Acapulco, located in the state of Guerrero on Mexico's Pacific Coast, is a major seaport and tourist destination. Situated 380 km south of Mexico City, it boasts a deep, semicircular bay that has served as a significant port since the early colonial period. Acapulco acts as a vital stop for shipping and cruise lines traveling between Panama and San Francisco. As the largest city in Guerrero, surpassing even the state capital Chilpancingo, Acapulco is renowned as Mexico's largest beach and balneario resort city. The city also serves as the municipal seat for the municipality of Acapulco, Guerrero.
1911: Revolutionary Forces Occupy Acapulco
In 1911, Acapulco's main plaza was taken over by revolutionary forces.
1920: Visit of the Prince of Wales
The Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII, visited Acapulco in 1920 and helped popularize it among European elites.
1933: Construction of Hotel El Mirador Begins
Carlos Barnard initiated the construction of Hotel El Mirador in 1933, marking an important step in Acapulco's development as a tourist destination.
1958: Creation of the Underwater Virgin of Guadalupe Statue
Armando Quesado created an underwater statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1958 near Roqueta Island, serving as a memorial to a group of divers who lost their lives there.
1958: Establishment of the Diocese of Acapulco
Pope Pius XII established the Diocese of Acapulco in 1958, reflecting the city's growing significance.
1963: Elvis Presley's "Fun in Acapulco"
The Hollywood film "Fun in Acapulco," starring Elvis Presley, was released in 1963, boosting Acapulco's international fame, despite being filmed in the United States.
1968: Acapulco Hosts Olympic Sailing Events
Acapulco hosted the sailing events during the 1968 Summer Olympics held in Mexico City, showcasing the city's facilities and beautiful coastline.
1972: Pierre Marqués Golf Course Design
Robert Trent Jones designed the Pierre Marqués golf course in Acapulco in 1972 for the World Cup Golf Tournament.
1976: Baby 'O Nightclub Opening
The nightclub Baby 'O opened in Acapulco in 1976, becoming a popular destination for both locals and international celebrities.
1978: Miss Universe Pageant in Acapulco
Acapulco hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1978, further solidifying its status as a glamorous international destination.
1983: Diocese of Acapulco Becomes an Archdiocese
The Diocese of Acapulco was elevated to the status of an archdiocese in 1983.
1983: Juan Gabriel's "Amor Eterno"
In 1983, Juan Gabriel penned the iconic song "Amor Eterno" as a tribute to Acapulco, later popularized by Rocío Dúrcal.
1993: Abierto Mexicano Telcel Tennis Tournament Inauguration
The Abierto Mexicano Telcel tennis tournament, an ATP 500 event, was first held in Acapulco in 1993, attracting top tennis players from around the globe.
1996: Creation of API Acapulco
The year 1996 saw the establishment of API Acapulco, a private company tasked with managing port operations, leading to the consolidation of Acapulco as a major car export hub in the Pacific.
1997: Hurricane Pauline Devastates Acapulco
Hurricane Pauline, a powerful storm, caused extensive damage and loss of life in Acapulco in 1997, highlighting the city's vulnerability to natural disasters.
2000: Fort of San Diego Renovation
The Fort of San Diego, originally built in 1616, underwent renovations in 2000 and was transformed into the Museo Histórico de Acapulco (Acapulco Historical Museum).
2005: Metropolitan Area Population Reaches 786,830
The population of Acapulco's metropolitan area, encompassing Acapulco de Juárez and Coyuca de Benitez municipalities, reached 786,830 in 2005.
2006: Decline in International Tourism
Between 2006 and 2015, Acapulco saw a dramatic decrease in international tourism, primarily due to escalating violence and insecurity, as indicated by Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil data.
2006: Mexican Drug War Impacts Acapulco
The Mexican Drug War, which began impacting Acapulco in 2006, led to a decline in tourism due to violence between rival drug cartels and the military.
2008: Increase in Spring Breakers
Acapulco saw a surge in popularity as a spring break destination in 2008, with 22,500 students choosing it over other locations.
