Tuesday, Day 5
Acapulco
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
The climate is tropical, with warm to hot temperatures year-round. Precipitation is heavily concentrated in the high-sun period (northern hemisphere summer), while the low-sun period (northern hemisphere winter) is mostly dry and sunny.
For most of a century, exotic and historic Acapulco has been a popular resort for tourists taking long holiday weekends and cruises from the United States, the Mexican interior and countries in South America. Eventually, it began competing directly with the east-coast (Cancún) as a super-tourist destination. In the past three decades, air fares have become increasingly affordable as international airlines added flights and infrastructure to support the increasing air travel. The two beach resorts are essentially located on opposite coasts oriented due East and West from the other at essentially the same latitude. The city has had its star-spangled times, prompting none other than Frank Sinatra to give the place a mention in his all time classic "Come Fly With Me". Modern Acapulco has a great appeal and is a featured destination for many Pacific cruise ship packages and international air carriers. The vast majority of the tourists are Mexicans, but its balmy subtropical climate and pleasant year round temperatures draws in many other foreign nationals year round providing the volume to support the numerous bars and clubs dotted around the bay. Whether seeking a break from northern climes, winters or heat, or the southern hemisphere's seasonal analogs, the resorts proximity to the equator on the narrows of the North America continental isthmus gives it an economically important geographic centrality rivaled by only a few resorts in the world.
In recent years, within the younger crowd, Acapulco has made up some ground on Cancún as a popular spring break destination. This growing popularity may be because Acapulco offers a different unknown experience and a larger, international student crowd than Cancún due to its prominence as an international tourist mecca with many available international transatlantic and transpacific flights. Apart from just the beach, Acapulco's best known island Roqueta, is a great attraction which is typically reached by transparent-bottom motor boats (enabling clear view of the bottom sea). As in Cancún, water sports such as water skiing, para-sailing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, sailing and snorkeling excursions are available in many price ranges amongst the picturesque coastal waters.
Since 1934 the La Quebrada Cliff Divers have performed their impressive jumps into the shallow stream of water of dangerous tides that forms in the bottom part of La Quebrada. The Acapulco cliff divers were seen regularly on weekend sports programming in the United States during the 1970s.
There is a very vibrant night life in Acapulco which caters to all comers. Especially during Spring Break, many bars and night clubs sign special contracts with US based travel companies and cater specifically to the needs of an American crowd, which pay in advance through the travel company (it is open to everyone however). Due to this, there are distinct areas in which the American spring breakers are dominant, mainly around the coast in which the majority of the hotels are located. Most clubs are open bar, while the smaller bar establishments are pay on tab (these also tend to have dj or live music and dancing). Of the American favored clubs, the top three are Palladium, Mandara, and Privado, all located within a mile of each other. These clubs play mostly American music (during spring break), with some popular music from Mexico, generally rock, rap, or pop (and lots of shakira). The price varies due to the type of the year, but generally 40-50 American dollars is the cover (once again the bars are free inside, and very well stocked and staffed). Music is often live, and live performances are regular. There are multiple clubs which tend to cater to the local population as well as visitors from Mexico D.F. and other locations within the country. The two most popular are Salon Q and Ninas, both located on the coast a few blocks apart in the heart of Acapulco. Cover is also variable, but generally speaking the price is 20-25 American dollars with open bar. The music is a mixture of live music, with DJ'd music during the breaks. In addition, each has a performance every night, which includes a mixture of lip synching, crossdressers, and Latin exhibition dancing. The majority of the musica is Latin, Cumbia, Duranguense, Norteňo, Merengue, and Salsa are the most common. In addition to a younger crowd, it isn't surprising to find older couples as well. At around 2:00-3:00 a.m., the live bands retire, and music will switch over to include a large amount of Mexican/American current favorites (as well as a surprising amount of 70-80's US music).
