Acapulco – Mexico |
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Situated where the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the sea the name Acapulco conjures up images of dazzling blue waters, miles of golden beaches, death defying cliff divers and continuous sunshine. It was once the playground for the rich and famous and still after almost fifty years it remains one of the world’s greatest vacation resorts! The Caleta area is where the stars once chose to vacation and build their houses John Wayne, Gregory Peck and Errol Flynn had all been here. Acapulco’s history is just as swashbuckling. The fort of San Diego was built to ward off the marauding attacks of British Pirates early in the 18th Century; today it houses the Historical Museum - worth a quick visit. The fort is just along the waterfront from the Cathedral in Zocalo Plaza, the shaded square in Old Acapulco. The Plaza is the hub of Acapulco’s downtown area where locals come to socialise whilst tourists sip margarita’s, buy colourful t-shirts and people watch, again – it is well worth a visit.
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| Favourite spots: |
The beaches of Acapulco top most visitors’ list of things to do, with year round temperatures in the 80’s, plentiful sunshine and warm waters it is paradise. Running from East to West the main beaches are:- Revoicadero: - which is about 8 miles over the hill from Acapulco Bay at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess Hotel. The beach is quite long and wide with shallow water although the waves can be fairly rough.
Icacaos Beach:- One of the quieter beaches on the “strip” and in the morning the waves are quite calm. Condessa is one of the most popular stretches. Loads of Refreshment stands and Watersports.
Playa Caleta and Caletilla are adjacent protected beaches on the south side of the peninsula in Old Acapulco. You can catch a boat to Roqueta Island here (10 mins) and find a relatively unspoilt uncrowded beach and a few simple restaurants.
Pie de la Cuesta is a 30 to 40 minute taxi ride out of Acapulco and is quite an isolated beach.
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| What's really great: |
Must Do’s: No visit to Acapulco would be complete without seeing the famous cliff divers (clavadistas) at La Quebrada (near to Caleta) these dare-devils have been amazing visitors since 1934. The divers perch on a promontory on a cliff 130 feet above sea level, they look down to the surf pounding to the rocks below. After a quick prayer, asking for a blessing from the Virgin de Guadalupe, then a period of short meditation, which seems more like hesitation - they plunge! They fly downwards through the air, in a perfect flying arc, into a small crevice just 11 foot deep when flooded, they have judged exactly when the incoming sea will flood it and they dived with a split second timing to escape death facinating the applauding tourists who themselves breathe again. Amazing to watch - well worth the visit.
Try a margarita or the national drink of tequila on its own with lime and salt. Avoid the local water, drink only bottled or even better, the local Corona or Sol beer!
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| Sights: |
The Beaches,
The Cliff Divers,
Old Acapulco,
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| Nightlife: |
Costeria Miguel-Aleman is lined with clubs, pubs, restaurants and hotels,
Many top hotels are here:-
including the expensive and exclusive brands
Acapulco Princess, Las Brisas, Hyatt Regency, Pierre Marques.
Many others much cheaper will discount upto 50% see:-
www.acapulco.com
www.allaboutacapulco.com
www.acapulcorestaurants.com
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Costeria Miguel-Aleman is lined with clubs, pubs, restaurants and hotels,
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| Restaurants: |
Restaurants:-
Beto’s (Seafood)
Belle Italia (Italian )
Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s (American)
Embarcardero (American)
Los Rancheros (Mexican - great margarita’s here)
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For Shoppers – upmarket malls abound: -
La Grand Plaza (the flashiest and best)
Marbella Mall,
Plaza Bahia
Plaza Condesa,
The Princess,
The main shopping area is along the Costeria Miguel Aleman (near to the Hotel Contessa del-Mar)
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Published on Tuesday April 27th, 2004 by britman
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