Getting there
By air
Acapulco’s airport, General Juan N. Álvarez International (ACA), sits at the far east end past Diamante, roughly 30 to 45 minutes from Old Acapulco depending on traffic. It runs mostly domestic connections, above all through Mexico City (MEX), plus a thinner set of routes to Guadalajara, Monterrey and Tijuana and a handful of seasonal international flights. Since Hurricane Otis and the broader downturn, the schedule is lighter than it once was, so book early and expect connections rather than direct hops from abroad. From the terminal, use the official authorized airport taxi (transporte terrestre) booth and pay the fixed fare inside rather than negotiating outside; it’s roughly 300 to 500 MXN into town (approximate) depending on zone.
By bus
The comfortable, air-conditioned way most Mexicans arrive. Estrella de Oro is the classic Acapulco line, and Estrella Blanca / Futura and their premium Turistar Ejecutivo and Diamante services also run the route. From Mexico City’s Terminal Sur (Taxqueña) or Terminal Poniente (Observatorio), the ride down the toll highway is roughly 5 to 6 hours (approximate), and a first-class ticket runs somewhere around 600 to 900 MXN (approximate). Buy the higher tier, reserve a seat, and travel by day. Acapulco has more than one bus terminal, spread across the city, so confirm which one your ticket uses and which is closest to your hotel before you book.
By car
Driving from Mexico City on the Autopista del Sol (cuota, toll road, Highway 95D) takes around 4 to 5 hours (approximate), and the tolls are steep, often several hundred pesos each way. The road itself is good, but two firm rules apply in Guerrero: stick to the toll highway, not the free (libre) road that winds through the mountains, and drive in daylight only. The rural and mountain stretches of the state are not where you want to be after dark. Keep the tank full, carry cash for the tolls, and don’t improvise detours off the main route.
Getting around
Old Acapulco is walkable: the zócalo, malecón, Caleta beaches and the base of La Quebrada are all within a compact area or a cheap short taxi of each other. The bay as a whole is not walkable end to end; Diamante to the old town is a real drive.
- Taxis are the practical default. Most don’t run meters, so agree the fare out loud before you get in. Use hotel-arranged or radio taxis, especially after dark, rather than flagging unmarked cars. App-based ride options are limited and inconsistent here compared with Mexico City or Guadalajara, so don’t count on them showing up.
- Local buses (camiones) run the length of the Costera for a few pesos and are how locals move, cheap and frequent. Fine in daylight for a straightforward hop along the boulevard; less appealing loaded with bags or after dark.
- The bay-beach glass-bottom boats from Caleta double as cheap water transport across to Isla de la Roqueta.
Honest comfort notes
The Costera traffic is heavy and chaotic, so budget more time than the raw distance suggests, especially getting to and from the airport. The toll road down from Mexico City is smooth and mostly straight, so motion sickness isn’t a big issue there, but the cross-town and airport-road drives can be stop-start. The single most important habit in this city is timing: arrive, leave and cross town in daylight, and use taxis at night. For why that matters, read the is it safe page. For where those taxis should drop you, see where to stay.