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With a native population that
has swelled to 2 million and an influx of over a million sun-seekers a year,
many of those familiar with Acapulco like to reminisce when the city was
just a small, sleepy fishing village in the 1950's. Further back, as early
as the 16th-Century, Acapulco was a gateway to the Orient as ships transported
silk, porcelain and ivory under the protective guns of Fort San Diego.
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Today, as a world renowned
resort city, the glamour of Acapulco has faded somewhat compared to the
newer tourist paradises that have appeared along the Pacific and Caribbean
coastlines. In response, positive in-roads have been made into the perceived
problems of pollution, persistent beach vendors and a much-needed overall
face-lift. |
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But Acapulco's lovely qualities
that have called sun-worshippers to this Riviera of the West for 40 years,
have never really gone away. The sun shines virtually all year long, the
average temperature is 80F and both the air and water are eternally balmy.
Mountains meet the sea along the great bay which is bordered by jutting
peninsulas of rocky cliffs dotted with spectacular homes and resort complexes.
And Acapulco's string of famed beaches are one continuous source of tropical
bliss and sporting entertainments. |
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As the sun sets, Acapulco's
glamorous personality awakens: fast paced Mexican Fiestas, Discos and Nightclubs
outdo each other in the originality of their music, dance, banquets and
sound & light shows. At La Quebrada, the famous cliff divers are dramatically
lit-up against the evening sky. And with the vacationing crowds abandoning
the beaches for the sidewalks, many shops remain open for an after dinner
spree. For those wishing to escape the mayhem, sightseeing and buffet laden
cruises ply the bay to the accompaniment of live music. |
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Whether from a ship's railing,
a cliffside restaurant or a guestroom balcony, Acapulco's most enchanting
sight are the white lights spreading upwards from the bay to the mountains,
as if the Milky Way had floated down and settled along the waters' edge.
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