Acapulco Transport

Acapulco has a good local bus system, with buses leaving every few minutes to most places around the city. The fancier, yellow air-conditioned buses that ply La Costera along the bay are a bit more expensive. All buses have their destinations clearly marked on the windshield. 

Walking along La Costera is easy (although crossing it can be risky), but a new alternative is to take a decorated horse-drawn cart. Taxis are abundant in Acapulco and cab drivers are happy to take tourists for a ride, especially for fares higher than the official rates. Always agree on the fare before getting into the cab and it never hurts to bargain either. Be aware when trying to find your way around Acapulco that street names and numbers are generally not logical or well-marked.

By bus

Acapulco boasts an extremely efficient bus system. Travellers can choose from either its new line of pastel-coloured buses or its noticeably old school buses. Covered bus stops, complete with posted route maps, line the Costera (Acapulco’s main hotel/restaurant strip), making buses accessible from almost every street corner. Buses operate from 05:00 to 23:00 daily.

Taxis

Taxis are abundant and easy to find. There are several types of taxis; the main ones are the large American-type vehicles, usually available at hotels. There are also the old-fashioned Volkswagen Beetles, which cruise the streets and are significantly cheaper. If you hail a hotel taxi, they generally charge three times more. Because competition for passengers is severe, every taxi tries to gain an advantage by lavishly decorating their cars with fancy neon lights, so don’t be surprised to be picked up by something that looks like a Christmas tree on wheels. Some of the more well-known, upscale taxi companies include: Sitio Escudero: +52 744 484 0250; Sitio Emancipacion: +52 744 484 7300; and Sitio 54 Acapulco Plaza: +52 744 486 2461.

From the airport

Private taxis are banned from servicing passengers from the airport, so look for the Transportes Terrestres booths near the Baggage Claim area. The trip into the city takes 25 to 30 minutes. Several private operators offer online booking forms for those wishing to arrange their transportation from the airport in advance.