ROHILAS IN MEXICO: ACAPULCO

March, 2010

After spending four nights in Ixtapa, we boarded an air-conditioned bus at the Zihuatenejo Bus Terminal, for one-night stay in Acapulco.

The return fare for the two of us for the 154-mile trip was less than $50.

Acapulco is Mexico's oldest tourist destinations. It was once the favorite hangout of the Hollywood celebrities, world leaders, artists and writers. With year-round temperature in the 80's and sunny skies, it is still a popular tourist destination. But most of its visitors are Mexican nationals and Mexican-Americans.

Acapulco is more crowded, more lively, and more vibrant than Ixtapa. Ocean along the beaches
is less turbulent.

Costera, a 5-mile-long property, along the Bay of Acapulco, is home to most attractions. Most hotels, as well as many shops, fast food places, restaurants, markets, banks, discos, a park, a golf course,

a mall,

and a nice beach, are located here.

We took a guided a 4-hour guided city tour. It started with just two of us. We headed east along Costera Miguel Aleman Avenue.

After a couple of photo-stops, we ended up at Acapulco Dimante, which includes the Bay of Puerto Marques and long, wide beaches of Revolcadero. The area is home for the villas of the rich and famous, as well as expensive, luxury resorts.

We made a U-turn there, to get back to Costera, where three young men joined us. Having been here for a few days, they were scheduled to fly, early next morning, back to Houston, only two hours away from Acapulco.

The first stop was the Municipal Market in Old Acapulco. It being late Sunday afternoon, many shops were closed. The one, which were open, did not much that attracted us.

After spending some time there, we proceeded to Hotel Flamingos. Built on several levels, back in the 1930's, it is located on the highest hills of Acapulco, 450 feet high, with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

The hotel's unique location allows a view of magnificent sunsets.

Our final stop was La Quebrada, which is known for its cliff-divers. From the top of a cliff, they dive 100 feet into the surging waters of the Pacific below to the amazement of and accolades of hundreds of people gathered on the other side of the narrow channel. We had reached there after sunset, making it difficult for us to capture them on our camera.

Next morning, we were ready for our return trip. But road construction slowed our progress. The 4-hour trip took 6 hours.

After one-night stay in Ixtapa, we left for USA on March 23.