Getting There
All US citizens need a valid passport to travel by air between the United States and Mexico. In addition, the Mexican tourist card (also called an FMT) is an important document you'll be issued when you arrive at the Acapulco airport – it must be handed over when you leave the country, so be sure to hold onto it to avoid a time-consuming replacement process and fines.
Acapulco's Juan Alvarez International Airport (www.oma.bz) is well-serviced by major airlines, with flights operating on carriers like Aeroméxico (www.aeromexico.com), American (www.aa.com), Continental (www.continental.com), Frontier (www.frontierairlines.com), Northwest (www.nwa.com), Mexicana (www.mexicana.com), and US Airways (www.usairways.com). US gateway cities include Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Newark, and Phoenix, while Mexican gateways are primarily in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Tijuana. Flight time to Acapulco is three hours from Dallas, less than five hours from Chicago, four hours from Los Angeles, and about five hours from New York.
Acapulco is a popular stop on Mexican Riviera cruise itineraries, most of which embark from Los Angeles and San Diego during the fall and winter months. Carnival (www.carnival.com), Celebrity (www.celebrity.com), Holland America (www.hollandamerica.com), Norwegian (www.ncl.com), and Princess (www.princess.com) are just a few of the cruise lines that call on the port.
Package Providers
Booking air and hotel together (and other trip essentials such as airport transfers, car rentals, and even tours and activities) can save a bundle of cash – online travel discounters such as Expedia (www.expedia.com), Orbitz (www.orbitz.com), and Travelocity (www.travelocity.com) are a good place to start your search. You may also wish to consult with any of our recommended Mexico-specialized providers, including CheapCaribbean.com (www.cheapcaribbean.com); BeachDestinations.com (www.beachdestinations.com); Pleasant Holidays (www.pleasantholidays.com); and FunJet Vacations (www.funjet.com).
Getting into Acapulco
You can get a taxi right at the airport; it's the fastest and easiest way to get to your hotel – rates range from $30 for the 20-to 30-minute drive to destinations along la Costera Golden Zone. A more economical option is to hire a colectivo (shared minivan), which costs about $15 – look for the Transportes Terrestres booths to arrange rides.
Major car rental agencies like Avis (www.avis.com), Budget (www.budget.com), and Hertz (www.hertz.com), among others, operate desks in the airport if you choose to drive, but unless you're planning on taking side trips to outlying areas like Taxco or villages further along the coast, you're better off sticking to the inexpensive cabs or buses than dealing with the expenses, traffic, and parking hassles of having a vehicle here.
Getting Around
Distances in Acapulco can be deceivingly far – consider that if you're staying at a Diamante-area hotel, you can expect around 40 minutes of travel time (about $20 via taxi) in moderate traffic to get to Le Quebrada to catch a cliff-diving show. While the curvy bend of Acapulco Bay may look condensed on a map, the shore stretches four miles, so walking any great distance is a challenge, especially when you factor in the heat. VW Bug-style taxis are plentiful and cheap, but be prepared to negotiate the price before taking off on the journey; larger "sitio" taxis – which often work directly with hotels – are roomier and newer, but also charge more than the street cabs. Taxis are available at hourly and day rates; negotiate to get the best price.
Public buses (35¢-40¢; daily 5am-11pm) provide efficient and cheap ground transportation – stick to those that run along la Costera to avoid getting lost. Consult with posted route maps at the covered bus stops – buses indicate their final destination on the front.
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