A major port city with glamourous beaches once made famous by prestigious visitors including King Edward VIII, John Wayne and JFK and Jackie Kennedy is now avoided by international tourists. Once frequented by Hollywood stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, Mexico's Murder Capital — the third most dangerous city in the world — has been battling crime in hope of seeing tourists return to the once celebrity-favoured city. Over recent years, Acapulco has suffered from increasing crime rates as it sits in the middle of a cartel warzone, where heroin production is rife.
As a result, the presence of criminals involved in drugs and cartels have caused many safety concerns and challenges in the city and unfortunately, this has impacted the city's image and tourism industry. Yet, despite experiencing many issues over the decades, Acapulco is trying hard to re-establish itself as a must-see destination. Throughout the city, there have been efforts to revitalise Acapulco's tourism industry, including investments in new hotels, improved security measures, and marketing campaigns aimed at attracting visitors.
Holidaymakers seeking a more authentic Mexico than the polished and hotel-saturated Cancun and Los Cabos, have started to creep back into Acapulco. The resort is famous for its beautiful beaches, such as Playa Condesa, Playa Icacos, and Caleta Beach, which have attracted sunbathers, swimmers, and water sports enthusiasts over the years. In addition to the beauty of golden sands, the city also has many cultural attractions.
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Performing five times a day or more, professional divers will throw themselves off the ledge and also perform at night with just torches in their hands. Tourists can watch the divers for a small fee. In addition to its dare devils and beautiful beaches, Acapulco is also home to Fort of San Diego — an historic fort built in the 17th Century to protect the city from pirates.
The city also boasts a vibrant nightlife, various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, a traditional town square, street vendors and a cuisine which blends traditional Mexican flavours with a focus on seafood. With the homicide rate in Acapulco reportedly decreasing by around 20% in 2021, compared to previous years, the city does appear to be working towards repairing its crime-related image and with that, the hope that this 'hidden' gem will return to being known for its old charm and natural beauty..
