Acapulco Dream Vacation

I love to lie in the sun w/ a good book. It's very relaxing. I also like to swim in the ocean but in Acapulco the tide is very rough. I like to stroll along the beach in the morning as the sun comes up (less people). In the afternoon, I sit under a shady umbrella and sip a cold drink, preferably a fresh coconut with a drink prepared inside of it. After the drink, the coconut is cut up for me and my friends and I eat it. Good but not if the coconut is Green!

There's plenty of places to shop, the market (if you're into that and can say NO!), a variety of places (and prices) to eat, and sites to see like the world famous cliff divers.

The dance clubs in Acapulco are awesome! These places almost typically change names every year or two years so you have to ask the current names. The club 'on the hill' has an incredible view of the bay if you dance 'in the windows' on the ledges built for that.

Quick Tips:

Money-Change ALWAYS at Cambios...you'll get a good rate - dealing w/banks is a pain. Most ATM's also work.

Restaurants-many on the strip are good...Mexican food-La Tortuga (my favorite). Late night Mexican food-Taco Tumbras. Good Italian food (little more expensive)-Villa Fiore. Average priced Italian-Dinnos. Steak-Barbarojas.

Beach-Night-not so safe...Good idea to stay off at night.

Beach-Day-Keep an eye on your things or have friends do so. Kids that try to sell things will swipe your things. The sun is HOT - wear sunscreen or you could have horribly painful sunburns.

Water-Do NOT drink (or even use for teeth brushing) anything but bottled water EVEN if your hotel assures you that it's fine. At restaurants, when having drinks with ice - drink quickly. In nicer restaurants, ice is probably okay.

Shopping-At markets & beach ALWAYS negotiate-NEVER pay what they ask. Prices are hugely inflated. Start with a ridiculous price and work up. Be wary of silver (beach and markets)...it's most likely NOT real silver (EVEN THOUGH it's stamped with 925) but Nickel plated. Jewelry stores (fixed prices but sometimes still negotiatable-always try) will have real silver.

Best Way To Get Around:

Taxis are very cheap in Acapulco within the city. You definitely ask the driver 'how much' (Cuanto Questo?) to your destination before getting in. The cars do NOT have meters. One driver may be willing to take you somewhere for and another may take you for . The VW Bugs will cost you less but obviously because they are smaller and less comfortable.

Buses have recently become safer but not ALL buses. It's better to just stick with taxis except when you're taking day trips out of town. Then check with your hotel on how to go.

You can walk to anywhere in the main strip of Acapulco if your feet can handle it. I've walked from my time share to Hard Rock Cafe and it's several miles but it's easy walking.

I have been a timeshare owner for some time (and my mother for much longer) and this is a great place. They plan activities here (such as a Tuesday night buffet and dance to get to know other apartment members) and give you guidance to take other day trips (shopping, snorkeling, horseback riding, glass bottom boat, etc.). It's a great place and the people are very friendly!

This restaurant is very casual (most restaurants in Acapulco are) and the staff are very polite and fun! The food is truly mexican and the best in my opinion. I got hit on the head by a mango this year and they fed me free Tequila until I about burst!

This restaurant serves a meal that costs one price and you choose your type of appetizer (salad or appetizer), your main dish, and your dessert. You also get a drink (not alcoholic) with dinner and coffee with your dessert. It's very elegant and romantic as well.

This was my first experience here and I will definitely return. The food was excellent!

Dinno's is one of the few restaurants that has been in Acapulco for years. It is good Italian food in a semi-casual atmosphere with a portion of tables outside on a balcony over the main strip. The caesar salads are made at your table and there is often entertainment (guitar playing or a violin) for your enjoyment. Keep in mind, however, if they play for you, and you seem interested they will, they expect at tip. A couple of dollars is appropriate for a table of 4. They have great lasagna and if you can eat it all-more power to you!

This restaurant is a very FUN place but LOUD. People eat AND party here and there's always music. Often the waiters will dance next to tables with the patrons. It's a very UP and fun environment. There's a bar in the center of the restaurant where sometimes the bartenders literally POUR a drink down someone's throat (if they want them to). One side of the place turns into a dance area late at night (around midnight).

This is a great place for a good steak and you can't find a good thick steak anywhere either! They have local food and American food, a mixture but I always go for the steak. They are right on the beach so if you get a good table you'll have a GREAT view of Acapulco Bay (day or night).

Watching the cliff divers is something everyone should do at least once. It's incredible and the divers all pray before diving because they DO take a chance of dying every time they judge the tide. Day or night you can get great views by boat or land. Be prepared to pay to get a good view by land.