Golf & Tennis
Both the Acapulco Princess (tel. 744/469-1000) and Pierre Marqués (tel. 744/466-1000) hotels have top-notch courses. The Princess's course is a rather narrow, level, Ted Robinson design. The Marques course, redesigned by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., in 1972 for the World Cup Golf Tournament, is longer and more challenging. A morning round of 18 holes at either course costs $135 (£74) for guests and $150 (£83) for nonguests (discounted rates for afternoon rounds); American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted, and the cart is included in the fee. Tee times begin at 7:30am, and reservations should be made a day in advance. Club rental is available for an extra $40 (£22). The Mayan Palace Golf Club, Geranios 22 (tel. 744/469-6043 or 466-2260), designed by Latin American golf great Pedro Guericia, lies farther east. Greens fees are $135 (£74) for visitors, and caddies are available for an additional $18 (£9.90). At the Club de Golf Acapulco, off the Costera next to the convention center (tel. 744/484-0781), you can play 9 holes for $50 (£28) and 18 holes for $80(£44), with equipment renting for $16 (£8.80).
The newest addition to Acapulco's golf scene is the spectacular Robert von Hagge-designed course at the exclusive Tres Vidas Golf Club, Carretera a Barra Vieja Km 7 (tel. 744/444-5138 or -5126). The par-72, 18-hole course, right on the edge of the ocean, is landscaped with nine lakes, dotted with palms, and home to a flock of ducks and other birds. The club is open only to members, guests of members, and guests at Tres Vidas. Greens fees are $195 (£107), including cart; a caddy costs $15 (£8.25). Also here is a clubhouse with a restaurant (daily 7:30am-7:30pm), as well as a pool and beach club. American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted.
The Club de Tenis Hyatt, Costera Alemán 1 (tel. 744/484-1225), is open daily from 7am to 11pm. Outdoor and indoor courts cost $10 (£5.50) per hour during the day, $15 (£8.25) per hour at night; Rackets rent for $3 (£1.65) and a set of balls costs $5.50 (£3). Many of the hotels along the Costera have tennis facilities for guests; the best are at the Acapulco Princess, Pierre Marqués, Mayan Palace, and Las Brisas hotels.
Riding & Bullfights
You can go horseback riding along the beach. Independent operators stroll the Hotel Zone beachfront offering rides for about $25 to $45 (£25) for 1 to 2 hours. Horses are also commonly found on the beach in front of the Acapulco Princess Hotel. There is no phone; you go directly to the beach to make arrangements.
Traditionally called Fiesta Brava, bullfights are held during Acapulco's winter season at a ring up the hill from Caletilla Beach. Tickets purchased through travel agencies cost around $17 to $40 (£9.35-£22) and usually include transportation to and from your hotel. You can also buy a general admission ticket at the stadium for $4.50 (£2.50). Be forewarned that this is a true bullfight -- meaning things generally do not fare well for the bull. The festivities begin at 5:30pm each Sunday from January to March.
