Where to stay in Acapulco for tourists? In this post, we will disscus about the best areas to stay in Acapulco (include map and video), the advantage and disadvantage of each area, the best hotels in Acapulco for all budgets, and the safest places to stay in Acapulco.
The Riviera of Mexico, Acapulco is a beautiful city and port within the state of Guerrero, on the Pacific coast of southwestern Mexico. Before the rise of Cabo and Cancún, Acapulco was a famous Mexican vacation.
Acapulco was once the preferred holiday of Hollywood movie stars and millionaires, with a vibrant nightlife, a beautiful malecón, stunning beaches the spectacle of the Quebrada high-cliff divers, and charming Roqueta Island.
While the resorts and heavily populated tourist areas are generally quite safe, that is not the case in the surrounding areas. Drug and gang related issues are as rife here as anywhere else in Mexico. You should avoid wandering off away from the populated, tourist friendly areas.
Acapulco has three main tourist attractions. Traditional Zone is the oldest one, where you find the famous Caleta Beach, Fort of San Diego, Zólcalo, la Quebrada, and open-air markets.
Golden Zone is Acapulco’s main tourist area with renowned all-inclusive hotels, bars, discos, restaurants, tourist shops, El Rollo waterpark, and world-famous nightclub Baby´O.
Diamond Zone is located atop the hills on the eastern side of bay, a relatively new luxury resort, home to many region’s luxury accommodations, mansions, and stylish houses.
Where to stay in Acapulco?
The best areas to stay in Acapulco for tourists are Dorado district (Golden Zone), Acapulco Diamante, Traditional Zone, Puerto Marques, Boulevard Barra Vieja, Caleta Y Caletilla! These are the popular neighborhoods for tourists that offer a variety of attractions and amenities.
If you’re interested in nightlife and a lively atmosphere, Costera/Zona Dorada is a top choice. If you prefer a more luxurious and quiet experience, Acapulco Diamante and Puerto Marques are great options.
For a mix of history and relaxation, the Traditional Zone might be more suitable. It’s essential to consider your priorities and the type of vacation you desire when choosing your accommodation in Acapulco.
In general, Costera/Zona Dorada is the overall best area to stay in Acapulco for first-timers. It has a central location and has a high concentrations of tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops.
| 💖 Best Area for first-timers: | Zona Dorada |
| 💎 Best luxury hotel: | HS HOTSSON Smart Acapulco |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Holiday Inn Resort Acapulco, an IHG Hotel |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | Hotel Nilo |
Map of areas and neighborhoods in Acapulco:
6 Best areas to stay in Acapulco for tourists:
1. Costera/Zona Dorada
Golden Zone, also known as Dorado district, is a popular place to visit by tourists. It is the area that runs along Avenida Miguel Alemán (La Costera), from Avalon Excalibur Hotel in the east of Parque Papagayo to Naval Base, where the Grand Hotel Acapulco stands.
Golden Zone is packed with many hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, and fast food. Hotels are available in all price ranges, making it a destination equally suitable no matter what your budget is.
From large chain resorts to small, privately owned guesthouses and hostels, you are sure to find something to suit your taste. The amenities in the area are equally as diverse as well, to ensure all visitors are catered for.
Restaurants range from fast food to gourmet fine dining, serving a vast array of cuisines from around the world. Nightly drinking options include everything from small local watering holes to vibrant bars, with pumping music and revelers dancing late into the night.
If you are looking for nightspots, check out Mandara, Baby’O, El Alebrije, Palladium, Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s, Hard Rock Café, and Baby Lobster Bar. Acapulco’s nightlife scene is legendary.
Even the beaches are diverse, with your relaxing beaches, ideal for soaking up the sun and taking a dip in the water, balanced out with options boasting water sports, beach vendors, and numerous activities. You can enjoy water activities at Playa Tamarindos, Playa Hornos, Playa Condesa, the Playa Icacos.
Golden Zone is also home to the International Convention Centre where you can join regular events; and the ‘CICI’ Recreation Center, Roll Acapulco, a water park where families can spend a fun day out with their kids with a swimming pool, water slides, and dolphin shows.
Besides everything else that it offers, Costera Acapulco is also ideally situated in a central location. This means even on the days you don’t want to enjoy the amenities you have in your local vicinity; the other areas of the city are never too far away.
