…… ” THE REWARD OF A JOB WELL DONE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO MORE”….. JONAS SALK

- Acapulco - Reviews of Tour by Van – TripAdvisor

Cruise Critic – Reviews -TourByVan Acapulco

Hola, Buenos Dias!   Bienvenidos to Acapulco I am Rudy Fregoso Owner and Private Tour Guide of Tour By Van Acapulco.

My team and I will be happy to meet and pick you up at the cruise ship terminal, the airport or even your hotel. I organize any type of private tailor-made city tour, excursion, sightseeing or transportation service for you and your family.

*Acapulco Best Tours, Tourist Guides, Travel Services, Agent & Agency *

You may find references of our services in: CRUISE CRITIC    &   TRIP ADVISOR

With large cruise shore trip groups you are stuck to their tight schedule and right down to the forced gift shop visit. Sometimes they pass up the most interesting details about a sight because it would be impossible for everyone in a large group to see it.
And if you can’t hear the guide, or you fall behind because the pace is too fast, you’re just out of luck. Touring in My Van you will get to places that for a bus would simply be impossible.

You will not waste time in shops or wandering around with people with different interests and preferences. You will choose your own pace and schedule. It’s your vacation!!! Get the most out of it!!!!

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This chapel is beyond doubt a place of serenity and peace, located on one of the most exclusive residential areas in Mexico. Here you’ll enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay and of Roqueta Island

Trouyet Cross and Chapel of Peace

Perched atop a cliff overlooking the bay of Acapulco, the Capilla de la Paz -Chapel of Peace- is a very picturesque site and well worth a visit. The non-denominational chapel is located in the very pricey “Las Brisas” area of Acapulco.

The Chapel Inside.

The chapel itself is small but very quaint and charming. It has beautiful onyx facades which allow lovely opaque light to shine upon the chapel interior during the day The cross is massive (at over 130 feet in height) and overlooks Acapulco bay.

A fantastic view at Chapel of Peace Las Brisas.

Acapulco bay is breathtaking from this vantage point! Bring your cameras this place is gorgeous and a perfect way to spend a bit of the day.

Trip Advisor Traveler Review: I have been here many times – it’s a beautiful and quiet place with the absolute best view of Acapulco Bay anywhere – you will get great pictures here! This is a non-denominational chapel and also a bird sanctuary with lovely gardens and sculptures, definitely worth a look-see! I may be getting married there as well!

A deatail at Chapel of Peace.

Main tombstone righ under the Chapel of peace and next to the Cross, detail.

The hands of brotherhood and The Trouyet Cross.

“Las Manos de la Hermandad”, “Hands of Brotherhood”, two right hands asking for peace to heaven, made by the the famous carver Claudio Favier, one of the many works of art that give character to the place. After you visit it you understad much better the meaning of the word “extraordinary”

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Everyone has heard about them – so if you’re in Acapulco, you need to go. The show takes place once in the afternoon and then a three more times at night. It’s just something you need to see.

Impressive cliffs with a natural look-out platform from which one can enjoy spectacular sunsets and, on occasion, whales and dolphins, spotted mainly in the Winter season. La Quebrada is known as Acapulco’s icon throughout the world, famous for the performance which intrepid local divers offer from a height of 35 meters.

La Quebrada is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Acapulco. This is a cliff of about 136 feet height, where diving is practiced, usually by local people and at 10:30 at night they bear an alight torch. The main danger is that they must calculate the right moment to jump from the edge of the cliff to fall into the water when the waves move the sea to the highest level, otherwise they would have a mortal impact against the rocks beneath the surface.

Divers always pray before each dive. No fatalities up to the present times

This risky activity began in the 1920s when fishermen would dive off the cliffs to free their nets caught on sharp rocky peaks, and among them they began a fraternal diving challenge gaining more height with practice. They also gained popularity as locals and visitors gathered to admire their feats.

Only female diver *14 years old * and colleages.

The Divers are always getting younger every time here some  of them. Maria, is one of  youngest (14 years old) yet most valuable, not to mention bravest members of the Professional Association of Divers of  ”La Quebrada”  at her very young age she has been awarded a number of times for her amazing skills!

