Best Things To Do in Acapulco – This Mexico Coastal Gem in Guerrero Made A Comeback!

Looking for the best things to do in Acapulco during your next Mexican getaway? In this travel guide, I am featuring the top attractions and experiences you must do in Acapulco.

Welcome to Acapulco, the Pearl of the Pacific!

While I have been to Mexico before, it was my very first time in this vibrant coastal city in the state of Guerrero. Acapulco was a premier Hollywood getaway in the 1950s for stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley, who even starred in the 1963 movie Fun in Acapulco.

My visit to this iconic destination was incredibly special because I was an invited International Media Guest and Top Content Producer from Canada for Tianguis Turístico México 2026, which ran April 27-30, 2026.

This massive event is Mexico’s largest annual tourism convention and travel industry trade show. It brilliantly brings together all 32 Mexican states to promote their diverse destinations to international buyers.

Acapulco was sadly destroyed by Hurricane Otis in October 2023. However, I was incredibly impressed with how beautifully it has rebuilt during my visit. When you visit now, you are supporting a community that has worked tirelessly to recover and are eager to welcome visitors back.

From stunning beaches and ecological sanctuaries to historic forts and amazing local food, there are so many Acapulco attractions for a two or three day itinerary. The culinary scene here is booming, and the history is profound.

I did a fantastic trip to explore the foodie spots, nature, and historic sights. There is so much to love about Acapulco, and I cannot wait to share them with you.

How To Get To Acapulco

Reaching this coastal paradise is quite straightforward. I flew to Acapulco with Aeromexico departing from Toronto (YYZ), which included a seamless layover in Mexico City (MEX).

You will arrive at the General Juan N Álvarez International Airport (ACA), which services numerous direct and connecting flights from the USA, Canada, and the UK.

If you are already exploring central Mexico, you have some great overland options. Renting a car in Mexico City and driving down the scenic Highway 95 takes about three and a half hours.

Alternatively, you can book a premium bus ticket with companies like Estrella de Oro departing from the Terminal del Sur in Mexico City, which offers a five hour ride straight to the Acapulco coast.

Best Time To Visit Acapulco

Acapulco features a glorious tropical climate, but timing your trip correctly is crucial! The absolute peak season for visitors runs from December to March when American and Canadian are escaping the harsh winter.

During these winter months, the weather is incredibly dry, warm, and sunny, making it perfect for beach hopping. This timeframe is also the magical whale watching season, with massive whales migrating to the warm Mexican Pacific waters between December and March.

If you want to avoid the heaviest tourist crowds while still scoring fantastic weather and travel deals, I highly recommend aiming for the shoulder season months of April, May, October or November.

I visited in late April and had really nice and sunny weather the entire time though it was a bit humid.

Try to avoid the heavy rainy season, which typically runs from June through September and brings intense humidity and frequent showers.

Acapulco Botanical Garden

Located in the South Sierra Madre Mountains, the Acapulco Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanico de Acapulco) is a lush six-hectare living plant museum.

Opened in January 2002 through the collaborative efforts of founders like Mariano Alonso and Architect Jorge Madrigal, this sanctuary promotes the propagation, conservation, and research of biodiversity. It serves as a vital green lung for the port.

Taking the initial elevator ride up was a great escape, and I truly felt like I was transported somewhere completely different. It is a peaceful place to immerse yourself in tropical nature. There’s also a cafe for local and regional specialties.

Acapulco Cathedral

Situated right on Plaza Alvarez, the Acapulco Cathedral (aka Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral) is incredibly unique. Even though it is a Catholic church, it is actually shaped like a mosque!

The building was originally constructed as a movie set in the 1930s before being adapted into a permanent place of worship. The architecture blends Moorish and Byzantine styles, completed in the 1950s by architect Federico Mariscal and officially designated as a cathedral in 1958.

The vibrant blue, onion shaped dome immediately reminded me of the beautiful buildings in Santorini and my time in Mykonos.

Acapulco Historical Museum of Fort San Diego

Positioned along the Old Acapulco coastline, the Acapulco Historical Museum of Fort San Diego (Museo Histórico de Acapulco Fuerte de San Diego) is a must visit. Originally built as a five pointed star fortress in 1616 to defend against pirates, it officially opened to the public as a museum in 1986.

