If you go: Acapulco
How to get there
Acapulco-Alvarez International Airport is served by various US airlines as well as Aeromexico and Mexicana. Many cruises include Acapulco on their itineraries. Acapulco is a 55-minute flight or a four-hour drive from Mexico City along the superhighway Autopista del Sol.
Where to stay
Hotel Boca Chica
Playa Caletilla
011-52-744-483-6741
800-346-3942
This retro hotel in Caleta has probably the best location in the whole of Acapulco, as well as great sushi. The ocean-view balconies, restaurant, pool, and jetty compensate for the faulty room phones and outdated air-conditioning equipment. Doubles $80, junior suite $106, including tax and breakfast.
Hotel Mirador
Plazoleta La Quebrada 74
011-52-744-483-1155
www.hotelelmiradoracapulco.com.mx
Although in need of an overhaul, the Hotel Mirador has excellent family packages, spacious rooms, and bathrooms with sea-view balconies. The hotel's La Perla restaurant offers views of the cliff divers five times a day. ''Villa style" room with sea view, excellent breakfast, $85 per person; children under 12 free.
Hotel Los Flamingos
Av. López Mateos
011-52-744-482-0690
Los Flamingos offers isolation, unparalleled views, privacy, and bonhomie at lunchtime, especially on Thursdays, which feature a tropical band show and hotel owner ''Fito" on guitar playing exciting traditional music. Standard room $70 for two, not including 17 percent tax; $100 for a suite.
Where to eat
Restaurant La Cabaña de Caleta
Playa Caleta lado Oriente
Caleta Beach
011-52-744-482-5007
Tasty and good-value local fare at one of the oldest seaside restaurants in town. Entrees $8-$45.
Paco's
Quebrada 36, Colonia Centro
011-52-744-483-3117
Shady seafood restaurant a short walk from the cliff divers. Entrees $6-$22.
Sirocco
Av. Costera Miguel Alemán
Playa Hornos
011-52-744-485-2386
Spanish-Mexican fusion in an elegant setting on Hornos Beach. Entrees $18-$35.
What to do
Mexico Tourism Board
800-44-MEXICO (446-3942)
Cliff diving show At La Quebrada
Plazoleta La Quebrada
011-52-744-483-1400
Daily at 1, 7, 8, 9, and 10 p.m. $4.
Glass-bottomed boat To La Roqueta-Palao Tur
011-52-744-482-4313
Makes four-hour trips including light or full lunch at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. $11-$29. 