Once I get to the Zócalo I will walk just about everywhere as within 15 minutes or less one can walk to many of the local attractions. So whether you come by taxi, bus or cruise ship there is plenty to see and do in and around the Zócalo or old Acapulco. At the Zócalo there is the famous cathedral known as "Nuestra Señora de la Soledad", (Our Lady of Solitude). But the area has much more to offer in places to have enjoyed a small lunch or snack. So stay for a while and enjoy a light lunch, watch the people, get your shoe shined and relax in the shade of the large trees.

If I'm traveling by bus I get off about two bocks away from the Zócalo at Sanborns store and restaurant. Sanborns is at the corner of Av. Costera Miguel Aleman and Av. Juan R. Esc.

From there I walk two blocks to the Zócalo, so from the Cruise ship terminal it would be about 4 or 5 blocks away or less than 10 minutes walk. Or the odd time I will walk to the Fort San Diego that is almost immediately above the cruise terminal or just a few minute walk. The Fort is one of the oldest forts in the Americas so well worth the effort for a visit.

The Fort offers a self guided tour, so you can spend as much time or as little as you wish. Now I found out this year that they also have a museum or a House of Masks located on the back side of the Fort, so in 2007 I will go and find out what it looks like.

Also in front of the Zócalo and actually starting at the cruise ship docks there is a boardwalk. From what I understand from the cruise terminal many passengers stroll along the downtown Malecon, the waterfront promenade which winds along the bay to the cute little beach of Playa Tlacopanocha. And I can see why as it is a great walk past all the charter fishing boats that will bring in their catch from deep-sea fishing. It's also a good place to stop and talk with local fishermen and tourists who are proud with their catch for the day.

After my walk to Playa Tlacopanocha I will find shade trees and watch kids and whole families swimming in the sandy shallows. What I love as well is watching groups of fishermen, not the tourist's charter boats but actually fishermen that make their living fishing. You can watch them working on their boats, cleaning fish or hunched over games of dominoes under the trees, their fishing skiffs beached on the sand behind them. Be sure to bring your cameras as it is a great picture opportunity of the cruise ships from Playa Tlacopanocha. Get creative and use the threes to frame your shot, and get that postcard, picture perfect photograph.

This whole experience will take me about two hours and by than its time for a Corona at the Zócalo or the old town's central plaza. The central plaza, the Zocalo, is only a couple of hundred meters from the cruise terminal. I find that the Zócalo is like a pleasant oasis, with restaurants and tourist stores ringing its perimeter. I love to sit there and watch locals and visitors gather around the gazebo and recline on benches beneath noisy bird-filled trees to escape the sun. The main focus of the plaza is the cathedral, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, which is distinguished by unusual onion-like domes. It was originally constructed as a 1930s film set before undergoing divine conversion.

At times I will also sit and get a shoe shine from the locals sitting under the large threes that have been there for many years. For just a few pesos they will make your shoes look new again. there are several little restaurants around on the street level that you can enjoy anything from a snack to a Mexican dish and of course all serve beer.

After a couple of beers and a light lunch I will walk up to the see the cliff divers at la Quebrada. That is providing I can get to the divers by 12:30 as that is when they will do their afternoon dive after that the next dive is not till 7:00 pm.

From the Zócalo walk to just behind the church up to Av La Quebrada or turn left at Hidalgo right next to the church. Hidalgo takes you to the cliff divers whereas La Quebrada runs into Hidalgo. I will generally walk up one street and come back on the other street. Both streets have some nice little shops on them including small photography businesses as well as many smaller hotels. So it is an interesting walk! Now if you are not in the best of shapes you might want to take a taxi to the divers from the Zócalo and walk back as it is all uphill on the way to the divers.

Another great walk from the Zócalo is up to the flea market or Mercado de Artesanias - Sometimes called El Parazal. Mascaras y Artesanias is most likely one of the best know flea market to both the tourists as well as Mexican alike. It funny the last time we were there a gentleman gave me his card as he invited me to the flea market. On the back of his card it said the only flea market in town, only in Mexico right.

I will usually go to Sanborns from the Zócalo and turn left unto Av. Juan R. Esc for about three streets, turn right unto 5 de Mayo, turn left onto Fco. Javler Mina and the right onto Vásquez de León. On the corner of Fco. Javler Mina and Vásquez de León you will see Wadi Coffee house , one of the best place to get ground coffee, go down Vásquez de León and you will see the flea market on the next corner.

Mascaras y Artesanias is most likely one of the best know flea market to both the tourists as well as Mexican alike. No matter what you are looking for in souvenirs or gifts you will find it here. If you collect masks, Mascaras y Artesanias offers a vide variety of masks in reasonable prices as compared to stores in Acapulco.

Then you will find the ever-present onyx chessboards, hand-embroidered dresses, silver (careful of imitation), hammocks, and a whole lot more. This outdoor area is really best known as the Flea Market, which has also been named "El Parazal". Bargains Acapulco style! So why not enjoy a fun and full day of Acapulco shopping.

Now after a big day like that I will usually grab a bus and go on the Costera to either Playa Caleta and grab a bite at my friends place called “Fausto Mondragon Rosas”

All what you read here is from past visits to Acapulco, but since I'm going to Acapulco again this January I will add some more details on some of the restaurants and eateries in and around Old Acapulco, so check back later.

There are many more options that you can do on your visit to Acapulco from the dozen of beaches to many other places of interest.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Now for some Attractions, pictures and Sightseeing in Acapulco!
2. Acapulco Beach and Beaches for lovers!
3. Sightseeing in Old Acapulco!
4. La Cabana - Acapulco at Playa Caleta!
5. Another walking tour back a few years ago!
6. You can also arrange a complete tour of Acapulco complete with tour guide from acafun

   Take care and enjoy the many places in Acapulco.
   Acapulco Fred