We explored the museum during our Old Acapulco walking tour. Growing up in the Philippines, I was absolutely surprised to learn how deeply Manila was tied to Acapulco through the Manila Galleon trade routes!

In fact, just outside near the fort, you can admire the stunning Manila Acapulco Galleon Trade Mural. Inaugurated on February 18, 2026, by the Philippine Embassy, this mural beautifully represents the deep cultural and commercial origins connecting Mexico and the Philippines.

We had the Tianguis Turistico welcome party here, and it was awesome seeing the contrast of the daytime museum versus the epic nighttime party that transformed the fort into a spectacular venue.

Barra de Coyuca Ecotourism Route

For nature lovers, the Barra de Coyuca Ecotourism Route is phenomenal. Located at the Coyuca Lagoon, this natural sanctuary is surrounded by dense mangroves and palm trees.

We did the lagoon boat ride through the quiet waters, enjoying fresh coconuts and the option for mineral mud facials. I normally would try the mud facial if I was at home or towards the end of my trip, but I was afraid of any potential skin reactions early on.

After the boat ride, we docked at Playa Barra de Coyuca to help release baby sea turtles taking their first steps toward the ocean. Acapulco has an active, licensed sea turtle conservation program, and it was my first time doing a turtle release experience. Such a special moment!

We finished with a perfect beach lunch at a shack restaurant. I chose the grilled shrimp paired with an ice cold cerveza while admiring the stunning views.

Beaches In Acapulco

You cannot talk about an Acapulco travel guide without mentioning the stunning Beaches. The destination is globally known for its golden coastlines, offering dozens of unique beach areas with over 49 beautiful beaches scattered in and around the region.

In fact, the beaches located strictly within Acapulco Bay offer about 6 kilometers of continuous coastline. Five of the city’s beaches have even earned the prestigious Blue Flag certification for their pristine water quality and safety.

Whether you are relaxing by the calm waters of the Old Acapulco area or soaking up the sun in the bustling Golden Zone, spending time by the ocean is an Acapulco must do.

Playa Icacos is the longest beach inside the main bay, stretching over 2 kilometers long (2,060 meters) parallel to the famous Costera Miguel Alemán. Aside from Playa Barra de Coyuca, this was the other beach I got to enjoy since my hotel has direct access to it.

If you venture just outside the main bay, you will discover even more massive stretches of sand. Pie de la Cuesta is a staggering 5.4 kilometers long, while Playa Revolcadero spans roughly 4 kilometers. Barra Vieja Beach (aka Playa Barra Vieja) extends for several kilometers as well and features expansive widths of up to 110 meters.

Jardín Vicente Guerrero

We kicked off our Old Acapulco historic walking tour at Jardín Vicente Guerrero, also known locally as Jardin del puerto. Located in the historic port district, this charming park offers beautiful views and a really nice walking path.

During our stroll, we visited the massive Guerrero Náutico mural created by local artist David de León. The impressive 420 square meter artwork beautifully depicts elements related to the state of Guerrero, like the representation of the Fort of San Diego (which we visited after) and General Vicente Guerrero himself.

La Quebrada Cliff Divers

Watching the world famous La Quebrada Cliff Divers is arguably the most iconic thing to do in Acapulco. This professional high diving tradition has been thrilling crowds since 1934.

It is quite a spectacle to behold these athletes leap from 135 foot cliffs into a narrow, shallow ocean inlet! We watched the show while having a fantastic dinner at the historic Hotel Mirador.

The hotel provides a perfect bird’s eye view of the performance. I was so impressed to learn that the youngest professional diver that night was only 13 years old.

Watch what the La Quebrada Cliff Divers are like here.

Las Gaviotas 2 Escénica

For amazing casual seafood, you have to eat at Las Gaviotas 2 Escénica (aka Las Gaviotas II). Situated along the scenic highway with beautiful bay views, this highly popular restaurant is owned by Sergio Mejía Vargas.

We had our last dinner here and the food was spectacular. We enjoyed sopes, empanadas, grilled shrimps in garlic, and incredibly tender, spicy octopus.