You may get to say hello on the way out and give them a token or two of your appreciation. They have lately added a young lady of 14 years of age to the team and it was truly a pleasure to meet her as well. (taken from a travellers review)

Divers climbing the cliff up

It was in 1934 when the performance became an actual show and the intrepid cliff divers of Acapulco became a tradition that was passed on from generation to generation. Presently the divers offer daily shows at 1:00, 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Divers chat before the jump to release some presure.

Our tour may include a stop to see the world famous cliff divers. Truly an amazing sport, dangerous and even if done perfectly causes brain injuries from hitting the water. The divers are famous in the city and honored for the profession. You will be amazed at their abilities.

One hell of a Dive!

A real MUST. With me the show IS INCLUDED. Be VERY CONFORTABLY SEATED in an EXCELENT, EXCLUSIVE, SHADY, PRIVATE TERRACE with THE VERY BEST VIEW! YOU WILL ENJOY 2 (two) Tropical COCKTAILS, or Mexican BEERS OR SODAS (right before lunch!)

Everyone has heard about them – so if you’re in Acapulco, you need to go. The show takes place once in the afternoon and then a three more times at night. It’s just something you need to see.

Impressive cliffs with a natural look-out platform from which one can enjoy spectacular sunsets and, on occasion, whales and dolphins, spotted mainly in the Winter season. La Quebrada is known as Acapulco’s icon throughout the world, famous for the performance which intrepid local divers offer from a height of 35 meters.

La Quebrada is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Acapulco. This is a cliff of about 136 feet height, where diving is practiced, usually by local people and at 10:30 at night they bear an alight torch. The main danger is that they must calculate the right moment to jump from the edge of the cliff to fall into the water when the waves move the sea to the highest level, otherwise they would have a mortal impact against the rocks beneath the surface.

This risky activity began in the 1920s when fishermen would dive off the cliffs to free their nets caught on sharp rocky peaks, and among them they began a fraternal diving challenge gaining more height with practice. They also gained popularity as locals and visitors gathered to admire their feats.

High Cliff Divers of La Quebrada

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Watermelons and Canteloupes

An all this for ONLY A FRACTION of what you will pay in other places!!, It is your vacation, make the best out of it!!! The Mercado might represent what you call a cultural shock for many people. It has a lot of foul odors but once you get past that it’s very interesting. I go there in the mornings to get my fresh fish and shrimp for dinner that evening. Try it, you’ll like it.

Yes! that is a pork head!!

This market is very different from the flea market — the sales persons are not pushy, and the goods are fruit, spices, home baked goods, some crafts, and pottery. After visiting it, I think we saw the real people of Acapulco. It’s not a market for silver and other tourist type items, but great to buy fresh foods other lovely items.

Great onions!

The Mercado Municipal Is really an eye-opener! You can rest assured that you had never been in a real, large, Mexican market like this before, it is fascinating. There is so much to see—dry goods, house wares, gorgeous flowers, candy, live roosters, fresh produce.

Of all the places visited on your trip to Acapulco, you will be most glad to have seen the Mercado. It is totally unlike anything you would have ever seen before! Trip Advisor

Trip Advisor Municipal Market Review: This market is different than the flea market — the sales people are not pushy, and the goods are fruit, spices, home baked goods, some crafts, and pottery. After visiting it, I think we saw the real people of Acapulco. It’s not a market for silver and other tourist type items, but great to buy fresh foods and other lovely items.

Many stalls featured health care products, which were a combination of herbal remedies and Santeria-type spells and prayers to saints. One of these stalls had a cage full of large live bugs, whose purpose you would prefer not to ask about!

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Created in 1956 and located on the side of a house, this mural is one of the city’s most important cultural artifacts. The Mural is Located in the Traditional area of Acapulco in the home of the lat Dolores Olmedo who possessed the largest collection of Diego Rivera paintings in the world and a long-time friend of Rivera, and the woman that Diego Rivera asked to marry him after the death of his wife, the controversial painter, Frida Kahlo.

Diego Rivera´s mosaic detail.

This Diego Rivera mural is on the facade of one of the houses that is considered to be a treasure of Mexican contemporary history. The mural now belongs to Mrs. Dolores Olmedo and was created in 1956, made with colored mosaics, stones and seashells.

Regarded as one of the most important cultural works of art in Acapulco, the mural was one of the last works that the artist created before his death. In it are featured the Serpiente Emplumada Quetzalcóatl (Feathered Snake of Quetzalcoatl), an Aztec god who was forced to leave this lands by his enemies but who promised coming back one day.

