17 Astonishing Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Acapulco

March 15, 2024 Mustafa Natalwala 1033 Views

Acapulco is a city in the Guerrero state of Mexico. Owing to its coast location by the bay, the has been a popular beach resort city since the 1940s. The majority of the best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico are situated by the coastline.

You get to explore pristine beaches, beautiful islands, and several adventure activities. The Acapulco beaches have attracted celebrities, millionaires, and tourists alike. Everyone finds escape in the fun vibe, happening venues, and watersports activities. We have listed the best beaches in Acapulco in the next section.

The coastline also has the top places to go in Acapulco for dining and partying. The beaches have some of the best clubs, bars, pubs, and lounges. They are also known for fun activities to do in Acapulco. This includes jet skiing, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing, and so on.

You can also venture a little deeper into the ocean for boat cruises and scuba diving. The boat tours also take you to small islands close to the coast. These are the best places to visit in Acapulco if you are looking for mesmerizing nature trails and tranquil beaches with scarce crowds.

You will also find some really wonderful natural sites at Acapulco tourist attractions inland as well. There are two major lagoons where you can enjoy boat tours to admire the natural habitats of migratory birds.

The city also has a rich history alongside its charming, fun, leisurely, and entertaining side. There are some spectacular things to see in Acapulco from the colonial and pre-colonial periods. The city has been a major port.

You will see many historical Acapulco attractions that were used to support maritime trade. This includes lighthouses, docking stations, piers, and so on. However, the most impressive among these is Fort San Diego. The fort was built to prevent invasions and to ward off pirates. It is one of the biggest places to see in Acapulco. Inside the Fort, you will find a museum that gives you an overview of the city’s history and culture. This gives you an in-depth perspective during Acapulco sightseeing.

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Table of Contents

Top 17 Tourist Places to Visit in Acapulco, Mexico

1. Best Beaches in Acapulco

Most people visit Acapulco for its magnificent beaches. It has been a popular seaside resort town since the 20th century. Most of the Acapulco beaches have great facilities and are surrounded by resorts.

You can come here to enjoy sunbathing on lounges while enjoying the ocean view. Many of the beaches in Acapulco also have facilities for watersports. This includes jet skiing, snorkelling, kayaking, parasailing, and more.

The best beaches in Acapulco are Playa Condesa, Playa Caletilla, Playa Catela, Playa Revolcadero, Playa Majahua, Bara de Coyuca, Playa Icacos, and Playa Pichilingue. These beaches are also the most happening spots with amazing food joints and nightlife venues. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying any of these beaches.

2. La Quebrada Cliffs

These cliffs are 40 meters high above the sea level. It is one of the best places to visit in Acapulco for the Cliff Diving Show. Professional cliff divers perform an incredible show from La Quebrada.

The daring performers leap from the cliffs performing amazing stunts and dive into the narrow chasm below. The performance goes on all day till sunset. The final dive of the day is one of the most majestic things to see in Acapulco.

The sea below is lit on fire with gasoline and the diver jumps into the flaming ocean with torches in their hands. The show is one of the best things to do in Acapulco at night. You can spend a couple of hours enjoying the show at La Quebrada.

I suggest you should book your Tour to La Quebrada Cliffs with Dinner in advance.

3. San Diego Fort (Fuerte de San Diego)

This fort was first built in 1616 to guard the Acapulco Bay from pirates. It was renovated to its current state after an earthquake in 1776. It is one of the most important historical Acapulco attractions. The fort played a significant role in the Mexican Revolution Wars and the Mexican War of Independence.

You can tour the star-shaped fort and learn about the fantastic defensive architecture. The museum inside the fort covers political and cultural aspects of the city’s history. It covers the history from Mezcala culture to the modern period. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to tour the fort and the museum.

4. Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

Acapulco has some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling spots in Mexico. You can also get certified as a diver here. The clear waters and abundance of marine life make it an incredible experience. No wonder it is one of the top activities to do in Acapulco, Mexico.

