Traveling To Acapulco:
Tips and Hints for the First-Timers
Traveling to
Acapulco can be one of
the most exciting trips you can ever make. It can be a dream come
true, especially for those who want something new and exciting
pleasures to partake. Well, visiting Acapulco really is a trip to
remember with all the wonderful things that Acapulco has to offer,
including long stretches of white sand beaches, high rise hotels,
fine dining at the city’s popular restaurants, a vibrant nightlife,
beautiful sunsets and breathtaking views of the Acapulco Bay, as
well as the pulsating water sports and activities that draw locals
and tourist alike close to them.
Located in the southwestern part of Mexico,
Acapulco, for long
years, has been considered throughout Mexico and the world as one of
the perfect destinations to visit for an ultimate vacation. It is
featured in some of the travel magazines and Hollywood movies as a
haven for the rich and famous, but the truth is, Acapulco has
everything for every traveler. And, although it is celebrated
worldwide for its luxury, glamour and glitz, Acapulco is actually a
place where everything that a traveler could hope for is available.
Yes, just name it and Acapulco has it.
However, although it seems to be so
easy to partake and enjoy all such life’s pleasures in Acapulco,
traveling to and entering Acapulco can be not as smooth as you may
think. There are a lot of considerations to keep in mind,
especially if you are a first timer. These important things may
include the entry requirements, transportation, language, weather,
currency, dress codes, emergency, as well as public safety and
security, to mention but a few.
So if you are planning to visit
Acapulco for your holiday getaway and you’re a first timer, then it
is best to obtain knowledge about those things first before you
consider the trip. Just note everything that must be noted and keep
in mind that Acapulco, just like the rest of the vacation
destinations on earth, has its own rules and standards. Since you
are new to it and you came from a foreign land, you should try to
act and behave in accordance to what is set and maintained in the
city. Knowing all these important things can help you achieve the
best vacation experience, after all.
So let’s start knowing the entry
requirements, and proceed to the other important things to note
before considering a vacation trip to Acapulco.
Entry Requirements
The government of Mexico has set
certain requirements for those who wish to enter the country and
enjoy everything that Acapulco and the other resort areas has to
offer. For instance, the citizens of the United States, Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Chile and nearly all
Western European countries are not required to present visas to
enter as tourists. However, this doesn’t mean that they are
exempted from the entry requirements. The truth is, people from
those countries are required to present either of the following:
·
Valid Passport –
As maintained by the government of Mexico itself, a
valid passport is one of the most convenient methods of proof of
citizenship. Well, perhaps one main reason that a valid passport is
highly recommended in entering
Acapulco or Mexico is that it helps
you to avoid delays and misunderstandings. Aside from that, a
stolen or lost passport can easily be replaced when you are outside
of the United States than other evidence of citizenship.
Or
·
Valid and State Issued Photo ID
along with a Birth Certificate – This
requirement must be met in order to enter Mexico. However, when
presenting your birth certificate, it must be an original copy from
the state or municipality where you were born, and it must have a
raised seal. It is important to note that hospital issued
certificates with your footprints, as well as the photocopies of
certificates without raised seal or notary are not accepted. This
is also true with driver’s licenses and permits, voter registration
cards, affidavits and similar documents.
So the basic entry requirements are
given. Perhaps the best way you can do to make all things smooth
and easy is to contact the nearest consulate in your state or
municipality so to determine exactly what documentation is needed
for you to travel abroad and enter Mexico. This is very much
important for those who are not citizens of the United States.
Well, this is very important as failure to present such mentioned
requirements will result to denial of boarding and forfeiture of
your entire trip without a refund.
It is important to note that if you
are not a citizen of the United States, Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, Chile, Argentina or most of the Western European countries,
you will be required to present a visa. Also, you will be issued a
tourist card which is valid for 90 day but can be extended up to 180
days if you want. This tourist card can be obtained from the
immigration officials at airports, piers or the border itself. And,
the price for this card is usually included in your airfare.
Just a tip:
To help you get through customs, always say that you
are visiting for a vacation.
However, if in case you will be
visiting Acapulco with children, note that the government of Mexico
has also set certain entry requirements for minors. In fact, very
strict regulations govern the international travel for minors or
those who are below 18 years of age. So, if you plan to travel to
Acapulco with a minor, note that in addition to the requirements
mentioned above, you will need to show a notarized parental consent
form signed by the legal guardians of the child. This is
specifically true with minors who are traveling without their
parents. Nevertheless, if one of the legal guardians is deceased or
unreachable, a notarized document that supports that effect must be
presented. For example, a notarized copy of a death certificate.
It is further necessary to understand
that these entry requirements may change at any time without prior
notice. Given this fact, it is then the sole responsibility of the
traveler to become aware of the entry requirements changes. So
contact the nearest consulate and ask for the requirements as you
possibly can.
Transportation
In
Acapulco, there is really no need
for you to rent a car, unless you will be traveling with special
plans in mind. Well, this is basically for the fact that Acapulco
and its neighboring areas are easy to reach with the availability of
the city’s public transportation. A number of buses and taxis are
in fact out there servicing the entire city of Acapulco, and it’s
nice to know that they are highly affordable for longer and shorter
trips.