Diego Rivera Mosaic Mural detail

Between 1956 and 1957, Rivera lived in Acapulco while recovering from cancer and it was then that he created the works found here. This house represents a cultural heritage and is a living witness to the art of Diego Rivera in Acapulco.

You can appreciate the mural located on the outside wall called Exekatlkalli, a sculpture-painting where the Gods Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc, of the Aztec culture, can be appreciated. Quetzalcoatl the God of Gods, The Most Important Deity of the Pre Hispanic peoples was depicted with the proverbial mastership of Rivera and eventually covered with mosaic for its preservation.

Diego Rivera´s Mosaic Mural Detail

Although Frida Kahlo was the 2nd & 3rd wife of Diego Rivera, the Mexican muralist, Dolores Olmedo Patino was his eternal muse, final lover and benefactress.

Dolores Olmedo Patino was born in Mexico city on Dec.14,1908 and died July 2002. Diego did a nude painting of 12 year old Dolores Olmedo much to the chagrin of her mother Prof.Maria Patino Suarez.

Diego Rivera´s Mosaic Mural Detail

In gratitude Diego created along the outside wall of her home, originally called The House of the Winds, a mosaic depicting Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent Aztec god and Xoloitzcuintle, the pre-Hispanic dog.

The gardener allowed us inside to view the tiled ceiling mosaics. Lola (Lolita) was Diego’s sweet term for Dolores Olmedo. Diego was born in Guanajuato,”The Place of the Frogs” and Olmedo’s loving words for Diego were ” You’re my beloved Frog”.

A frog as himself, a dove symbolizing his love of country and the hammer and sickle embracing his communism adorn the ceiling. A friendly xoloitzcuintle pre-Hispanic dog with hairless black sensitive skin, whiskers on his face and lacking some teeth(a genetic quirk) roamed the garden.

DIEGO RIVERA BIOGRAPHY LINK

ADDITIONALLY DOLORES OLMEDO HOME LINK

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Most cities/towns in Mexico of any appreciable size will have a central square, most frequently referred to as a “Zócalo”.

Acapulco’s Zócalo, located across the street from the Malecón and Bahia Santa Lucia, is named Plaza Juan Álvarez – after illustrious state hero General (and later President of Mexico) Juan Álvarez.

Gazebo, Kiosco Down Town Acapulco

The plaza is bordered by the city’s Roman Catholic cathedral – Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, restaurants, government buildings, sidewalk cafés, ice cream shops, small stores, small hotels, newsstands, banks and other businesses.

Cathedral Down Town Acapulco

It’s a tree-shaded plaza that sees lazy days and busy evenings. Saturday night’s and Sunday’s are the times of the week when you’ll see most city residents mingling, lingering, relaxing, listening to live music, watching clowns perform, and playing with children.

For a very authentic Mexican feel a visit to the Zócalo is a must. It’s a great place to people watch which is a must for all visitors on any trip to Acapulco!! No visit to a Mexican city is complete without a visit to its Zócalo – and no visit to Acapulco will be complete without a visit to Plaza Juan Álvarez.

Dome of Acapulco´s "Our Lady of the Solitude" Church. Down Town Acapulco

The Zócalo is dominated by the cathedral known as “Nuestra Señora de la Soledad”, (Our Lady of Solitude). This town’s modern but unusual church, a bizarre structure built in 1930.

Paisanos Selling Flowers Downtown Acapulco,

The church was originally a movie set. Once the film company left, the building was adapted as a house of worship. Today, it is one of Acapulco’s most recognizable landmarks.

The cathedral has a mosque-like dome and Byzantine towers; its interior is fairly plain, with yellow-gold tile work and white and blue walls.

This church is a perfect example of Acapulco’s rich history with Spanish, Moorish and native influences. Its distinctive sky blue domes dominate the downtown plaza. Step inside this cool and quiet church and admire the collection of religious statues. Saturdays are a good day to peek in on local weddings and baptisms as these events are a window into Mexican life.

Acapulcans Families attending to mass by noon

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The Fort of San Diego is the most relevant historic monument in Acapulco and was the most important Spanish fortress along the pacific cost. Acapulco Historical Museum located inside the Fort of San Diego. The present structure was rebuilt on the ruins of the former fort, which was destroyed in an earthquake.

