ACAPULCO

Acapulco is one of the world's most romantic playgrounds. The bay ranks among one of the three most beautiful in the world. The weather is dependably pleasant. Unabashed fun runs around the clock around the year. It is one of Mexico's largest cities, so there is a wider variety of activities and more authentic Mexican flavor here than in any other resort in the country. Great weather is the trump card. There are more sunny days here than anywhere else in the country. Glittering beaches and beautiful tropical scenery surround you. It's no wonder that legendary movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Lana Turner and Ava Gardner chose to get married here and that today’s couples find it to be a perfect place to honeymoon or tie the knot.

From traditional Acapulco where the fun began in the early '50's to the ultra-modern Punta Diamante area near the airport, the bay is lined with glittering hotels, romantic restaurants and plenty of opportunities for sports and sightseeing. Stretch out on a palm-lined beach, go waterskiing, soar over the bay in a parachute or hop a jet ski or a catamaran. Visit museums, shop for take-home treasures, follow historic paths and your happy honeymoon days will fly by.

The atmosphere is informal. Plop a flower behind your ear, throw on a bathing suit cover-up and you'll be ready for almost anything by day. Hotels and restaurants are so beautiful and discos and clubs are so dazzling that you'll want to dress up in pretty resort wear when the sun goes down and the city switches into the high gear that it is famous for.

You can pick and choose to make every honeymoon day suit your mood. Spend mornings on one of the beautiful beaches. Linger over a long lunch at a seaside restaurant. Have a siesta then dine, and later dance till dawn at a dazzling disco and dance some more at a sleek after-hours club. The fun never stops.

Take the place at your own pace and you'll find that your honeymoon dreams will come true!

Stay
Tips
See
Dine
Destination Weddings

WHERE TO STAY:

HOTELS YOU'LL LOVE

LAS BRISAS
263 units. One of the world's very first honeymoon resorts is high on the hill overlooking the bay and has a Beach Club at the ocean's edge far below. Couples can travel between them in pretty pink jeeps. This elegant, five-star enclave has the world's first private plunge pools. Morning coffee is discreetly slipped through a small window. Both lunch and dinner can be ultra-romantic. Reserve a corner table overlooking the ocean at La Concha Beach Club and enjoy a long, luxurious lunch. Have a siesta, then linger over dinner at Bella Vista Restaurant with a sweeping view of the starlit bay. You'll feel like Hollywood stars! Carretera Escenica 5255.
Phone: 744-446-6511 or 866-539-0036
Website: www.brisashotelonline.com
BANYAN TREE
47 villas. Top-of-the-line comfort and tranquility reign at this sprawling resort on the secluded side of Puerto Marques Bay. This is the place for couples who want to be together far from the crowds. There is no beach access but most guests don’t want to leave the premises. The atmosphere is that of a posh private club with all facilities designed with adults in mind. Ultra-romantic, luxury villas have a glass wall that offers panoramic bay views from the bed and the bathroom. Each has its own infinity pool with another stunning view. One of the area’s top spas, three excellent restaurants and superb personalized service complete a perfect picture. Blvd. Cabo Marques, Colonia Punta Diamante.
Phone: 800-635-1333
Email: cabomarques@banyantree.com
Website: www.banyantree.com
QUINTA REAL
74 suites. This chic boutique hotel high on the hill overlooking the bay offers the utmost in comfort and tranquility. Acapulco’s opulent restaurants and nightlife are a few minutes’ drive away, but this is a tropical oasis. All suites have balconies overlooking the bay and some have private hot tubs or small pools. Paseo de la Quinta, Lote 6, Acapulco Diamante.
Phone: 744-469-1500 or 866-621-9288
Website: www.quintareal.com
CAMINO REAL
167 rooms. Tucked into a protected cove above Pichilingue, one of Acapulco’s most beautiful beaches, this resort offers breathtaking views from rooms that are built into a hillside as well as an exclusive beach club with two seaside swimming pools. There are two restaurants; but one, La Vela, overlooking the water, is romantic day and night. Make one evening extra romantic and arrange for a table for two at the end of the dock! Conditions for swimming, sunning, and water sports are ideal. The surrounding waters are some of the most clear in the area. The Acapulco "action" is a few minutes taxi ride away. Carretera Escenica, Km. 14, Baja Catita, Pichilingue.
Phone: 744-435-1010
Website: www.caminoreal.com
MALIBU
80 rooms. This tiny hotel is for value conscious couples who want to enjoy all of Acapulco’s assets without paying top dollar. Located on its own quiet beach, it has two small shaded pools next to the ocean and an ultra-romantic restaurant. Rooms that are arranged around an atrium have marble baths and small balconies with a wet bar. Request a room with an ocean view. Costera Miguel Aleman 20.
Phone: 744-484-1070
Email: reservaciones@acapulcomalibu.com
Website: www.acapulcomalibu.com
FAIRMONT ACAPULCO PRINCESS
710 rooms. This resort near the airport is a city in itself. Guest rooms are located in 3 soaring buildings in the shape of an Aztec pyramid. Everything is on a grand scale and linked by beautiful gardens. Golfers love it! A championship 18 hole course is on the premises along with 5 pools and a saltwater lagoon. Guests also enjoy all the facilities of a nearby sister hotel, the Pierre Marques. Playa Revolcadero, Colonia Granjas de Mujeres.
Phone: 800-441-1414 or 744-469-1000
Email: aca.guestservices@fairmont.com
Website: www.fairmont.com/Acapulco

