Nightlife

Special Attractions

The "Gran Noche Mexicana" combines a performance by the Acapulco Ballet Folklórico with one by Los Voladores from Papantla. It takes place in the plaza of the convention center Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7pm. With dinner and open bar, the show costs about $62 (£34); general admission (including three drinks) is $42 (£23). Call for reservations (tel. 744/435-0105), or consult a local travel agency. Many major hotels also schedule Mexican fiestas and other theme nights that include dinner and entertainment. Local travel agencies will have information.

Nightclubs & Discos

Acapulco is even more famous for its nightclubs than for its beaches. Because clubs frequently change ownership -- and often, names -- it's difficult to give specific and accurate recommendations. But some general tips will help. Clubs have varying cover charges that are almost always higher for men. Drinks can cost anywhere from $5 to $15 (£2.75-£8.25). Don't even think about going out to one of the hillside dance clubs before 11pm, and don't expect much action until after midnight. But it will keep going until 4 or 5am, and possibly later.

Many dance clubs periodically waive their cover charge or offer some other promotion to attract customers. Look for promotional materials in hotel reception areas, at travel desks or concierge booths, in local publications, and on the beach.

The high-rise hotels have their own bars and sometimes dance clubs. Informal lobby or poolside cocktail bars often offer free live entertainment.

The Beach Bar Zone

Prefer a little fresh air with your nightlife? The young, hip crowd favors the growing number of open-air oceanfront dance clubs along Costera Alemán, most of which feature techno or alternative rock. There's a concentration of them between the Fiesta Americana and Continental Plaza hotels. An earlier and more casual option to the glitzy dance clubs, these places include the jamming Disco Beach(tel. 744/484-8230), El Sombrero (you'll know it when you see it), Tabú, and the pirate-themed Barbaroja. These mainly charge a cover (around $10/£5.50) and offer an open bar. Women frequently drink free or with a lesser charge (men may pay more, but then, this is where the beach babes are). Disco Beach is the most popular of the bunch and occasionally -- such as during spring break -- has live bands on the beachfront stage. Their Friday night foam parties are especially popular. Most of the smaller establishments do not accept credit cards; when they do, MasterCard and Visa are more widely accepted than American Express.

If you are brave enough -- or inebriated enough -- there's a bungee jump in the midst of the beach bar zone at Costera Alemán 101 (tel. 744/484-7529). For $60 (£33) you get one jump, plus a T-shirt, diploma, and membership. Additional jumps are $20 (£11), and your fourth jump is free. For $90 (£50), you can jump as many times as you like from 4 to 11pm.