Some of the best spots for scuba diving in Acapulco include Rio de la Plata, Las Cuevas, Catella, and Caletilla. You can also enjoy snorkelling closer to the shores to see the marine life in the shallows. It is one of the fun things to do in Acapulco by the beaches. The top spots for snorkelling include La Roqueta Island, Puerto Marques, and Playa Caleta. You will need at least 2 hours for any of these activities during Acapulco travel.

I suggest you should book your Snorkelling Experience in advance.

5. Isla la Roqueta

This island is one of the most beautiful places to explore. It is known for its untouched natural beauty, beaches, and adventure activities. The island is covered with jungle and you can explore some beautiful nature trails. These would lead you to natural pools, high viewpoints, and waterfalls.

La Roqueta is also home to some of the most pristine beaches in Mexico. These are far less crowded than the mainland beaches. If you are looking for tranquil seclusion, these are the best places to go in Acapulco, Mexico.

The island also has a few restaurants and resorts for leisure, dining, partying, and entertainment. Although the most popular activity on the island is snorkelling. The shallow spots close to the shore are perfect for it. You will see small fishes, corals, turtles, and several small marine creatures. You can easily spend an entire day exploring various parts of this island.

I suggest you should book your Trip to La Roqueta Island in advance.

6. Chapel of Peace (Capilla de la Paz)

This church was built in the 1970s and is known for its A-frame design. However, it is popular among Acapulco tourist attractions for the view more than the church itself. The church sits atop a hill and is the highest point in the city. The vantage point gives you amazing views of the entire city, all the way to the coastline. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore the church and the viewpoint.

7. Lucha Libre Wrestling Show

The spectacle of masked luchadors wrestling is an experience unique to Mexico. It is part of the culture and it is loads of fun. The show involves a series of wrestling matches between masked wrestlers presenting different personas.

If you are aware of their wrestling personas, you will get to enjoy the storytelling element even more. It is one of the best things to do in Acapulco, Mexico. If you combine that with beer, snacks, and the wild crowd; you will get an exceptionally entertaining evening. You will need 3 to 4 hours to enjoy a complete show.

I suggest you should book your Show for Lucha Libre Wrestling in advance.

8. Zocalo (Plaza Álvarez)

This central square is considered the heart of the city. The square is a hustling and bustling spot. The square is home to some of the best cafes and restaurants in the city. In the evenings, you will also get to enjoy live music and street performances at this place.

It is also one of the top spots in Acapulco for shopping. The square is the starting point for walking and cycling tours of the old part of the city You can easily spend 20 to 30 minutes exploring the square.

9. Laguna de Tres Palos

This huge lagoon is one of the finest natural habitats close to the city. It is an exceptionally beautiful environment with a variety of trees, flowers, plants, small animals, and birds. The lagoon also attracts numerous migratory birds during winter.

You can enjoy boat tours in the lagoon to admire its natural beauty. It is one of the most pristine places to see in Acapulco. The clay of this lagoon is also quite popular. It is believed to hold medicinal properties for skin care. You will need about 2 hours to enjoy a tour of the lagoon.

I suggest you should book your Trip to Tres Palos Lagoon in advance.

10. Punta Diamante

The Diamond Point is a posh neighbourhood on the southeast side of the city. It faces the ocean and is home to some of the best spots in the city. It is a great place to roam around during Acapulco sightseeing.

The neighbourhood has high-end hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, and entertainment venues. The Playa Revolcadero in the area is one of the best Acapulco beaches for surfing. You will need about an hour or so to explore this area.

11. Costera Street

If you are looking for happening nightlife venues in Acapulco, you just have to get to Costera Street. The entire street is lined with some of the best places to visit in Acapulco for partying.

