Las Hamacas

Go to Acapulco

by seagoingJLW

Go to Acapulco, a magnificent resort. When I was first there, in the 50's, it consisted of one street. The 'hot' hotel was the Caleta. We stayed at a hotel called Las Hamacas which was brand new. Today, Las Hamacas is a disaster. I went to see it.

Zipolite / Mazunte (Puerto Escondido Area)

by bloorange

I would rate Zipolite and Mazunte as the top Pacific beaches of Mexico. A very lay back feeling, not a luxury destination but a true experience. You'll live with the sun.... and your days will be made of fresh fish, corona and hamacas. That's about it!

Zipolite

by Joz_fr

"One of the best mexican beach"

This is one of most beautiful beach of the Pacific coast... Very quietfull place... Very nice sunset...
You will sleep on the beach or in hamacas... You will drink Piña Colada and Dikiri... You will enjoy the sun and the waves... You will want to stay much more longer... You will want to do nothing...
One of my favorite in Mexico...
To get there, take the bus to Potchutla in Oaxaca state, then share a taxi up to Zipolite o Mazunte...

Joz
More pics on my website: www.planet.uni.cc

Hola, Acapulco. Viva Acapulco

by seagoingJLW

We have been to Acapulco several times. The first time I went there, it consisted of two streets. There were vendors all over the place. We stayed at what was then a brand new hotel---Las Hamacas. Now, it is a real dump. But that was back in the late forties.

Today Acapulco is a lively place. It is a crowded resort with an active night life. These days we arrive by ship.

History

Acapulco was inhabited by the Nahoa Indians who were predecessors of the Aztecs. The name "Acapulco" is in the Nahoan language and means "The place where the reeds were destroyed." There is supposed to be a myth behind this name. I shall try to find out about it.

Acapulco was captured by Hernán Cortes when the Aztec Empire was defeated in 1521. It was turned into a big shipyard where Cortez built ships in order to extend his territories. Spanish colonization began in 1550. The Spaniards proceeded to enslave the Nahoas.

From 1571 on Acapulco became the most important trading port for Europe with the Philippines and other Asain and South American ports. It also became a haven for pirates such as Sir Francis Drake.

The Spaniards built the Fort of San Diego to defend the city from attacks.

During the Mexican War of Independence, the Fort of San Diego was one of the most difficult positions to liberate from the Spaniards.

Miscellaneous Information

Acapulco is hot and sunny all year round with an average temperature from 80° to 92°. The rainy season runs from June to October.

Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Chile, and nearly all Western European countries do not require visas to enter as tourists. They do require a Tourist Card which they can obtain at airports, piers, or the border.

While Spanish is the official language, English is widely spoken by people employed in the tourism industry.

Most hotels have purified water. However, it is recommended that bottled water be the beverage of choice. Make sure fresh fruit is peeled before eating. Watch out for ice in your drinks.

The electricity is 120 Volts 60 Cycles AC. Acapulco is on Central Standard Time.