The southwestern state of Guerrero – named for Mexico’s independence leader and second president – is packed with mountains and tablelands, or ‘mesas’, but the interesting parts are on the coast in an area known as the Triangulo del Sol, the triangle of the sun. Guerrero’s three playgrounds are Acapulco, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, each with a very distinct set of characteristics, but all great places to have fun and relax. If you want to venture beyond the resorts, there are some interesting archaeological attractions with prehistoric rock paintings, Mayan tombs and Olmec ruins. There’s plenty to do whichever place you choose to book a hotel in, and lots of excursion options as well.
Where to Stay in Guerrero
Acapulco — Frank Sinatra sang about flying down to Acapulco Bay, and he was onto something good. This semi-circle of gorgeousness on the edge of the Pacific Ocean has great beaches and even better clifftop views. La Quebrada is where you’ll see the amazing daredevil antics of the cliff divers, and you can eat some of the best food in Mexico here, in the glorious sunshine by the sea.
Ixtapa — Until the 1970s, Ixtapa was a coconut plantation among the mangroves of a river estuary. Then the Mexican government decided to transform it into a luxury resort. The destination is packed full of fantastic beaches, luxury hotels, resort entertainment and high-end restaurants with plenty of sand, sun and surf to while away the hours.
Zihuatanejo — The fishing village of Zihuatanejo has become one of the most colourful seaside towns in Mexico. The village became a top destination for backpackers in the Eighties and Nineties, and now the town has gone boho, with galleries, artists and no-frills restaurants galore. The relaxed vibe makes Zihuatanejo a great place to unwind and discover something new.
Things to See with a Hotel in Guerrero
The 17th century fort of Fuerte de San Diego at Acapulco draws visitors all year round and has been beautifully restored. Inside is an excellent museum detailing its links with the Philippines and plenty of exhibits. Watching the cliff divers – ‘clavadistas’ – at La Quebrada: this is the most famous attraction in Acapulco, and a stunning display of daredevilry. Also worth seeing are the sites of La Organera-Xochipala, a Mayan complex of monuments and tombs. Palma Sola has 18 fascinating rock paintings and Teopantecuanitlan is an Olmec site covering 400 acres in the valley of Copalillo. Zihuatanejo museum of archaeology also has some exhibitions with details about the sites and is fascinating for its exhibits.
Things to Do with a Guerrero Hotel
The resort towns in the Triangle of Sun have a predictably large amount of water-based activities to choose from. Snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing or sport fishing are all easily available at any of the coastal destinations. Spot some turtles from the Playa Las Gatas or discover where pelicans hide out in Los Morros de Potosi, with its white granite rocks and caves. In the mountains above Acapulco, try whitewater rafting, canoeing, paintball or mountain climbing. Kayak along the Papagayo River, or go bungee jumping in Iguala. And afterwards, find the perfect beachfront restaurant for fish tacos and cerveza. It’s all here.
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