Tourism

Navigating Acapulco

When the first wave of tourists arrived in Acapulco, back in the 30s, 40s and 50s, it was a simple matter navigating the city. Primarily because there wasn’t a lot of infrastructure in place. You docked your sailboat at the pier, landed a plane in a grass-covered field, or made the dusty drive to the city by the bay over dirt roads. Today it’s a whole new ballgame, with an international airport that is constantly keeping pace with the latest developments, a glittering marina welcoming cruise ships as well as individually-owned yachts and sailboats, and a smooth as silk highway system linking Acapulco inland to Mexico City and up and down the Pacific Coast to other seaside resort areas.

As Acapulco grew, it stretched out around the bay and up into the verdant hills. The Traditional Zone of the city lives up to its name, with hotels and attractions that link Acapulco to its storied past. The Golden Zone sprang up during Acapulco’s first boom years, in the 1950s right through the 70s. The Diamond Zone is modern Acapulco, with new high end resorts, shopping centers and restaurants regularly being unveiled.