Acapulco, Mexico cruise port review

Port Buzz: Acapulco, Mexico

What there is to see and do on a cruise port-of-call in Acapulco.

The first time I heard of Acapulco was during an episode of The Love Boat. The port town was a frequent port of call on the popular television series along with Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. Although in recent years, cruise ships have been visiting the region with less frequency, at the end of 2014, Acapulco announced the return of 10 ships from Norwegian Cruise line (NCL) for 2015’s cruising season.

“Revitalizing the cruise industry and showcasing Acapulco’s many opportunities for tourists has been a top priority,” said Pedro Haces, president of the Acapulco Destination Marketing Office.

Recent developments in the cruise segment also include the arrival of the transatlantic, Artania carrying more than 1,000 passengers, marking the first-time visit of a German ship to the port. The New Year kicked off with the arrival of Silversea’s Silver Spirit on January 17, the first of 14 arrivals programmed for 2015.

Cruise visitors will dock near the cruise terminal, which is close to the downtown area across from the town squre (officially called Zocalo). Most cruise visitors with limited time in port will head to Playa Condesa, which is in the Zona Dorado (Golden Zone). I have read that there are excellent beaches within easy walking distance of the port in both directions.

Special attractions in Acapulco

Cliff diver central: Acapulco via Flickr

I associate Acapulco with cliff divers, sunsets, and an amazing bay set among lush landscapes. The beaches provide a great location to enjoy a swim and for those who don’t like the beach there are historic and cultural activities as well as plenty of shopping to be had.

Photo opportunities from the city-by-the-bay

Zócalo – a visit to Acapulco’s town square and adjacent cathedral
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Cathedral
Acapulco Bay from Chapel of Peace
Petroglyphs in Palma Sola
Mural by Diego Rivera in Dolores Olmedo House
San Diego Fort, built in 1565 this museum is a great way to learn about the history of the region
La Quebrada (cliff divers) that have been diving from here since 1934.
La Condesa Beach
Acapulco Dorado and Acapulco Diamante

Looking for more information? Check out the Wiki (click here) or visit www.visitacapulco.travel.