Why is Acapulco so dangerous??

[mostyn17]

What is it about Acapulco that is so bad?? Is it the people, is it dirty? We are thinking about staying onboard for this port. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

 

[kcashner]

According to my travel book, the beaches are very polluted as it is an industrial area. There has been much clean up done recently, but it is still "swim at your own risk," and the travel guide recommends pools.

They also have a section on "car robberies and bus hijackings are common--though on the decline" etc. It goes on to suggest that you not drive outside of the city proper, that you not drive between cities in the Acapulco area, etc. It suggests taxis around the city, and says that taxis from hotels cost 2-3 times what a taxi caught elsewhere will.

Absolutely NO personal experience here, just what the book says.

 

[my3kids]

We were there years ago. The driving was crazy. A car was stalled in the road so our taxi just rammed him from the back to get him either moving again or out of our way! The beaches were kind of yucky, but we had a great tour of the city by the crazy taxi driver. We went up in the hills and he showed us famous people's homes, took us to his favorite restaurant, some safe shops for jewerly purchases. We went parasailing which was terrifying to me to see industrial kind of ship's smoke stacks under me.

 

[Capt_BJ]

been there many times in the last 5 years

if you stay on the main road from the port into the primary tourist hotel area you won't have any problems. tourism is the thing there and there's tons of stuff to do. You can just walk from the cruie terminal to the main hotel drag ... lots of shops and tourist attractions. Doesn't bungee jumping at a small Mexican road side stand sound like a good idea

the port is a bay and a commercial port. don't hold your breath on the beaches. depending on the wind a lot of trash can be around....but they are working on cleaning things up

a trip to see the cliff divers is safe

this is a large city and yes the drivers are all nuts! be very very very careful crossing the street. get a price B4 you get in a cab....

 

[tvguy]

Sadly, it's only crazy by U.S. standards. It's pretty safe and clean by Mexican standards. Like many tourist paradises, the economy is the pits and the standard of living low.
Then there's China, no pollution controls on cars, no pollution control on factories........and the U.S. and Europe are fighting over greenhouse gases????

 

[2canadianfans]

What is it about Acapulco that is so bad?? Is it the people, is it dirty? We are thinking about staying onboard for this port. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

Hi Travis..we met you and your family on the Hurricane Frances cruise.As far as Acapulco goes (we were on the panama may cruise)..get off the ship just to say..' BEEN THERE / DONE THAT". We walked towards the bay ..just to see it up close..then headed back to the ship...lots of little little children beg every second you are walking..There is a store to buy wine etc right across the street to the left. BE VERY VERY CAREFULL CROSSING THE STREET ..THE CABS ARE CRAZY. We can now say we have been there...BUT..between the cabs and the begging..its not a great place to just walk around.. in Acapulco we went on the adults only ACA BEACH CLUB tour..I am sure you and your family would love it..luxury all the way..nothing like that beach day in Cozumel that we all did last Sept..any questions ask away..sharon

 

[fantazmickb]

Acapulco is no more dangerous than any other typical port of call. You do find many many poor people and beggars of all ages. When you find a high population of poor people, you find desperation and you find crime. Just travel safe. I would either book an excursion through DCL or get a small group together and hire one of the many indeopendent tour drivers who are waiting for you at the dock. Sometimes you will get abetter tour and see a more diverse area and sometimes pay a lot less. Travel safe and smart!
Acapulco is not what we fantazize it to be but it still has its merits. I have been, I am glad I went, but I have no need or desire to return.

 

[mostyn17]

Sharon...I sent you a PM.

Travis