Best Places to Stay in Acapulco in Costera Acapulco:
- luxury ($$$): HS HOTSSON Smart Acapulco
- mid-range ($$): Holiday Inn Resort Acapulco, an IHG Hotel
- budget ($): Hotel Nilo
See more: Best areas to Stay in Mexico City
2. Acapulco Diamante
Acapulco Diamante (also known as Diamond Zone) is one of the most exclusive areas of Acapulco, sandwiched between Acapulco Bay and the General Juan N. Álvarez International Airport. It’s ideal for those looking for a luxury beach holiday.
Large, expensive 5-star resorts, all-inclusive hotels, and large condo complexes are the popular options here, with upmarket entertainment venues, quality restaurants, and designer shops surrounding them.
These are ideal to let you eat and drink to your heart’s content while relaxing in luxuriously decorated rooms and enjoying facilities like spas, fitness centers, multiple pools, and wide choices in on-site bars and restaurants.
There are many mansions and stylish houses center around the Las Brisas area and overlook the beautiful sandy Pichilingue beaches.
Bars serving fancy cocktails as well as traditional specialties like local beers and tequila are abundant, giving visitors plenty to do of an evening. This is only furthered by live music performances and DJ sets to really bring the place to life.
Fabulous beaches such as Playa Majahua, Playa Revolcadero, Playa La Torre, and Barra Vieja Beach, provide the perfect option to spend lazy days soaking up the Mexican sun.
The sheltered bay creates waters that are slightly calmer than elsewhere along the coast, making a good choice for weaker swimmers or anyone simply wanting a gentle dip in the ocean.
Diamante is also a great place to shop where you can find big shopping malls in Acapulco like La Isla Shopping Village, Walmart Acapulco Diamante, and CEMEX.
While the distance from the center of the city may put some visitors off, that will be more than offset by the collection of luxuries that are available, especially for those who have no interest in doing anything but relaxing and being pampered.
It is also close to the airport as well, which can make for a nice bonus if you really don’t want to waste a single second of your trip traveling around.
Best places to stay in Acapulco Diamante:
Banyan Tree Cabo Marques Situated on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this 5-star hotel boasts a full-service spa, 3 restaurants, and luxury villas with private pools, free parking, free wifi. Acapulco International Airport is 20 minutes away.
Princess Mundo Imperial Riviera Diamante Acapulco Located on scenic Revolcadero Beach, this hotel features an on-site golf course.
Palacio Mundo Imperial Located in the heart of Acapulco’s exclusive Diamante district, this luxury resort features 6 pools, including a wave pool, one in the exclusive adults-only area. Children will enjoy themselves at the kids club.
Pierre Mundo Imperial Riviera Diamante Acapulco. It is located on Acapulco’s Revolcadero Beach. It is completely smoke-free and offers a fitness center, and a large outdoor pool with a waterfall. It has stylish, air-conditioned rooms with cable TVs, a private bathroom.
3. Traditional Zone
Traditional Zone or Old Acapulco is the historic section of the city. This area is home to the La Catedral, a stunning white building with blue and gold designs.
You also have Sinfonia, the city’s iconic amphitheater, which offers stunning panoramic views across the ocean. The La Quebrada cliff divers are one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in the area. Towering above the water, divers come from all over to perform daring leaps down into the depths below.
You even have the area known as Zocalo. A permanent market where local vendors sell foods and wares. Located near the Zocalo is the Our Lady of Solitude Cathedral.
The Fort of San Diego is an impressive structure from Spanish Colonial, now a museum. It offers beautiful views of the Bay on its top.
The beaches of Caleta, Tamarindos and Tlacopanocha, Caletilla, Manzanillo, Hornitos, Hornos, La Angosta. This can be furthered by the range of bars, restaurants, and hotels in the area as well.
Traditional Zone is also close to Pie de la Cuesta, with miles of golden sand, which runs parallel to the Coyoca Lagoon.
Generally quieter and more traditional in nature, they are still a fabulous place to enjoy some authentic Mexican cuisine and maybe a drop of tequila or some local beer.
Best places to stay in Acapulco Tradicional
- mid-range ($$): Ramada by Wyndham Acapulco Hotel & Suites
- budget ($): Habitación Privada, cerca de playa
- budget ($): We Hotel Acapulco
4. Puerto Marques
Puerto Marques is a bay on the Pacific Ocean, in the southeastern part, and is connected to the rest of the city by a single road. Puerto Marquez is well-known for its bay and calm beaches.
It is a popular destination among history buffs and archaeology fans, as it is where the oldest pottery in Mesoamerica has been discovered, dating back almost 3500 years.
In modern times, a similar style of pottery is recreated in the area, both to allow visitors to purchase mementos of their experience, as well as to teach people about the styles and processes used.
