Acapulco Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico)



Photo showing fishing boats gathered around the bayOver the years, Acapulco has undergone considerable changes and seen the arrival of many quality tourist attractions, ensuring that this exceptional Mexican tourist resort retains its popularity. Many of the most appealing tourist attractions are based around Acapulco's beaches and coastline, including a host of water sports and superb dive sites, suitable for both novice and experienced scuba divers alike.

Deep-sea fishing is popular with tourists visiting Acapulco and many enormous fish are often caught, including sailfish, mahi mahi (dorado), yellowfin tuna and marlin, which are at their most plentiful during the winter and spring months. Further tourist attractions include regular ballet performances outside of the Acapulco International Convention Centre (Centro de Convenciones Acapulco), the breathtaking displays by the La Quebrada cliff divers (clavadistas) plunging into the sea, and the opportunity to swim with dolphins at Delfines Paradise.


Picture of fishing boat close to the coastline

Fishing / Sportfishing

Some serious fishing is available just off Acapulco's long coastline and sportfishing is becoming an increasingly popular attraction for visiting tourists. A number of companies around Acapulco Bay, and in particularly next to the Playa Tlacopanocha along the Malecón, offer deep-sea fishing trips. These last up to seven hours and need to be booked ahead, often leaving early in the morning. From July to December, it is quite possible that you will be able to see or even catch sharks.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge

Photo showing popular banana boat ride

Water Sports

The most popular tourist attractions in Acapulco are based around its waterfront and beaches, and just about every kind of water sport is possible around the Bahi de Acapulco (Acapulco Bay). Many tourists enjoy a fun-filled ride on a banana boat, water skiing behind a fast speedboat or parasailing (paracaida) high above the beaches. All of the water sports and more are easy to find by simply taking a stroll along the beaches within the Zona Dorada, looking out for brightly coloured kiosks. Water sport attractions around the buzzing Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla include motorboats, sailing boats, pedalos, kayaks and even inflated inner tubes.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge

Isla La Roqueta (Roqueta Island) / Aca Zoo

Address: Isla La Roqueta, Salida del Muelle de Caleta, Acapulco, 39390, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 82 3508
The Isla La Roqueta is a small and appealing island situated close to Acapulco's coastline and opposite the beaches of the Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla. Many quality attractions await on Roqueta Island, which is reached by regular glass bottom boat rides from the Playa Caletilla. Aca Zoo is amongst the main attractions on the Isla La Roqueta and enjoys a elevated setting with good views across the island. The zoo features a host of animals, such as giraffes, elephants, apes and a number of native species, together with a food court and play area for children.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge for boat trip

View of snorkellers in the summer

Scuba Diving / Snorkelling

For many tourists, scuba diving is the highlight of a holiday in Acapulco and one of the main attractions. Although Acapulco itself is not considered to be a prominent diving destination, there are a number of excellent dive spots around the area, along with established scuba diving schools and marine excursions. Those with less experience will be able to find many shallow spots around Acapulco where they can practice their diving skills, such as Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla, while the more experienced scuba divers will be able to enjoy spectacular underwater scenery, particularly around the sunken ship of the Rio de la Plata. Other good dive sites include Quita Suenos, Piedra del Gallo and around the Isla de la Roqueta, which is where the best snorkelling is available. Scuba diving equipment can be easily rented close to the shoreline. Underwater attractions around Acapulco include coral reefs, trumpet fishes, sea horses, sea turtles, manta rays and even occasional graceful whale sharks, a harmless species of plankton-eating shark.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: free



Image showing boat cruising around the bay

Cruises / Barco Palao / Shotover Jet

Address: Costera Miguel Alemán, Acapulco, Mexico, MX
Various cruises operate around Acapulco's coastline and offer great views of the beaches along the way, such as the Barco Palao, which regularly cruises around the bay and heads towards the Isla La Roqueta, where attractions include Hawaiian dancers performing a special show. Night cruises are worth considering around Acapulco Bay and are perfect for romantic couples. Families will always enjoy the special glass bottom boat tours, where you are able to glimpse some of the many colourful marine creatures living around the bay. Other boating attractions include cruises on luxury yachts from the Club de Yates and on the huge Yate Fiesta yacht, which passes the homes of many international celebrities. For a bit of excitement, consider white-knuckle rides on the reasonably priced Acapulco's Shotover Jet, which lasts around four hours in total and can reach speed of more than 80 kmph / 50 mph and speeds past the magnificent De la Venta dam, amongst other well-known local sights. Most boats depart from the Malecón and pass the Peninsula de la Playas.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge

