Acapulco, city (1990 pop. 515,374), Guerrero state, S Mexico. A fashionable resort since the 1920s, it is known for its lavish hotels, deep-sea fishing, and skin diving. Its natural harbor, surrounded by cliffs and promontories, was a base for Spanish exploration of the Pacific and was key in trade with the Philippines; the city was founded in 1550. The Spanish built (1614) the San Diego fort to guard the harbor. Today tourism and related industries dominate the economy, and workers' hill towns have expanded on its periphery. Acapulco has suffered frequent earthquake and hurricane damage.

in full Acapulco de Juárez

City and port (pop., 2000: 619,253), southwestern Mexico. Situated on a deep semicircular bay, it has the best harbour on Mexico's Pacific coast. It was discovered by Hernán Cortés in 1531, and a settlement was founded in 1550. Until 1815 it was a main depot for Spanish colonial fleets going to the Far East. It has become a major international resort for tourists attracted by its scenic beauty, climate, and excellent beaches.

Learn more about Acapulco with a free trial on Britannica.com.

{{Infobox Settlement |official_name = Acapulco de Juárez |other_name = Acapulco |native_name = |nickname = The paradise of The Americas |settlement_type = |motto = |image_skyline = Acapulco - Visto desde la Capilla Ecuménica de la Paz.JPG |imagesize = |image_caption = Acapulco Bay |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = Escudodeacapulco.jpg |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |city_logo = |citylogo_size = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map =Mexico |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Guerrero |subdivision_type2 = Municipality |subdivision_name2 = Acapulco |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title =Mayor |leader_name =Félix Salgado Macedonio (PRD) |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = |established_date = |established_title2 = |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 1882.6 |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = |population_as_of = |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total =717,766 (municipality) |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = 616394 |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_blank2_title =Demonym |population_blank2 =Acapulqueño(a) |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = |timezone = CST |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |latd=16 |latm=51|lats=|latNS=N |longd=99|longm=55 |longs= |longEW=W |elevation_footnotes =