HONEYMOON TIPS & HINTS

HONEYMOON TIPS:

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Spanish.
CURRENCY: The Peso.
AREA CODE: 744.
ELECTRICITY: 110 volts, same as USA.

HELPFUL HONEYMOON HINTS:

THE SUN IS STRONG so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat. Try to be in the shade around high noon.
GETTING AROUND. Taxis are the easiest way to go. They charge by zone, but be sure to establish a price before you get in. Drivers do not expect tips but most passengers leave small change. Don't expect drivers to be able to change large bills.
HIRE A CAR FOR THE DAY TO SEE THE SIGHTS. The price is reasonable and you can see Acapulco's beauty from Pie de la Cuesta to Diamante.
WATCH FOR THE RED FLAG. Water temperatures are comfortable year round and swimming conditions are excellent on most beaches, but don't swim when the red flag is up!
MAKE RESERVATIONS to dine in the romantic hillside restaurants. Request a table for two near the railing or one with a panoramic view. Mentioning that you are on your honeymoon will help!
BE CAREFUL WHEN CROSSING THE STREET. Drivers along the Costera Aleman, the main seaside highway, do not always obey traffic lights. Try to cross with others.
BRING A STURDY CHANGE PURSE. Mexican coins are heavy!
WHEN TO GO. December-Easter is prime time. Humidity escalates from July to October but even in this rainy season, showers are short and usually fall in the late afternoon so you won't miss tanning time!

DON'T MISS:

There is an outrageous number of things to see and do. Choose what fits your mood, but try to do a few of the following:

