History of Acapulco - From Conquest to Modern Times
Legend of Acapulco
The mystery surrounding Acapulco is deepened by a local legend, first told centuries ago by the indigenous Yope people. Passed down through generations, this tale continues to be retold to this day. The shield of Acapulco is said to represent the essence of this story, though the connection between the artwork and the narrative is abstract—perhaps adding to its mystique.
Long before the Spanish arrived on these shores, a small tribe of Yope Indians lived peacefully along the coast, enjoying the abundance of azure waters, coconuts, tamarinds, and mangoes. Their tranquil life was soon disrupted when a fierce tribe of Nahuas invaded, driving the Yopes from their beaches and forcing them to seek refuge in the hills. The Nahuas then took over the beaches, settling into the easy life once enjoyed by the Yope.
It wasn't long before the Nahuas' chief had a son, Acatl, meaning "reeds." The chief entrusted Acatl to the care of the god Quetzalcóatl, who would protect him. The restless Nahuas, however, were always seeking new adventures, and one day, they set out once again in search of something different. By then, young Acatl had grown into a handsome warrior and, as tradition dictated, embarked on a journey to find a bride. On his travels, he met and fell in love with a beautiful girl, Quiahuitl, the daughter of a Yope chief.
In a cruel twist of fate, Quiahuitl’s father, upon learning of her intended marriage, was consumed with hatred for his enemy’s son. He forbade the union and cursed the young warrior, asking the gods to punish him. Devastated, Acatl returned to his birthplace, mourning his lost love. So sorrowful were his tears that they formed a river, which eventually soaked his body, causing him to melt into a muddy pool. Over time, reeds began to grow around this pool, which became known as his "children."
When Quetzalcóatl heard of Acatl's misfortune, he sought revenge on the Yope chief. In a fit of wrath, he transformed the innocent Quiahuitl into a cloud. She drifted aimlessly until, by chance, she came upon the muddy pond where the reeds had grown. Furious to see her lover’s “children,” she unleashed a torrential downpour, ripping the reeds from the earth and leaving them to wither. In her fury, Quiahuitl condemned herself and Acatl to be forever entwined in the place that would later be known as *Acapulco*, or "the place where reeds were destroyed."
This tragic tale of love, jealousy, and vengeance is filled with intrigue, passion, and betrayal—a saga fit for any afternoon drama.
Pre-Colonial History of Acapulco
The pre-colonial history of Acapulco, like its legend, remains largely unverifiable. The Spanish invaders, in their ruthless conquests, destroyed much of the region’s historical records. Nonetheless, experts believe that the area around Acapulco had been inhabited for approximately 5,000 years before the arrival of the Spaniards in the early 16th century. Given the area's favorable climate, abundant flora and fauna, and rich sea resources, it’s no surprise that this region sustained early human life. Evidence of this presence includes bones, artifacts, shells, and seeds—proof that early communities once thrived here.
These early inhabitants were likely few in number, living in small, dispersed communities. They needed large territories for hunting, fishing, and gathering, and the high ridges surrounding Acapulco shielded them from much outside contact.
The earliest inhabitants of the region left behind petroglyphs carved into nearby rocks, such as those at Palma Sola (see photo). Though small in scale compared to other pre-Columbian sites, Palma Sola provides a glimpse into a time when the locals had enough peace and stability to express their creativity beyond the need for mere survival.
Around 3,000 years ago, a significant change occurred when a new group, the Nahua people, arrived in the Acapulco bay. These newcomers gave the bay its name, and their society was more organized than that of the previous inhabitants. Archaeological evidence suggests that they were related to the Olmecs, who ruled the Gulf of Mexico region.
By the 12th century AD, the Méxica (or Aztecs, as they are more commonly known) arrived in the region. Though technically distant relatives of the local peoples, the Méxica were a warrior society known for their conquests, tribute systems, and slavery. They established a vast empire in central Mexico, and by the mid-1400s, their influence reached its peak. They divided what is now Guerrero state into seven territories, imposing a tribute system on the local populations.
Although Acapulco itself was never directly ruled by the Méxica, its culture was strongly influenced by the Tarascan, Mixtec, Zapotec, and Méxica civilizations. The legacy of these ancient cultures still resonates in Acapulco today.
The Arrival of the Spanish
In 1519, Hernán Cortés landed on the coast of Mexico with a large group of Spanish soldiers. Ten years after the expulsion of the Moors and Jews from Spain, and ten years after Columbus's discovery of the New World, Cortés made his fateful landing. Upon reaching the shores, Cortés famously burned his ships, signaling that there was no turning back for his band of conquistadors. By 1521, they had successfully conquered all the indigenous peoples of Mexico.
The Spanish explorers soon came across Acapulco Bay, which would prove to be a strategic location. Officially known as La Bahía de Santa Lucia, Acapulco's natural harbor offered shelter from all but the most severe hurricanes, along with a deep channel. It was the largest natural port on the Pacific coast, making it an invaluable spot for Spanish ships. For 300 years, Acapulco reigned as the "pearl" of the Pacific. By 1534, the Spanish had discovered silver in nearby Taxco, which attracted an influx of settlers to the area.