You will find beach bars, nightclubs, lounges, and more. Some of the most popular ones are Baby O Acapulco, Paradise Bungy, Baby Lobster, and Disco Beach. You can dedicate an evening to hopping clubs on this street.

12. Diego Rivera Mural

Diego Rivera is a renowned artist from Mexico. He is known for his contribution to Mexican and International arts through his unique style of frescoes. Rivera contributed a mural to the city and it has become one of the most popular Acapulco attractions.

The mural depicts elements of the pre-Columbian culture of Mexico. The central figure of the mural is Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent deity from Aztec culture. You should take a couple of minutes from Acapulco sightseeing to stop and admire this mural.

13. Laguna de Coyuca

This lagoon is smaller than Laguna des Tres Palos but has a more vibrant environment. The lagoon becomes home to several migratory birds including herons, storks, pelicans, and more. The lagoon also has several small islands where these birds form their colonies.

You can enjoy a guided boat tour in the lagoon to explore nature and wildlife. People can also opt to ride rowboats as a more adventurous alternative. It is one of the most fun things to do in Acapulco, Mexico. You will need about 2 hours for the tour.

I suggest you should book your Trip to Coyuca Lagoon in advance.

14. El Rollo Acapulco

This amazing waterpark is just a few meters away from a white sand beach. You get to enjoy one of the best Acapulco beaches on one side. And on the other, you can have fun with wave pools, dolphin shows, water slides, and several other fun activities to do in Acapulco. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying the place.

15. Tehuacalco Ruins

These ancient ruins of a Mayan empire site sit in the Sierra Madre Mountains. It is one of the most fascinating things to see in Acapulco. The site once belonged to the Yope civilization and used to be a ceremonial centre.

You can tour this archeological site to peek into the ancient culture and architecture. It is quite interesting to see how such an ancient civilization created such massive structures. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour the ruins including the travel from Acapulco and back.

I suggest you should book your Trip to Tehuacalco Ruins in advance.

16. Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation

This centre works for the conservation of Mexican turtles. They care for turtles and release them into the wild. You can participate in some of the best things to do in Acapulco with the conservation centre. You can care for and feed the turtles. People can also camp by the beaches to watch young turtles hatch from eggs and find their way to the ocean. It is a memorable experience and you will need about 2 to 3 hours for it.

17. Boat Cruise

Once you have explored the Acapulco tourist attractions on land, take time to venture out to the ocean. The boat cruises are some of the best experiences when you visit Acapulco. You can take cruises for dining, partying, and seeing sunsets. You get to choose between tour boats, yachts, and sailboats. You will need at least an hour or so for a boat cruise.

I suggest you should experience the Sightseeing Trip on a Cruise Ship.

If you are looking for more places to go in Acapulco, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of various tourist attractions and activities in the city and around it.

Things to do in Acapulco, Mexico

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Acapulco, Mexico

Fort San Diego
Chapel of Peace
Tehuacalco Ruins
Cathedral of Acapulco
Acapulco Museum of Naval History
Parroquia de la Sagrada Familia
Capilla de la Paz
Aracnee Zoology Museum
Capilla Maria Estrella del Mar
Museo de la Mascara Guero
Museo Interactivo la Avispa

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Acapulco, Mexico

Laguna des Tres Palos
Laguna de Coyuca
Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation Centre
Cave Devil
Mirador Cliffs
Embarcaciones Kamuri
Cascada el Salto
Paradise of Mangroves
Deposito Aguas Blancas

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Acapulco, Mexico

La Quebrada Cliffs
Lucha Libre Wrestling Show
El Rollo
Parque Papagayo
Parque de la Iguana
Recreativo el Veladero Park
Parque Acuatico Agua Salvaje
Parque de la Reina
Acapulco Botanical Gardens

Shopping in Acapulco, Mexico

Plaza Marbella
Mercado Centro
Acapulco Galerias
Mercado El Parazal
El Pueblito Craft Market
Mercado Morelos
La Isla Shopping Village
Mercado de Artesanias La Diana
Acapulco Mall
Galeria Diana
Mercado Chilapeno
Plaza Condesa

