Off the Beaten Path Acapulco

Description:

Acapulco has been a resort destination for decades, but there are tons of hotels, beaches, restaurants, and activities that are completely off the radar of the big resort and cruise ship itineraries.

Author: JennyMM


Day 1 - Acapulco


Head straight to the beach after you check in - a great one to visit first is Playa Tamarindos, where you can relax under an umbrella while you watch local kids play soccer and fishermen pull in their morning's catches. After seeing the freshness of the fish that comes into Acapulco's dining establishments every day, try some at Julio's, known for its simple yet incredibly flavorful shrimp dishes, like soup and the Mexican-style shrimp cocktail. For an afternoon activity, visit the Coyuca Lagoon. There are a couple of ways to explore this aquatic wildlife refuge, including by kayak or by hiring a boat. There are several canals leading off the lagoon through the jungle, and the many exotic bird species and lovely water hyacinths are wonderful to observe as you float along. In the afternoon, you have to experience one of Acapulco's best culinary traditions, which is pozole on Thursdays. Accompanied by live mariachi, pozole is a delicious spicy pork and hominy stew full of vegetables and spices, with lots of other fixin's. The patio at Los Rancheros is a great place to have your first pozole experience and to watch the sunset, and stay for a cocktail or head back to the hotel to enjoy one on the terrace. Often passed over by tourists for the more flashy resorts and hotels, the Hotel Flamingos is one of the few classic Acapulco hotels that has been around since before this spot grew into one of Mexico's premiere destinations. The hotel is on a cliff near the La Quebrada cliff-diving spot, and has a wonderful old-time relaxing feel that helps you relax and feel like you're right at home.


1

Hotel Flamingos

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Location:

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López Mateos s/n
Fraccionamiento Las Playas
39390 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

+52 744 482 0690


2

Playa Tamarindos

Location:

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East of Hornos Beach. Access on the Costera Miguel Aleman.
Acapulco, Mexico


3

Laguna de Coyuca

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Location:

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Carretera Pie de la Cuesta
(Frente al restaurante Tres Marías)
39460 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

+52 744 434 0170


5

Coyuca Kayaks Trek

Location:

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Av. Costera Miguel Aleman
180 Local 29, Fracc. Magallanes
Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

(744) 481 05 08


6

Julio's

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Location:

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Calle Cristóbal Colón, 37
Fraccionamiento Costa Azul
39850 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

52 74 853259


7

Rancheros (Los)

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Location:

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Carretera Escénica, 33B
39867 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

52 744 84 1908


Day 2 - Acapulco


Set off on a walk around the zocalo, the city's central square, to check out some of the galleries and other sights downtown. Some are more expensive than others, but most feature works from local artists. A monument to the city's artistic history is the house of Dolores Olmedo, where Diego Rivera, one of Mexico's most honored artists, lived. On display alongside the house is a huge mural of Rivera's, and it is one of Acapulco's most historic landmarks. Line up for some fresh shrimp at La Sirena, where the food is definitely worth the wait, and then climb up to the Capilla de la Paz, a chapel on a cliff with a great view of the city and the bay. There is a bird sanctuary here, and a beautiful garden. Take some time in the afternoon to relax on Playa Tlacopanocha, one of the more calm downtown beaches, that's a favorite for local families. One of the most fun things to see at sunset is the Acapulco Bungee jump. If you're up for it, go for a jump, but if you're not up for it you can enjoy a cocktail at the bar at the top of the jump and watch other people take the plunge. For dinner, try La Granja, which is located close to several hotels but still has delicious local food and a warm atmosphere.


1

Casa de Dolores Olmedo

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Location:

Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

(55) 5555-1016


2

Capilla de la Paz

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Location:

Acapulco, Mexico


3

Acapulco Bungee

Location:

Acapulco, Mexico


4

Galería Rudic

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Location:

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Vicente Yañez Pinzón 9
(Near Hotel Acapulco Continental)
39670 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

+52 74 84 4844


5

Playa Tlacopanocha

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Location:

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Costera Miguel Alemán, s/n
Frente al Zócalo
39300 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

+52 744 484 4583 (Tourist Information)


6

Galería Abraham Ramírez

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Location:

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Costera Miguel Alemán, no. 127
Fraccionamiento Costa Azul
39850 Acapulco,

Phone:

+52 74 863696


7

Zócalo (El)

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Location:

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Costera Miguel Alemán ( between San Diego Fort and the Yacht Harbor), Col. Centro
(Frente al Muelle Central)
39300 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

+52 744 434 0170 (Tourist Information)


8

Granja (La)

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Location:

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Boulevard de las Naciones, 1221
Acapulco Diamante
39897 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

52 744 466 1945 / 52 744 466 0259


10

Sirena (La)

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Location:

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Calle Teniente José Azueta, 5
Centro
39300 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

52 74 820647


Day 3 - Acapulco


Take the bus to Taxco, a small town in the mountains known for its history related to the silver trade and for its architecture and local artisans. There are several ways to get here, but the easiest and cheapest is by bus. You'll be offered bus tickets from street sellers, but only purchase them from travel agencies to avoid a scam. When you get there, just set off on a walk around town. There are several museums that focus on the mining and art history of the area, and some nice art galleries featuring local works. Walk through the zocalo, or town square, and stop by the local outdoor market and the cathedral, the square's main structure. You can discover some real finds as far as souvenirs and art to take home here, at far cheaper prices than you'd see in Acapulco. Try one of the little family-owned restaurants in town, such as Restaurante Bar Aztlan, a particularly good place with lots of options and variety on the menu.


