Acapulco Life and Visitor Travel Tips
(Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico)
Acapulco is a particularly beautiful coastal resort and visitors will be able to enjoy a relaxed life style during their stay. The reliable sunny weather is Acapulco means that this is the perfect spot to enjoy a range of coastal activities.
The main tourist offices in Acapulco are operated by the local government and dispense an array of visitors information. Tourist offices are also good places to purchase tickets for various attractions. Tickets for both buses and planes can also be purchased at Acapulco's Procuraduria del Turista are considerably cheaper than the city's many travel agencies. This outlet is also a good place to exchange currency completely free of charge.
Useful Contact Details
The following tourist offices are all located within Acapulco's Centro de Convenciones and offer a range of tourist information, tips and general assistance to all nationalities.
Procuraduria del Turista
Address: La Costera 4455, Acapulco, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 484 4583
Fax: +52 744 484 4583
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 22:00
Casa Consular
Address: La Costera 4455, Acapulco, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 481 2533
Fax: +52 744 481 2533
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 15:00
State Tourist Office
Address: La Costera 4455, Acapulco, Mexico, MX
Tel: +52 744 484 2423
Fax: +52 744 484 2423
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 20:00, Sunday - 09:00 to 15:00
Language and Dialect
When in Acapulco you will find that almost all of the locals speak Mexican Spanish. It really is quite easy to learn basic Spanish and it is extremely courteous to know even just a few words or phrases in Spanish. Acapulco locals will respond in a much more positive way if you are attempting to speak their own language, although some can communicate well in English. Some useful Spanish phrases are shown below to start you off.
- Good afternoon - buenas tardes
- Excuse me - disculpe
- What is the fare to...? - cuánto cuesta hasta...?
- I'd like to buy... - quisiera comprar...
- Does anyone here speak English? - hay alguien que hable inglés?
- My name is... - me llamo
- What is your name? - cómo se llama usted?
- How are things? - qué tal?
- May I? - permiso
- I'd like a single room - quisiera una habitación individual
- I'm looking for a guesthouse - estoy buscando una pensiòn
- Please - por favor
- Apologies - perdón
- Many thanks - muchas gracias
- Goodbye - adiós
Dos and Don'ts
- Currency Exchange - banks are usually the best place to exchange money in Acapulco, since hotels are known to charge extremely high rates of commission
- Drinking Tap Water - be wary about drinking tap water in Acapulco, since it is not usually pure and can cause quickly cause sickness. Therefore, also avoid ice cubes and when taking showers, keep your mouth firmly closed. Instead, purify tap water by boiling or drink bottled water, which is usually supplied at most accommodation
- Immigration - the immigration office in Acapulco is located on the corner of Elcano and La Costera
- Internet Access - it is hard to miss the endless cybercafes around the main hotel districts and shopping centres in Acapulco
- Pickpockets - be sure to keep your valuables safe at all times, especially in the most crowded areas. Leave passports, air tickets and similar in a hotel safe or locked suitcase
- Pregnant Women and Children - it is generally quite safe for children and pregnant women to visit Acapulco, although some of the necessary vaccines may not be approved and this should always be discussed with your doctor. Pregnant women should also bear in mind that the quality of medical care in Acapulco is likely to be far less than that in your home country
- Smoking - when staying in Acapulco, you will not be able to smoke on local buses, on planes and in specified areas of many restaurants
- Sunburn - if you get sunburnt at the beginning of your holiday in Acapulco it can make you feel quite uncomfortable for days. Therefore, always use sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids, especially when on the beaches
- Telephones - long-distance telephone calls can be made in Acapulco by using Telmex card phones, which can be purchased all over the city, or also within private telephone 'casetas', which are particularly plentiful around the Zócala and on La Costera
- Timeshares - unless you are interested in timeshares in Acapulco, avoid these presentations. Although you may well get a free meal, it can be quite high-pressure selling
- Tipping - workers in Acapulco's tourism industry depend on tips to make a living and these can be up to 10%. You should tip room cleaners, porters and staff in only the main resort restaurants. Taxi drivers do not generally expect to be tipped