SHORE EXCURSIONS

Travel along the coastline while you learn about the history and culture of Acapulco. Stop at El Mirador, above La Quebrada to enjoy a drink while admiring the world-famous cliff divers. From a vantage point near Las Brisas Hotel, marvel at the incredible beauty of the panoramic landscape and the bays of Acapulco and Puerto Marques. Continue to the outskirts of town and pass by one of the most impressive hotels in the Acapulco Diamante hotel zone, the Acapulco Princess Hotel, constructed to resemble an Aztec Pyramid.

View the famous cliff divers at La Quebrada while enjoying a complimentary drink. Tour main avenue and stop near Las Brisas area for stunning panoramic views. Shop for handcrafted items or jewelry. Stop at the Hotel Los Flamingos, where you can enjoy a drink while you travel back through history and visit the home of movie legend Tarzan in its original setting.

The tour ends with an outside visit to the Fort of San Diego, the most important museum in the state and a testament to Acapulco's history.

Drive through the old part of town and visit the Hotel Los Flamingos, once called the refuge of the Hollywood gang of the 1950s. Next, visit around the Fort of San Diego. The present structure was rebuilt on the ruins of the former fort, which was destroyed in an earthquake. Visit one of Acapulco’s landmarks, the Chapel of Peace. This chapel is beyond doubt a place of serenity and peace, located on one of the most exclusive residential areas in Mexico - Las Brisas. Here you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay and of Roqueta Island. A 20-minute stop will also be made for those wishing to shop. At La Quebrada, admire the world-famous high cliff diver’s performance.

On this tour you’ll experience Acapulco from a unique perspective, as you cruise through one of the most beautiful bays in the region. Your transfer boat will take you to your vessel on which you’ll set sail for La Quebrada to view the world famous cliff divers as they plunge nearly 130 feet into the ocean below. Continue sailing along the coast, passing by the million dollar mansions of the rich and famous perched on the Acapulco hills. Taste an array of Mexican appetizers and beverages while you enjoy the sights from the bay.

Discover the real Acapulco! Departing from the pier, you'll be driven to the newest part of Acapulco, Punta Diamante, where you can admire the Mayan Palace Condo Hotel. Stop for some pictures at Santa Lucia Bay and Puerto Marques. Pass by the town of Tres Palos, where the lifestyles and traditions of Mexico are closely guarded.

A scenic drive along one of the most important avenues in town will take you to the zone where the hospital and universities are located and to the central farmer's market. Enjoy a welcome drink as you browse a nearby shop for souvenirs. Finally and before returning to your ship, experience the most spectacular show in town, the world-famous Acapulco High Cliff Divers jumping from La Quebrada, at a height of over 110 feet.

OVERVIEW

Explore the ruins of Tehuacalco, the first excavated archaeological site of the Yope, a pre-Columbian people that were known to be fierce warriors. While walking among the remains of the Tehuacalco ceremonial site, you will see pyramids clustered around a central plaza, a Mesoamerican ball court and a number of temples where sacred rituals were held. You will notice that many of the buildings were constructed with large stones separated by flat rocks and clay, a design that helped the structures withstand earthquakes. More than a dozen buildings at Tehuacalco have been excavated, some of them with staircases and sunken patios. The guide will describe the key points of interest, which include symbolic petroglyphs that were carved into the rocks with stone chisels. The name Tehuacalco is derived from the Nahuatl language and means “place of the stone box,” which is appropriate due to the simply designed stone buildings.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wander among the excavated ruins of Tehuacalco, an ancient ceremonial site.
• Discover what life was like for the Yope people that held trituals in Tehuacalco.
• See stone pyramids, a ball court and petrogylphs carved into the rocks.
• Hear theories about why the Yopes left Tehuacalco and their enigmatic legacy.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Visit the cliffside at La Quebrada cove and witness a performance presented by the world famous cliff divers of Acapulco. Using skill and experience, the divers have to time the beginning of their dive so that the waters in the cove are deep enough when they hit them. The breathtaking highlight of the show will be when the master diver plunges headlong over 130 feet into the ocean waters below from the uppermost level of the jagged cliff.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through the sheltered waters of Acapulco Bay in a glass-bottom boat that allows you to clearly see the underwater wonders without getting wet. You can expect to observe an ever-changing parade of colorful marine life that may include bright-blue Cortez damselfish, banded wrasses, queen angelfish and neon-colored parrotfish. You may even spot sea turtles gracefully swimming by. Near the entrance to the bay, you will pause for a good look at the Virgin of the Seas, a sculpture of the revered Virgin of Guadalupe that was submerged there in 1959. You will disembark at Palmitas Beach on the neighboring island of La Roqueta, where you will be free to relax however you wish. You might take a refreshing swim in the crystalline waters and snorkel if you want to continue exploring the marine life. As an leisurely alternative, you can just walk along the shore and admire the gorgeous scenery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe the bountiful marine life in Acapulco Bay while cruising in a glass-bottom boat.
• Look for schools of brightly colored fish and perhaps even a sea turtle or two.
• Stop at the submerged statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a beloved symbol of Mexico.
• Enjoy free time snorkeling, swimming or simply relaxing on Palmitas Beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Depart from the pier in your air conditioned transportation en route to the small resort town of Pie de la Cuesta, located 14 miles/23 km west of Acapulco Bay. Upon arrival, you’ll board your speedboat for an hour’s ride where you’ll see the mangrove swamp and all of the vegetation.

Visit Bird Island where you may see diver ducks, pelicans, white and black herons as well as seagulls. During the trip observe tropical lush vegetation, a coconut plantation and a sanctuary of typical birds. After your return, you can enjoy free time on your own. You can take a swim in the pool or a walk on the beach before returning to your ship.

Visit the San Diego Fort, once the most important Spanish fortress on the Pacific coast and today is home to the Acapulco Historic Museum. You’ll learn about the history of the city, the important role the fortress played and the culture of early inhabitants.

You’ll also visit the cliffside at La Quebrada cove and witness a performance presented by the world famous cliff divers of Acapulco. Using skill and experience, these divers have to time the beginning of their dive so that the waters in the cove are deep enough when they hit them. The breathtaking highlight of the show will be when the master diver plunges headlong over 130 feet into the ocean waters below from the uppermost level of the jagged cliff.

Experience an unforgettable lunch with genuine Mexican entertainment. Departing the pier, you’ll be transported to La Quebrada to watch the world-famous cliff divers leap 110 feet into the Pacific Ocean while you enjoy a welcome drink. Browse for souvenirs at a nearby shop before boarding your bus for a scenic drive along La Costera, en route to a restaurant with a fabulous view. A special Mexican lunch will be served while you relax and admire Acapulco’s skyline.

Take a scenic ride through downtown Acapulco and along the coast, heading south. About 20 miles away, on a tranquil beach, is the Sea Turtle Rescue Center. Operated by a local environmentalist, the center works to improve the chances of survival for the endangered species of Golfina sea turtles. Learn how the program works and see the baby turtles in various stages of development, from their eggs to the holding tanks where the hatchlings are ready to return to the sea.

Walk down to the shoreline where the turtles will be named before they are released into the water. The number of turtles that are ready for release may not always match the number of participants. A short shopping stop will be made on the way back to your ship.