| It's almost that time of year when you take a break | | | | cuisine. |
| from your everyday routines; have you thought about | | | | Perhaps it is the explosive nightlife which has garner |
| exploring a truly authentic and exotic beach? Known | | | | world-wide recognition for Acapulco. It is a high-energy |
| because of its immaculate beaches, exotic activities, | | | | party town and very reminiscent of Las Vegas in that |
| and fiery nightlife, Acapulco is the place to be. | | | | aspect. It is not unusual to see people enjoying a |
| Before you pack that two-piece bikini you've been | | | | three-course meal at two or three in the morning. In |
| wanting to show off, here's some 411 that Patawalk is | | | | fact, most nightclubs don't open 'till 11pm and the party |
| pleased to provide on this out-of-this-world location. | | | | doesn't end 'till five in the morning. Most of the upscale |
| The name Acapulco comes from the Nahuatl | | | | hotels have their own nightclub open to the public and |
| language and it means "place of big reeds" (reeds | | | | feature live music and entertainment. But don't worry, |
| being a plant that grows there naturally). Acapulco | | | | the nightlife is also divided. The young crowds usually |
| was taken over by the Spaniards in 1531. The Spanish | | | | gather and party at the beach bar zone. But Acapulco |
| conquistador Cortes himself established this great city | | | | also offers more tranquil nightlife where you can |
| as a major port. Acapulco became the key point for | | | | lounge, enjoy a delicious drink, and take-in the beauty |
| Spanish ships trading with Asia. By 1550 more than 30 | | | | of a starry Acapulco night. |
| families had relocated from Spain to Acapulco. Being | | | | Among the multitude of activities to enjoy are the Cliff |
| the 2nd most important port had its downside, for not | | | | Divers at Night. This is a group of professional cliff |
| only did this port attract the wealthy but it also | | | | diver that dive from heights of up to forty meters |
| attracted groups of pirates (mainly from England and | | | | (over 130 feet) into an cove that is but four meters(13 |
| the Netherlands) including the world-famous Francis | | | | feet) deep and about seven (22feet) meters wide. |
| Drake and Henry Morgan. | | | | This is highly dangerous but incredibly impressive! This |
| The Prince of Wales, who would later become King | | | | is actually a tradition that began in the 1930 among the |
| Edward VIII, visited Acapulco in 1920 and was so | | | | local men. Before jumping, the men say a small prayer |
| astounded by its exotic beauty that he promoted it | | | | to the Virgin of Guadalupe. An even greater spectacle |
| throughout Europe. Thanks to the prince, Acapulco | | | | of the Cliff Divers can be seen on December 12, which |
| became the "it" destination of Europeans. Acapulco's | | | | is the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Not only do the |
| popularity increased throughout the years and during | | | | divers do their feat at night, but a ring of fire is created |
| the 1950's it became the preferred destination of | | | | on the ocean and the divers aim to dive in the center, |
| Hollywood's greatest including Elizabeth Taylor and | | | | whoa! |
| Frank Sinatra. This really catapulted Acapulco as the | | | | Another staple activity of Acapulco is fishing. For a |
| preferred getaway destination of the rich and famous. | | | | small fee, you can rent a boat and venture into your |
| Nevertheless, this also attracted investors, including | | | | own fishing adventure. The fish in Acapulco is so |
| John Wayne and Johnny Weismuller, and so more | | | | plentiful that boat captains guarantee that you will |
| hotels and other attractions were built and this brings | | | | catch a fish or your trip is free. Not only are the fish |
| us to Acapulco today. Acapulco still maintains its | | | | plentiful, but they're huge; don't be surprised to catch a |
| opulence and attractiveness but it is no longer | | | | fish weighing between 90 and 200 pounds, now that's |
| necessary to be rich or famous to indulge in the guilty | | | | what I call a buffet. Acapulco has two lagoons, |
| pleasures it renders. It is still a favorite of many | | | | Coyuca and Tres Palos. You can easily take a boat |
| international celebrities including Placido Domingo and | | | | ride to both of these. If you have to see one, at least |
| Luis Miguel. | | | | visit Tres Palos because it has sea turtle nesting areas; |
| It is important to point out that today Acapulco is | | | | it's like witnessing the miracle of life! If you're into |
| divided into to sections: The North End and The South | | | | snorkeling, Acapulco has the perfect spot, Roqueta |
| End. The North End is also known as "old Acapulco" or | | | | Island. As you carefully snorkel here be on the look out |
