Major city · Mexico
AcapulcoAcapulco de Juárez
Go for 3 nights for a bay beach and the cliff divers; skip if you want calm water and quiet — the bay is loud and the open-ocean surf is rough.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–May (dry season)
- avoid Jun–Oct (heavy rain, hurricane season)
- Airport
- ACA
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Acapulco is Mexico's original Pacific resort: a working port with a sheltered bay, a cliff-diving show running since 1934 and a long beach strip, La Costera, that runs from the old town to the hotel zone. It is a beach-and-food stop, not a sightseeing city. Three nights covers the bay, the fort and one day trip; two is enough if you only want the divers and a beach day. The rainy season runs Jun–Oct and the surf outside the bay is dangerous.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Acapulco, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyAcapulco's tourist strip is busy and policed, but Guerrero state has a high violent-crime rate and trouble is concentrated away from the bay: stay in…
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance (national)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportACA Acapulco International Airport (Juan N. Álvarez) (About 25 km southeast of La Costera; flights from Mexico City take about 35 min.ACA Acapulco International Airport (Juan N. Álvarez) (About 16 mi southeast of La Costera; flights from Mexico City take about 35 min.
- Getting aroundTaxis are unmetered: agree the fare before you get in.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet or market mealM$35–120 (≈ US$2–7)
- BeerBeer: beach bar / shopM$40–80 (≈ US$3–5) / M$20–35 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi within the CosteraAgree before entering.M$50–120 (≈ US$3–7)
- Metro or bus rideShared cab or bus rideM$8–12 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketFort San Diego entryM$80 (≈ US$5)
- Budget bedHostel or budget room, a night, per personMX$250 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$1,500 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$3,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$900 (≈ US$50) · Mid MX$1,800 (≈ US$100) · High MX$4,000 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ACA Acapulco International Airport (Juan N. Álvarez) (About 25 km southeast of La Costera; flights from Mexico City take about 35 min. Airport transfers to the hotel zone run roughly US$23–50 round trip depending on season and class.)ACA Acapulco International Airport (Juan N. Álvarez) (About 16 mi southeast of La Costera; flights from Mexico City take about 35 min. Airport transfers to the hotel zone run roughly US$23–50 round trip depending on season and class.)
Weather and climate
Acapulco: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C87°F
23°C74°F
1 rd
Feb
30°C87°F
23°C74°F
1 rd
Mar
31°C87°F
23°C74°F
1 rd
Apr
31°C87°F
24°C75°F
1 rd
May
32°C89°F
25°C77°F
3 rd
Jun
32°C90°F
25°C77°F
12 rd
Jul
33°C91°F
25°C77°F
12 rd
Aug
33°C91°F
25°C77°F
13 rd
Sep
32°C89°F
25°C76°F
15 rd
Oct
32°C89°F
25°C77°F
9 rd
Nov
32°C89°F
25°C76°F
3 rd
Dec
31°C87°F
24°C75°F
1 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis are unmetered: agree the fare before you get in. Shared white-and-yellow cabs charge a flat low fare per person; buses are cheaper still and stop anywhere you wave. AcaBus needs a reloadable card. Driving yourself is not advised — traffic, scarce parking, streets that change names and no signage.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pie de la Cuesta
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Bus marked Pie de la Cuesta PLAYA LUCES from the bay side of La Costera, between Escudero and Diego Mendoza
Lagoon side is calm; the ocean side has dangerous surf. Go for sunset and seafood.
Puerto Marqués
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Local bus east along the coast, or taxi
Smaller bay with beach restaurants; less English spoken than in Acapulco.
Barra Vieja
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Taxi, roughly 20 min past the airport
Long open beach for a half day; a taxi for the day costs M$500–800.
Isla de la Roqueta
cautionDoor to door: About 20–30 min each way
Water taxi or glass-bottom tour boat from Caleta beach
Shallow family beach and trails; snorkelling can be rough. Boats return through the day.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
La Costera (bay front)
The main boulevard along the bay: hotels, bars, beaches at the door. Loudest and most convenient; prices fall as you move west toward the Zócalo.
Zócalo / old Acapulco
Town square with the cathedral, cheap family restaurants and more local life. Cheapest beds; 10–15 min walk to the western end of the bay beaches.
Caleta and Caletilla
Open-ocean beaches protected by Isla de la Roqueta, usually cleaner water; water taxis to the island leave from here.
Diamante / Puerto Marqués (east)
Resort strip and La Isla shopping centre near the airport; quieter, needs a taxi for everything.
Las Brisas (hill)
Hillside resorts above the bay with private beach clubs; you cannot walk anywhere, and taxis to and from charge more.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$700–1,200 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,200–2,500 (≈ US$65–140) excl. bed
- High
- M$2,500 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 3 nights × MX$1,500 | MX$4,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × MX$1,800 | MX$10,800 |
| Airport transfer, both ways2 × MX$800 | MX$1,600 |
| AcaBus card plus rides, one day2 × MX$60 | MX$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$300 | MX$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$1,762 |
| Trip total≈ MX$3,230 per person per day, bed included | MX$19,382≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Street or market meal | M$35–120 (≈ US$2–7) |
| Beach-restaurant seafood plate | M$150–350 (≈ US$9–19) |
| Beer: beach bar / shop | M$40–80 (≈ US$3–5) / M$20–35 (≈ US$2) |
| Taxi within the CosteraAgree before entering. | M$50–120 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Shared cab or bus ride | M$8–12 (≈ under US$1) |
| Fort San Diego entry | M$80 (≈ US$5) |
| La Quebrada viewing platform | small fee (check) |
| Marinabus bay ferry | M$60 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Agree every taxi fare before entering; hotel-arranged taxis usually cost more than street cabs.
- Do not swim in the open Pacific at Pie de la Cuesta or Playa Revolcadero: the surf and undertow are dangerous. Swim inside the bay or at Caleta/Caletilla.
- Jun–Oct is hurricane season; check forecasts before booking flights.
- Police stops of rental cars have been reported as an on-the-spot cash matter; if you drive, keep documents in order and ask for a receipt.
- La Quebrada dive times change and the viewing platform charges a small fee: check the day's schedule locally.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance (national)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AcapulcoAcapulco de Juárez
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No US consulate in Acapulco: the US Embassy is in Mexico City and handles Acapulco (check for the current consular agency). Other countries: embassies in Mexico City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, La Costera → La Quebrada or airport: M$120 (≈ US$7)
- Shared cab, flat fare: M$12 (≈ under US$1) per person
- Bus, non-air-conditioned / air-conditioned: M$8 (≈ under US$1) / M$9.50 (≈ under US$1)
- Marinabus, Puerto Marqués → Malecón: M$60 (≈ US$4)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta ir allá? — How much to go there? (KWAN-to KWES-ta eer a-YA)
- Pare aquí, por favor — Please stop here (PA-re a-KEE por fa-VOR)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Es seguro nadar aquí? — Is it safe to swim here? (es se-GU-ro na-DAR a-KEE)
- Sin chile, por favor — Without chilli, please (seen CHEE-le por fa-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (DON-de es-TA el BA-nyo)
Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants; MXN 20–50 for porters and guides' helpers. Carry small notes for taxis and beach vendors.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Acapulco. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–May (dry season) · avoid Jun–Oct (heavy rain, hurricane season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ACA: taxi fare bands by zone, bus alternative, late-arrival fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Zócalo and Fort San Diego, La Quebrada and the west bay, Condesa and the hotel zone, Caleta/Caletilla and the island.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees (Fort San Diego, La Quebrada viewing platform, El Rollo) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hurricane-season and heavy-rain fixtures so gates A–D can go green.