Featuring a tropical climate year-round and fabulous beaches like Playa Puerto Marqués, Playa Majahua, Playa Hermosa, and Playa De Chay/ El Mejillón, tourists and locals alike can spend their days lazing on its beautiful sandy shores, and topping up their tans.
Shops, bars, restaurants, and all manner of tourist attractions are springing up, in order to be ready for when the tourist boom truly explodes.
If you want to stay in Puerto Marqués, there are numerous small and simple hotels along the main beach. The luxurious Camino Real Hotel is set in a truly beautiful and secluded gated community.
Best places stay in Puerto Marquez
5. Boulevard Barra Vieja
Barra Vieja area is where you find Barra Vieja Beach, Campamento Tortuguero “Playa Hermosa”, Playa La Bonfil, Playa La Gloria, and Tres Vidas Golf Club Acapulco.
Its sheer size and abundance of waves have led to it developing a reputation as a hub of beach and water activities. Horseback riding, all-terrain vehicle riders, and surfing are just some of the options to keep thrill-seekers happy, while the ability to enjoy a massage on the beach or sample local sweets and delicacies make it equally ideal for all types of visitors.
The attractions aren’t just limited to the day either, as many flocks here in the evening to witness what is considered one of the most beautiful sunsets on the Mexican coast.
All of that and we still haven’t even touched upon what is possibly its greatest selling point, which is the reputation it has for its gastronomy. An incredible number of restaurants serving all types of cuisine line the boulevard behind the beach.
This ensures that visitors of all tastes and budgets can enjoy a variety of food during their stay, no matter how picky they are, while taking in the beautiful sunset and stunning ocean views.
As if that wasn’t enough selling points, the airport is also just a short distance away, making it ideal for people who don’t want to travel too far and plan to spend their entire vacation here.
Best place to stay in Acapulco in Boulevard Barra Vieja: Casa Jaguar Hotel & Boutique
6. Caleta Y Caletilla
The beaches are separated by an islet which, in conjunction with an island, the Island Of La Roqueta, protects the beaches from the waves of the Pacific Ocean. On a coastline often known for having quite strong currents, this makes it a fabulous choice for anyone who is a weaker swimmer, is traveling with children, or simply wants a relaxing swim.
As you can probably imagine with such a place, this does also mean it is one of the busier parts of the city.
Speaking of traveling with children, one drawback can often be finding something for them to eat, as they are notoriously picky eaters. Thankfully, that shouldn’t be an issue here though, as there are numerous restaurants lining the seafront.
Serving everything from fresh seafood and local delicacies to international cuisine, you should find something to suit everyone, no matter their tastes.
This area is home to the La Virgen De Los Mares, an underwater chapel at the bottom of the sea. This is a fantastic opportunity for any snorkeling or scuba diving fans to explore.
The Magico Mundo Marino is a location perfect for the whole family. Featuring both a spa and an aquarium, you can let the kids look at the fish and enjoy the shows while you let yourself be pampered for the day.
With other locations like the 15,000-seater Caletilla Bullring to enjoy the architecture of or catch a show at, as well as the Caletilla Handicraft Market, where you can buy local, handmade goods.
Best place to stay in acapulco in Caleta Y Caletilla:
Check out my virtual tour about the best places to stay in Acapulco:
Where should I stay in Acapulco for the first time?
Costera/Zona Dorada is the best area to stay in Acapulco for first-timers because it is is the most covenient location and it has a wide range of tourist amenities. If you stay here, you will be located in the middle of action, within walking distance to tourist attractions, as well as many restaurants, bars, and shops.
Where is the safest area to stay in Acapulco?
The safest area to stay in Acapulco is the heavily populated tourist areas including Costera/Zona Dorada, Acapulco Tradicional, and Diamante. But as you travel to any city, you should practice commons sense and be aware of your surrouding.
See More:
- Where to Stay in Guadalajara
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- Where to Stay in Oaxaca
- Where To Stay In Riviera Maya
In conclusion, Costera/Zona Dorada, Acapulco Diamante, Traditional Zone, Puerto Marques, Boulevard Barra Vieja, Caleta Y Caletilla are the best places to stay in Acapulco for tourists and first-time travelers.
Acapulco is a great place to travel for anyone seeking a relaxing vacation in the sun. Hopefully you will all now have worked out exactly where you want to stay, in order to get the most from your trip. All that leaves you to do now is go and start getting things booked, so you can begin enjoying what it has to offer yourself as soon as possible.