Acapulco Cruise Port: Things to Do & Shore Excursions
Acapulco cruise port guide: things to do near the terminal, distances, 2026–2027 ship schedule and a glass-bottom boat next door from $210 MXN.
Quick answer: the Acapulco cruise port is one of the easiest in Mexico to explore on your own, because ships dock right on the downtown waterfront. The easiest shore excursion is a glass-bottom boat tour to Roqueta Island with Yates Dinka. It leaves from the Parque de la Reina dock, right next to the cruise terminal, so you can walk there in minutes. It costs $210 MXN booked online ($300 at the ticket booth), takes about 1 hour and includes the submerged Virgin of Guadalupe statue, celebrity homes and a high dive. Add 45 minutes of guided snorkeling for $400 MXN online. Other walkable sights: the Fort of San Diego and the Zócalo. The La Quebrada cliff divers are a short taxi ride away and dive at 1:00 pm.
Acapulco cruise port at a glance
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Puerto Transatlántico Internacional Teniente José Azueta (Acapulco Cruise Port) | Global Ports Holding |
| Docking | Ships dock alongside; no tender boats needed | CruiseMapper |
| Distance to downtown | ~500 m | Global Ports Holding |
| 2026–27 season | Opened Oct 12, 2026, with Holland America’s Eurodam (8:00–17:00) | Quadratín Guerrero |
| Coming soon | A new 350 m cruise pier is due in Q1 2027 | Global Ports Holding |
| Currency | Mexican peso (MXN) | — |
Tip: the terminal is being upgraded, so follow the exit route marked for your ship (CruiseMapper).
Distances from the cruise terminal
| Place | Distance | How to get there |
|---|---|---|
| Yates Dinka dock (Parque de la Reina) | Next to the terminal | Walk |
| Fort of San Diego (history museum) | Across from the terminal | Walk, a few minutes |
| Zócalo and Cathedral | ~0.7 km | Walk, ~10 minutes |
| La Quebrada cliff divers | ~2 km | Taxi |
| Caleta and Caletilla beaches | ~3.5 km | Taxi |
| Chapel of Peace (Capilla de la Paz) | ~6 km | Taxi |
Source: CruiseMapper.
Best Acapulco shore excursions (and how long they take)
| Excursion | Price | Time needed | Walkable from ship? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass-bottom boat to Roqueta Island (Yates Dinka) | $210 MXN online / $300 booth | ~1 h (+ optional island stay) | ✅ Yes |
| Glass-bottom boat + snorkel (Yates Dinka) | $400 MXN online / $550 booth | ~1 h 50 min | ✅ Yes |
| Fort of San Diego history museum | $155 MXN foreign visitors | 1–2 h | ✅ Yes |
| La Quebrada cliff divers (1:00 pm show) | $100 MXN adults / $50 kids | ~1.5 h incl. taxi | 🚕 Taxi |
| Roqueta Island beach day | Boat ticket + food | 3–5 h | ✅ Boat from next door |
| Palma Sola petroglyphs | Free (Wed–Sun, 9–16 h) | 2 h incl. taxi | 🚕 Taxi |
Sources: Yates Dinka, INAH, La Quebrada divers, TV Azteca Guerrero, Mexico’s Ministry of Culture.
1. Glass-bottom boat tour to Roqueta Island
This is the classic Acapulco boat ride. With Yates Dinka you board at the Parque de la Reina dock, across from the Fort of San Diego, and cruise the traditional bay. Highlights:
- The submerged Virgin of Guadalupe, a bronze statue placed underwater in 1958 next to La Yerbabuena islet, seen through the glass floor (Archivo Tomás Montero).
- Celebrity homes from Acapulco’s Hollywood golden age.
- A high dive at Punta Elefante, seen from the water.
- Colorful fish under the boat.
Life jackets for all ages, a guide on board, background music and traveler’s insurance are included (tour details). Children 0–3 ride free, up to 2 per paying passenger.
Book online and save up to 33% →
2. Glass-bottom boat + snorkel
This is the full traditional tour plus a stop of about 45 minutes of guided snorkeling in the calm waters near Roqueta Island. Mask, snorkel, fins if needed and a life jacket are included. You don’t need to know how to swim. The minimum age is 7. The last snorkel departure is 2:00 pm. Snorkeling is only sold together with the boat tour. Read our Roqueta Island snorkeling guide.
