ACAPULCO

Also known as "The Pearl of the Pacific", it was the first tourist resort established in Mexican land. Its protected bay is now home to hotels and restaurants of international renown, as well as to large and modern apartment buildings spread along the popular coastal avenue known as the Miguel Aleman.

The impressive cliffs of La Quebrada or "The Stream" have witnessed the spectacle of the daring local divers for the last fifty years, who jump from the edge of the cliffs into the void as both locals and foreigners watch in disbelief.

The natural settings of Acapulco have been immortalized by countless Mexican and Hollywood movies, and have turned the city into the preferred holiday destination for celebrities like Liz Taylor, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Apart from offering spectacular sunsets, the city happens to stand out for its hectic nightlife and constant partying.

Some of the natural attractions in Acapulco include the Laguna Negra de Puerto Marquez or "Black Lagoon at Marquez Harbor", the Coyuca Lagoon, the Puerto Marquez and Barra Vieja Bays, and the Bonfil Beach. In addition, the city enjoys a privileged location in the nation, as just a four hour drive separates it from Mexico city via the Autopista del Sol or "Highway of the Sun."

IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO
The successful combination of the colorful fishing town of Zihuatanejo with the first class tourist developments at Ixtapa, along with the heavenly beaches offered by both, has turned the duet Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo into one of the favorite tourist options for visitors coming from foreign countries.

Within the wide range of tourist services offered by this two cities in Guerrero, visitors can actually find options between short-stay and simple hotels, all the way to the top to internationally acclaimed luxury hotels. Popular activities around the area include snorkeling, diving, visiting the artisan markets, or touring the tropical fruits fields that abound in the area.

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES

TEOPANTECUANIT
Located between the Amacuzac and Mezcala rivers, it is the site of a ceremonial compound stretching for 5,000 sq. meters and containing four monoliths in the shape of an inverted "T" which allegedly represent the agricultural deities.

LA ORGANERA
From the Classical era between the years 200 and 900 of our time, this is the best known archeological site in Mexico, as all its 1,600 sq. meters of area have been completely uncovered, displaying tombs and scapulars of typical Maya architecture.

PUEBLO VIEJO
Site from the post-Classical period, not yet fully explored, and located on El Tamarindo hillside, where the terrain is actually cut in half by a canyon, which brought about an organic architecture adapting to the abrupt natural conditions.

PALMA SOLA
Meaning Sole Palm, this site is located within El Veladero National Park at Acapulco de Juarez, and is famous for its rocks engraved with human and decorative figures.

OTHER SITES
Other archeological compounds found in the area include Ixcateopan, located in the town of the same name; Huamuxtitlan, a place where offerings where found in the shape of flint knives, human skulls and animal remains adorned with precious stones; and Los Tepoltzis, a large compound including various archeological findings, six plazas, a ceremonial center and walls probably belonging to residential buildings.

CACAHUAMILPA CAVES
Surrounded by mystery and legend, these are considered the largest and most beautiful caves around the world. Covering an amazing surface of 1,500 hectares, it contains great cavities or "Halls" as they are known, as well as two rivers that cross the caves and form shores that are in fact submerged in total darkness. The site was rightfully listed as National Park by president Lazaro Cardenas in the year 1936.

What really is amazing, to say the least, is that as of today, the caves are actually inhabited by three communities, the Cacahuamilpa with 814 residents, the Coralejo with 118, and the Grutas de Cacahumilpa with 316.