Things to Do in Acapulco: 15 Best Experiences (2026)
Things to do in Acapulco in 2026: glass-bottom boat to Roqueta Island from $210 MXN, cliff divers at night, things to do with kids and free ideas.
Quick answer: the five must-do things in Acapulco are:
- A glass-bottom boat ride to Roqueta Island to see the submerged Virgin of Guadalupe: $210 MXN online with Yates Dinka.
- Snorkeling in the island’s calm waters.
- The La Quebrada cliff divers: shows at 1:00 pm and from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.
- The Fort of San Diego history museum: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Sunset at Pie de la Cuesta.
Most of these are in “traditional” Acapulco, close to each other and to the cruise terminal.
Top 15 things to do in Acapulco at a glance
| # | Experience | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glass-bottom boat to Roqueta Island | $210 MXN online (Dinka) | Everyone |
| 2 | Snorkeling at Roqueta Island | $400 MXN online with the tour (Dinka) | Ages 7+ |
| 3 | See the submerged Virgin of Guadalupe | Included in the boat tour | Families |
| 4 | Hike to the Roqueta lighthouse | Included if you stay on the island | Couples, hikers |
| 5 | La Quebrada cliff divers | $100 MXN adults / $50 kids | Everyone |
| 6 | Fort of San Diego history museum | $85 nationals / $155 foreigners | History lovers |
| 7 | Zócalo and cathedral | Free | Strollers |
| 8 | Caleta and Caletilla beaches | Free | Families |
| 9 | Sunset at Pie de la Cuesta | Free | Couples |
| 10 | Acapulco Botanical Garden | $100 MXN (free on Tuesdays) | Nature lovers |
| 11 | Sea turtle release at Barra Vieja (seasonal) | Varies | Families |
| 12 | Palma Sola petroglyphs | Free | Culture, views |
| 13 | Chapel of Peace viewpoint | Varies | Views |
| 14 | Celebrity homes from the water | Included in the boat tour | Curious minds |
| 15 | Thursday pozole and pescado a la talla | Varies | Foodies |
On the water
1. Glass-bottom boat tour to Roqueta Island
This is Acapulco’s classic boat ride. Yates Dinka sails from the Parque de la Reina dock, across from the Fort of San Diego and next to the cruise terminal. In about an hour you’ll see:
- The submerged Virgin of Guadalupe.
- Celebrity homes along the shore.
- A high dive at Punta Elefante.
- Colorful fish through the glass floor.
The price is $210 MXN online ($300 at the booth), and you can stay on the island; the last boat back is at 5:00 pm. Departures run every hour: Mon–Thu 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and Fri–Sun 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Book online and save up to 33% →
2. Snorkeling at Roqueta Island
The Traditional Tour + Snorkel costs $400 MXN online and adds 45 guided minutes in calm water, with gear and a life jacket included. You don’t need to know how to swim, and the minimum age is 7. See our snorkeling guide.
3. The submerged Virgin of Guadalupe
This bronze statue, about 2 m tall, was lowered into the sea beside La Yerbabuena islet on December 12, 1958 (Archivo Tomás Montero). A replica replaced it in 2002 (Wikipedia). Divers and fishermen honor it every December 12.
4. Roqueta Island lighthouse and beaches
The island is protected by the Mexican Navy and has about 713 recorded species. Its lighthouse stands at 115 m with views over the bay and lagoons, and the calm main beach is great for kids (Wikipedia). Full guide: Roqueta Island.
Culture and history
5. La Quebrada cliff divers
Divers have jumped here since 1934, from a platform about 35 m high into a channel only 4 m deep (official site). Shows run at 1:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm (with a bonfire) and 10:00 pm (with torches) (TV Azteca Guerrero).
6. Fort of San Diego
The fort was built in 1616 and rebuilt as a five-bastion star fort after the 1776 earthquake. It’s the most important maritime fortress on Mexico’s Pacific coast and now houses the Acapulco History Museum, open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (INAH).
7. Zócalo and cathedral
About 0.7 km from the cruise terminal, an easy walk from Parque de la Reina (CruiseMapper).
12. Palma Sola petroglyphs
Eighteen carved rocks dated between 450 BC and AD 650, at 380 m with bay views. Admission is free, Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Mexico’s Ministry of Culture).
