8 Things to Avoid in Acapulco
Flying to Acapulco can be one of the
best experiences you’ll ever have. It is the most common way of
getting into the most renowned vacation resort in the world and
what’s nice to know about it is that Acapulco can easily be reached
either by plane or by boat.
Acapulco is located on the Pacific
coast of Mexico and for long years, it has been deemed as the home
to one of the most beautiful bays on earth – the Acapulco Bay. Many
tourists from near and far away places come to Acapulco just to
witness the breathtaking views that the bay provides. Many have
been delighted to it, making it one of the reasons that people come
and return to Acapulco as they possibly can.
Not only is the bay of Acapulco
delights the many tourists and residents alike. There are also a
myriad of attractions that Acapulco has long been offering. The
white sand beaches and the turquoise waters are just a few of the
many. The high rise hotels, fine dining, great accommodations,
exciting water and land sports, and the city’s vibrant nightlife
have contributed much to the fame that Acapulco is currently holding
– a legendary place worth visiting and exploring.
However, just like the rest of the
world, Acapulco is a place that remains a captive of street scams
and the likes. Yes, Acapulco is not free from crimes and other
felonies. Perhaps one of the reasons that contribute to this
situation is its being a city inhabited by millions of people with
different personalities and characters. Thousands of visitors
coming from different places in the world even visit the city and do
their own business there. Whatever these people are dealing with,
they are the ones actually that make Acapulco not a perfect haven to
consider.
With the possible crimes lurking at
the corners of Acapulco, tourists, especially the first timers, must
exercise certain caution when visiting the place. As I’ve said,
Acapulco is not free from crimes. In fact, different types of scams
happen almost everywhere from the airports, to hotels, streets, to
the beaches, and even to the most holy places you’ve ever think of,
the churches.
Given all those facts, it is then a
wise idea to know what the possible things to avoid in Acapulco. I
am actually referring to those things, whether objects or places,
that may make your vacation to Acapulco miserable. So if you want
to know what these things are and if somehow you want to protect
yourself when visiting the place, then I found no reason for you not
to consider the following:
Thing to Avoid #1:
Airport Scams
So you’re traveling to Acapulco by
plane. Well, the airports in Acapulco are not at all safe. Some
kind of scams dwells there. In fact, several cases of stolen
luggage have already been reported, and this for sure ripped off the
visitor’s first day in Acapulco. So if you don’t want this to
happen to you, then do your own responsibility to take care of your
belongings. If possible, always keep an eye to your luggage. Don’t
leave them unattended even at the safest part of the airport. In
case you need to leave and ask for someone to keep an eye on it,
make sure that you know and trust the person. The point here is not
to leave your belongings to strangers.
If you are new to Acapulco, make sure
that you have a trusted means of transportation to wherever you may
go and stay. It is expected that taxis may wait for you outside of
the airport, but make sure that the taxi you are considering can be
trusted. Deal with the price first before you enter. Note that in
Acapulco, one of the most common airport scams made by taxi drivers
has something to do with the price. For instance, the most favorite
type of scam is to charge an extra 50 to 100 bucks for minor
scratches and dings when you turn the car back in. So it is then
wise to deal with the price first and be sure that the driver can be
trusted.
Note that the taxis in Acapulco are
government certified. This means that they have license with a
photo of the driver, as well as a taxi number displayed, outside and
inside of the car. So consider only those that are government
certified, and don’t ever let the driver pick up additional
passengers for that would be another form of scam. Perhaps to make
sure that you are dealing with the best price, arm yourself with
ideas on how much is the usual taxi fare in the city. Well, note
that in Acapulco the standard rate for the taxi is 20 to 30 to 40
pesos for longer trips across the town.
If in case you want to hire a car
from a rental company to fetch you in the airport and take you off
to wherever you want to go, then be prepared for the 15 bucks extra
that the rental agencies may charge for a theft insurance or maybe
some other explanation. And, pay attention to the pre-inspection
routine for the existing car damage as the favorite scam that
happens to taxis might also happen here. Take note of this.
Thing to Avoid #2:
Police and Jail
I bet you may have heard some horror
stories about the Mexican police and the Mexican jails. Well, they
hold true in Acapulco and in the rest of Mexico. So if in case you
feel that you need to approach the Mexican police and ask for help,
it is probably a wiser idea to drive through the embassy instead.
Not all policemen in Acapulco can be trusted. Note that!
According to some reviews, most of
the police in Acapulco, especially those who are in blue uniforms,
are more likely to give you hassles. They will corner you
particularly if you stray from the main strip of the city at night.
So to avoid this from happening, better watch out for them.
Today, certain rules in Acapulco were
set for the authority to follow. According to some reports, the new
federal police troupes wear uniforms in black, brown and gray
colors. They are set to add security to maintain the public safety
in Acapulco. Also, those who are assigned to assist the tourists,
known as “tourist police”, are also considered helpful. These men
can be found along Costera and they often wear white shirts, dark
shorts and dark hats. Well, these men are operating in Acapulco
simply to reduce the crimes that lurk in the corner of the streets.
For added security, they now carry guns.
