Nearby Points of Interest
Barra Vieja
Barra Vieja is a small village on the far side of Acapulco, down the coast beyond the airport. The road goes along the coast line, and when you start getting close to Barra Vieja the signs start appearing for the beach restaurants. The ride takes less than an hour from the bay side of Acapulco. In Barra Vieja you can set up in a beach club/restaurant/bar and enjoy both the surf and a swimming pool. Eat out on the beach under palapas, or up near pool side. Many different places along the beach compete for your preference, and you may want to look at two or three before making a decision. It is so relaxing to hang out at Barra Vieja that you may find yourself returning several times over. Beto’s restaurant in Barra Vieja is credited with inventing Huachinango a la Talla – butterflied, marinated and grilled red snapper with a red sauce of guajillo chiles. This dish has become a seafood standby at many a good Acapulco seafood restaurant.
Pie de la Cuesta
This little village is just about 40 minutes away from Acapulco up the Costa Grande towards Zihuatanejo. Its name means "foot of the slope," as it is at the bottom of the steep ridge that rises from the ocean behind Acapulco, helping to create, in part the natural harbor. This beach location is idyllic, and has one of the hemisphere's best locations for watching the setting sun sink into the Pacific Ocean. Las Tres Marías is a local seafood restaurant for post-sunset celebrations and delicious shrimp and shell fish. This part of Mexico’s Pacific coast is uncluttered and relatively unaffected by the fast pace of development that one witnesses in Acapulco. Pie de la Cuesta makes a very agreeable day trip for a couple or a whole family.For more information click on Pie de La Cuesta - Acapulco's Virgin Beach.
Taxco
Some visitors may decide they would like to make Acapulco a sort of base from which they can make day trips to other places around the state of Guerrero. The best example would be to take time out to visit Taxco. Taxco is a colonial city in the mountains, not far from Mexico City. Its main church, Santa Prisca, is one of the best examples of Mexican baroque architecture there is. Built into the side of a mountain, Taxco is home to Mexico's most accomplished silversmiths. The ride takes about 4 hours. It can be done in one day, but is best accomplished with an overnight in Taxco itself. A two-night stay would be even better, as it would be possible to visit the caverns of Cacahuamilpa, a vast underground network of grottos that have been developed with lighting and infrastructure for the delight of tourists. Take a cab or a Cine Rio bus to the Estrella de Oro bus terminal. Buses depart for Taxco several times every day. Seats are reserved, and it usually makes sense to buy a round trip ticket. For more information click on Taxco Day Trip.
Zihuatanejo
Another bus excursion is up the Costa Grande to Zihuatanejo. The ride along the coast is beautiful, and spending time in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa will surely be enjoyable. Some veterans say the area reminds them of how Acapulco was before all the modern development took place. There are plenty of wonderful seafood restaurants, inviting beaches and water sports of all kinds. It's probably wise to budget a couple of days in order to do justice to the locale. The bus departs from the Estrella Blanca bus terminal on Avenida Cuahutémoc with several departures each day. For more information, click on Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa.
