Who's been to Acapulco LATELY?

[ptprism Member Find all posts View Profile Close ptprism]

My wife and I are big fans of Mexico. We have stayed at most of the major destinations except Acapulco. Why? because everytime we say we are considering it people go out of their way to tell us how bad it is, all the awful things about it and why we shouldn't go there. Primarily they say it is a big dirty city where most things are old (not quaint old, but beat-up and crummy old) with crime and horrible traffic and yada, yada, yada. Still, I can't help but feel I could find things to like there--especially since we can stay at the Grand Mayan. I know that will be great.

So, I don't need to know about accomodations (I don't think) but I would like to know WHY you would or wouldn't recommend that a Mexican veteran timeshare travelor go to Acapulco.

Anybody???

[Larry Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Larry]

We have been to the Mayan Palace and Grand Mayan twice and loved it. First of all we went in January both times when the weather is fantastic in Acapulco and we get out of the cold weather in NY. We have had friends who went to Cancun in January and most years the weather in Cancun should be in the high 70's to low 80's but one year out of three the weather was so bad they couldn't even go to the pool once during their entire stay. They now go to Aruba during the winter for the same reason we recommend Acapulco which is guaranteed sunshine in January with temperatures in the mid to high 80's in January with little chance of rain.

Yes it isn't a quaint small fishing village like puerto Vallarta but we had plenty to do and never had a problem even if it is a big city with big city problems. Cabs will take you downtown to restaurants and even wait for you at take you back to the Mayan resort. We have also stayed at the Hyatt in ACA but much prefer the Mayan resorts. We would love to go back but need to wait for the 1-5 rule or exchange again through the independent exchange company's.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Grand Mayan was great and the town is fun. Restaurant wise do not miss Las Braises.

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

While my least favorite place to visit in Mexico, I agree that you probably can find things you'd like to do. You probably should see the cliff divers once (just so you can say you did it). I think that as long as you stay at the Grand Mayan, you'll be fairly content with your choice. Just don't expect it to be like PV or Cancun, because it's not. There are some decent restaurants around if you like quaint Mexican restaurants. But, in general, I'd agree that the city isn't very quaint, but a bit run down. I would avoid going around Holy Week/Easter, though.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Stayed at Grand Mayan

It is FAR from the city where most restaurants are - maybe 20-25 minutes in a taxi...the resort was lovely - I would return again but stay mostly at the GM....the ride to town wasn't worth it - the onsite restaurants were very good and reasonablly priced - REALLY nice spa!

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

I hear the same thing about Acapulco, even from natives here in Mexico, but I gotta do it at least once, just to say I have been. Will stay at Mayan, am an owner. Trying to book something now either as owner or exchange for May....in Acapulco, then following week in Ixtapa. Like the OP, I am sure I'll find something to like, if only the resort and seeing what everyone says is so terible LOL.

[ptprism Member Find all posts View Profile Close ptprism]

Thanks for all the responses--you have all confirmed what I was thinking. It's not the greatest, but staying at the GM will make it great.

Note to bezerk: We are also planning on going over to Ixtapa in the same trip. Have you done it before? We were told by owners in Ixtapa that they fly in to Acapulco cheaper, then take a fancy bus to Ixtapa. Have you heard of that or done it? I'm not crazy about renting a car in Mexico.

Anybody else done this???

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Thanks for all the responses--you have all confirmed what I was thinking. It's not the greatest, but staying at the GM will make it great.

Note to bezerk: We are also planning on going over to Ixtapa in the same trip. Have you done it before? We were told by owners in Ixtapa that they fly in to Acapulco cheaper, then take a fancy bus to Ixtapa. Have you heard of that or done it? I'm not crazy about renting a car in Mexico.

Anybody else done this???

Sorry I can't help much. We drive from Guadalajara Mexico to Ixtapa and Acapulco is about 4 hours more....so we will go to Acapulco the first week , then to Ixtapa the second so the return home is shorter. Our drive to Ixtapa is between 8 and 9 hours. so Acapulco 12-13, we may have to do in two days but hoping for one, if we leave in wee hours of morning....

I have never rented a car in Mexico but I can tell you driving here is an experience. You can take a bus from Acapulco to Ixtapa. Youw ant a first class bus. They are very similar to accomodations on an airplane.

If I were in your shoes that is what I would do.....we could do the same and fly nationally to Acapulco but we like to have our car, that way we can get around easily as well as buy or take more with us LOL.