Acapulco
Getting There:
By Air:
The Juan N. Alvarez International Airport (ACA) (+52 744 466 9446) perches 14 miles southeast of downtown. Recent major renovations to its terminal, including more restaurants, have made it more visitor-happy. Its runways are frequented by major airlines such as:
Aeromexico (+1 800 237 6639/ http://www.aeromexico.com)
American Airlines (+1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com)
Continental (+1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com)
Mexicana (+1 800 531 7921/ http://www.mexicana.com)
US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322/ http://www.usairways.com )
Private taxis are banned from ferrying passengers from the airport so look for the Transportes Terrestres booths near the baggage claim area. Shared vans average USD10, while taxis range from USD18-USD50. Rides into town take 25-30 minutes.
Rental car companies include:
Alamo (+1 327 9633 / http://www.alamo.com )
Avis (+1 800 831 2847/ http://www.avis.com)
Budget (+1 800 527 0700/ http://www.budget.com )
Galgo (+52 744 484 3066)
Hertz (+1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com)
By Bus:
The Central Camionera Station, north of downtown, is serviced by two major bus lines: Estrella de Oro (+52 744 485 9360) and Estrella Blanca (+52 744 469 2028). Both have air-conditioned buses and provide almost hourly service to Mexico City.
By Car:
Highway 95, a four-to-six lane toll highway, takes 3.5 hours from Mexico City and costs USD50. If time is not a factor but you are looking to save money Highway 95 D, a route that parallels Highway 95, is free but takes six hours from Mexico City due to its excess of continuous curves. Highway 200 wanders into Acapulco from both the north and south. Be careful when driving from the south for it has a history of robberies.
Getting Around Town:
Acapulco sports an extremely efficient bus system. Riders can choose from either its new line of pastel colored buses (USD.40) or its noticeably old school buses (USD.35). Covered bus stops, complete with posted route maps, line the Costera (Acapulco’s main hotel/restaurant strip) making buses accessible from almost every street corner. Buses operate from 5A-11P daily.
Taxis are abundant and easy to find. The VW bug cabs are cheaper than the more contemporary "sitio" taxis averaging between USD2-USD10 as compared to USD4-USD12. If you hail a hotel taxi they generally charge three times higher. Because taxi competition is fierce each cab attempts to gain an edge by lavishly decorating their cars with elaborate neon lights so don’t be surprised to be picked up by something that resembles a vehicular Liberace. Some of the more prominent upscale cab companies include:
Sitio Escudero: (+52 744 484 0250)
Sitio Emancipacion (+52 744 484 7300)
Sitio 54 Acapulco Plaza (+52 744 486 2461)
Because of Acapulco's sprawl having a car is handy, but not necessary due to its bus system. If you do drive be aware that parking is tight and is completely banned from the Costera. Street names and numbers are difficult to spot so have a good idea of where you going prior to driving.
Acapulco is not conducive for walking, unless you plan on never leaving the Hotel Zone.
By Air:
The Juan N. Alvarez International Airport (ACA) (+52 744 466 9446) perches 14 miles southeast of downtown. Recent major renovations to its terminal, including more restaurants, have made it more visitor-happy. Its runways are frequented by major airlines such as:
Aeromexico (+1 800 237 6639/ http://www.aeromexico.com)
American Airlines (+1 800 433 7300/ http://www.aa.com)
Continental (+1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com)
Mexicana (+1 800 531 7921/ http://www.mexicana.com)
US Airways ( +1 800 428 4322/ http://www.usairways.com )
Private taxis are banned from ferrying passengers from the airport so look for the Transportes Terrestres booths near the baggage claim area. Shared vans average USD10, while taxis range from USD18-USD50. Rides into town take 25-30 minutes.
Rental car companies include:
Alamo (+1 327 9633 / http://www.alamo.com )
Avis (+1 800 831 2847/ http://www.avis.com)
Budget (+1 800 527 0700/ http://www.budget.com )
Galgo (+52 744 484 3066)
Hertz (+1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com)
By Bus:
The Central Camionera Station, north of downtown, is serviced by two major bus lines: Estrella de Oro (+52 744 485 9360) and Estrella Blanca (+52 744 469 2028). Both have air-conditioned buses and provide almost hourly service to Mexico City.
By Car:
Highway 95, a four-to-six lane toll highway, takes 3.5 hours from Mexico City and costs USD50. If time is not a factor but you are looking to save money Highway 95 D, a route that parallels Highway 95, is free but takes six hours from Mexico City due to its excess of continuous curves. Highway 200 wanders into Acapulco from both the north and south. Be careful when driving from the south for it has a history of robberies.
Getting Around Town:
Acapulco sports an extremely efficient bus system. Riders can choose from either its new line of pastel colored buses (USD.40) or its noticeably old school buses (USD.35). Covered bus stops, complete with posted route maps, line the Costera (Acapulco’s main hotel/restaurant strip) making buses accessible from almost every street corner. Buses operate from 5A-11P daily.
Taxis are abundant and easy to find. The VW bug cabs are cheaper than the more contemporary "sitio" taxis averaging between USD2-USD10 as compared to USD4-USD12. If you hail a hotel taxi they generally charge three times higher. Because taxi competition is fierce each cab attempts to gain an edge by lavishly decorating their cars with elaborate neon lights so don’t be surprised to be picked up by something that resembles a vehicular Liberace. Some of the more prominent upscale cab companies include:
Sitio Escudero: (+52 744 484 0250)
Sitio Emancipacion (+52 744 484 7300)
Sitio 54 Acapulco Plaza (+52 744 486 2461)
Because of Acapulco's sprawl having a car is handy, but not necessary due to its bus system. If you do drive be aware that parking is tight and is completely banned from the Costera. Street names and numbers are difficult to spot so have a good idea of where you going prior to driving.
Acapulco is not conducive for walking, unless you plan on never leaving the Hotel Zone.
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