1

Taxco in One Day from Acapulco

Location:

Acapulco, Mexico


Day 4 - Acapulco


A unique way to explore the countryside around Acapulco is with Bravo Town, an ecological adventure outfit. One of their most fun trips is white water rafting through the canyons of the Papagayo River. The rapids here are varied in roughness throughout the trip, so they're perfect for beginning rafters to get some experience and still feel the adrenaline. After, you'll welcome the chance to relax on a quiet, beautiful beach like those around Punta del Guitarron. For dinner, stop in for a pizza or some pasta at the laidback Giancolo, where the food is Italian but the seafood is Acapulco fresh. For the rest of your vacation, move from the cliffside Hotel Flamingos down to Hotel Lindavista, right on the beach. Since this hotel is small and away from the main hotel beaches, you'll get wonderfully personal service and won't feel like you're in tourist-central.


1

Playa Guitarron

Location:

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South of the Navy Base, access by the Guitarron Beaches.
Acapulco, Mexico


2

Bravo Town

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Location:

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Av . Costera Miguel Alaman S/N
Plaza Marbella Local 116c
Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

52 744 44 1154 / 55 / 56


3

Giancolo

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Location:

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Costera Miguel Alemán, no. 52
Fraccionamiento Costa Azul
39850 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

52 74 842396


4

Hotel Lindavista

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Location:

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Playa de Caleta s/n
Fraccionamiento Las Playas
39390 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

+52 744 482 2783


Day 5 - Acapulco


The Palma Sola archaeological site is largely unknown by many locals, not to mention tourists. Have the hotel help you find a taxi driver who knows where they're going, and head up the mountainside to see the petroglyphs that date back thousands of years to Acapulco's earliest inhabitants. To see this remarkable piece of the area's history, as well as to get away from the crowds and for the sweeping view of Acapulco Bay, this spot is definitely worth a visit. In the afternoon, take the bus or a cab to Barra Vieja, one of Acapulco's most secluded beaches. If you're here in the right season, there's a protected sea turtle hatching camp here that's a wonderful local conservation effort. Even if not, this is a great place to go horseback riding, or just lay around in the sand. The water here is beautiful, but just be careful if you choose to swim -- the currents can be strong. There are a couple of open-air "restaurants" along the beach where you can get some unbelievably fresh grilled fish, along with freshly made tortillas, beans, and pina coladas, of course. For a simple but filling dinner, grab some tacos and beer at the frankly-named "Tacos and Beer", as that's pretty much all they offer. However, there's quite a variety of tacos to choose from. One of the best is tacos al pastor, made with pork that's been turned on a spit similarly to gyro meat and seasoned with chilies, herbs, and often pineapple. Yum.


2

Barra Vieja

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Location:

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Carretera Barra Vieja, Km 12
(Barra Vieja)
39879 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

+52 744 434 0170


3

Palma Sola

Location:

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6 km.to the north of Acapulco
Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

(744) 4841582


4

Tacos and Beer

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Location:

Acapulco, Mexico


Day 6 - Acapulco


Visit another beach that's full of activity in the mornings, Playas Hornos y Hornitos. These adjacent beaches are another landing spot for fishermen and their morning catches, and are also a great spot for swimming and sunning. Translated as the "Ovens" and "Little Ovens" beaches, make sure you don't cook too long by renting a parasol or grabbing a spot under a palm tree. There also can be some interesting things being hawked by the beach vendors, although most are the typical souvenirs. One of the things you have to try before you leave Acapulco is mole, and 7 Leguas is the best place to do it. Don't eat too much, though, since your afternoon activity should be snorkeling with one of Acapulco's several good diving & snorkeling shops. If you're licensed, go out for a dive, or go on a snorkeling tour. The best snorkeling experience you can have here is to take a glass-bottomed boat to Isla Roqueta, There are thousands of colorful fish to be seen in this crystal-clear water, as well as the famous sunken bronze statue of the Lady of Guadalupe. Finish off your culinary experience with dinner at El Amigo Miguel, the place locals go for the freshest seafood. Try the "drunken shrimp", or one of the grilled fish dishes.


2

Amigo Miguel (El)

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Location:

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Calle Benito Juárez 31
Av Costera Miguel Alemán, s/n
39355 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

(+52) 744 - 483 6981


3

Acapulco Snorkeling Tour

Location:

Acapulco, Mexico


4

Playas Hornos y Hornitos

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Location:

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Costera Miguel Alemán, s/n
Frente al Parque Papagayo
39350 Acapulco, Mexico


5

7 Leguas

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Location:

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Boulevard de las Naciones, s/n
Carretera Aeropuerto
39868 Acapulco, Mexico

Phone:

52 744 462-00-84


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