Acapulco Local Customs

Hora Feliz!
This means Happy Hour and this means two drinks for the price of one, always and everywhere. If you order a Corona, you get two bottles. If you order two Corona, you get a bucket with ice and four bottles. Isn't that great? ISN'T THAT COOL? I love this place so much!

You must visit the flea markets. Here nothing is priced and you barter for the best deal you can get. Try to get some tips as to what things are really worth from fellow travellers. As a guide bid at least 50% below the vendors first asking price, possibly more, it is quite good fun. You will usually find later on that you paid too much money whatever you bid, so try other stallholders before buying and compare their lowest bids.

Almost everyone there speaks English, there are quite a few who don't want you to know they understand what you are talking about, but most of the people you will deal with can understand you perfectly.

What else could that be Acapulco but the famous 'Clavadistas'. Hurling oneself halfnaked off jagged cliffs is not a coming of age ritual in Acapulco, but a serios occupation for trained professionals. At La Quebrada Cliffs around the north side of the bay, the Clavadistas perform daily shows, diving 25 t0 35 meters off a cliff and slipping effortlessly into the frothing surf. Quite impressing and scary.

Most everyone in the tourist areas speak very good English. We found that most folks appreciated you making a try at Spanish even if you stumbled. Be friendly and you will get friendly multiplied in return.

Most open air markets operate with a barter system. So go for it. I found myself tempted to not barter with some of the more noticably poor vendors. It was explained that these people prefer at least a little barter so they can respect themselves as well as the buyer. Keep cash and other important things very close to your body as pick pockets can fleece even the most suspicious traveler. Little ones like the one in the picture are the toughest kind of negociators you can ever meet:)

Most of the food in Mexico is eaten with your bare hands. If you prefer to eat with a fork and a knife, it's ok, not an offense, but it's very interesting to try the local customs, right?

Acapulco's museums do not really have a worlwide reputation. Try Mexico City instead :)