Acapulco Travel Guides
This page gives you a rapid look at the various travel guides about Acapulco that have appeared in print form. In truth, things can change so rapidly on the ground that even the most recent publication is bound to have some out-of-date information, before it even comes off the press. The Internet could be more up-to-date than printed media, if the Web page owners bothered to stay current. Most of them do not. RealAcapulco listens to its readers, researches its materials, and is published by people who live in Acapulco. Really, it is the best source for detailed and updated information. But here are reviews of the printed guides, in case you decide to pick up something you can carry around with you.
Acapulco, Your Personal Guide
Acapulco, Your Personal Guide by Independent Publishers (Illustrator), Gustavo A. Delao, Ana M. Zurita, Maria Skufka. Those who have seen it say that it is very good. But it is out of print, and there are no copies to be had anywhere.
Berlitz Puerto Vallarta & Acapulco Pocket Guide
The Berlitz Puerto Vallarta & Acapulco Pocket Guide is by Alice Fellows (Editor) and Chris Coe (Photographer). This is a small, colorful booklet. What it covers is OK. The problem is that it is too short, even for a week's vacation. Berlitz makes GREAT phrase books, but they should stick to what they know best. Their phrase books and language materials are highly recommended. This travel guide is not.
Fodor's Pocket Acapulco: Including Taxco, Ixtapa and Zilhuatanejo
Fodor's Pocket Acapulco: Including Taxco, Ixtapa and Zilhuatanejo, by Christina Knight and Stephen Wolf, sometimes reads like stereo instructions. It covers the basics for those traveling elsewhere in the state of Guererro. About half the content is devoted to Ixtapa, Zilhuatanejo and Taxco. Fodor's weighs down its guides with a lot of credit card ads and other fillers, which can be irritating. It also makes the guides less convenient and interesting. Because of the ads, we give this guide a BIG thumbs down.
Frommer's Portable Acapulco, Ixtapa and Zilhuatanejo
Frommer's Portable Acapulco, Ixtapa and Zilhuatanejo by Lynne Bairstow is designed to compete with Fodor's, and has an almost identical layout to that of Fodor's and Ulysses. However, it is not even as good as Fodor's, and much inferior to Ulysses. It is not recommended.
Moon Handbooks Acapulco
Moon Handbooks Acapulco, by Bruce Whipperman, is perhaps the most thorough printed guide to Acapulco. The author has a real sense of history and an eye for interesting details. No travel guide can cover 100% of all the possible material, and this one does omit a lot of information about night clubs, restaurants, and upscale hotels. Nonetheless, for the backpacker, ecotourist, budget traveler or history buff, this is the guide to look for.
Lonely Planet Mexico's Pacific Coast
Lonely Planet Mexico's Pacific Coast was written by Danny Palmerlee and Sandra Bao. Lonely Planet produces some really great guides; unfortunately, this one does not focus sufficiently on Acapulco. It covers the basics rather well, but is a bit dry. Lonely Planet's general Guide to Mexico, however, is probably the best in that category.
Mike Oliver's Acapulco
Mike Oliver's Acapulco, by Mike Oliver, has received some very positive reviews. The problem is that it is very hard to find. Most online book sites will claim they have a copy; in truth, they do not. If anyone finds a copy, give us a shout at RealAcapulco.
The People's Guide to Mexico
The People's Guide to Mexico, by Carl Franz, Lorena Havens and Steve Rogers, is the best travel guide ever written, even though it doesn't really mention hotels, restaurants or nightclubs, and even though it pays no attention whatever to Acapulco. It tells you what all the other guides fail to say: It really manages to give the reader a feel for Mexico. Truth to tell, it is less a travel guide and more a travel experience. We recommend it highly, but not if you're just searching for things to do and places to eat and sleep in Acapulco. That you can get for free right here at RealAcapulco.com.
Ulysses Acapulco
Ulysses Acapulco was written by Marc Rigole and Claude-Victor Langlois. In spite of its small size, this is the best guide to Acapulco's hotels that you will find in print (though not on the Internet). Some areas are only lightly covered, but the guide presents a good cross section of Acapulco for those who plan to stay a week or so. Where the publication really performs well is in its description of the hotels. The authors clearly understand interior design, and do not hesitate to point out bad taste when they find it. This makes for some amusing reading at times. We give it a thumbs up.