San Diego Fort and Cruise Ship Terminal.

Located on a hill in the heart of downtown Acapulco, the fort is an integral part of the landscape that stands out because of its singular geometric design in the shape of a five point star. This important building houses Acapulco’s History Museum.

Through its 15 exhibition rooms or halls, the museum tries to show the most relevant moments in Acapulco’s history and the important role the fortress has played in the local dwellers lives.

For the general public, the museum offers information on events related with this significant place, the old fortress gives an account of its rich past, the culture of the first inhabitants of the region, the conquest of the Southern Seas, commerce with the Orient, piracy in the Pacific Ocean, the Mexican war of independence and other aspects relevant to the place itself.

The archaeological and historic objects that we can admire in the permanent exhibition rooms belong to the museum’s own collection, and they are enriched with loans from other institutions such as the Vice regal National Museum as well as from private collections among which stands out that of the antiquarian Rodrigo Rivero Lake.

These objects conform a notable heritage, since they speak about far away worlds that were brought together for more than two centuries through a commercial trade route, as well as speak about the region of the State of Guerrero with its interesting archaeological cultures such as the culture of Mezcala, integrated with Mayan and Olmec influences, mixed with local groups, that achieved to create ceremonial centers and a complex of figurines and masks with strong geometric traces known as Mezcala style.

Fort of San Diego as seen from the Ship. Acapulco, tour, guides, shore, trip, travel, agent, agency

The Mezcala Style has been defined by the portable sculptures or figurines and flattened masks made with thick rims, lines and hollows distributed with a great plastic sense and symmetrically spread within a rectangular or trapezoidal face, around a rim in the form of a T that constitutes the eyebrows and nose. Numerous representations of animals, utensils, architectural models and representations of ball game constructions have also been found.

The Museum counts with services such as a ticket counter, store, auditorium, an educational services department that offers guided tours of the exhibition rooms as well as of the fortress itself, a temporary exhibitions room, ample parking space, gardens that show the visitor the species peculiar to tropical forests and, above all, a magnificent view of the port and the incomparable Bay of Santa Lucía.

Acapulco represents the entrance door of all the merchandise and influences of cultures native of various continents, it is a crossroad of races and peoples, home to the famous Manila Galleon and of its fairs. The Museum safe keeps the most distinguished part of this history.

The Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 AM until 6:30 PM. Tuesday through

Fuerte de San Diego (San Diego Fort) perched atop a hill in the old part of Acapulco. Here you can get an idea of the role Acapulco played during Mexico´s colonial days. Hernán Cortés, the Spaniard who led the conquest of Mexico in 1519, chose Acapulco to be his shipbuilding headquarters, and numerous expeditions to the South Seas set sail from Acapulco during the 16th century.

Spanish Conquistadors built San Diego Fort in 1616 to protect their galleons from marauding English and Dutch pirates. Ships from Manila in the Philippines regularly docked at Acapulco, making it the most important Spanish port on Mexico´s Pacific coast. Well into the 19th century, Acapulco hosted a flourishing trade fair, where goods from Mexico, Peru, and Spain were exchanged for products from the Far East.

An earthquake destroyed much of San Diego Fort in 1776, but it was rebuilt several years later. Shaped like a five-pointed star and surrounded by a dry moat, the fortress has been completely restored and now houses a history museum.

You can wander through converted military quarters containing weapons, seafaring paraphernalia, along with Chinese porcelain, elegant furniture, textiles and other artifacts from Asia. There are also interactive videos (in both Spanish and English) highlighting various aspects of Acapulco´s history, plus a colonial-era chapel and a kitchen with traditional fixtures and utensils.

On the fort´s upper level, you´ll find rows of rusty cannons still keeping watch over Acapulco Bay.

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Image Gallery

I love this place. Been there several times for lunch, and found the food and service to be very good, but I’m giving it 5 stars for the atmosphere. The place is just so relaxing, plus you get a front row view of the popular Playa Caleta.  (Trip Advisor Review)

We were on a cruise and booked a tour of the city with off ship company Rudy´s Tour By Van. After our great tour of Acapulco we were taken here for lunch. What a GREAT place. After driving around the curvy streets not knowing where we were the driver stopped and here was this great place amongst some older hotels. Great local flavor.

