Acapulco Buses and Taxis

Getting around Acapulco is actually not that hard because of various types of local transportation. Acapulco buses and taxis are some of them, although they may not be very comfortable at times but they are generally safe. For first-time tourists to Acapulco, always know the rule of thumb or understand the “Right of Way” in Mexico when going around the city as it may just save your life. The rule of thumb in Mexico is always the larger object, vehicle or human, has the right of way. So if you’re crossing the street and looking at a big truck coming your way, never think that the driver will give way for pedestrians trying to outrun them in crossing. So always be careful when crossing the streets of this bustling city.

Acapulco taxis vary from blue and white VW taxis, to yellow and white taxis, to tourist taxis which are also blue and white but not VW. The blue and white VW taxis are about as many in the city as there are other cars, and one can get them on the main street, La Costera, at any day or hour. Very few taxis in Acapulco have meters so always settle the fare before you get in. One way to estimate a “fair” fare is the enormous flagpole in from of Papagayo Park which is about midway around the bay. If your trip starts or ends on either one side of that landmark, about twenty to twenty-five pesos is what the fare should be. The longer trips that pass the flagpole will cost about forty pesos. Most trips to or from Las Brisas, the airport, or Acapulco Diamante may cost as much as two hundred pesos or more. The yellow and white taxis is a “colectivo” taxi which travels back and forth along La Costera and costs 10 pesos per person, longer travels may add more cost.

The usual Acapulco buses are in blue and white and come with the words “Costera” on the side. Riding within the city in Acapulco buses will cost four pesos. Rides in buses may be quite bumpy, hot, and sometimes crowded, so try to get a seat away from the sun. There are other blue and white Acapulco buses that are non-Costera but they can be very slow and take detours. Acapulco buses usually run until 10pm, sometimes even 11pm.

There are also air-conditioned yellow or beige buses that travel along La Costera and cost five pesos but are sometimes harder to find than the ordinary ones. They are usually more recommendable but most often the AC is broken or they’re too crowded creating a situation similar to an oven because of the windows being closed. Playing safe would be taking a peek inside and making sure that you can feel the air conditioning working.

There are several bus stations that are all near downtown, mostly on Avenida Cuauhtémoc, which is a couple of blocks from the beachfront drive of the Costera.