3. Fort of San Diego
It was built in 1616 and rebuilt as a five-bastion star fort after the 1776 earthquake. It is the most important maritime fortress on Mexico’s Pacific coast and now houses the Acapulco History Museum. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00 (INAH). It sits right across from our dock, so it pairs well with the boat tour.
4. La Quebrada cliff divers
Divers have jumped here since 1934, from a platform about 35 m (115 ft) high into a channel only 4 m deep, timing each dive with the incoming wave (official site). The only daytime show is at 1:00 pm; the evening shows (7–10 pm) usually fall after all-aboard.
5. Roqueta Island beach and lighthouse
Roqueta Island is protected by the Mexican Navy. It has a calm main beach, a lighthouse at 115 m with views of the whole bay, and small Palmitas beach (Wikipedia). See our Roqueta Island guide.
Can I do the boat tour and get back to my ship on time?
Yes, as long as you plan around the published schedule. That’s the main advantage of Yates Dinka for cruise passengers. Our dock at Parque de la Reina is right next to the cruise terminal, so there is no taxi, traffic or transfer between the boat and your ship: you walk off the gangway to our dock, and back again.
The schedule (official):
| Mon–Thu | Fri–Sun | |
|---|---|---|
| First departure | 11:00 am | 10:00 am |
| Last departure | 3:00 pm | 3:00 pm |
| Frequency | Every hour | Every hour |
| Last snorkel departure | 2:00 pm | 2:00 pm |
| Last boat back from Roqueta Island | 5:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
How long it takes: the Traditional Tour is about 1 hour. The Traditional Tour + Snorkel is about 1 hour 50 minutes. If you choose to get off on Roqueta Island, you come back on one of the later return boats, the last of which is at 5:00 pm.
A real example: on one recent cruise call, passengers had to be back on board by 5:00 pm. Many of them took our tour, stayed on the island and came back on our 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm return boats. Because the dock is next to the terminal, they all made it back on time.
Our honest timing rules
- Plan around your all-aboard time, not your ship’s departure time. All-aboard is usually 30–60 minutes earlier, and it is printed in your ship’s daily program.
- Be back at our dock at least 30–45 minutes before all-aboard. From there it’s a short walk to the terminal.
- If you stay on the island, take a return boat no later than 3:00 pm when all-aboard is 4:30 pm. The 4:00 pm boat has worked for passengers with a 5:00 pm all-aboard, but it leaves you little margin.
- Ships that leave early (for example, a 2:00 pm departure) need the first departure of the day and the 1-hour Traditional Tour, without staying on the island.
- Tell the crew your all-aboard time when you board. They know the cruise days.
Sample plans by ship schedule
| Your ship | Suggested plan with Yates Dinka |
|---|---|
| In port 8:00 am–5:00 pm (all-aboard ~4:30 pm), weekday | 11:00 am Traditional + Snorkel (back ~12:50 pm) → lunch → Fort of San Diego → ship |
| In port 7:00 am–6:00 pm, weekend | 10:00 am Traditional Tour, stay on Roqueta (beach, lighthouse) → 3:00 pm return boat → ship |
| Short call, 7:00 am–2:00 pm | First departure of the day (10:00 am Fri–Sun / 11:00 am Mon–Thu), 1-hour Traditional Tour only, straight back to the ship. Check that it fits your all-aboard time. |
Acapulco cruise ship schedule 2026–2027
The 2026–27 season began in mid-October 2026. Holland America (Eurodam) returned after 17 years, and Carnival is back as well. Guerrero’s cruise committee expects about 30 calls between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo through May 2027, at least 15 of them in Acapulco (State of Guerrero, Costa Grande Informa). Published calls include Carnival Firenze, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Bliss, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Vista, Phoenix Reisen’s Amadea and Carnival Legend. Most are scheduled from about 7–8 am to 5–6 pm (CruiseTimetables). Always check your own itinerary, as times can change.
