posted by colin on Apr 15
Most U.S. residents gave up on once-famed Acapulco Bay as a vacation destination a long time ago. They ceded it to the Mexico City millions, who helped make it a big city on the beach.
But now there is a new reason to come back.
It’s the “new” Acapulco conveniently located about 10 miles southeast of Acapulco Bay. Also conveniently, the international airport borders it. Called Acapulco Diamante, it began about 15 years ago as mostly luxury homes and $250,000-and up condos for Mexico’s ultra-rich.
Peasant farmers and fishermen were bought out from the lush area, which features the open Pacific Ocean with mild-to-surfable waves on one side and a massive lagoon on the other. Three golf courses were constructed just off the beach.
The mid-1990s economic crisis froze much of the development today, however, its wind-swept beaches and miles of lightly populated oceanfront have enough hotels (eight) and enough services to offer variety and competitive rates.
Acapulco Diamante (“diamond”) is practically eco-tourism. You can run alone on the beach or take a truly romantic walk at sunset. There is no fast food – yet and only a few mini-marts.
Diamante’s newest hotel, The Grand Mayan , offers a sprawling, open-air island of good taste and plenty to do. A pool that’s more like a river runs through the place,as does a lagoon. It joins its slightly, older sibling, the Mayan Palace, and the two hotels share many of the same services, which include two water parks.
Nearby, Mayan Palace Resorts also has a mostly time-share property, Sea Garden, that offers rooms just off the beach. The pool is across the street, practically on the sand. It’s a superb hangout.