| "original Acapulco" because it preserves its historical | | | | for an underwater statute of the Virgin of Guadalupe |
| ancestry including those Hollywoodesque hotels, | | | | (created in 1958) along with sunken ships, and other |
| Mexican style hotels. In a few words, we can say that | | | | natural formations such cave rock formations. |
| the North end is much more traditional. On the opposite | | | | If you're looking for something more kid-friendly, then |
| side is the South End, and this one is much more | | | | you have to take the kids to the Centro Internacional |
| modern. The more luxurious hotels can be found here | | | | de Convivencia Infantil (Coexistence International |
| and don't be surprised to see people riding in limousines, | | | | Children's Center) CICI. CICI is basically an aquatic park |
| expensive cars, or maybe even cruising on a cute golf | | | | but with a little twist. The kids can not only have fun |
| cart. This end of Acapulco is filled with tourists from all | | | | riding in the various water slides but they can also |
| over the world! | | | | swim with dolphins! Talk about having the experience |
| As you keep on packing your bags let me inform you | | | | of a life-time! Also exiting and a most-definite |
| of some of the most excellent hotels in Acapulco. | | | | adrenaline rush is the trip to River Papagayo, where |
| Quinta Real Acapulco is definitely a five star hotel, | | | | you and you whole family can ride on an inflatable raft |
| whose precise location gives its guests an astounding | | | | and descend the 5-mile canyon at really high speeds |
| view of the Pacific Ocean. This hotel has two | | | | (depending on the class of rapids). |
| restaurants, two pools, and access to Punta Diamante | | | | For those of you in search of Acapulco's more serious |
| (Diamond Point) Beach. Las Brisas Acapulco is a five | | | | and historical side, then you have to visit Dolores |
| star resort that features over 260 "casitas" or small | | | | Olmedo House. What makes this house worth |
| houses. Their restaurant, Bellavista, is positioned so as | | | | mentioning is that the entire house is decorated by |
| to create the perfect setting for a romantic dinner and | | | | murals painted by none other than Diego Rivera. |
| more. A more well-known hotel and one of the oldest | | | | Unfortunately, the interior is closed to the public; yet, the |
| in Acapulco is Fiesta Americana Villas Acapulco, which | | | | outside is just as impressive and worth the time. |
| is a resort located right on the beach. This resort | | | | Acapulco also has a museum dedicated to masks |
| consists of a 20-story building with furnished balconies, | | | | from around the world, Casa de la Mascara (House of |
| so anywhere you look you'll undoubtedly take in the | | | | Masks). Inside you can admire masks created by |
| beauty of Acapulco. Lastly, another beachfront and | | | | distinctive indigenous groups of Mexico as well as |
| world-famous hotel is Copacabana Acapulco. This one | | | | diverse populations throughout the world. There is also |
| has more than 400 room all equipped with any | | | | a magnificent botanical garden which features plants |
| imaginable amenities. | | | | native to Acapulco. |
| As you get settled in, you'll surely work up an appetite! | | | | Lastly, to really unwind you must spend a day shooting |
| Don't be afraid to try any of Acapulco's restaurants | | | | a round of golf in one of Acapulco's three exclusive |
| which feature food from all over the world including | | | | golf courses. Acapulco Princess Golf Course is lined |
| Mexico, Italy, Japan, Spain, China, and many more. Why | | | | by coconut palms and various water hazards. This |
| not begin with Pampano Restaurant (owned in part by | | | | course is truly a challenge for the Golf Aficionado. |
| Placido Domingo) whose menu includes modern | | | | Mayan Palace Golf Course is one of the top golf |
| Mexican dishes along with a private view of the bay. | | | | courses in Mexico. It is surrounded by beautiful lakes |
| Zuntra is a restaurant that will provoke your taste | | | | and covered by Bermuda-type grass. Pierre Marques |
| buds for the food is inspired by a combination of | | | | Golf Course was the host of the 1982 World Cup and |
| Mediterranean, Mexican, and Asian cuisine. If you're | | | | has recently undergone some extensive renovations, |
| looking for something that reminds you of home, why | | | | which make for a more challenging game. |
| not try a steak house such as Texas Ribs, La | | | | The best part of all of this is that you can see this city |
| Mansion, El Faro, or even Hard Rock Cafe. Carlos N' | | | | and other great cities from around the world right from |
| Charlies features Italian cuisine, Beto's features | | | | you own home, visit Patawalk and enjoy the ride! |
| Mexican cuisine, and O'Jardim specializes in Brazilian | | | | |