February 2009: US State Department Issues Travel Alert
The US State Department issued a travel alert in February 2009, cautioning college students about the risks of traveling to Acapulco for spring break due to drug cartel violence.
June 2009: Drug Cartel Violence
A series of violent incidents erupted in June 2009 between drug cartels and the government in Acapulco, although no tourists were harmed during these events.
December 2009: Gun Battle and Cartel Violence
A major gun battle between gunmen and soldiers occurred in Acapulco in the summer of 2009. The death of Arturo Beltrán Leyva in December 2009 led to increased cartel violence in the area.
2009: Decline in Spring Breakers
The number of students visiting Acapulco for spring break declined in 2009 due to the economic downturn in the United States and concerns about drug-related violence.
2009: Tourism Boom
During the 2009 Christmas season, Acapulco welcomed 470,000 visitors, contributing 785 million pesos to the local economy.
March 13, 2010: Drug-Related Violence Escalates
On March 13, 2010, Acapulco experienced a surge in drug-related violence, resulting in multiple deaths, including members of the city police.
June 12, 2010: Population Census Reveals Growth
As of June 12, 2010, the population census conducted by INEGI revealed that Acapulco had a total population of 673,479, solidifying its position as a major Mexican city.
2010: Decline of American Spring Breakers
Before 2010, Acapulco was a popular spring break destination for American teenagers. However, the number of students traveling to Acapulco for spring break decreased after 2010.
2010: Population Census
In 2010, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, the National Council of Population, and the Secretariat of Social Development conducted a census that determined the metropolitan area of Acapulco had a population of 863,431 inhabitants, making it the tenth most populated district in Mexico.
January 8, 2011: Gruesome Discovery of Bodies
The headless bodies of 15 young men were found near a shopping center in Acapulco on January 8, 2011, underscoring the brutality of the ongoing drug war.
August 20, 2011: More Headless Bodies Found
Five headless bodies were discovered in Acapulco on August 20, 2011, some left in tourist areas, further amplifying safety concerns.
February 4, 2013: Tourists Attacked
In a disturbing incident on February 4, 2013, a group of Spanish tourists was attacked in Acapulco, highlighting the growing threat to visitors.
September 28, 2014: Assassination of Braulio Zaragoza
Braulio Zaragoza, a prominent politician, was assassinated in Acapulco on September 28, 2014, illustrating the dangers faced by public figures due to cartel violence.
2014: Nomination for Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route
The Mexican ambassador to UNESCO, in collaboration with the Filipino ambassador to UNESCO, initiated the process of nominating the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route to the World Heritage List in 2014.
2014: Surge in Gang Violence
Starting in 2014, Acapulco experienced a significant increase in gang violence and homicide rates, causing a sharp decline in foreign tourism.
April 23, 2015: Experts' Roundtable Meeting at UST
An Experts' Roundtable Meeting was convened at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on April 23, 2015, as part of the Philippines' preparations for the potential joint nomination with Mexico of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Route to the World Heritage List.
2015: Sharp Drop in Air Travelers
By 2015, the number of international travelers arriving in Acapulco by air had plummeted to 52,684, a stark contrast to the 355,760 recorded in 2006.
June 2016: Acabús Implementation
Acapulco's public transportation system was streamlined in June 2016 with the introduction of the Acabús, a 36.2-kilometer bus rapid transit system.
2018: Military Intervention in Acapulco
The Mexican Armed Forces intervened in Acapulco in 2018, effectively placing the city under military occupation following allegations of corruption within the police force.
February 2020: End of Calandrias
Due to concerns about animal welfare, the practice of using horse-drawn carriages known as calandrias for tourists was stopped in February 2020.
2020: Slight Population Decline Recorded
The 2020 census indicated a slight decrease in Acapulco's population, with 658,609 inhabitants counted within the city and 779,566 within the municipality.
October 25, 2023: Hurricane Otis Batters Acapulco
Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 hurricane, struck near Acapulco on October 25, 2023, causing widespread destruction.