The star of the night was the massive, perfectly grilled Huachinango A La Talla, a traditional Acapulco coastal dish of wood-fire grilled, whole, butterflied red snapper marinated in adobo-chili sauce. Deboned on the table and served with fresh tortilla on the side, we were able to build our own taco.

Dessert was a simple yet satisfying caramelized plantain drizzled with condensed milk. Try to visit when they have live music, as the restaurant really comes alive!

Museo de la Máscara Guerrero

Located near the historic center, the Museo de la Máscara Guerrero (Mask Museum, aka Casa de las Mascaras) is a fascinating cultural stop after visiting Fort San Diego. Housed in a historic former mansion on Plaza del Carmen since 1982, the museum displays Mexico’s largest mask collection with over 1,300 pieces of masks and dance costumes.

I absolutely loved seeing all the different regional masks sorted by state. Some designs were incredibly fun, while others were definitely creepy! It always makes me wonder how people come up with these creative designs, which are so deeply driven by local history and spiritual culture.

Plaza Alvarez

We ended our historic walking tour right at Plaza Alvarez (aka the Zocalo). Serving as the traditional main square of Old Acapulco, this lively gathering space was officially named in 1889 to honor former Mexican president Juan Álvarez.

Strolling through the plaza immediately reminded me of being back in the Philippines, as it shares the exact same vibrant, colonial civic vibes. It is a wonderful place to just walk around, people watch, and fully immerse yourself in the local daily life.

Punta Sirena Restaurant

If you are looking for an elevated culinary experience, Punta Sirena is absolutely incredible. Opened in December 2025 and nestled in the stunning Puerto Marques area, the restaurant is accessible by both land and sea, and only open from November to May.

The kitchen serves modern local cuisine conceptualized by award-winning Chef Eduardo Palazuelos, who brings his rich family legacy and global experience to the menu. I had an amazing lunch with a view, starting with the aguacate con palmito tatemado (avocado with roasted heart of palm).

For my main, I devoured the fresh camarones al grill, and finished with a decadent chocolate mousse with passionfruit dessert. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious.

During our visit, we attended El Gran Taco, an epic annual taco festival featuring 32 vendors representing each Mexican state and their signature tacos. I tried three (Morelos, Mexico City [CDMX] and Guerrero), and my favorite was the Al Pastor Taco from Taqueria El Pariente, representing Mexico City.

We also visited the stunning Santa Prisca de Taxco church with its New Spanish Baroque architecture, took in the panoramic views high up from the Cristo Monumental, did a chilate tasting (a traditional drink from Guerrero made with cacao, rice, and cinnamon), and grabbed delicious churros at Chu-Cho.

I highly recommend ending the night sipping a refreshing mango margarita at La Bendita, overlooking the colorfully illuminated Santa Prisca de Taxco church.

If you plan to stay overnight, I stayed at Hotel Agua Escondida with the best location right at the heart of Taxco. This big colonial-style hotel is maze-like with lots of halls, stairs, terraces and a pool.

After Taxco, I headed we did a 3-day road trip in Michoacan.

Hotel Amares

I checked in at Hotel Amares, a fantastic budget-friendly five star hotel located right in the heart of the Acapulco Golden Zone. Situated on the famous Costera Miguel Alemán, the property was originally built in 1969 as Hotel Calinda and underwent massive renovations following the hurriance to rebrand as Amares in 2024.

I stayed in the Room Comfort Double Partial Sea View. It provided a wonderfully relaxing stay in a spacious, bright room featuring a private balcony.

The dual views were stunning, showcasing the bustling Acapulco city on one side and the beautiful sea on the other. Plus, the hotel offers direct access to the gorgeous Playa Icacos!

Your Acapulco Vacation Awaits

Acapulco has so much to offer for every type of traveler.

From the rich history of the Manila Galleon trade and breathtaking cliff diving to the incredible local seafood and marine conservation efforts, there is no shortage of amazing places to visit in Acapulco.

The city’s resilience and vibrant culture make it an unforgettable Mexican destination. Have you been to the Pearl of the Pacific? Let me know your favorite Acapulco activities in the comments! And if you want to extend the vacation as a road trip, pair this with a 3-day Michoacan itinerary.