Acapulco Question

[beasfriend]

What are some good bars/restaurants located within walking distance of the dock? Shopping, also.

 

Thanks

[gomexico]

The cruise ship terminal is in the heart of the historic district of Acapulco and only a 15-minute (slow) walk from Plaza Juan Alvarez (most often simply referred to as "the Zocalo." Along the short walk to the Zocalo you'll pass a half-dozen nice, small restaurants that serve not only food but beer and liquor. In Zocalo plaza and adjacent streets there are scores of small restaurants - several on the plaza itself where you can sit outdoors, eat, drink, etc. There aren't any special bars that I know of, but the sidewalk places all, or almost all, serve drinks (some only beer, though). Adjacent to the terminal itself is a small commercial plaza overlooking the bay and you'll find three or four places to sit and eat/drink. Across from the terminal is a large, well-known liquor retailer . . . in case you want to stock-up on anything.

 

As for shopping: I don't think there's anyplace offering something special that you won't either find at home, or at other ports. A very nice branch of the upscale Sanborn's store is a 15-minute walk from the terminal - almost at the Zocalo plaza. If you miss Woolworth's back home, you'll find a branch of that store still in operation - behind Sanborn's, along one of the busy streets (1/2 block up from the Costera road). The historic center of the city is the traditional marketplace for residents of Acapulco, where residents still come to purchase shoes, clothing, etc. Some of the Mexican-made shoes are good values and you'll see many shoe stores. In Plaza Alvarez you'll encounter people selling various handcrafts they've made, not all that different than you'll see in other ports, though - but who knows you might find something that strikes your fancy. Don't expect to find any high-end stores near the terminal, or in the historic center of the city.