Excursions (from Carnival)
You can receive more information on these excursions by registering and logging into Carnival.com. You can also use these ideas and then book your own independant excursions. Check the links section for links to different tour operators.
| Acapulco Bay Sail | You'll love the feel of the wind in your hair as you sail the amazing waters around Acapulco. | 2.5 Hours |
| Acapulco Beach Break | Enjoy a beach outing with the family in the heart of Acapulco. | 3.5 Hours |
| Acapulco City Tour | Take this chance to become acquainted with enchanting Acapulco from the comfort of an air-conditioned bus or van. | 3.5 Hours |
| Acapulco Shotover Jetboat & City Overview | You'll feel like James Bond as you take this thrilling jet boat ride through the Puerto Marques tropical lagoon. | 2.5 Hours |
| Birds, Turtles & City Overview | This ecological adventure is a unique opportunity to explore a nature preserve and witness the release of baby turtles into the sea. | 5 Hours |
| Aztec Dinner & Cliff Divers | Experience an unforgettable evening of genuine Mexican entertainment. | 4 Hours |
| Captain's Choice Snorkeling Adventure | Enjoy a scenic cruise on your snorkel boat as you view the east side of Acapulco Bay and the spectacular cliffs en route to Puerto Marquez Bay. | 3.5 Hours |
| Certified Two Tank Dive | Experience the world beneath the sea at two different dive sites. | 4 Hours |
| Cliff Divers & Coyuca Lagoon Tour | Retreat to the quaint surroundings of the beautiful Coyuca Lagoon, made famous by movies like the African Queen. | 4.5 Hours |
| Cliff Divers Evening Delight | Come experience the dangerous sport performed by daring youngsters and perfected into an art by Acapulco's cliff divers. | 3 Hours |
| Coyuca Kayak Trek | This excursion has it all - adventure, ecology, relaxation and food. | 3.5 Hours |
| Cultural & Picturesque Acapulco | Discover the marriage of natural and man-made beauty that is Acapulco. | 4.5 Hours |
| Deep Sea Fishing | Top off a great day of deep-sea fishing by having your catch prepared for you at a seaside restaurant. | 6.5 Hours |
| Fort Evening Light Show & Cliff Divers | Don't miss this chance to experience two amazing shows Acapulco is most famous for. | 3 Hours |
| Kayaking at La Roqueta | Explore the fascinating shoreline of Isla La Roqueta from the seat of your very own kayak. | 3.5 Hours |
| Nature Walk & Snorkel at La Roqueta Island | Take in the beauty and indulge in the simple pleasures of nature on this private island. | 4 Hours |
| Pierre Marquis Golf Course | With an investment of over three million dollars, the Fairmont Pierre Marquis Golf Course has finalized the last phase of an extensive renovation program. | 5 Hours |
| Sail Acapulco Bay by Night | Enjoy the spectacular views when the sun goes down as you sail along the coast of Acapulco. | 2 Hours |
| Scenic Acapulco & Beach Escape | Enjoy your time in Acapulco on this wonderful sightseeing and relaxation combination excursion. | 7 Hours |
| White Water Rafting Expedition | Experience the excitement of white water rafting in a virgin, almost uninhabited area of Mexico. | 6 Hours |
Activities and Pictures
I really don't have any links for Acapulco yet. But there are a couple of activities that several in the group are planning.
The first one involves taking a tour with the infamous Rosie. Rosie and her husband Arturo run a tour group in Acapulco. Rosie is known as "The Pink Lady" because she is always dressed in pink. Rosie will customize our tour to wherever and whatever we want to do. She also has standard tours if we just want to leave it in her hands.
The other AWESOME activity a lot of us want to do is to have dinner at La Perla restaurant and watch the cliff divers.
When the cruise gets closer Vicky and Linda will work out the details on these two activites. Come join us!!!
Linda and her husband Wayne went to Acapulco a few weeks ago. Here are some of their pictures:
Linda Parasailing
Wayne and Linda at La Perla
Snorkeling