Beaches & Islands in Acapulco, Mexico

Playa Condesa
Playa Caletilla
Playa Catela
Playa Revolcadero
Playa Majahua
Bara de Coyuca
Playa Icacos
Playa Pichilingue
Isla la Roqueta
Playa Papagayo
Playa Diamante
Playa Tabachines
Playa las San Pedro

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Acapulco, Mexico

Hiking
Scuba Diving
Paddle Boarding
Kayaking
Surfing
Boat Cruise
Jet Skiing
Parasailing
Sailing
Snorkelling
Yatch Tours

Sightseeing in Acapulco, Mexico

Zocalo Square
Punta Diamante
Costera Street
Diego Rivera Mural
Diana the Huntress Statue
Plaza Alvarez
Mirador Puerto Marques
Aguas Termales la Escondida

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Acapulco, Mexico

Grill y Tacos
Mariscos Pipos
Taquitos
LaVicenta
Cafe al Mar
Sirocco
Ika Taco
Circa La Morena 1
Origen
Carmenere
Tacos Tumbras
Bellavista Las Brisas
Becco al Mare
El Zorrito
Zibu
La Cabana de Caleta
El Pesca’O
El Fogon
Cafe Wadi
Lupe de Arena
Tony’s Bistro
La Casa de Tere
Plaza Francia Club de Playa

Where to Stay in Acapulco?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Acapulco. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Acapulco.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Acapulco

How to Reach Acapulco, Mexico?

By Air

The city is served by the Juan N. Alvarez International Airport. You can get direct flights to visit Acapulco from cities in Mexico and North America. The airport receives flights from Mexico City, Montreal, Dallas, Monterrey, Toronto, Cancun, Guadalajara, Leon, and Tijuana. If you are travelling from other destinations, you should get a connecting flight via Mexico City.

You can cabs, buses, and private transport to reach the city from the airport. The best option is to pre-book your ride from the airport. You can also get your hotel to arrange the transport for you.

By Road

The Mexico City and Manzanillo train stations are the closest options to travel to Acapulco. You can get buses from each of these cities to get to Acapulco. You can also go for rented cars. The bus network connects the city with several major cities and towns in Mexico.

If you are planning to reach Acapulco by car, you should head for routes 95D or 200D. These routes intersect on the east end of the city.

By Water

Despite being a coastline city, there are no direct water routes to visit Acapulco. It does serve as a port for cruise ships going between Panama and San Francisco. Although, you can get boat cruises and tours to reach nearby islands from the city.

Image Reference

Best Beaches in Acapulco – Mike Ramírez Mx / PixaBay
La Quebrada Cliffs – Jorge Nava / Flickr
San Diego Fort (Fuerte de San Diego) – Enrique Galindo / Wikimedia Commons
Scuba Diving & Snorkelling – jacqueline macou / PixaBay
Isla la Roqueta – Limor Hader / Flickr
Chapel of Peace (Capilla de la Paz) – Thank You (24 Millions ) views / Flickr
Lucha Libre Wrestling Show – yameen9000 / Flickr
Zocalo (Plaza Álvarez) – Thank You (24 Millions ) views / Flickr
Laguna de Tres Palos – Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones / Flickr
Punta Diamante – Carlos Valenzuela / Wikimedia Commons
Costera Street – Eduardo Francisco Vazquez Murillo / Flickr
Diego Rivera Mural – travelmag.com / Flickr
Laguna de Coyuca – Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones / Wikimedia Commons
El Rollo Acapulco –
Tehuacalco Ruins – AlejandroLinaresGarcia / Wikimedia Commons
Campamento Tortuguero Turtle Conservation – Daisy Brust / PixaBay
Boat Cruise – Javier Hernández Pino / PixaBay