Thing to Avoid #3:
Blue Shirts
When you’re in Acapulco, watch out
for blue shirts. I am actually referring to those people along the
main strip and around the Plaza Bahia, wearing bright blue shirts
and appear to be helpful to the public. They will offer you
something or just about anything you are looking for. The truth is,
they can be irritating especially if they offer you many things you
aren’t looking for. Well, many of these men are actually scam
artists who will just cheat you out of your money. If you pay
attention to them, you are just wasting your time, unless they are
your target for whatever purposes you may have. So if you don’t
want to waste your tine, avoid them.
In Mayan Palace, you may meet
timeshare sales people. Well, to some degree, they are acting like
those with the blue shirts. So again, to save time, avoid them.
Thing to Avoid #4:
Prostitutes
Prostitution has been considered
throughout the world as the society’s big headache. Well, this is
also true in Acapulco and throughout Mexico. So when planning to
travel to Acapulco and spend nights and days there, I’m warning you
to avoid the prostitutes. Yes, you heard me right. Acapulco has
its own prostitutes although it is claimed that the government of
Acapulco strongly considers prostitution as illegal. Well, despite
such claim, prostitution certainly exists in the city. They are,
however, controlled by the government to some extent.
So if you want to be entertained
legally, without causing you headaches in the end, it is better to
avoid the city’s prostitutes. These prostitutes may lurk along the
La Condesa strip, but you can also find them in other areas in the
city.
For better entertainment, you can go
to the lively strip clubs in Acapulco. Just go there and who knows
you might meet your soul mate there. Or, if you prefer you can
consider the Acapulco bars and restaurants where you can taste a
wide section of Mexican and international cuisines. In these bars
and restaurants, you may even enjoy the breathtaking views of the
Acapulco Bay to which many are delighted to it. So entertain
yourself in the best possible way, not through the prostitutes.
Thing to Avoid #5:
Drugs
In Acapulco, the drug related
violence has increased recently. Much of the reported crimes and
felonies throughout the city are in fact associated to the
production of illegal drugs. This is also the cause of a number of
deaths that you may have heard about in Acapulco.
The drug-related violence in Acapulco
is to some degree not targeted at foreign residents or the
tourists. However, this is not enough reason for you not to be
vigilant of those who may approach you and ask you to deal with
their drugs. Yes, there are some parts in Acapulco where you may be
approached by someone whom you don’t know about and ask you for a
drug deal. This situation happens along the main strip in the city
and somewhere in the beaches. So if you happen to be a victim of
this evil thing, just say “no” and walk away. It’s better to keep
yourself away from these people than subject yourself to trouble.
It is further important to note that
in Acapulco, a number of people were already arrested and thrown in
jails because of drugs. Certain laws were passed and one of those
is the control of the importation, purchase, and possession of
illegal drugs. If you will be arrested because of that, you will be
sentenced to certain severe penalties, including imprisonment of
several years following a conviction. So if you don’t want to
subject yourself into this kind of trouble, better leave your hands
clean. Don’t entertain drugs.
Thing to Avoid #6:
Public Drunkenness
Public drunkenness is deemed a sign
of harm in Acapulco. The reason? Well, such belief mainly stems
from the fact that if you stumble around the city drunk, you are an
easy target for those who seek trouble. There are people in
Acapulco who find doing harm and taking advantage of the people who
are drunk as fun. So if you don’t want yourself to subject into
this kind of situation, don’t get drunk. If you do, ask a friend or
someone you know to send you off to your hotel.
It is further important to note that in Acapulco, public drunkenness
is highly prohibited. In fact, those who are found drunk on the
street are being hauled off to jail. This of course will leave
stains to your vacation trip, so avoid doing it. Try to seek for
the comfort of your own room while you still have wits to do so.
Just don’t try something that can ruin you and your name.
Just note that in Acapulco, an
excessive consumption of alcohol that can cause unruly behavior can
lead to serious problems with the Mexican authorities. In fact,
several cases associated to public drunkenness were already reported
and that involved major arrests, accidents, violent crimes, raped
and even deaths suffered by those who can’t control themselves. So
make yourself free from all these unfortunate situations and help
make Acapulco a peaceful destination for your ultimate vacation.
That simply is the rule, so make it work.
Thing to Avoid #7:
Fighting
Another cause of public violence is
fighting, the reason that it is included in this list of things to
avoid in Acapulco.
Basically, fights don’t seem to be
very common in the city. One main reason for this is the city’s
being laid back. Many of the people are friendly to tourists. But
still, this is not enough reason for you no to avoid being in a
fight. You just don’t know where and when it will happen. So if
possible, keep yourself safe and always remember that a fight can
lead you to the Mexican jail where you will be kept for a whole
night or days in exchange of the public disturbance you’ve made. So
don’t involve in the fight. Help keep the peace.
Thing to Avoid #8:
Politics
So the last would be politics.
Just like the others areas in the
world, Acapulco has some of the serious political problems. It is
even usual during elections that the voting will be accompanied by
certain kinds of violence. There are many from opposing parties
arguing and even fighting in front of the public just because of
certain political concerns. Many of the officials in the city even
remain to be enemies. Worse is the fact that it is dangerous enough
for the Mexicans to be activists, the reason that foreign residents
or tourists are strongly advised not to push themselves to politics.
With such condition, it is then
better to maintain a low profile while in Acapulco. So if you
happen to be a big person in your own country, try to lower your
level while you are in Acapulco or in Mexico.
So everything has been said. Now,
are you still with me? If so, then congratulations and have a happy
trip to Acapulco!