14. Celebrity homes and Hollywood history
In 1954, John Wayne and Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan) co-owned the Hotel Los Flamingos, and John and Jacqueline Kennedy honeymooned in Acapulco in 1953 (El País). Our boat tour passes celebrity homes along the bay.
Beaches and nature
- 8. Caleta and Caletilla: calm, traditional beaches facing Roqueta Island.
- 9. Pie de la Cuesta: famous for sunsets. Don’t swim here; the open-sea waves are strong (Playasmundo).
- 10. Acapulco Botanical Garden: 6 hectares of tropical forest on the hillside, open daily; $100 MXN, free on Tuesdays and for kids under 12 (Jardín Botánico).
- 11. Barra Vieja: a long beach southeast of the city where turtle camps release hatchlings in season, subject to availability; the olive ridley nests mainly from August to November (Visit Acapulco).
Food
- 15. Pozole on Thursdays: green pozole is Guerrero’s Thursday tradition.
- Pescado a la talla: grilled red-chile fish, best eaten by the sea at Barra Vieja or on Roqueta Island.
One-day plan in traditional Acapulco
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:30 am | Fort of San Diego (Tue–Sun) |
| 11:00 am | Glass-bottom boat to Roqueta with Yates Dinka (+ optional snorkel) |
| Noon–3:30 pm | Beach, lighthouse and lunch on the island |
| Before 5:00 pm | Boat back to the dock |
| 7:00–10:00 pm | La Quebrada cliff divers |
Things to do in Acapulco at night
The headline act is La Quebrada: night shows at 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 (with a bonfire) and 10:00 pm (with torches). Before that, walk the Zócalo as the heat drops and have dinner downtown or along the Costera. If it’s Thursday, order pozole. Our boats sail by day only, so the classic combo is the bay by day and the cliff divers by night.
Things to do in Acapulco with kids
The glass-bottom boat is the easiest win: kids 0–3 ride free, everyone wears a life jacket and children love spotting fish through the floor. Add calm Caleta beach, the 1:00 pm cliff-diving show and the Fort of San Diego, where admission is free for under-13s (INAH). Snorkeling starts at age 7.
Free things to do in Acapulco
- Stroll the Zócalo and the cathedral.
- Swim at Caleta and Caletilla.
- Watch the sunset at Pie de la Cuesta (don’t swim there).
- Visit the Palma Sola petroglyphs, free Wednesday to Sunday.
- The Botanical Garden is free on Tuesdays.
- On Sundays, Mexican citizens and residents get free entry to INAH museums such as the Fort of San Diego.
Arriving by cruise ship? Our dock is next to the terminal. Read our Acapulco shore excursions guide.
FAQ
What is Acapulco best known for?
Its bay, the La Quebrada cliff divers (since 1934), Roqueta Island with the submerged Virgin of Guadalupe, and its Hollywood golden-age history.
What can I do in Acapulco in one day?
In the morning, the Fort of San Diego. At midday, a glass-bottom boat to Roqueta Island, with beach time if you stay. In the evening, the La Quebrada divers. Everything is in traditional Acapulco.
How much is the boat to Roqueta Island?
With Yates Dinka, $210 MXN online ($300 at the booth), or $400 MXN online with 45 minutes of snorkeling ($550 at the booth).
Is Acapulco open for tourism in 2026?
Yes. By July 2026, about 17,555 hotel rooms were operating, around 90% of pre-hurricane capacity (State of Guerrero), and the 2026–27 cruise season began in October. International visitors should check their government’s travel advice.
Start with #1: a glass-bottom boat to Roqueta Island from $210 MXN online. Traditional Tour · Tour + Snorkel · FAQ · WhatsApp +52 744 402 5050 · Calls +52 744 187 3434 / +52 744 506 0608
Sources (October 2026): yatesdinka.com · INAH · Clavadistas La Quebrada · TV Azteca Guerrero · Mexico’s Ministry of Culture · Wikipedia (ES) · Archivo Tomás Montero · El País · CruiseMapper · State of Guerrero · Jardín Botánico de Acapulco · Visit Acapulco (FIDETUR)