Acapulco’s natural harbor made the Asian trade possible, despite the arduous 12-day journey along a rough road between Mexico City and Acapulco. This port became the eastern departure point for voyages to China and the Philippines, as well as the western terminus for the road to Veracruz, where ships sailed back to Spain. From Acapulco, ships ventured as far as Alaska to the north and Peru and Chile to the south. The biggest challenge remained the rough road to Mexico City, leaving Acapulco somewhat isolated but also semi-autonomous for many decades.
By the mid-1650s, Spanish galleons made the long voyage to the Orient, embarking on year-long trade journeys for luxury goods such as silks, spices, and precious metals. Much of this treasure would make its way to Spain, but Acapulco too benefited from the influx of luxury goods, enriching the locals. Each year, the Governor General would accompany the Viceroy of New Spain on the difficult descent from Mexico City to Acapulco, just to greet the incoming vessels from the East. These ships carried cargoes of silk, ceramics, jewels, ivory, cloves, pepper, tea, and cinnamon.
Piracy
During the 15th and 16th centuries, England and Spain competed for dominance on the high seas. Both nations sought to establish colonies in the New World, hoping to amass wealth and political power. In the midst of this rivalry, mariners from both countries found it highly profitable to attack the trading vessels of their opponents, seizing treasure and disrupting the flow of goods. Some pirates were commissioned by their respective crowns, while many others acted independently. These "pirates" (or privateers) became the stuff of legend, romanticized in song and story.
Among the most notorious English pirates were Sir Francis Drake (later knighted) and Thomas Cavendish. Drake, a privateer with a royal commission, kept a portion of his spoils for the crown, while Cavendish, although also acting under English authorization, largely worked for his own benefit.
The English pirates, operating in smaller, faster ships, were often able to overpower the cumbersome Spanish galleons. They would kill or enslave the crews, steal the cargo, and raid port towns like Acapulco. Cabo San Lucas, at the tip of Baja California, was a favored hideout for pirates, offering shelter from the watchful eyes of the galleons. Acapulco’s bay was similarly hidden from view of the high seas, though it was occasionally protected by Spanish infantry, unlike the more desolate Cabo.
In 1615, Viceroy Diego Fernández de Córdoba ordered the construction of a fort in Acapulco for protection against pirate raids. This impressive fort, Fort San Diego, still stands in Acapulco's Traditional Zone.
The fort served as a safe haven for the local population and the goods from the Orient, safeguarding them from raiders. A separate, smaller structure housed the powder magazine, built away from the main fort as a precaution against fire. The star-shaped Fort San Diego has been recently restored and is now a major tourist attraction, featuring exhibits on Acapulco’s colonial history.
Slave trading was another grim aspect of Acapulco’s colonial history. The Spanish used Acapulco as a hub for the slave trade, bringing enslaved Africans to work in the silver and gold mines. Slavery continued into the 19th century, though many slaves managed to escape and fled to the mountainous regions south of Acapulco, known as the "Costa Chica." Descendants of these escaped slaves still live in the area today.
Even as trade with the Orient eventually diminished, Acapulco continued to prosper under Spanish rule. Despite its growth, the port remained somewhat isolated from the political centers in Mexico City and the Gulf Coast, allowing it to maintain a degree of autonomy throughout much of the colonial period.
Acapulco and Mexican Independence
The terms "Mexican Independence" and "Revolution" often cause confusion, as they refer to two distinct events in Mexican history. The "Revolution" refers to the period from 1910 to around 1921, when a populist uprising overthrew the dictatorial regime of Porfirio Díaz and laid the foundation for a new, albeit imperfect, democratic government. On the other hand, "Independence" refers to the national movement that began a century earlier, in 1810, when insurgents sought freedom from Spanish rule. This struggle, which included elements of civil war as many Mexicans remained loyal to the Spanish Crown, continued intermittently for over 11 years. To the Mexican ear, "revolution" and "independence" represent two entirely different struggles, despite their shared fight for national sovereignty.
Between 1800 and 1820, Spain lost most of its colonies in the Americas. Mexico, once known as the jewel of "New Spain," began yearning for independence. Spain's political power, military strength, and wealth had all declined over the 18th century. The collapse of the old order was sealed when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain in 1808, prompting the colonies to see it as the perfect moment to assert their independence. While many colonies gained independence relatively quickly, Mexico faced a much tougher fight. At the time, Mexico’s territory included present-day Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California, and parts of Colorado and Oregon, so Spain was determined to hold on.
On September 16, 1810, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo ignited the rebellion against Spanish rule, calling for an end to the social injustices that had long disenfranchised indigenous and mestizo Mexicans. His revolution began as a peasant uprising, demanding land and equal opportunities. The ensuing military engagements of 1810-1811 saw the capture and execution of Hidalgo at the hands of Spanish loyalists. General José María Morelos took over leadership of the insurgent forces and, in 1813, led an attack on Acapulco’s Fort San Diego. After a grueling five-month siege, the fort fell to Morelos. Acapulco, the only significant port on Mexico's Pacific coast, was crucial to the insurgents, providing access to supplies and communication with other rebel forces. However, in 1815, the fort was retaken by loyalist forces.
