7-DAY Acapulco, Mexico | South America ITINERARY

Acapulco, a beach resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, is set on a large bay backed by high-rises and the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. Made famous by the jet set in the 1950s and '60s, it's known for its high-energy nightlife, beaches and golf. From its iconic La Quebrada cliff, professional divers plunge 40m into a small ocean cove every day and night, per Google.

​

To read about My Travels, click here. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel: Hotel Princess Mundo Imperial ($$$, include breakfast buffet); Las Brisas ($$$)

CLIMATE

Visit between April through May, or October through November. I went in November and it was perfect; hot by not overly humid. The other months have a higher chance of rain.

ENVIRONMENT

Language is Spanish but found many locals who knew English

Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN); if your exchange rate here

LIFESTYLE

Acapulco has quieted down over the years, but it use to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Besides the historical cliff divers, Acapulco offers some great attractions, beautiful mountains and elegant artwork. A beach vacation spot with a touch of tourism that won't break your budget. The atmosphere is ideal for a friends reunion, romantic getaway or a family vacation.

Day one

Afternoon flight that stops in Mexico City

Find a Starbucks and get a protein pack meal kit, or dinner from a restaurant

Evening flight to Acapulco; before leaving the airport, get pesos from the currency exchange

• Pay ahead of time for the Shared Car to go from airport to the hotel; it's part of the hotel package

Check-in and drop off the bags

10:30 PM – Explore the hotel and have dessert at Café Et Chocolat

Day Two

7 AM - Breakfast buffet at the hotel; say hi to the flamingos on your way

• Breakfast gets packed around 9 AM but the staff does a great job of keeping the food well stocked

• Take a water bottle and ask a staff member to fill it up. Ask nice enough and they may give you ice too.

9 AM – 2 PM – Acapulco Half-Day Orientation City Tour; time spent 5 hours, $50

• Ask for Roger Dodger, he’s amazing and will basically be part of your family by the end of the tour; bring water, snacks and sunscreen

• Sights you’ll see include Chapel of Peace (Capilla de la Paz), Mosaic Mural by Diego Rivera, Fort of San Diego and Acapulco Historical Museum, La Quebrada Cliff Divers, shopping at local markets and more

3 PM – Back to the hotel for pool time and drinks

7 PM – Beach Club Restaurant at the hotel

•  Hotel Activity: Acarey Acapulco Bay Tour, $17 – tours at 4:30 PM or 10:30 PM

Day Three

9 AM Breakfast: buffet at the hotel, it’s seriously amazing

Rent a cabana on the beach and enjoy the view

• Rent from the hotel's front desk - not from anyone on the beach (scam)

• Guys will come by and sell coconut drinks the size of your head, try one

• Tour Options: Mezcal Distillery Day Trip (7 hours, $110 person); Coyuca Lagoon Tour & Baby Turtle Release (6 hours, $65 person); or Mexican Cooking Class (5 hours, $60 person)

3 PM – Pool time with everyone

6 PM – Rehearsal dinner at La Quebrada and Cliff Diving Show

• Go at night so you can see the Fire Dive. Ask to be seated outside and as close as possible to the show.

• Dinner & Cliff Diver Tour at La Quebrada; time spent 4 hours, $49 person

Day Four

7 AM - Breakfast buffet again!

8 AM – 1 PM - Acapulco Snorkeling Tour (5 hours; $55) at Isla La Roqueta

• You MUST check-in 24 hours in advance (if booked with Viator) or they bump you to another day

• Tip: bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel and snacks. You’re out in the sun all day and the water is very salty.

7 PM - Dinner at the restaurant on the beach, associated with the hotel

Big nap

11 PM - Clubbing with the group at Baby'O

Day Five

Breakfast with the bridesmaids at the hotel buffet

WEDDING – an all-day affair

• Wedding Venue is Las Brisas or 'the baby making factory'

  • If you want to bounce hotels in your trip, try to stay here

  • Each room houses 2 people (aka no room for mother-in-law) and a private pool!

Day Six

Breakfast

All Day Relaxation → Pool & Beach

• Option: Coyuca Jungle, Turtle Release & Witch Doctor Market Tour; 6 hours, $55 person

7 PM Dinner: Tavola Restaurant ($, Italian) at the hotel

• The octopus is fabulous and so is the calzone, it’s huge

Day Seven

7 AM Breakfast: last day of the scrumptious buffet

9 AM – Check-out, early afternoon flight home

• ​Pay ahead of time for the Shared Car from hotel to the airport; it's part of the hotel package, if you so choose.

Goodbye Acapulco. Head home.​

MY TRAVELS

Acapulco was not on my bucket list of places to go. Honestly, didn't know much about other than it use to be the hot spot for celebrities to own second homes in, and the Tarzan movie was filmed here. That was about all. I went to Acapulco because a friend was getting married here. Take travel opportunities when they happen.

This city was gorgeous, cultured, inviting and then some. While it hasn't been the safest location lately, if you are aware of your surroundings and don't put yourself in a bad spot then you'll do just fine. I planned car services prior, took adventures with well written reviews and felt safe the whole time. Everyone was friendly and welcoming and I look forward to going back. 

​

Favorite Moment: The moment was made by Roger Dodger and his tour of Acapulco. He was raised here and showed my friends and I around like we were part of his family. Best part too, no one else showed for the city tour so we had him all to ourselves and go to do even more than what we signed up for. My favorite moment was venturing around Acapulco under his watchful eye.

​

Least Favorite Moment: Our snorkeling trip was nice but the waters around Isla La Roqueta are not clean. My friend and I tried to snorkel around with the go-pro but were constantly pushing garbage and plastic out of the way. Saw some fish but the waters were hazy. 

​

AHHHHH, AHHHHHH (Tarzan),

Itinerary Traveler