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If you asked an American some decades ago what their first option for a Mexico vacation was, it’s likely they would answer Acapulco.
Before Cancun was even built, Acapulco was a thriving resort town on the Pacific Coast.
With wide, sandy beaches backed by towering high-rises and the scenic Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, it catered to a wide range of guests, from Hollywood celebrities to the average Joe.
Then it all changed:
Gangs started proliferating like seaweed, crime spiraled out of control, and Cancun debuted as a less dangerous, more developed alternative in the ’70s.
It’s been a long time coming, but Mexico’s ‘forgotten’ jewel seems ready to relaunch, with cleaner beaches, a revamped Hotel Zone following a hurricane devastation, and safer streets:
Acapulco Is Set To Make A Triumphal Comeback In 2025
Earlier this year, the Mexican Government shared an article describing how a noticeable increase in Acapulco was fueling the city’s growth, with Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora herself affirming it’s played a significant part in the economic recovery strategy.
Though it continues to draw in the crowds, these are in their vast majority domestic guests, as internationals flock instead to Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and the like.
This year, local authorities aim to restore Acapulco’s place of prestige as one of Mexico’s tourism hotspots.
Their goal is to completely rehabilitate its Zona Dorada, or Golden Zone, where most of the hotels and entertainment venues are centered, and further develop the upscale Diamond Zone, home to high-end amenities and pristine beaches.
Security aside, there’s an effort to restore Acapulco’s long-lost cultural appeal:
For those of you who don’t know, it is home to a handful of landmark colonial structures, most notably the 17th-century San Diego Fort, currently being revitalized by a UNESCO team after Hurricane Otis, and its Zócalo, always a must-have in Mexican cities, and a Spanish-era public square.
It’s going slowly but surely, and in no time, we should expect Acapulco to start resembling its 1960s self.
Golden Sand Beaches & $84 Hotels
Zona Dorada is the go-to pick for tourists seeking an affordable alternative to Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean, with its affordable hotels starting from only $56-a-night, such as Acamar Beach Resort, and big choice of equally-inexpensive seafood restaurants.
Some of the best beaches in town are also located in Zona Dorada, including the iconic Condesa, known for its soft, golden sands and myriad of nightclubs, and Icacos Beach, a favorite among water sports enthusiasts.
In the secluded Diamond Zone, where an overnight stay can still cost as little as $84 (check out the pool-equipped Copacabana Beach Hotel), you can choose between Playa Revolcadero, a popular surfing spot due to its tall waves, and the more tranquil Playa Barra Vieja, further out from Acapulco Bay.
Acapulco is cheap, and it can feel somewhat more authentic, seeing it caters primarily to a domestic market—in other words, it’s not like Americans are swapping Cancun for this Pacific resort anytime soon.
The main downside, however, is the security, as pickpockets and armed robbers continue to operate in certain areas:
The Truth About Safety In Acapulco
Once again, crime levels in Acapulco have proved to be consistently higher than the average Mexican resort city, but the Government has vowed to crack down on criminal activity as early as last year, so to guarantee the safety of visitors and residents alike.
Back in November 2024, the Army, the Marina, and the National Guard were deployed to monitor local beaches, with a particular focus on the aforementioned zones, and there’s been a noticeable effort in ramping up security.
Although it is no longer the jet-setting destination it once was (it’s getting there again), it’s important to note that most Americans who visit Acapulco do so without major problems.
For that, they usually follow safety recommendations that are, in fact, in place across most of Mexico, yet it is strongly advised that you adhere to them when in Acapulco.
Fly Nonstop To Acapulco From The U.S.
If you’re wondering how accessible Acapulco is if you’re flying in from the States, it’s certainly not as well-connected as, well, Cancun, but it does have a couple of strategic flights, including a couple that have relaunched just last year.
United offers flights from Houston (IAH) to Acapulco (ACA) every Saturday and from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) every Wednesday. Prices usually start at around $200 one-way.
Of course, that depends on season and seat availability.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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