Finally, in 1821, after over a decade of struggle, Mexico won its independence from Spain through the Treaty of Córdoba. The treaty, based on the Plan of Iguala, established Mexico as an independent nation, with provisions for a single national religion (Catholicism) and social equality for all Mexicans.
However, the newly independent Mexico faced numerous challenges. It lacked the financial resources, knowledge, and ships to revive the once-thriving trade with Asia. As a result, Acapulco slipped back into obscurity, reverting to its quieter role as a modest fishing village on Mexico's southern coast.
The creation of the state of Guerrero in 1849 marked a key political development. The state was carved out from neighboring regions during a liberal reform movement led by generals Juan Álvarez and Nicolás Bravo. The move was opposed by Antonio López de Santa Anna, who would go on to serve as president of Mexico multiple times, though his leadership was marred by corruption and controversy. The state capital was established in Chilpancingo, a town that had already been declared the national capital by Morelos in 1813, despite its small population of just 3,000 people.
The Mexican Revolution of 1910
Though geographically isolated, Acapulco was not immune to the chaos of the Mexican Revolution. Emiliano Zapata, a prominent figure in the southern revolutionary forces, championed the cause of land reform, advocating that those who worked the land should have the right to own it. This contrasted sharply with the wealthy caciques (local bosses) who controlled the land and dictated every aspect of peasant life. These landowners held power over Acapulco's infrastructure, including roads and trade routes, creating a feudal system that left the common people in servitude.
In 1910, Mexico saw the first socialist revolution in the world. By then, Acapulco had remained largely unaffected by the turbulent events of the previous century, especially after the decline of the trade with Asia. Acapulco’s international role at this time was limited to the shipment of young men to work on banana plantations in Central America. Ships from American companies would come to collect them, and many never returned.
While the main battles and revolutionary fervor unfolded elsewhere, Acapulco remained a quiet fishing village. However, by the early 1920s, as the revolution began to subside, socialist ideals became increasingly popular throughout Mexico, including in Acapulco. Despite this, the revolutionary fervor gradually gave way to a military dictatorship under the newly formed "revolutionary" party, which aimed to conserve the power of the old elites.
One of the key figures in post-revolutionary Acapulco was Juan Escudero. As mayor, Escudero worked tirelessly to build a highway connecting Acapulco to Mexico City, finally making the once-isolated city accessible to the rest of the country—and the world.
Acapulco After the Revolution
The revolution’s political changes took more than a decade to solidify, but by the mid-1930s, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) emerged as the dominant political force in Mexico. This new unity party helped resolve many of the longstanding conflicts between Acapulco's political power brokers.
The 1920s and 1930s marked a period of revitalization for Acapulco. The city saw the construction of luxury hotels and the arrival of tourists. One of the first high-end hotels was El Mirador in 1933, famous for its proximity to La Quebrada's cliff divers. Other landmarks followed, such as the Papagayo, which is no longer in operation but was once located where the Parque Papagayo stands today, El Malecón, La Marina, and El Club de Pesca—many of which are still fondly remembered by old-timers.
In 1946, President Miguel Alemán took office and pushed aggressively for Acapulco’s economic development. He advocated for modernizing the city’s infrastructure and establishing it as a major resort destination.
During the 1950s. Acapulco also became a popular vacation destination for Hollywood stars, such as Lana Turner, Johnny Weissmuller, and John Wayne. Established in the 1930s, it was famously purchased by Weissmuller (famous for playing Tarzan in the movies) and a group of Hollywood celebrities in the 1950s. Hotel Los Flamingos Hotel is a gem of old Acapulco and remains a charming spot to visit even today.
The 1960s and 1970s brought about social unrest and student movements across Mexico, as the country grappled with endemic poverty and stark social inequality, particularly among indigenous communities. Guerrilla groups, such as the Ejército Popular Revolucionario (EPR), formed in the Guerrero countryside, although Acapulco itself remained largely unaffected by these movements.
The 1960s also saw the opening of Acapulco’s "Golden Zone," which was largely the result of efforts by Miguel Alemán, who by then had become the National Director of Tourism. The city's transformation into a modern resort town began in earnest, and Acapulco earned international fame as a tourist destination for people from all walks of life.
Today, Acapulco has grown into a bustling city with a population of over a million, not counting visitors. Many of these visitors are "second-home owners," often living in palatial villas behind high walls, in complete anonymity. The divide between the rich and poor, which has always been a part of Acapulco's history—dating back to the conquistadors, insurgents, and revolutionaries—continues to shape the city's present-day reality. In some areas, luxurious high-rise condos stand in stark contrast to neighborhoods where people still live without basic services like clean water or proper housing.
