With its unruffled golden sands stretching for miles on end, delectable cuisine, and friendly locals, Mexico remains a no-brainer vacation for Americans in the winter. But listen, we get it if you’ve had enough of Cancun, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and the like.
As great as those may be, they’ll be jam-packed this season, not to mention prices will be soaring through the roof, but there’s a silver lining for those who dream of relaxing by the seaside, and all-round excellence in hospitality without breaking the bank.
Ladies and gents, Acapulco is back in business, hosting nonstop flights from the States––so much the better for us budget travelers!
Cabo’s Predecessor Still Has A Lot Going For It
One of the liveliest coastal cities in the Mexican Pacific, Acapulco is set on a wide bay fringed by soft, golden sands and azure waters, lined with high-rises and luxurious condominiums, and backed by the imposing Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range.
With a population of over 658,000, it is one of the largest conurbations of the Guerrero state, as well as a tried-and-true resort destination made famous by the jet set trend of the 50s and 60s, when Hollywood stars would flock here for their vacations.
It has since been overtaken by Los Cabos, but that’s not to say it’s lacking in glitz and glam, particularly now that it’s fully recovered from the hurricane season, hotels are open and services fully operational, and most importantly, security is improving.
Security Levels Are Improving
Despite its stellar 20th-century start, not that long ago, Acapulco had become a no-go zone for Americans traveling in Mexico due to the surging crime and gang activity––it’s still far from being a low-risk destination, but surveillance has increased significantly:
Just this week, authorities have deployed not only more police, but also the Navy and even Mexican Armed Forces units to ensure crime is tackled, with Rodolfo Escobar Ávila confirming officers will be patrolling ‘along the coast in all areas of Acapulco’.
We don’t know yet how much safer Acapulco is right now compared to the previous years––we might have to wait until the season has officially started to start making comparisons––but the increased demand might be proof tourists feel reassured:
Travelers Feel Confident Booking Acapulco Vacations Again
This winter, American Airlines is returning to the Guerrero hotspot, with the first flight from Dallas-Fort Worth having landed on November 11, officially inaugurating the season, following many months of severed connectivity.
As Dr. Abelina López Rodríguez, the Mayor of Acapulco has stated, this is a direct result of recent investments and the expansion of hotels in the area, as well as a sign passengers and airlines alike feel confident in investing their money in the destination.
Most of the municipality has already made a full recovery from the havoc Hurricane John wreaked earlier this year, and as noted previously, authorities seem to have taken a page from Cancun’s guidebook and are now taking security concerns more seriously.
Nonstop Flights To Acapulco Are Back From These U.S. Hubs
Back to the flights themselves, American will fly between Dallas (DFW) and Acapulco weekly, every Saturday, until September 2025. There will be a two-month pause in September and October before the flights resume in November 2025. One-way fares will start at only $250.
Meanwhile, United Airlines is offering flights to Acapulco from competing Texas hub Houston (IAH), operated every Saturday and available weekly throughout the high season as well, with one-way tickets set at $311.
Other than the plethora of beautiful beaches catering to a diverse crowd, from professional surfers to casual swimmers and families, with Condesa, Pichilingue, Mahajua and Caleta Beach to name a few, Acapulco’s greatest appeal is its inexpensiveness:
Five-Star Stays In Acapulco Are Dirt Cheap!
All-inclusive stays and luxury resorts are much cheaper here than in the country’s most sought-after beach zones: for instance, an overnight at the 5-star Hotel Amares will set you back by only $128 this January.
Moving up, the beachfront Las Brisas is just as economical, with a ‘casita’ with shared pool priced at $129, and if you really want to splurge as you’ve been saving up for the occasion, the landmark Palacio Mundo Imperial Diamante Acapulco costs $236 to book per night.
It is one of the most upscale resorts in Acapulco, but it’s worth noting that, at that price, you don’t get an all-inclusive getaway––if that’s what you’ve been hoping for, room rates then bump up to $398-a-night at the same resort.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.