Acapulco, Mexico: DIY Cruise Excursions
Legendary Acapulco! Once the playground of politicians and A-list Hollywood stars, this resort city has seen it all. Before Cancun was even on the map, Acapulco was booming, drawing the rich and famous from the 1950s to the 1970s. Elvis Presley’s movie Fun in Acapulco cemented its status as a sought-after destination. Though its Golden Age dimmed in the 1990s, Acapulco is on the rise again. As one of Mexico’s largest resort cities and the closest to the capital, it’s steadily transforming – especially following the devastation of Hurricane Otis in October 2023. Today, it’s more than ready to welcome visitors, and we were lucky enough to experience it firsthand as the Acapulco cruise port was a stop on our Central American voyage.
When we travel, we look for unique experiences, architecture, captivating scenery, history, and culture – and Acapulco offers all this and more. Since it's extremely popular among domestic tourists, a visit here lets you properly mingle with local beach vacationers while also offering glimpses into how the jet-setters of yesteryear used to holiday. To get a more intimate experience, we hired a driver and decided to DIY our Acapulco excursions. Here’s a list of top Acapulco excursions to choose from, depending on how much time you have in port.
Cruise Excursions in Acapulco
Self-Guided City Tour of Acapulco
Acapulco is divided into three main tourist zones: The Old Town, the Gold Zone, and the Diamond Zone. The Old Town retains the charm of traditional Acapulco, the Golden Zone is lined with hotels along the waterfront, and the Diamond Zone boasts modern developments and the city’s most luxurious villas. Each zone is distinct.
Old Town
The Old Town was the place to be during Acapulco’s heyday. Hollywood stars frequented iconic spots like Caleta Beach, which today is a popular launch point for the best Acapulco tours. Despite being a major tourist magnet and looking a little worn out, don’t miss visiting Hotel Los Flamingos, once owned by the “Hollywood Gang,” including John Wayne and Johnny Weissmuller. This former sanctuary for stars like Errol Flynn, Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, Lana Turner, and Esther Williams is a living museum of black-and-white celebrity photos. Enjoy a Coco Loco cocktail (invented here!), explore the property, and take in some of Acapulco’s most stunning ocean views.
Further along the coast, the Mirador Sinfonia del Mar is an open-air amphitheater overlooking the Pacific, which was built in 1971. While it still occasionally hosts concerts, events, and even a tennis court during a tennis tournament in 2018, the sunset seen from here is the best show. The coastal walk is also adorned with photos of celebrities who frequented Acapulco, but the biggest draw here is the Cliff Divers of La Quebrada.
This death-defying act, recognized by Guinness World Records as “the highest regularly performed head-first dives,” has been rolling since the 1930’s and became one of the most famous attractions in Acapulco. The courageous divers plunge 115 feet into the foaming tumultuous waters of the Pacific, then free climb up the cliff and do it again with utmost elegance and grace, sometimes synchronized. Make your way here at 1 pm to catch this breathtaking 20-minute spectacle from a nearby lookout point for a small entry fee, or enjoy it from the terrace of Hotel Mirador with a drink in hand.
Just uphill from La Quebrada is Centro Cultural la Casa de los Vientos, or House of the Winds Cultural Center, the former art studio of famed Mexican painter Diego Rivera, also known as Frida Kahlo’s husband. Although the house is currently closed to the public, you can still admire Rivera’s giant mural, created on the façade in 1956 during his stay in Acapulco as he battled cancer. The mural is made up of colored mosaic, stone, and seashells, depicting the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl – the feathered serpent.
The Zócalo, Acapulco’s main square, was once the spot for celebrity sightings. Today, it’s filled with food carts and locals seeking shade. Flanked by the city’s blue-domed cathedral and encircled by VW beetle taxis, the Zócalo is a calm people-watching place by day that transforms into a venue for evening performances.
Acapulco cruise port is also home to Fuerte de San Diego, a pentagon-shaped fortress built in the 17th century to defend the bay against pirates. Today, it’s the most significant historical site in Acapulco and a museum dedicated to showcasing the city’s importance as a major colonial port in the Spanish route between Mexico and Asia, particularly the Philippines. For this reason, it’s especially interesting to find artifacts from Asia here.
Gold & Diamond Zone
Next, stretch your sea legs with a stroll through Parque Papagayo, a beautiful park located in Acapulco’s Gold Zone. For a tropical jungle escape, head to Acapulco Botanical Garden over in the Diamond Zone, where you’ll find peaceful trails and stunning views. Near the garden, overlooking the city is the Capilla Ecumenical La Paz, or Chapel of Peace. Further off the beaten path, Capilla del Atardecer, or Sunset Chapel, is an award-winning chapel built in 2011. Its striking design uniquely combines glass and concrete and deceptive structural shapes that make the exterior appear different from what the interior actually is. Visiting this thought-provoking chapel and admiring the views was one of our favorite things to do in Acapulco.
If you are a film buff, tour the hotels in the Diamond zone. Many properties still preserve relics of their Hollywood days, proudly displaying famous guest’s memorabilia. Las Brisas Hotel, with its pastel-candy-striped design, showcases the handprints of countless celebrities. For a taste of old Hollywood luxury, spend the day at Las Brisas’ La Concha Beach Club. Nearby, Villa Arabesque, featured in the James Bond film License to Kill, has hosted stars like Sylvester Stallone and Roger Moore. This area is also home to architectural gems like the Arango Marbrisa House, designed by John Lautner in 1973, which resembles a fort. While it’s private and inaccessible, you can still admire its bold design from a distance.
Day Trips from Acapulco
Snorkeling at Isla la Roqueta
For one of the easiest day trips from Acapulco, take a tour of Isla la Roqueta, located just across from Playa Caleta, where you can get a fifteen-minute boat ride to the island. The water around the island is crystal-clear, offering excellent visibility of the surrounding coral reefs. There are also scenic hiking trails to explore with spectacular views, which is the perfect adventure before cooling off as you snorkel. Don’t worry about bringing supplies, there are plenty of restaurants on the island. You can expect this trip to take about four hours.
Visit One of Acapulco’s Lagoons
Acapulco is flanked by two stunning lagoons: Coyuca Lagoon is located just half an hour north of Acapulco. And Tres Palos Lagoon is about 40 minutes in the opposite direction. Both are unique ecosystems separated from the Pacific by narrow strips of land and are home to hundreds of diverse bird species. Both of these lagoons have been featured in movies like Rambo and Tarzan. Take a boat tour through the mangroves of either of the lagoons for birdwatching and the chance to spot crocodiles. This day trip from Acapulco lasts around six hours.
Our Acapulco excursions revealed a city that bridges its glamorous past with exciting new developments. Whether you are after nostalgia, something modern, or off-the-beaten-path, there’s plenty here to inspire your own Acapulco cruise port experience.