Acapulco is the finest resort in Mexico—at least in the hearts of the Mexicans themselves. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. Residents of Guadalajara, Mexico City and other urban centers consider Acapulco their second home, and they pour into town in huge numbers to spend a lively vacation by the sea. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. As a result, the area is far less geared to foreign travelers than spots like Cancun or Los Cabos, but it offers a great opportunity to experience the festive atmosphere of a Mexican holiday. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises.
Festivities aside, Acapulco Bay is simply a beautiful place to behold. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. Steep mountains tumble down to a wide, curved shore lined with palm trees and golden beaches. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. This setting has drawn travelers from inland Mexico since the 1920s, when a road was first cut through the mountains from Mexico City. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises.
Still, it was the glamorous faces of Hollywood who made the city a vacation hot spot in the 1940s and 1950s. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. Cary Grant, Eddie Fisher, Rita Hayworth and other movie stars became frequent visitors, as did Mexican celebrities, wealthy North Americans and titled Europeans. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. In time, the glamour set moved on to other destinations, but Acapulco has remained popular. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. In recent years, the city has taken measures to clean up its streets and the waters of Acapulco Bay. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. It has also spruced up the tourist-oriented sections of the city by organizing street vendors into specific market areas. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises.
In the center of Acapulco’s coastline is the old city, Acapulco Viejo. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. The traditional Mexican zocalo, or plaza, is backed by the onion-shaped domes of the downtown church and fronted by a shoreline filled with fishing skiffs and tour boats. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. No stay is complete without an evening spent in the zocalo, sampling local beer and seafood at a sidewalk cafe and taking in the lively activity in the plaza. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises.
The real city of Acapulco, wit h the bulk of its 1. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. 5 million residents, sprawls inland from the plaza. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. Few tourists see this congested and poorly maintained community, which suffered heavy damage when hurricanes struck Acapulco in the summer of 1997. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. In the wake of the destruction, the federal government is attempting to improve conditions in this area. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises.
When the government got the vendors off the streets and beaches, it set up several outdoor markets where you can buy trinkets and goods (leather jackets to plastic sandals) from all over Mexico. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. Bargaining is alive and well, so don’t forget to haggle. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. Silver is best bought in shops that specialize in it, and some advertise Taxco silver. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises. The prices usually make it a pretty good value—about the same as what you’ll find in Taxco itself. Acapulco, Mexico Gay Cruises.
