiet bayside villages, find the Acapulco base that fits your trip.
Acapulco Diamante
Newer development southeast of the bay, with long open beaches and calm nights.
Known for
Long open beaches and newer resort development
Things to do nearby
Revolcadero, Barra Vieja Beach, Laguna de Tres Palos
Nearby neighborhoods
Puerto Márquez, Tres Palos
Las Playas
A hilly peninsula west of downtown, with cliff views and sheltered swimming coves.
Known for
Cliff views and calm coves for swimming
Things to do nearby
La Quebrada, Playa Caleta, Isla de La Roqueta
Nearby neighborhoods
Costa Azul, Palma Sola
Puerto Márquez
A protected bay village where fishing boats and open-air seafood palapas line the shore.
Known for
Palapa seafood on a sheltered bay
Things to do nearby
Playa Puerto Marquez, Revolcadero, Laguna de Tres Palos
Nearby neighborhoods
Acapulco Diamante, San Pedro las Playas
Costa Azul
A settled neighborhood a block or two inland, close to Icacos beach and daily errands.
Known for
Everyday shops steps from Icacos beach
Things to do nearby
Playa Icacos, Papagayo Adventure Park
Nearby neighborhoods
Las Playas, Palma Sola
Palma Sola
A hillside neighborhood above the bay, with wide views over Acapulco and the water.
Known for
Hillside outlooks over the bay
Things to do nearby
Ciber Palma Sola, Papagayo Adventure Park, La Quebrada
Nearby neighborhoods
Costa Azul, Las Playas
Tres Palos
An inland area near the lagoon, well away from the busier stretches of the bay.
Known for
Quiet lagoon setting inland from the coast
Things to do nearby
Laguna de Tres Palos, Barra Vieja Beach, Revolcadero
Nearby neighborhoods
Acapulco Diamante, San Pedro las Playas
Must see places in Acapulco
Cliff divers, a blue-domed cathedral and long surf beaches along one wide bay
La Quebrada
Divers leap from high rock ledges into the ocean below, a tradition watched from viewing terraces.
Neighborhood
Las Playas
Things to do nearby
Caleta Beach, Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral
Time needed
1-2 hours
Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral
Blue domes rise over the main square, and the towers light up at dusk.
Things to do nearby
Plaza Álvarez, Acapulco Historical Museum Of Fort San Diego
Time needed
30-45 minutes
Acapulco Historical Museum Of Fort San Diego
A restored maritime fort tracing regional history, colonial trade and defense against pirates.
Neighborhood
Centro
Things to do nearby
Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral, Plaza Álvarez
Time needed
1-2 hours
Capilla De La Paz
Ecumenical chapel with wide views, a towering cross and the Hands of Brotherhood sculpture.
Neighborhood
Brisas I
Things to do nearby
Playa Puerto Marquez, La Quebrada
Time needed
1 hour
Caleta Beach
Calm water, local eateries and boats out to nearby islands make this an easy family stop.
Neighborhood
Las Playas
Things to do nearby
La Quebrada, Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral
Time needed
2-3 hours
Revolcadero
A long stretch of sand with strong waves, suited to surfing, horseback riding and walks.
Neighborhood
Acapulco Diamante
Things to do nearby
Playa La Bonfil, Forum De Mundo Imperial
Time needed
2-3 hours
Playa Bonfil
Surfing, horseback riding and seafood shacks, plus turtle releases in season.
Neighborhood
Acapulco Diamante
Things to do nearby
Revolcadero, Campamento Tortuguero Playa Hermosa
Time needed
Half day
Papagayo Adventure Park
An ecological park with lakes, sports courts and attractions built for families.
Neighborhood
Hornos
Things to do nearby
Plaza Álvarez, Acapulco Historical Museum Of Fort San Diego
Time needed
2-3 hours
Places to eat and drink in Acapulco
Seafood, paella and buffet breakfasts across Acapulco.
Zibu Acapulco
Open-air dining room over Puerto Marqués bay blending Guerrero seafood with Thai seasoning.
Highlights
Bay views, palapa dining room
Why do locals love it
Tamarind and lemongrass meet local fish above the water at sunset.
El Zorrito
Costera fixture open around the clock for pozole, tacos, and pierna adobada.
Highlights
late-night hours
Why do locals love it
One of the few kitchens still serving hot pozole after midnight.
Restaurante
Breakfast, lunch and dinner here, with Mexican, international and European plates on the menu.
Highlights
Breakfast service, bakery
Why do locals love it
Morning through evening meals in one place
Amalfi Acapulco
A dining room known for its panoramic outlook over Acapulco.
Highlights
Panoramic views
Why do locals love it
Wide views from the tables at sunset
Bocana Beach
A relaxed spot for a meal near the water, easy to fold into a beach day.
