The Playas of
Acapulco, Mexico
By Kriss Hammond
Visitors to Mexico can stretch their dollar in Acapulco with
authentic, incredible cuisine for under US$10, charming
accommodations for less than US$60 and a wealth of activities at
great values.
A vibrant port city, Acapulco is home to one of the most beautiful
bays in the world. Acapulco has long been a favorite for
celebrities such as Liz Taylor, Placido Domingo and Julio Iglesias.
Today, the destination offers something for travelers of all
budgets and is frequented by visitors simply interested in
swimming, shopping, dining or just soaking up the sun against one
of the world's most spectacular backdrops.
Day 1 - Monday (Lunes)
Click For Acapulco City GuideStart off your trip with a walk to the
Zcalo and its Mercado de Artesanas (Crafts Market) and Mercado
Municipal. All day the Zcalo is bustling with activity filled with
vendors, shoeshine men and people greeting one another.
Locals come to these sprawling markets to purchase their everyday
needs, from fresh vegetables and candles to love potions. While
Acapulco is not known for its indigenous handicrafts, at the crafts
market you can test your bargaining skills for Mexican treasures
such as enormous sombreros, piatas,framed paintings done on velvet
of the Virgin of Guadalupe and seashell renderings of the
crucifixion. Fruits can be particularly inexpensive with mangos and
bananas for as little as 25 cents a pound. Both markets are open
daily.
Day 2 - Tuesday (Martes)
Driving along the Costera Aleman could be a great option for
travelers looking to take in the scenes without taking an expensive
tour. From El Fuerte de San Diego, which was originally built to
protect Acapulco from pirates, to Cici, a modern-day water-oriented
theme park for children, the Costera Aleman provides visitors not
only with a spectacular view of the bay but with some of Acapulco's
most treasured and low-cost attractions.
Cici - A water theme park for children, Cici has dolphin and seal
shows, a freshwater pool with wave-making apparatus, a water slide
and mini-aquarium. Entrance is $4.
Parque Papagayo - Papagayo sits on 52 acres of prime real estate on
the Costera. Children enjoy a life-size model of a Spanish galleon,
an aviary, a roller-skating rink and a racetrack with child-size
racecars. No entrance fee, rides range from $.70 to $1.80.
Casa de la Cultura - A cultural complex houses a small
archaeological museum, an exhibit of Mexican and international
crafts and the Ixcateopan art gallery. No entrance fee.
Day 3 - Wednesday (Miercoles)
Wednesday night may be just the evening to take a sunset cruise
along Acapulco's breathtaking bay. For about $12, visitors can
enjoy a cruise with open bar and live and disco music. A good deal
for those on a budget, Bonanza's cruises leave downtown near the
zcalo at 4:30 p.m. Sunset cruises are likely one of the best ways
to also see the cliff divers. Many hotels and shops sell the
tickets.
Day 4 - Thursday (Jueves)
A day at the beach is always a day well spent on Mexico's West
Coast. For less than a $12 taxi ride or a $.75 bus ride from the
city, visitors can find two off-the-beaten-path beaches known as
Pie de la Cuesta and the Coyuca lagoon. For the peso equivalent of
about $5, visitors can also tour the lagoon in a "lancha" or small
motorboat where you can witness fishermen casting their nets, a
variety of hidden coves and tiny islands inhabited by a variety of
bird species.
Another beautiful, less crowded beach is the pristine Puerto
Marqus. Sheltered within a small bay east of Playa Icacos, it
boasts the most tranquil waters in the area, breath-taking sunsets,
charming little restaurants that will set up tables, chairs and
umbrellas for you and where a shrimp cocktail and a bottle of
Corona will cost about $5.
Day 5 - Viernes
Day trips to the nearby silver city of Taxco could be a great way
to save on local wares, which can be hard to come across in
Acapulco.
Approximately 170 miles north of Acapulco, Taxco, one of Mexico's
most picturesque and charming cities, is a relic of its colonial
past. An old mining town, Taxco remained isolated for centuries
until an American William Spratling fell in love with the town and
revived its silver mines.
Today, the town of Taxco is littered with silver shops and tourists
trying to strike a deal on beautifully designed jewelry and wares.
While shopping in Taxco is not what many would consider "cheap,"
shoppers definitely find good value for their dollar. Even if you
can't afford to shop, a visit to Mexico's most medieval looking
city is worth the visit.
Day 6 - Saturday (Sabado)
A trip to Acapulco isn't complete until you've seen the
world-famous divers at La Quebrada. Trained divers plunge 130 feet
into a narrow cove of just 11 feet of water, which is safe only
when a wave has come in. You can see the dives, while sipping a
drink at the Plaza Las Glorias Hotel or watch from a concrete
embankment where admission is only $1.25.
About
the Author
Kriss Hammond,
Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network
in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave Your email next to
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