The food was delicious. Everyone at ourtable was very happy with their selections. The wait staff was very helpful in giving us suggestions and the shark quesedillas are fabulous as well as the huge margarittas and El Pacifico beer. The ambience is great. It was an open air restaurant with a great view of the beach with local vendors showing off fresh fish and fruit drinks. Glad this was our place to eat instead of a chain restaurant.  (Trip  Advisor Review)

This is a very nice place to spend a day Good food and reasonable prices, Good for people watching while you enjoy some local food

La Cabaña de Acapulco Restaurant.

I eat here at least once or twice every trip to Acapulco. It’s on Caleta Beach which is the original old section of Acapulco. The restaurant has on the beach dining or indoor dining. Service is good and the restaurant is very clean. I like to order the dorado filet grilled with garlic. It’s a decent filet with rice and veggies for 8 dollars.

Caleta Beach right in front of La Cabaña Restaurant

If you go here, if you decide to include this place in your tour, you must try tamales de cazon (Excellent!!) or shark tamales. These tamales are absolutely delicious. They have a little spice to them and have such a good flavor, always hot and fresh and accompanied with their salsa verde which has some red onion and avocado in it.

On the recommendations of so many others we finally got to this little gem in Feb 2008 for the 1st time. (taken from a Trip Advisor Review.

For the main entree the beef & shrimp kabob had a really nice flavor to it that both the wife & I really liked.

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La Cabaña de Caleta

Hollywood Gang Memories on Video

This gorgeous hotel was built back in the 30′s. Located on top of the highest cliffs in Acapulco, 450′ high.

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Los Flamingos Hotel Acapulco. Hollywood gang hideaway.

The Hotel enjoys a spectacular view to the open sea and to Roqueta Island. Sold in the 50′s to the famous “Hollywood Gang” led by John Wayne, Johnny Weissmuller (tarzan), Fred McMurray, Rex Allen, Errol Flynn, Red Skelton, Roy Rodgers, Richard Widmark, Cary Grant, Etc. who left their memories and tracks of their lives in the hotel.

Los Flamingos Hotel Memorabilia

Shown in the photograph collection that enhances our lobby. This became a hideaway for the Hollywood gang to escape from the turmoil of Hollywood life and relax.

Memorabilia

Actors and friends continue to visit the Flamingos where they spent part of their lives.

Casa Tarzan. Johny Weismuller House at "Los Flamingos" Hotel.

This is “La Casa de Tarzan” Tarzan House!!! We were all very impressed to see the house were Johnny Weissmuller spent the 20 last years of his life!

Casa Tarzan

External Links

• Official Website of Los Flamingos Hotel
• Picture Gallery of Los Flamingos Hotel
• Virtual Tour of Los Flamingos Hotel
• Picture Gallery of the Hollywood Gang

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Upon arriving at Tres Palos Lagoon, you will board your motorboat to begin a breathtaking exploration of the lagoon where many exotic species of tropical birds call this sanctuary their home. See mangrove tunnels, virgin lagoons, a natural garden of wild flowers and much more.

Road to the 3 Palos Lagoon

A walk by the lagoon side

You can walk along the lagoon with your tour guide and learn about the lifestyles the very friendly natives, On our way to get the typical motor boat

All aboard!

All Aboard!  Ready to star our Motor Boat Lagoon Adventure

Rosie our boat Captain

Rosie our boat Captain

Pescado a la Talla

Trip Advisor Traveler Review:  One day we went out to Barra Vieja and had a great trip on Tres Palos lagoon birdwatching and then a great meal of huachinango a la talla and camarones mojo de ajo.   It was a fun trip  not a short cut by any means, but an interesting change of pace.

Admire the local Flora and Fauna

This sanctuary is home to many species of exotic birds. You will view mangrove tunnels, virgin lagoons and a natural garden of wild flowers during the cruise. This is a rare opportunity to explore this type of tropical nature preserve.

Begin your tour admiring the coconut and palm groves as well as the delicate water hyacinths floating along the shores. Have lunch on the beach, a bird sanctuary that is home to black and white herons, pelicans, marabous, storks and more. Trip Advisor Traveler’s review.

Our Motor Boat Tour

Mangroves

 

Your guide and your Captain

 

Hyacynth

Gallinule - Gallareta

Chorlito

Garza Morena

Snowy Egret

Gallareta