History of Acapulco in Timeline

Acapulco de Juárez, or simply Acapulco, is a major seaport city located in the state of Guerrero on Mexico's Pacific coast, about 380 km south of Mexico City. Situated on a deep, semicircular bay, it has served as a port since early colonial times. It is a significant port of call for shipping and cruise lines traveling between Panama and San Francisco. Acapulco is the largest city in Guerrero, surpassing the state capital, Chilpancingo. Moreover, it is Mexico's largest beach and balneario resort city and the municipal seat of the municipality of Acapulco, Guerrero.

1911: Revolutionary forces take over Acapulco plaza

In 1911, Revolutionary forces took over the main plaza of Acapulco.

1920: Prince of Wales visits Acapulco

In 1920, the Prince of Wales (future King Edward VIII) visited Acapulco and recommended it to Europeans, increasing its popularity.

1933: Hotel El Mirador construction begins

In 1933, Carlos Barnard started construction of the first section of Hotel El Mirador, with 12 rooms on the cliffs of La Quebrada.

1958: Diocese of Acapulco created

In 1958, the Diocese of Acapulco was created by Pope Pius XII.

1958: Underwater statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe created

In 1958, the underwater statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe was created by Armando Quesado in memory of a group of divers who died in Acapulco.

1963: Fun in Acapulco movie release

In 1963, the Hollywood movie "Fun in Acapulco", starring Elvis Presley, which was set in Acapulco even though filming took place in the United States, was released.

1968: Acapulco hosts Summer Olympics sailing events

In 1968, Acapulco hosted the sailing (then yachting) events for the Summer Olympics in neighboring Mexico City.

1972: Pierre Marqués course designed

The Pierre Marqués golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1972 for the World Cup Golf Tournament.

1976: Baby 'O nightclub opens

Baby 'O nightclub has been open in Acapulco to the national and international public since 1976.

1978: Miss Universe pageant held in Acapulco

The Miss Universe 1978 pageant took place in Acapulco.

1983: Amor eterno written as homage to Acapulco

In 1983, singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel wrote the song "Amor eterno", which pays homage to Acapulco.

1983: Acapulco becomes an archdiocese

In 1983, the Diocese of Acapulco became an archdiocese.

1993: Mexican Open tennis tournament held

The Mexican Open tennis tournament has been held in Acapulco since 1993.

1996: API Acapulco created

In 1996, a new private company, API Acapulco, was created to manage port operations.

1997: Hurricane Pauline devastates Acapulco

In 1997, Hurricane Pauline devastated Acapulco, causing widespread damage, stranding tourists, and resulting in over 100 deaths.

2000: Renovations done to Fort of San Diego

Renovations were done in 2000 to Fort of San Diego.

2005: Population of Acapulco metropolitan area

As of 2005, the population of the Acapulco metropolitan area was 786,830.

2006: Start of Drug War affecting Acapulco

Since 2006, the Mexican Drug War has negatively affected tourism in Acapulco as rival drug traffickers fight each other for the Guerrero coast route.

2008: Spring Break Attendance

In 2008, Acapulco hosted 22,500 students for spring break, attracted by glitzy hotels and the city's nightlife.

February 2009: US State Department Travel Alert

In February 2009, the US State Department issued a travel alert for college students planning spring break trips to Acapulco due to drug cartel violence.

June 2009: Drug Cartel Incidents

In June 2009, Acapulco experienced several incidents involving drug cartels and the government, including attacks on police headquarters and open battles, although no tourists were reported harmed.

December 2009: Death of Arturo Beltrán Leyva

The death of Arturo Beltrán Leyva in December 2009 resulted in infighting among different groups within the Beltrán Leyva cartel.

2009: Acapulco receives 470,000 visitors

For the Christmas season of 2009, Acapulco received 470,000 visitors, adding 785 million pesos to the economy.

2009: Decline in Spring Break Attendance

In 2009, Acapulco hotels saw a decrease in spring break visitors due to the economic situation in the United States and fears of drug-related violence.

March 13, 2010: Drug-related violence results in 15 deaths

On March 13, 2010, at least 15 people died in drug-related violence in Acapulco, including six members of the city police and the brother of an ex-mayor.

June 12, 2010: Acapulco population census

According to the census of June 12, 2010, Acapulco had a total population of 673,479 inhabitants, of which 324,746 were men and 348,733 were women.

2010: Metropolitan area of Acapulco grouped 863,431 inhabitants

In 2010, the metropolitan area of Acapulco grouped a total of 863,431 inhabitants in a surface of 3,538.5 km2, which placed it as the tenth most populated district in Mexico.

January 8, 2011: Fifteen headless bodies found

On January 8, 2011, the headless bodies of 15 young men were found dumped near the Plaza Sendero shopping center in Acapulco.

August 20, 2011: Five headless bodies discovered in Acapulco

On August 20, 2011, Mexican authorities reported that five headless bodies were found in Acapulco, with three placed in the city's main tourist area and two cut into multiple pieces.

February 4, 2013: Six Spanish women gang-raped

On February 4, 2013, six Spanish men were tied up and robbed and the six Spanish women with them were gang-raped by five masked gunmen who stormed a beach house on the outskirts of Acapulco, though after these accusations, none of the victims decided to press charges.

September 28, 2014: Mexican politician Braulio Zaragoza murdered

On September 28, 2014, Mexican politician Braulio Zaragoza was gunned down at the El Mirador hotel in Acapulco.

2014: Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route Nomination

In 2014, the idea to nominate the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route was initiated for UNESCO consideration.

April 23, 2015: Experts' Roundtable Meeting

On April 23, 2015, an Experts' Roundtable Meeting was held at the University of Santo Tomas as part of preparations for the potential transnational nomination of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route to the World Heritage List, jointly with Mexico.

June 2016: Implementation of the Acabús

On June 25, 2016, Acapulco simplified its bus network with the implementation of the Acabús, a bus rapid transit system.

September 2018: Police force disarmed due to drug gang infiltration

In September 2018, Acapulco's entire police force was disarmed by the military due to suspicions of infiltration by drug gangs.

2018: Mexican Armed Forces occupy Acapulco

In 2018, the Mexican Armed Forces entered Acapulco, placing it under occupation, and the police department was disarmed after allegations of the latter being linked to the cartels.

February 2020: Calandrias practice ends

The practice of tourists riding around Acapulco in colorful horse-drawn carriages known as calandrias ended in February 2020 due to concerns about mistreatment of the animals.

2020: Acapulco's population in 2020 census

In the 2020 census, 658,609 people were counted in the locality of Acapulco and 779,566 in the municipality.

October 25, 2023: Hurricane Otis devastates Acapulco

On October 25, 2023, Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane, caused widespread devastation throughout Acapulco while making landfall nearby.

September 2024: Hurricane John strikes Acapulco

In September 2024, Hurricane John struck Acapulco as a Category 3 hurricane, causing widespread flooding and significant damage due to powerful winds and extreme rainfall.