- Where is the city of Acapulco
- Acapulco history
- How to get to Acapulco
- Acapulco beaches
- What to see in Acapulco
Acapulco or Acapulco de Juarez is one of the most famous port cities in Mexico, which is famous for its picturesque bays, numerous clubs and bars, as well as ancient attractions that are an integral part of the cultural heritage of Mexico. More than 140,000 tourists come to Acapulco every year to enjoy a beach holiday and see with their own eyes the most beautiful bay in the world. Knowing where Acapulco is located, you can easily organize a trip to this amazing place.
Where is the city of Acapulco
Acapulco de Juarez is comfortably located in the southeast of Mexico, in the bay of the same name, which stretches along the Pacific coast. Along the perimeter, the city is surrounded by a chain of mountain ranges called the Sierra Madre. Separately, it should be noted that Acapulco is not only a major tourist center of the country, but also represents the most important port city, as well as the capital of the state of Guerrero. The distance from Acapulco to Mexico City is about 350 kilometers, and the city's population is 673,475 people.
According to an ancient legend, Acapulco in translation from the Aztec language is translated as “the place where the reeds were destroyed”, as there were dense reed thickets not far from the city many centuries ago. Currently, Acapulco is the center of resort areas of various levels, combined with a favorable climate and developed infrastructure.
Geographically, Acapulco is subdivided into three main areas, which locals call "Old Acapulco", "Central part" and "Golden Acapulco", where fashionable hotels and luxury villas are located.
Acapulco history
Initially, in 1531, a small settlement was founded on the site of Acapulco by Spanish navigators under the leadership of the famous Cortes, where goods from Japan and China were brought. Further, the products were transported to Spain (Veracruz) thanks to the established system of sea transportation through a special route called NAO de CHINA. Every year Acapulco developed at a rapid pace and after several decades became an important trade center with the official right to export goods to Manila and other countries.
For security purposes, the Fort San Diego was built in the city in the 16th century, guarding the walls of Acapulco until 1615. The city was soon completely sacked by the Dutch, after which a long history of its restoration began. For more than 250 years, Acapulco has been an important strategic object in the field of trade between China and Europe, however, due to the active construction of new transport corridors, the economic importance of the city has decreased.
The tourist history of Acapulco, where numerous resort areas are located, goes back to 1930, when the El Mirador Hotel was built on the coast, which is considered one of the best in the world in terms of service. Following this event, the city authorities decided to actively develop the tourist component of the city and allocated significant funds for construction in this area. As a result, in the middle of the 20th century, Acapulco turned into a famous resort, where Hollywood celebrities and simply wealthy people flocked.
How to get to Acapulco
If you have planned a trip to Acapulco, then you need to know that you can get to the city by the following types of transport:
airplane; bus; Taxi.
Traveling to Acapulco by plane is the most common and tourist-friendly option. All flights from such large cities as Moscow and St. Petersburg land at the Juan Alvarez international airport, which is capable of receiving about 12,000 passengers per day. Also, quite often, travelers fly to Acapulco from the USA, from where many planes of various airlines fly to the city. Travel time and ticket price depends on your individual preferences and the starting point of departure.
If you are in the capital of Mexico, then use the bus to travel to Acapulco, as this type of transport is affordable and comfortable. There are about 8 flights every day from the Mexico City bus station to Acapulco, equipped with air conditioning, toilets and TVs. Tickets for 500 pesos can be purchased in advance at the electronic ticket office by choosing the seat you like.
Wealthy tourists usually take a taxi to Acapulco. However, be prepared for the fact that you will have to fork out for a large amount of money, as taxis in Mexico are quite expensive.
Acapulco beaches
The beach infrastructure of the city consists of 25 resort zones offering its visitors different types of recreation for every taste. The main places of concentration of tourists are:
- Barra Vieja beach, located near the international airport. The beach is distinguished by a gentle entrance, clean sand and water, as well as a peaceful environment. On Barra Vieja, you can not only enjoy the ocean, but also see the Tres Palos lagoon.
- Ornos Beach, which is the oldest in Acapulco, is located in the park of the same name. On the coastal territory there are food boxes, sun loungers, benches, changing cabins and cozy houses for tourists to spend the night. Ornos is ideal for families, as the beach is equipped with a modern security system that allows visitors to feel comfortable.
- Caleta Beach, which is famous among the locals for being separated from the ocean by a small island. The coastal area is a quiet haven where high waves are rarely seen. There are many restaurants, areas with children's pools and souvenir shops on Caleta.
- Tamanrindos Beach, which has become popular among lovers of fashionable relaxation in Acapulco. European chic combined with Mexican flavor is the main characteristic of Tamanrindos. Elite hotels, beautiful nature, diving, white sand, artificial waterfall, national cuisine - all this attracts tourists to visit Tamanrindos.
What to see in Acapulco
As many tourists note, Acapulco is a city of contrasts, combining both historical sights and modern architecture. Having a long history, Acapulco became famous, first of all, for its ancient buildings. The list of must-see places includes:
- Peace Chapel Castle, located on the highest point of the Las Brias Mountain, offering an amazing view of the city. The building was erected by Spanish craftsmen and has been perfectly preserved to this day. Near the castle you can see the original monument in the form of a cross, 42 meters high, which is considered the symbol of Acapulco.
- Historical Museum, created on the basis of the medieval fort of San Diego and offering visitors an introduction to authentic Mexican culture. The collections include numerous artifacts found throughout the city.
- Papagayo Park (Ignacio Manuel Altamirano Park) is a great place for lovers of flora and fauna. The park is a nature reserve where you can see exotic plants, rare birds and original flower arrangements.
- The cathedral, built at the beginning of the 20th century, is distinguished by its unusual architecture, combining several different styles. The building was originally built for filming, but later became an important part of the religious life of the city.
- Aquapark "Acapulco Magic", where ideal conditions for children's recreation are created. The water park has water attractions that meet European standards, and shows and performances are held on weekends.
