Guerrero · Mexico

Acapulco and Taxco

The bay of Acapulco and the cliff dives at La Quebrada on Guerrero’s Pacific coast, and Taxco, the silver town in the mountains, with the church of Santa Prisca.

Guerrero (Acapulco e Taxco)

In the photo: Fort of San Diego, Acapulco

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Acapulco lies on the Pacific coast in the state of Guerrero, around a deep bay surrounded by hills. It was an important colonial port, from which the Manila Galleon sailed, linking New Spain to the Philippines, and for that reason it has the Fort of San Diego. In the 20th century it became one of Mexico’s first major international resorts, frequented by film stars.

The city has two faces. Traditional Acapulco, around the Zócalo and the fort, preserves the La Quebrada divers, who dive from a cliff of about 35 meters, and the island La Roqueta at the bay’s entrance. Along the Costera avenue are urban beaches, high-rise hotels and restaurants, and farther east the Zona Diamante has open beaches and the Puerto Marqués lagoon.

In the mountains north of Guerrero, about 270 km away, lies Taxco de Alarcón, a colonial town of white houses and red roofs spread over stone hillsides. Taxco grew from silver mines in the 16th and 18th centuries, and is known for the baroque church of Santa Prisca and its silver workshops. Nearby are the Cacahuamilpa caves, one of Mexico’s largest cave systems.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Acapulco, Taxco.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Acapulco and Taxco is

Limites: INEGI / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Acapulco and Taxco

✈ Aeropuerto Internacional General Juan N. Álvarez (ACA) · 25 km to Acapulco

Check before booking. Acapulco has an international airport (ACA), about 25 km from downtown, with flights from Mexico City. From the capital there are also buses via the Autopista del Sol, about 380 km. Taxco is about 170 km from Mexico City, with frequent buses.

Suggested arrival point: Acapulco

Guerrero · Acapulco and Taxco Suggested arrival point

Acapulco

Acapulco is a beach city on the Pacific coast, around a deep bay surrounded by hills, in the state of Guerrero. It was the port of the Manila Galleon in the colonial period and one of Mexico’s first major resorts. Traditional Acapulco has the Zócalo, the Fort of San Diego and the La Quebrada divers; the Costera avenue concentrates beaches and hotels, and the island La Roqueta sits at the bay’s entrance.

Guerrero · Acapulco and Taxco

Taxco

Taxco de Alarcón is a colonial town in the mountains of northern Guerrero, at about 1,800 meters altitude, with white houses and red roofs spread over stone hillsides. It grew around the silver mines and is known for the baroque church of Santa Prisca and its silver workshops and shops. A cable car climbs to a viewpoint, and the Cristo on the hill overlooks the town. Nearby are the Cacahuamilpa caves.

The local experience

Things to do in Acapulco and Taxco

Acapulco · Guerrero · Lookout and tradition

La Quebrada

A cliff of about 35 meters in traditional Acapulco, from which the divers jump into a narrow Pacific cove, timing the incoming waves.

Taxco · Guerrero · Church

Templo de Santa Prisca

18th-century baroque church on Plaza Borda in Taxco, with a pinkish stone façade flanked by two towers and an interior of gilded altarpieces, built by the miner José de la Borda.

Taxco · Guerrero · Viewpoint

Cristo Monumental de Taxco

Statue of Christ with outstretched arms atop the Atache hill above Taxco, overlooking the town of white houses and the mountains.

Acapulco · Guerrero · Fort and museum

Fuerte de San Diego

An 18th-century star-shaped fort overlooking Acapulco Bay that protected the port from the Manila Galleon, housing the Acapulco Historical Museum.

See 2 more places in Acapulco and Taxco

Taxco · Guerrero · Cave

Grutas de Cacahuamilpa

One of Mexico’s largest cave systems, inside a national park about 30 km from Taxco, with chambers up to around 80 meters high and stalactite formations.

Acapulco · Guerrero · Island

Isla La Roqueta

Island covered in forest at the entrance to Acapulco Bay, a few minutes by boat from Caleta Beach, with calm beaches, trails and a lighthouse.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

In Acapulco, November to April is usually the dry season, with sun and calmer seas. From June to October there is more rain, with afternoon downpours, and hurricanes can occur. In Taxco the climate is mild year-round, with rains from June to September. Taxco’s Holy Week features well-known processions.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Five days: three in Acapulco and two in Taxco, including the Cacahuamilpa caves. Many visit Taxco en route between Mexico City and Acapulco.

Which city to stay in

In Acapulco, the Costera avenue has beach hotels and restaurants; the Zona Diamante to the east has larger hotels and open beaches; and traditional Acapulco near the Zócalo and La Quebrada has older, simpler hotels. In Taxco the center has inns and hotels in colonial houses, at the foot of Santa Prisca.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Acapulco and Taxco

How to get from Acapulco to Taxco?

Take the Autopista del Sol to Iguala and then the mountain road, about 270 km — roughly four hours by car or bus.

What are the La Quebrada divers?

Divers who leap from a cliff of about 35 meters into a narrow cove, timing the incoming waves. The performance usually takes place several times a day.

Why is Taxco known for silver?

The region’s silver mines brought the town wealth from the 16th century, and in the 20th century Taxco became a center for silver craftsmanship.

Is Taxco on the way to Acapulco?

It’s nearby: a detour from the Autopista del Sol between Mexico City and Acapulco.

When to go to Acapulco?

Between November and April, the dry season, the bay’s sea is usually calmer. The rainy season runs from June to October, which is also hurricane season.

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