Highlights
Beachside seating
Why do locals love it
Sand-close tables and slow afternoons
Sirocco
A Spanish kitchen where paella arrives in several versions, served with a view of the bay.
Highlights
Paella, bay views
Why do locals love it
Paella and an open outlook over the water
Bluewater
Seafood from a family with more than 45 years in Acapulco restaurants.
Highlights
Seafood, family-run kitchen
Why do locals love it
Decades of family cooking behind the seafood menu
La Palapa Restaurant
The main restaurant at Balneario Flamingos, where mornings start with a buffet breakfast.
Highlights
Buffet breakfast
Why do locals love it
Long breakfasts before a day at the balneario
Explore Acapulco: The best travel itineraries
A single day in Acapulco can hold downtown landmarks, a sheltered cove and the cliff divers at sunset.
Experienced Airbnb hosts in Acapulco
6,460+
Places to stay in Acapulco
8,580+
Verified guest reviews in Acapulco
261,770+
Average rating in Acapulco
4.7
1 Day trip
Start at the old fortress above the harbor, swim in a calm cove through the afternoon, then watch the divers at La Quebrada as the light goes.
Morning
Fortress history downtown
Go early, before midday heat settles over the ramparts.
Afternoon
Calm water at Caleta
Boats leave from the sand for nearby islands.
Evening
Divers at dusk
Arrive ahead of the show to claim a spot along the railing.
3 Day trip
Three days that move from the cathedral square and cliff divers to the calm coves of the peninsula, then out along the bay for beach time and paella with water views.
Morning
Fortress on the hill
Go early, before the midday heat settles over the ramparts.
Afternoon
The main square
Shaded benches under the trees make a good pause between stops.
Evening
Divers at dusk
Arrive before the show to claim a spot at the railing.
Morning
Calm water cove
Boats to the nearby islands leave from the sand here.
Afternoon
Seafood by the shore
Order fresh seafood at a table close to the waterline.
Evening
Out on the bay
Bring a light layer for the breeze once the boat clears the harbor.
Morning
Water sports beach
Rent gear on the sand for a morning on the water.
Afternoon
Chapel above the bay
Wear shoes with grip for the walk up to the cross.
Evening
Paella with a view
Book a table on the water side for sunset.
5-7 Day trip
Five days across Acapulco: colonial squares and cliff divers, sheltered cove beaches, an evening bay cruise, and open surf sand toward Diamante.
Morning
Cathedral on the square
Go early, before the square fills with midday heat.
Afternoon
Crafts and live music
Shaded benches make this a good spot to slow down.
Evening
Cliff divers at dusk
Arrive ahead of the show to claim a viewpoint.
Morning
Fort San Diego
Indoor galleries make this a good pick during strong sun.
Afternoon
Calm water at Caleta
Boats leave here for the island across the water.
Evening
Sunset at La Angosta
Order seafood and stay for the light on the water.
Morning
Papagayo park
Lakes and shaded paths suit families with young kids.
Afternoon
Condesa Beach
Rent gear on the sand if you want water sports.
Evening
Bay cruise
Boats board near the old town waterfront; check departure times.
Morning
Capilla de la Paz
The hilltop cross and sculpture sit at the end of a steep drive.
Afternoon
Puerto Marques bay
Calm water here works well for swimming with kids.
Evening
Paella above the bay
Book a table timed to sunset for the view.
Morning
Surf at Revolcadero
Waves run strong here, so wade carefully or ride horseback instead.
Afternoon
Baby turtle release
Release times depend on the season, so ask ahead.
Evening
Sunset at Bonfil
Grab a table at a beachfront seafood palapa.
Family travel
Playa Caleta and Caletilla sit close together, and a short boat ride to Isla de la Roqueta makes an easy half-day outing.
Couple travel
Watch the La Quebrada cliff divers, then share seafood near Caleta or take a slow evening stroll at Pie de la Cuesta.
Solo travel
Start at the Zocalo, tour the Fuerte de San Diego museum, then walk the Costera Miguel Aleman promenade at dusk.
How to get around Acapulco
Metro and train
Travelers get around Acapulco by road rather than rail. For intercity trips, check schedules directly with the long-distance bus terminals.
Bus
Local buses and shared vans serve routes along Costera Miguel Aleman. Check the destination sign, and carry small bills for the fare.
Rental car
A car helps for beaches beyond the bay, such as Pie de la Cuesta. Expect hills, speed bumps, and paid lots near the waterfront.
Walking
The bay promenade suits flat strolls. Mornings and evenings are cooler than midday, so carry water and use shade when the sun is strong.
Generated with AI and may contain mistakes. Sources include third-party travel data and Airbnb data from listings, hosts, and host guidebooks. Updated September 2026.