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Great Escape: Acapulco, Mexico |
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Searching for your next long-weekend getaway destination? Look no further than sunny Acapulco
By Kenrya M. Rankin
A onetime retreat for the Hollywood elite, this resort town has been abandoned to obnoxious spring breakers in recent years. It’s experiencing a high-profile resurgence, however, and a visit now reveals a beautiful, laid-back coastal spot made for lounging in the sun and indulging in the freshest seafood this side of the equator. It’s a haven tailor-made for the well-heeled, and all-inclusives south of the city’s main drag offer amazing cuisine, on-property discos, and an array of tours to the city’s major attractions. Here’s all you need to know to enjoy the good life in Acapulco, Mexico.
When to Go
Temperatures average a humid 80 to 91 degrees year-round, and November through May marks the lovely dry season. Avoid March spring breakers and make your trip a winter sojourn; a February jaunt finds sunny, cloudless skies and a refreshing breeze.
Where to Stay
Set on 480 acres, the Fairmont Acapulco Princess offers the height of luxury, with ocean access on semiprivate Revolcadero Beach, golf courses, gardens, and beautiful pools. Go with the all-inclusive plan, and be sure to eat dinner at the Beach Club at least once.
(Fairmont Acapulco Princess; fairmont.com/Acapulco; 800.441.1414)
If you want a little more space, opt for a private villa. Casa Tres Palabras provides six bedrooms, three large living areas, and two pools. Factor in the full-time staff of six, and you have no reason to leave the grounds.
(Casa Tres Palabras; theriotvillas.com/palabres)
What to Do
Rub shoulders with the big dogs at the annual Mexican Open. Held at the Fairmont every February, it’s one of the biggest tournaments of the year, and the Latin star power is amazing. Buy all-access tickets and skip the too-hot day games—the night matches are cool and have a party atmosphere. Winners of this competition go to the U.S. Open in N.Y.C., so you’ll be able to say you saw them first.
(Mexican Open; abiertomextenis.com.mx)
A trip to Acapulco isn’t complete without seeing the La Quebrada Cliff Divers. These professionals get paid to make the 136-foot plunge into the Pacific Ocean. They do it daily, so get a car from your hotel and grab dinner at the La Perla restaurant, where you can watch everything from your table. Evening shows run every hour starting at 7:30, with the final jump at 10:30.
(La Perla; 011.52.744.483.1221)
The cabanas on the nearly private Revolvadero Beach are great, but the waves are choppy and the undertow is tremendous. If you must get in the water, go to Caleta, where the surf is warm and serene. Better yet, trek out to Playa Pichilingue in the exclusive Punta Diamante area, where celebrity beach homes abound. The calm waters make for a relaxing day wading in the ocean.
Have your concierge hook up a round of golf at the Tres Vidas course. Lauded as the best in all of Acapulco, you’ll enjoy views of the ocean while you play 18 holes.
(Tres Vidas; tresvidas.com.mx; 011.52.744.444.5126)
Nightlife
The Palladium jumps Thursday through Sunday, with world-renowned DJs spinning a variety of music for an international crowd, including Mexican tourists. It sits on the Las Brisas hillside, and the 160-foot-wide glass windows provide amazing views of the entire bay (palladium.com.mx). If velvet ropes are more your style, Baby’O is a favorite of the Hollywood set, with a mixed-age crowd and everything from hip-hop to techno (babyo.com.mx).
Day Trip / Where to Shop
You can buy jewelry in Acapulco (try the Zócalo market in Old Acapulco), but you can get more of it in Taxco. One of the oldest mining towns in the Americas, scenic Taxco offers gorgeous silver pieces at crazy-low prices. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive, but your hotel should be able to set up a tour with a local agency. Be sure to buy items engraved with “925,” which means it’s real silver (plata). Anything else is either cheap alpaca or German silver (an alloy of copper, nickel, and sometimes zinc used to get over on tourists).
Where to Eat
Remember two things, and the gastronomic portion of your visit will be excellent: Order bottled water (La Pura is ubiquitous), and always opt for the pesce (fish) or camorones (shrimp); dining in Acapulco means you’ll be treated to the freshest seafood available. La Vela in Pichilingue Bay is no exception. Try the house specialty: red snapper basted with chiles and broiled over hot coals. Becco al Mare serves Italian in a beautiful minimalist space.
(La Vela; 011.52.744.435.1010)
(Becco al Mare; beccoalmare.com)
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Riffs On Rides
Until next time, keep it progressive and positive,
Wynn Win