When Did Acapulco Become a Tourist Destination?

By Alice Nichols

Acapulco, an iconic beach destination on the Pacific coast of Mexico, has been a popular tourist destination since the 1950s. It is renowned for its stunning beaches, lively nightlife, and wide range of activities and attractions.

Acapulco began to develop as a tourist destination in the 1940s when Hollywood stars like Errol Flynn and Rita Hayworth visited the city for its luxurious resorts. The city began to attract more tourists in the 1950s when it was featured in several Hollywood films such as ‘Night of the Iguana’ (1964) and ‘Viva Las Vegas’ (1964).

The Mexican government also played a role in promoting Acapulco as a tourist destination by investing in infrastructure improvements, such as building better roads and improving port facilities. These investments helped to make Acapulco more accessible to international travelers. Additionally, the city’s stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife drew more and more people looking for an escape from their everyday lives.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Acapulco’s popularity continued to grow as travelers from around the world flocked to experience its unique culture and hospitality. The city was also featured prominently in pop culture during this period, with several notable movies filmed there such as ‘The Seven Ups’ (1973) and ‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974). The construction of large resorts during this period further contributed to Acapulco’s desirability as a tourist destination.

By the 1980s, Acapulco had become one of Mexico’s top beach destinations with visitors coming from all over the world for its balmy weather, spectacular sunsets, luxurious resorts, vibrant nightlife, and incredible food. This trend has continued into the 21st century with Acapulco remaining one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations despite competition from other beach towns along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Acapulco officially became a tourist destination in the 1950s when Hollywood stars began visiting the city for its luxurious resorts and stunning beaches. Since then it has become one of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations thanks to ongoing investment by the Mexican government into infrastructure improvements which made it more accessible for international travelers; its prominence in pop culture; and its unique culture and hospitality that attract visitors from all over the world.

Conclusion: Acapulco is an iconic beach destination that became a popular tourist destination in the 1950s when Hollywood stars began visiting it for its luxurious resorts and stunning beaches. Today it remains one of Mexico’s top vacation spots thanks to ongoing investment by both private companies and government entities which have helped make it more accessible; its vibrant nightlife; incredible food; stunning sunsets; balmy weather; luxurious resorts;  and unique culture which attract travelers from all over world year round.