Smart Meetings

Though newer resorts have since stolen some of Acapulco’s thunder, the city continues to hold its own for the “glitterati,” with international film festivals, legendary nightlife, world-class restaurants and a superb location encircling expansive Saint Lucia Bay, an important deep-sea port, and a second, beautiful neighboring bay, Puerto Marquez. The rugged Sierra Madre del Sur (south) range provides a verdant contour to this city by the bay.

Tianguis Turistico (tianguisturistico.com), Mexico’s most important sales and marketing event, takes place in Acapulco every spring, drawing the key players that fuel Mexico’s visitor industry. The venue is the Acapulco International Center, located in the heart of the city’s hotel zone, just 25 minutes from the airport. The 30-year-old center, which has been remodeled in stages, serves up to 15,000 attendees. The center’s open-air theater showcases grand folkloric music and dance productions for audiences of 2,000.

San Diego Fort (acapulco.com) is Acapulco’s most historic and unique meeting venue. Set atop a mountain downtown with a view of the bay, the fort provides a cultural context for events, dinners and cocktails. Built by the Spanish in 1617 to protect the lucrative trade between the Philippines and Spain, the fort provided protection against plundering pirates like England’s Sir Francis Drake. After an earthquake partially destroyed it, the fort was rebuilt with moat and drawbridge in 1776. A multimedia show at night narrates the history of the port.

Hotels and catering companies organize dinners and cocktails on Acapulco’s many beautiful beaches, to enjoy the magic of the dreamy bay. Acapulco’s selection of fabulous villas and homes to rent for private parties and events come complete with their own swimming pools, Jacuzzis and countless other amenities that have become de rigueur. Some villas even come complete with their own disco!  Many of these homes are built into the cliffs or by the sea (ronlavender.com, casasyvillas.com.mx).

Getting There

Acapulco International Airport (ACA), also known as General Juan N. Alvarez International Airport  is served by Aeromexico, America West, American, Aviacsa, Continental and Mexicana.

Not To Be Missed

-Sunset at Pie de la Cuesta, 25 minutes west of downtown.

-Dance at a state-of-the-art cliff-top disco, while watching the flickering lights of Acapulco below.

-Watch the daring, graceful cliff divers at La Quebrada.

-Get a taste of local color in old Acapulco at the bustling market, the tree-shaded Zocalo.

-Cross the drawbridge to the Fort of San Diego, which houses the Acapulco History Museum.