Bingo

Address: Costera Miguel Alemán, Segundo Piso, Acapulco, 39860, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 81 1650
Bingo is becoming an increasingly popular pastime for tourists staying in Acapulco and this huge venue can seat around 500 bingo players and regularly attracts large crowds, all frantically competing for the big prize money. Other attractions at the Bingo hall include a bar serving refreshments, along with nearby restaurants and clubs.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Centro Internacional para Convivencia Infantil picture

CiCi (Centro Internacional para Convivencia Infantil)

Address: Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán, Acapulco, 39850, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 484 8210
The Centro Internacional para Convivencia Infantil is best known as simply the 'CiCi' in Acapulco and is a fun-filled water park, complete with shows by performing seals and dolphins. Children will always enjoy the water slide attractions, swimming pool with waves, an 80-metre / 262-foot water toboggan, and a small aquarium attraction, where many colourful marine fish are to be found. Grown-ups and older children will enjoy the exciting Sky Coaster ride, which is designed to simulate Acapulco's famous La Quebrada cliff diving. Restaurants are also onsite, together with an interesting shop selling a range of local handicrafts. Transport is on hand and links the Cici to many of the main hotels. The Cici is easy to find and lies opposite Acapulco's Hard Rock Cafe.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Castillo del Rey León

Address: Carretera Pie de la Cuesta, Acapulco, 39460, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 84 9905
Sited on the very outskirts of Acapulco and next to the Pie de la Cuesta beach, the Castillo del Rey León is an appealing beach club and boasts a range of beach-related attractions, such as pools and water slides. Many sporting visitors come here for the beach volley courts along, while others prefer to relax in the gardens and enjoy a meal with a view in the club's very own restaurant.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for some of the attractions

Photo of dolphins at Delfines Paradise

Delfines Paradise

Address: Costera Miguel Alemán, Playa Condesa, Acapulco, 39690, Mexico, MX
Delfines Paradise is one of the areas most memorable attractions and offers the chance to swim and watch a group of extremely friendly and inquisitive dolphins. Trainers are always on hand to demonstrate just how clever these intelligent creatures are and to answer any questions that you may have about the dolphins, making sure that you have a fun day out.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Centro Internacional de Convenciones Acapulco (Acapulco Cultural and Convention Centre)

Address: Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán 4455, Acapulco, 39850, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 484 7047
The Centro Internacional de Convenciones Acapulco is a vast and modern convention centre and is located within the city's central Golden Zone. Built in the early 1970s, this complex covers more than 30 acres / 12 hectares in total and comprises five main buildings, which are surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. One of the premier convention centres of its kind in the whole of Mexico, the Centro Internacional de Convenciones Acapulco regularly hosts a range of activities, exhibitions, attractions, concerts, seminars, festivals, workshops and general entertainment, which are often of interest to tourists. The main attractions include the Open Air Theatre, the Juan Ruiz de Alarcón Theatre and also the Teotihuacan Hall.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge for some shows, conventions and exhibitions

View showing the waterfront Magico Mundo Marino

Magico Mundo Marino / (Magic Marine World) / Acapulco Aquarium

Address: Playa Caleta, Acapulco, 39390, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 483 9344
Far more than just an impressive aquarium, the Magico Mundo Marino theme park offers the perfect day out, whatever your age. Full of family orientated attractions, such as water slides, an oceanographic museum and plenty of entertainment for children. Particularly popular are the swimming pools, kayaks, sea-lion shows, crocodile feeding, piranhas, turtles, diving demonstrations, water toboggans, and a range of beach equipment, which can be hired and used on the adjacent Playa Caleta.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, concessions