Acapulco

Acapulco's bay is genuinely beautiful, a wide curve of coastline backed by the Sierra Madre with the old town clustered around one end. The La Quebrada cliff divers have been jumping from 30-metre cliffs into a narrow ocean channel since 1934, timing their dives to the incoming waves. It looks dangerous because it is. The viewing spot near La Perla restaurant fills up, so arrive early or catch the sunset show. Fort San Diego, a 17th-century fortress shaped like a star, now houses a history museum with good views across the bay. The Zócalo (main square) is lively in the evenings with street food vendors and the blue-domed cathedral nearby. For beaches, Playa Condesa is the popular tourist strip. Taxis here still include old VW Beetles; agree on the price before getting in. The ceviche is fresh and cheap at the beachfront stalls.