Upcoming published calls (checked October 17, 2026):
| Date | Ship | Cruise line | In port (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Oct 26, 2026 | Carnival Firenze | Carnival Cruise Line | 8:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sat, Nov 7, 2026 | Carnival Firenze | Carnival Cruise Line | Times not yet published |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | Norwegian Star | Norwegian Cruise Line | 7:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Fri, Jan 8, 2027 | Carnival Firenze | Carnival Cruise Line | 8:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sat, Jan 9, 2027 | Seven Seas Grandeur | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | 8:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Sat, Jan 16, 2027 | Oceania Vista | Oceania Cruises | 7:00 am–2:00 pm |
| Tue, Feb 16, 2027 | Seven Seas Prestige | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | 7:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Wed, Feb 17, 2027 | Norwegian Star | Norwegian Cruise Line | 10:00 am–6:00 pm |
| Mon, Apr 12, 2027 | Amadea | Phoenix Reisen | 8:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Tue, Apr 13, 2027 | Carnival Legend | Carnival Cruise Line | 8:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Thu, Apr 22, 2027 | Norwegian Bliss | Norwegian Cruise Line | 7:00 am–5:00 pm |
Sources: CruiseTimetables and Deep Arrival. Guerrero’s committee expects more calls than these public listings show.
Booking direct with Yates Dinka: what to know
| Booking direct with Yates Dinka | |
|---|---|
| Price | $210–$400 MXN per person, paid in pesos |
| Walk from ship | Yes, the dock is next to the terminal |
| Flexibility | Choose any hourly departure |
| Your responsibility | You manage your own time: be back at the ship before all-aboard |
Safety note: some governments, including the U.S. State Department, have restrictive travel advisories for the state of Guerrero. Check your government’s latest advice and your cruise line’s guidance before going ashore (CruiseMapper). Our tour stays in the traditional bay and leaves from next to the terminal.
Practical tips for cruise passengers
- Prices are in Mexican pesos. Online payment is processed by Mercado Pago in MXN; the checkout page may appear in Spanish. At the dock, cash and credit or debit cards are accepted.
- Arrive 20 minutes before your departure. Boats leave on time; if you miss yours, you’re moved to the next available one, subject to space (terms).
- Bad weather: if the Port Authority closes the port, your ticket is rescheduled at no cost and never expires. That only helps if your ship is still in port, so message us on WhatsApp.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, a swimsuit under your clothes if you’re snorkeling, and some pesos for the island.
- Need English help? WhatsApp us at +52 744 402 5050 before you book, or call +52 744 187 3434 / +52 744 506 0608.
“A great tour of Acapulco: the celebrity homes, the Virgin under the sea and even live high dives.” (Hazel Calette, Google review, translated from Spanish). Yates Dinka has a 4.8★ rating on Google from 1,000+ reviews.
FAQ: Acapulco shore excursions
What is there to do near the Acapulco cruise port?
You can walk to the Fort of San Diego, the Zócalo and the Yates Dinka dock at Parque de la Reina, where glass-bottom boats leave hourly for Roqueta Island. La Quebrada cliff divers and Caleta beach are a short taxi ride away.
How much is a glass-bottom boat tour in Acapulco?
With Yates Dinka it’s $210 MXN per person booked online ($300 at the booth), or $400 MXN online ($550 at the booth) with 45 minutes of guided snorkeling.
Can I see the cliff divers during a port day?
Yes. There is a daytime show at 1:00 pm at La Quebrada, about 2 km from the port by taxi. Evening shows run from 7 to 10 pm, usually after ships depart.
Do I need to book the boat tour in advance?
It’s not required, but booking online is cheaper (up to 33% off) and secures your departure time. That matters on cruise days, when demand is higher.
How long before all-aboard should I be back?
Plan to be back at our dock at least 30–45 minutes before your all-aboard time. The dock is next to the terminal, so the walk back is short. The Traditional Tour takes about 1 hour and the snorkel tour about 1 hour 50 minutes.
Is Acapulco walkable from the cruise ship?
Yes. The downtown waterfront, the fort, the Zócalo and the Yates Dinka dock are all within about a 10-minute walk of the terminal.
Make the most of your port day. Walk off the ship and onto our glass-bottom boat: Traditional Tour · Tour + Snorkel · FAQ · WhatsApp · Calls +52 744 187 3434 / +52 744 506 0608
Sources (October 2026): yatesdinka.com · Yates Dinka llms.txt · Global Ports Holding · CruiseMapper · Quadratín Guerrero, Oct 12 2026 · INAH · Clavadistas La Quebrada · TV Azteca Guerrero · Wikipedia (ES): Isla de la Roqueta
