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May 8-10, 2025 Marti Eicholz The Odyssey docks in Acapulco, Mexico. While we are disembarking for our day-filled adventures, a Navy ship carrying the president of Mexico, Caludia Sheinbaum docks close by. President Sheinbaum waves as she passes by. Acapulco lies on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the Mexican Rivera, towering over a bay and beaches are high-rise buildings, condominium towers, and the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains. Nighttime comes and the bay’s crescent shape resembles a glittering necklace. The high, verdant mountains wrap around the port, dominating the daytime view. Acapulco was an Amerindian fishing village until the early 1500s when it was settled by the Spanish, becoming a major port for Spain's trade with Asia. Pirates plundered the area, the Spanish erected Fort San Diego in 1616, to protect their ships. Later, in the 1800s at the end of the Mexican War for Independence, the fort was the site of victory over the Spanish. The Spanish left in 1821, the town declined. In 1927, a road was built over the mountains, linking Acapulco with the rest of Mexico, seven years later the first hotel opened, and Acapulco soon evolved as a resort town. This coastal seaside city, Acapulco has attracted vacationers since the 1930s. After World War II, Hollywood discovered Acapulco, making it a fashionable hideaway for those with time and money, a getaway for Hollywood stars like John Wayne, Errol Flynn and Frank Sinatra, relaxing beneath the palms and made famous by the jet set in the 1950s and 1960s. The Kennedys honeymooned here, so did the Clintons. Elizabeth Taylor married here. Placido Domingo bought a home here. Many film stars have relaxed beneath the palms since the heydays of John Wayne, Errol Flynn and Frank Sinatra. The glitz and glamour may be gone, but Acapulco never lost its sizzle. Now Acapulco is bigger and maybe even better. Acapulco never sleeps. Dazzling restaurants, decadent, flashy discos. It is said, “To experience Acapulco is to dance all night, sleep half the day, and fuel your body with sun and spicy foods in between.” Acapulco sits in the backyard of Mexico City, the national capital, two hundred fifty miles away with a feel more authentically Mexican than Cancun or Los Cabos. For years, competing destinations caused Acapulco to suffer. In the 1990s rejuvenation began, then Hurricane Pauline slammed the city, causing deadly mud slides, highlighting the economic chasm between the glitzy hotel zone and the rest of Acapulco, the poor, crowded, polluted parts. Acapulco gets hit by hurricanes and tropical storms, resulting in fatalities, revealing their vulnerability to weather. We were fortunate to arrive in May before the rainy season (roughly June to October), the time when Acapulco is battered by storms and fierce rains when skies seem to explode, when water rushes down hillsides, creating waterfalls and rockslides. The locals say there is a bright side to the rainy season, “It scrubs buildings, trees and flowers of dust and grime, green parrots flock over palm groves in the hills, rainbows straddle the bay, leaving our Acapulco at its loveliest.” Acapulco is known for its thirty-one miles of beaches, two bays surrounded by mountains, and two lagoons escorted by impressive mangroves, but its cultural heritage gives the city a rich and traditional feel with its Spanish architecture, scenic barrios and historic monuments. Few see the real city of Acapulco, the city that sprawls inland, the city that is congested with communities poorly maintained. Most are drawn to the coastal region, the impressive display of glitz and glamour. Be aware of the reality of Acapulco. Chapel of Peace is in an exclusive area of Acapulco, surrounded by dense vegetation, created as a reminder of the beauty of the port and the faith of its people. Construction, directed by architect, Gabriel Chavez de la Mora, designed on top of the highest point in Acapulco, “El Guitarron Hill,” providing a spot to admire the great panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. A huge white cross, symbolizing the chapel can be seen from many points in the city. The famous sculpture “The Hands of the Brotherhood” was designed to be positioned as praying to heaven. If you visit at sunset, you see the sun falling behind the bay, giving one an amazing view of the city. A place of incredible beauty. A place for solemn reflection. Visiting at a moment in time when the world greets a new Pope, made for a meaningful, unforgettable experience.
