Acapulco 
From Singapore Hotels & Singapore Lifestyle
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Acapulco offers round-the-clock fun. Imagine some 15 golden sandy beaches nestled in the curve of a bay surrounded by an imposing chain of mountains. Now picture the same heavenly setting but with scores of luxurious hotels set right on the beach amidst luxurious vegetation. This is Acapulco!
The Pacific coast of Mexico features some of the country's most spectacular tourist resorts. Hidden in a 7-km-long (4-mi) bay and bordered by the Sierra Madre del Sur, a large mountain, Acapulco is one such resort, and also the most renowned.
Overview / Attractions
With its long bay, which stretches on for 16 km (10 mi), Acapulco, the "pearl of the Pacific," can easily satisfy visitors looking for action as well as those seeking peaceful relaxation.
Commonly known as "La Costera," broad Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán hugs the entire shoreline of Acapulco Bay. It is lined with highrise hotels whose rooms offer magnificent views of the bay, and by an impressive string of powdery beaches that delight both swimmers and sunbathers. Among the best-known, from east to west, are Playa Icacos, Playa Condesa, Hornitos and Hornos, and Playas Tamarindo and Dominguillo.
If you'd like to cool down in the shade of some lovely trees, head to Parque Papagayo, where you can admire exotic birds, big turtles, and miniature replicas of Naos de China, the famous Spanish galleons once built in the bay.
Located near the old city, the Fuerte San Diego is the city's most impressive colonial vestige. Its double wall has been beautifully restored and is in perfect condition. Inside the fortress, you can visit the Museo Histórico de Acapulco, which offers a wealth of information on the city's history and its trade relations with Asia.
Even if you're pressed for time, don't forget to visit the Zócalo, the old city's central square. The Zócalo is a popular meeting place for Mexicans, beside the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad cathedral, where shoe-shiners can be seen at work, chatting away with their customers. Not far from there, you'll find the Mercado Municipal (or Mercado Central), a must-see for those who enjoy mingling with the crowd.
You can't leave magical Acapulco without having seen the famous clavadistas in action at least once. The road known as La Quebrada leads to the top of the cliffs where you can watch athletic Mexicans diving into the Pacific from heights of 25 to 35 m (82 to 115 feet).
Going Out
Internationally renowned for its beautiful beaches, Acapulco is equally famous for its thriving nightlife, which only abates with the dawn's first rays. Most bars and restaurants are found along Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, while the city's huge nightclubs are located at the eastern edge of the bay, near Playa Icacos and along the Carretera Escenica.
