Acapulco

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Acapulco
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Please accept this certificate for a wonderful vacation getaway as a token of our esteem and gratitude, a very special gift to you from PhoneSmart and Royalty Universe! For a very nominal processing fee of $15 and the hotel room tax between $7 and $12 per night you will enjoy luxury accommodations for 2 at your choice of 24 fantastic resort destinations. There are no time share presentations or sales pitches of any kind connected with this offer. Just follow the instructions to make your reservations and get ready to unwind, relax and have fun!

Perhaps you will long for the beautiful beaches of Acapulco, Mexico. Acapulco is a popular destination for cruise lines and a port of call for shipping. Acapulco Bay is a deep semi circular bay perfectly located for lines running between Panama and San Francisco, California.    This tourist resort city is the largest city in the state, far larger than the state capital of Chilpancingo.

The origin of the name is much contested and disputed. The most accepted version is that name is derived from the Nahuatl words `acatl (reed), poloa (to destroy) and-co (place), which together translate to “The place where the reeds were destroyed”. Another version claims that is come from `acatl,-p`0l (superlative suffix), and –co: “The place of the big reeds”. It has also believed that the name is derived from the Latin aqua (water) and pulchra (clean or beautiful): “beautiful water)

The climate is tropical with hot temperatures and heavy humidity in the high sun period and the low sun period is mostly dry and sunny. The low sun period is the northern hemisphere winter and this makes it a popular get a way spot for winter weary travelers.

In the 1990’s a tunnel was constructed to aid access through the mountains to the town and this also has allowed sea cooled breezes to cool the city.

The area has significant archaeological evidence showing that Acapulco has been inhabited since before 3000BCE. There are shards of clay pottery, human and animal figures. Some are stone and ceramic. The early presence of fishing settlements is depicted in cave paintings and petroglyphs dating for 1200 BCE. They also show agriculture and hunting as secondary activities. Veladero National Park holds a site of calendaric beads and 18 giant granite stones engraved with anthropomorphic, zoomorphic and geometrical details that were created between 200 BCE and 600CE. During this time nomadic tribes entered the area.

An expedition lead by Francisco Chico discovered Acapulco late in 1521. A later expedition arrived in 1523 and Juan Villafuerte claimed the port in the name of the Kings of Spain. It became a direct dependency of the Spanish Crown in 1532.

For more than 256 years it was a major port for Spanish ships carrying silks and spices gathered from the Asia-Pacific area. In a yearly trading movement, the Manila-Acapulco Galleon set sail from Acapulco to the Philippine Islands. This trade started a merchant fair in Acapulco where traders bargained for the cargoes of spices, silks, porcelain, ivory, and lacquer ware. This yearly treasure also attracted pirates from England and the Netherlands.

The Dutch fleet invaded Acapulco in 1615 and the Spaniards needed to rebuild the fort. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1776 and rebuilt again. The Manila-Acapulco was permanently stopped by the Mexican War of Independence between 1810 and 1821.Miguel Caldes served as president of Mexico from 1946 to 1952. He was the visionary for the development of Acapulco. During this time known as the Golden Era celebrities from the United States frequented the area. One who fell in love with Acapulco was actor Johnny Weissmuller. Acapulco has hosted yachting as part of the 1968 Summer Olympics but was devastated by Hurricane Pauline in 1997.

Modern Acapulco is a popular featured destination for cruise ship packages and air carriers. It has been a popular resort for long weekends. The balmy climate and beauty draws in foreign nationals year round. In recent years Acapulco has grown in popularity as a spring break destination. The city boasts a larger international student crowd than rival Cancun due to the reputation as a tourist resort. There are many flights in to the airport both international transatlantic and transpacific.

Acapulco’s best known island Roqueta is typically reached by glass bottomed motor boats. This gives a clear view of the sea bottom. Waters sports and snorkeling excursions are available in many price ranges.

The largest vacation club and golf operator in Mexico, Mayan Resorts has created a very important resort development. Hotels and timeshares dot the Diamond zone.

Many airlines now fly from the United States into Acapulco all year-round.    While there are buses and taxis in the city most locals walk. The government subsidized cab system is called "Colectivo” A person can ride for 10 pesos but the driver will pick up more people as long as there is available room and go to destinations on first come first served basis. This can offer a true sense of adventure and discovery. The bus system can be confusing to a newcomer. It is the cheapest transportation other than walking. Some buses have air conditioning and are more costly. The government established the yellow bus system for tourists and locals. They travel up and down the coast to the prominent tourist destinations.    Other buses have specific routes with destinations called out by "barkers" riding in the front seat.

The Cliff Divers at La Quebrada began performing impressive cliff jumps in 1934. They dive from the high cliffs into shallow water with dangerous tide that forms. "ABC's Wide World of Sports" brought them to the attention of the masses in the United States in the 1970's

There is nightlife in Acapulco for every taste. During Spring Break many bars and night clubs sign up with US based travel companies to serve the needs of the young crowd. Due to this arrangement there are areas in which the spring break crowd takes over. This is mainly around the coast. Clubs are open bar. Smaller clubs might offer DJ or live music and take payment on the tab. Music is live nearly every night at some place.

There are many clubs that cater to the local populations and visitors from Mexico City. The music is live music and/or DJ. Each also offers nightly performances in lip syncing, cross dressers, Latin exhibition dancing is very popular. At 2 to 3 am live bands retire and the music can tend to be Mexican/American favorite and 70-80’s US Top 40 hits.

In the 1950's and 1960's such Hollywood notables as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, the Kennedy's and Elizabeth Taylor made Acapulco a private playground drawing the interest of the regular traveling public. There have been many changes in style of music and club activities since La Perla opened in 1949. A new generation has taken over nightlife and beach parties and dancing ends at 4 am followed by after hours' clubs open until morning. The Hotel Los Flamingo, and the Hotel El Mirado have been left behind as the popular strip area shifted but they have photo galleries to allow visitors to view the glory days of old Hollywood. It was a popular destination for John Wayne, Johnny Weissmuller and Errol Flynn. The resort loved by Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor and others, the Villa Cera is an enclosed enclave that is now part of a private club. The Hotel Las Brisas Acapulco built in 1957 has 263 casita climbing up a steep hibiscus covered hill. Each has a plunge pool at the base of the hill by the ocean.

Good beach food like tacos and seafood is served from open-air restaurants along the Coast. Palatial bars with cool decks covered by thatched roofs are favorites in the morning or afternoon. Such delicacies as grilled red snapper and “two for one” beers keep diners happy during the day. One of the best kept secrets for lunch is Tres Marias at Pie de la Cuesta. The specialty is barbecued red snapper.

The beach is the most popular destination during the day. On Sunday afternoons January through April there are the bullfights.

Night life begins after midnight although some clubs open up about 10 pm. The Palladium, a huge pleasure dome perched high on a cliff with a wall of windows 160 feet wide and 30 feet tall offers dancing, live performances and fireworks.

Open air market places called mercados des artisanias are like flea markets. Most merchandise is made in Asia but they are fun to ramble through.

Five times a day the professional cliff divers climb through the steep viewing area with no shoes. They shimmy up the cliff to their posts that are 80 to 115 feet about the 22 foot wide channel.    They raise their arms over their heads, let out a call that echoes through the cavern and soar out and down, falling at about 55 miles per hour.

A visit to Acapulco will make a memory to savor for a lifetime.

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