The buses in Acapulco are said to be
the cheapest way to get around. The buses come along every ten
minutes so there’s no need for you to wait longer. However, getting
off the bus can be a little confusing for the reason that stop
button are usually located at different intervals on the side of the
buses. Much confusing is that, once you press the stop button, the
driver will let you off at the next available stop. Well, if you
are not sure of the location, just shout “Alto!” and the bus will
stop.
Taxis are also available in
Acapulco. The government certified taxis have a license with a
photo of the driver and a taxi number displayed. However, before
entering into the taxi, agree on the price first. You may be
surprised as to how big the tipping for the driver is. Also, never
share a taxi with strangers and don’t ever allow the driver to pick
up additional passengers. This is just a caution for safety. Aside
from that, don’t be surprised when the taxi driver asks you what you
want to pay. They use this tactic to the get a sense of how street
smart you are. If you don’t know about the acceptable fare, ask
someone you know or the front desk personnel at your hotel about
it. But typically, the standard rate for the taxi in Acapulco is 20
or 30 to 40 pesos for longer trips across the town.
Weather
The weather in Acapulco is a bit
predictable. Generally, the place is often visited by more rain
during the late summer months of August and September. This kind of
weather also corresponds with the hurricane season on the east and
west coasts. But, from February through April, the daytime
temperature typically ranges from mid to high 80s. The ocean
breeze, however, makes the climate in Acapulco a bit enjoyable.
Also, during the evenings, the weather is a bit cool, so you might
need a light sweater or jacket on your visit.
Language
In
Acapulco, Spanish is the official
language. Majority of the people speaks that language. However,
there are some who understand English. It is even spoken by many of
those who are employed in the tourism industry. Aside from that,
many people also understand and speak French, Italian and German.
You can find these people usually from travel and tour companies and
hotel concierges.
Currency
The official currency of Acapulco is
the Mexican Peso. Well, the rate of exchange for this money against
the US dollar fluctuates daily. So don’t expect the rate exchange
on your next visit to be similar to the rate you’ve known from your
first visit. What is nice to know about the place is that a number
of hotels in the city offer currency exchange services for the
tourists. But, if you want to get the best rates, then go to the
banks and exchange houses. The rates they offer are oftentimes
pretty reasonable than those in hotels.
The US currency and the traveler’s
checks are also accepted throughout Acapulco. Most shops and
restaurants accept all major credit cards, and if you want to check
your accounts through your ATMs, ATM machines are available in
Acapulco. You can even use your bank cards with Cirrus or Visa/Mastercard
status, and to be sure with everything about your money, check with
your bank before you leave. The banks in Acapulco are open
generally from 9 in the morning to 2:30 in the afternoon during
weekdays.
Note:
The ATM machines in Acapulco will dispense Mexican Pesos, not US
dollars.
Dress Codes
In terms of dress code,
Acapulco has
a decent style. The clubs throughout the city maintain strict
dress codes. The guys are in fact required to wear shirts, dress
shoes and long pants into the clubs. During the day, the Acapulco
standards accept shorts, bathing suits, t-shirts and sandals.
Emergency
In case you are wondering about the
emergency in Acapulco, just note that throughout the area, a special
squad of police officers who speak English is available. They
operate mainly to assist tourists, and these officers usually wear
white and light blue uniforms. It is nice to know that they may be
glad to help you in case of emergency.
Aside from the police squad,
Acapulco
gives you a line of doctors who know how to speak English. They are
readily available in case you have a medical emergency. But if you
want to find the best physician available who is expert in speaking
English, you can ask for a recommendation at the information section
of the hotel you are staying in.
Public Safety and Security
Just like the rest of the resort
areas in Mexico, the concerns for safety and security in
Acapulco
have risen steadily over the past years. A number of foreign
governments have in fact warned the travelers to Acapulco to be
careful and watch out for the important security and safety matters
involved. It is advised that travelers must be aware of their
surroundings at all times. Women should not travel alone, or if
they do, they must exercise caution, especially if they are
traveling at night. Well, this is advised knowing Acapulco is not
free from crimes. In fact, several rape and robbery cases were
already filed in the courts and this is what makes the armed street
crime a serious problem in Acapulco.
When using ATM machines in the area,
be cautious. Again, be aware of your surroundings. If possible,
access your ATM only during the business day at large facilities
that are protected. There are some cases in Acapulco when tourists
are accosted on the street and forced to withdraw money from their
accounts through their ATM cards. So if this is a serious problem
in the city, then beware.
With all those crimes occurring in
Acapulco, it is then necessary for every tourist to take extra care
when traveling. If possible, don’t travel alone. Go with your
friends or families.
Acapulco indeed is a place worthy to
visit for a special vacation. It has all the bounties of nature,
and most of the people are nice enough to entertain and accommodate
you. But, just like the rest of the countries in the world,
Acapulco is not free from crimes and all kinds of felonies. So,
extra caution is still a necessity and this is very much important
especially if you are a first timer.