DANCE TILL DAWN AND BEYOND. Acapulco's nightlife is legendary. Discos defy any in the world to out dazzle them. The beat goes on in Baby O, Mandara, Paladio and others, and you can keep it going past dawn at after-hours clubs like Lebrije.
SHOP, SHOP, SHOP. Get a glimpse of daily Mexican life at the huge Mercado Municipal. It is the place to find an array of reasonably priced handicrafts and just about everything else under the sun. It is one of Mexico's largest municipal markets. (Ask your taxi driver to let you off near the Artesanias section.) Or, look for chic decorative items for your new home at Acapulco's newest mall, La Isla. This stunning, modern complex is a world in itself, chock-a-block with sleek boutiques, stores and restaurants.
WATCH THE CLIFF DIVERS AT LA QUEBRADA. This internationally famous, death defying feat has become Acapulco's trademark. Divers plunge 130 ft. into the ocean through a narrow opening in the rocks. Ask your concierge for show times. Couples who want to make a night of it can watch the show while dining at Hotel El Mirador where you'll also get a glimpse of Traditional Acapulco.
TRACE HISTORY AT SAN DIEGO FORT. Acapulco played a major role in Mexico's history as the main port for the Americas' trade with the Orient. A small museum built into the old fort which was built to protect the bay from pirates, puts the colorful history on display. Another fascinating museum which features the region's local masks, is just down the hill.
BE A SPORT. Water sports abound. Water ski in the place where the sport was invented. Hop a wave runner, Sunfish, or even an inner tube on just about any beach. Soar over the bay in a parachute built for two. Go deep sea fishing or scuba diving. Play golf on championship courses like the Acapulco Princess, Pierre Marques or Tres Vidas. You'll love it all!
SEE THE SURROUNDINGS. Hire a driver and see Acapulco end to end. Rent a hammock, order a Cocoloco and enjoy watching the waves at Pie de la Cuesta. Water ski on pristine Coyuca Lagoon. See where the Hollywood fun began at Caleta Beach and Old Acapulco. Drive through town and see The Zocalo with its charming bandstand. Travel along Costera Miguel Aleman where so many hotels are located, then climb the hill to the posh Las Brisas section where millionaires and celebrities have built magnificent homes. Then, go out to the pristine Tres Palos Lagoon to go fresh water fishing and to see amazing tropical birds. Afterwards, visit the sleek shops and restaurants in the new Diamante section. At the end of the day you'll have discovered why there's never a dull moment in Acapulco!

ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:

Acapulco has a rich regional cuisine with a focus on seafood. Try some specialties like Pescado a la Talla (grilled fish with a subtle, intricate red sauce or any Ceviche (seafood cocktail) and you'll get an idea of what the locals like. Everything from bite sized Chalupas (mini tortillas with beans or meat) to fine gourmet fare is available.

Many restaurants are located in stunning settings by the sea or up on the hill with breathtaking views of the bay. Décor ranges from simple to sophisticated. In Mexico, every meal is a celebration and service is usually above and beyond what you find elsewhere. This is one of the few places in the world where you'll never be rushed or hassled, so relax and enjoy!

There are so many restaurants to try that you're sure to find your own favorites, but here are a few in various price ranges that offer plenty of romance and deliver value.

ZIBU is a romantic destination in itself. Innovative architecture, superior service and outstanding Asian/Mexican cuisine make every meal in this beautiful place memorable. Soft breezes caress you as you dine under a tree on the patio on the second level of this world-class hillside restaurant. Your table is comfortable and candlelit, and every dish is made to order to ensure top freshness and flavor. If you love "over the top," this is your place! Carretera Escenica s/n, Frac. Glomar.
Phone: 744-433-3058 or 3969.
Website: www.zibu.com
EL CIELO has the feel of a sophisticated private supper club. Begin with a drink at the cozy, open air patio bar upstairs and you'll want to come back to enjoy another under the stars after dinner. Linger over dinner in the air conditioned dining room downstairs. Its floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of the bay! You'll find a dish to delight on the international menu! Carretera Escenica 4201 Frac. Marina Las Brisas.
Phone: 744-444-5601
MADEIRAS. Perched on the top of the hill, this pioneer of the hillside restaurants has a sweeping bay view and a pleasing international menu. Soft breezes waft in over the railing, and there is a small bar upstairs if you want to linger longer. Carretera Escenica 33.
Phone: 744-446-5636
TABASCO BEACH is an informal, insiders' secret hideaway, perfect for couples who want the utmost in romance at reasonable prices. This simple, seaside restaurant on its own beach is part of the Hotel Malibu but has its own entrance on the seaside highway. Here, you can dine on tasty international dishes at a candlelit table. The soft sound of the waves lapping at the water's edge make it all as romantic as can be! Reserve a table for two next to the railing! Hotel Malibu, Costera Miguel Aleman 20.
Phone: 744-484-1070
BAMBUCO. A favorite of local movers and shakers, this reasonably priced, cool and shady beachside restaurant in the Hotel Elcano combines good food and romance in a '50's style setting. Reserve the cozy table for two under twin palms and dine to the sound of the waves. Many dishes feature the flavors of Spain and the price is right! Hotel Elcano, Costera Miguel Aleman 75.
Phone: 744-435-1500

DESTINATION WEDDINGS:

Coming Soon!