The Acapulco Cultural Center hosts art exhibits, literary readings, and musical or dramatic performances. It's a place where you can explore local art, learn about Acapulco's culture, and engage with the community.
Experience fifteen acres of Acapulco’s natural side at Jardin Botanica. Enjoy the abundant flora, native plants, shrubs, timber trees, flowering and fruit trees, areas of cacti, palm trees, cycads, heliconias, gingers, and ferns. The height and shape of large granite boulders provide home to two waterfalls. To highlight the aquatic plants, there are two fishponds and other small bodies of water for butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, and turtles. The bay and surrounding coastline are dotted with fabulous beaches with calm clear water and room to spread out your towel. Watch the banana boats, personal watercraft, and skiffs trailing parasailers buzz around the sea. Mango vendors, seafood shacks, and taco stands are common. Fish sizzles on grills, boom boxes blare ranchero favorites, and kids bob about on inflated sharks. Playa Condesa is in the center of the city, perfect for swimming and enjoying some Mexican specialties with a cool drink. Playa Homos is quieter, less crowded, uncluttered, and a place for Windsurfing and Kitesurfing. Playa Caleta is in a small cove, ideal for practicing diving and snorkeling. Icacos Beach is busy and lively. Good place for Jet skiing and parasailing. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Solitude, located in the port's Zócalo and built in 1930, is adorned with a Byzantine-style Mosque dome and towers with a simple interior. Watch the La Quebrada cliff divers jump off two ledges on the cliff (one at 40 feet and one at 80 feet) and catching an incoming wave to avoid injury or death. They take a leap of faith! East of Acapulco is Laguna de Tres Palos, a freshwater lagoon, great for viewing wildlife and cruising through a natural garden of wildflowers. Our tour guide created necklaces, using fresh lotus flowers straight from the lagoon! Indulge in some authentic, flavorful Mexican food such as fresh ceviche, sopas (soups), and empanadas. If you love tequila, when in Mexico you can experience some of the finest! Visit The Fort of San Diego, a star-shaped fort in Acapulco, built by the Spanish Empire to protect the port from pirates, completed in 1616. A good spot for learning about the history and culture of Acapulco. Acapulco is divided into three classic areas: The Traditional Zone, The Golden Zone, and The Diamond Zone.
The Traditional Zone is the “District of Old Acapulco,” located on the
west side, a tourist area where you find the zoo, the White Cathedral,
the cliff divers, and the beaches.
The Diamond Zone is a luxury and exclusive area, southeast of city
center. It houses luxury accommodations, large condominium complexes,
mansions, and elegant homes, which steal attention from the natural
wonder. This upscale area has variety of bars, high-end restaurants,
nightclubs, and places of luxury nightlife. So, if you visit Acapulco, go to a well-kept golden sand beach such as Playa Condesa or Playa, a beautiful environment with year-round warm waters for sunbathing, swimming, practicing water sports, or taking a yacht ride. There are world-classed golf courses such as Acapulco Golf Club and Costa Azul Golf Club. Go scuba diving in crystal-clear waters and see all the underwater marine life. There are some beautiful diving sites. You could go fishing, but only in permitted places. You may get lucky and catch a marlin, tuna or dorado. You can party. There is a wide variety of clubs, bars and places with live music. If you want to know the history of the Mayan culture and the customs of the Indigenous people, go to the museums and art galleries. Or you can go shopping for souvenirs, clothes, accessories, and crafts. Acapulco, with its tropical climate, may remain a popular tourist destination, but it does face challenges like crime, corruption and economic difficulties. The Odyssey is the first ship in seven years to deem Acapulco worthy of an overnight stay. Our stop was a big deal for Acapulco, they let us know. As The Odyssey sails away, it is easy to overlook our significance on local communities, one port at a time. |
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