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Acapulco Attractions

Attractions
Activities

Acapulco Attractions

A Museum & A Waterpark
The original Fuerte de San Diego, Costera Alemán, east of the zócalo (tel. 744/482-3828), was built in 1616 to protect the town from pirate attacks. At that time, the port reaped considerable income from trade with the Philippine Islands. The fort you see today was rebuilt after considerable earthquake damage in 1776, and most recently underwent renovation in 2000. The structure houses the Museo Histórico de Acapulco (Acapulco Historical Museum), with exhibits that tell the story of Acapulco from its role as a port in the conquest of the Americas to a center for local Catholic conversion campaigns and for exotic trade with the Orient. Other exhibits chronicle Acapulco's pre-Hispanic past, the coming of the conquistadors (complete with Spanish armor), and Spanish imperial activity. The new Foro Cultural Multimedia, a spectacular light-and-sound show, starts at 8pm in Spanish, with special accommodations and shows available for groups in English afterward.

The Centro Internacional de Convivencia Infantil (CICI), Costera Alemán at Colón (tel. 744/484-8033), is a sea-life and water park east of the convention center. It offers guests swimming pools with waves, water slides, and water toboggans, and has a cafeteria and restrooms. The park, which recently underwent a $3-million renovation, is open daily from 10am to 6pm. There's also a dolphin swim program, which includes 30 minutes of introduction and 30 minutes of swim time.

Death-Defying Divers
High divers perform at La Quebrada each day at 12:30, 7:15, 8:15, 9:15, and 10:15pm. From a spotlit ledge on the cliffs, divers (holding torches for the final performance) plunge into the roaring surf of an inlet that's just 7m (20 ft.) wide, 4m (12 ft.) deep, and 40m (130 ft.) below -- after wisely praying at a small shrine nearby. To the applause of the crowd, divers climb up the rocks and accept congratulations and gifts of money from onlookers. This is the quintessential Acapulco experience. No visit is complete without watching the cliff divers -- and that goes for jaded travelers as well. To get there from downtown, take the street called La Quebrada from behind the cathedral for 4 blocks.
The public areas have great views, but arrive early, because performances quickly fill up. Another option is to watch from the lobby bar and restaurant terraces of the Hotel Plaza Las Glorias/El Mirador.

Acapulco Activities

Golf
Both the Acapulco Princess (tel. 744/469-1000) and Pierre Marques (tel. 744/466-1000) hotels have top-notch courses. The Princess's course is a rather narrow, level, Ted Robinson design. The Marques course, redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1972 for the World Cup Golf Tournament, is longer and more challenging. Tee times begin at 7:35am, and reservations should be made a day in advance. Club rental is available. The Mayan Palace Golf Club, Geranios 22 (tel. 744/469-6043 or 744/469-0221), designed by Latin American golf great Pedro Guericia, lies farther east.
The newest addition to Acapulco's golf scene is the spectacular Robert von Hagge-designed course at the exclusive Tres Vidas Golf Club, Carretera a Barra Vieja Km 7 (tel. 744/444-5138 or 744/444-5135). The par-72, 18-hole course, right on the edge of the ocean, is landscaped with nine lakes, dotted with palms, and home to a flock of ducks and other birds.

Tennis
The Club de Tenis Hyatt, Costera Alemán 1 (tel. 744/484-1225), is open daily from 7am to 11pm. Many of the hotels along the Costera have tennis facilities for guests; the best are at the Acapulco Princess, Pierre Marqués, Mayan Palace, and Las Brisas hotels. Tennis is also available at both the Club de Golf Acapulco and Tres Vidas golf clubs.

Bullfights
Traditionally called Fiesta Brava, bullfights are held during Acapulco's winter season at a ring up the hill from Caletilla Beach. Be forewarned that this is a true bullfight -- meaning things generally do not fare well for the bull. The festivities begin at 5:30pm each Sunday from December to March.