Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Acapulco, Mexico

The city is Mexico’s biggest resort hotspot for tourists. Acapulco gained popularity around the 1950’s and became a favorite vacation destination for Hollywood stars and millionaires. Even until now, the city remains a popular haven for summer and spring break.

Acapulco is located within the state of Guerrero along Mexico’s Pacific coast. There is so much more to Acapulco than meets the eye. Learn about these surprising facts you probably haven’t heard of about this beautiful Mexican city.

Water Sports by The Bayside

Those who seek the thrill of water sports would definitely take interest in the city since it sits on the Bay of Santa Lucia, or commonly known as Acapulco Bay. The bay has an abundance of water-based activities to enjoy such as parasailing, fishing charters, jet ski rentals, and snorkeling tours.

Celebrity Getaway

Acapulco became famous after being discovered by Hollywood celebrities and millionaires during the 1940s through the 1960s. The first celebrity visitor was the then Prince of Wales who later on became King Edward Vlll. He stayed in the city in 1920 and later shared his experiences and reviews about Acapulco when he returned to Europe. Other famous visitors include the late U.S. president John F. Kennedy, the “King of Rock and Roll” Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, and Frank Sinatra.

First Settlers of Acapulco

In the country’s history, the first settlers in the area were the Nahua Indians who preceded the Aztecs. The Nahua Indians lived in the land for about 2000 years before the colonization of the Spaniards. In the 1520’s, Spain colonized Mexico within the era of European colonization due to the country’s geographic location which was along the Pacific coast. This brought about the city’s development to a busy port, shipping goods to South America and parts of Asia. 

Bays of Acapulco

Acapulco has two main bays which are The Bay of Santa Lucia (Acapulco Bay) and Puerto Marques.

The Fort That Protected the Town from Pirates

The most popular historic attraction in Acapulco is Fort San Diego. It was built in 1616 to protect the town from pirate attacks that would frequently occur back then. Unfortunately, the fort was destroyed by the war and earthquakes but has later been rebuilt and restored for the public to enter today.

Leave us a comment down below if you have any insights about the beautiful Mexican city of Acapulco. Don’t hesitate to share with us your experiences and stories if you have been lucky enough to walk through its beaches and witnessed its majestic sights.