Is Acapulco Safe For Tourists Now? Why Isn’t It Popular Anymore? (Decoding The Reasons)
BY Sibashree Sep 15, 2025
“Many violent crimes take place in Mexico. They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico.” This is how the travel advisory summary of the U.S. State Department opens. The advisory, issued on 12th August 2025, asks travelers to exercise Level 2 or increased caution. Furthermore, the UK Foreign Travel Advice about Mexico says, “In the aftermath of Hurricane Otis, normal work by local authorities to reduce risks to tourists in Acapulco’s tourist area has stopped while they focus on recovery efforts. There are reports of an increase in crime, robbery and looting across the city, including in previously designated tourist areas. Take extreme care if you travel to Acapulco.” Also on forums such as Reddit and Quora, everyone is talking about is Acapulco safe now or not. Moreover, about the declining popularity of Acalpulco, one user on Reddit has written, “No, absolutely not. There were some incidents a few years back of dead bodies washing up on beaches with tourists taking pictures (cartel killings). The city is awash in crime and the economy is really bad. In the 1970s-1980s, most of the family-tourism traffic and nightlife moved to Cancun and the Riviera Maya (which is a purpose-built region) and then most of the upscale tourism shifted to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Acapulco is a dump these days.” Once a dominant global destination, Acapulco is now a forgotten or lesser-celebrated name among travelers. In this Tour and Travel Blog, we will discuss the serious safety concern impacting the life and tourism in Acapulco and how it is planning to make a comeback. Is Acapulco Safe Now? The Resilience And The Concerns Acapulco is the first international tourist destination in Mexico. With a beach area of 50 kilometers, verdant mountains, and lagoons, it is an ideal beach tourism retreat in the heart of Mexico. Furthermore, Acapulco was prompt in response to the COVID-19 debacle and adhered to the safety and hygiene standards. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) even awarded Acapulco the “Safe Travels” stamp. Even after Hurricane Otis in October 2023, the city showed its resilience, with international travel airlines such as United Airlines resuming their services by May 2024. Since then, the city has also hosted major events such as the Mexican Open and Tianguis Turistico, or the annual tourism conference of Mexico. In addition, there have been announcements of major inaugurations such as The Pierre & Diamonds, a luxury real estate project by the Mundo Imperial slated to open in 2026. Moreover, Visit Acapulco, the official tourism organization of the city, has assured that hundreds of families enjoy trips to Acapulco because of the peace and tranquility. While the grit and the character of the city to bounce back are not to be questioned, there are some areas of serious concern. The Increasing Crime Rate In Acapulco This increasing crime rate is one of the reasons why Acapulco is losing its charm as a spring break destination in 2025. However, places such as Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas are generally considered safer travel destinations in Mexico. Nevertheless, here are the details of crime rates in Mexico. (Source: Numbeo). Crime Rates in MexicoRatingCommentCrime Level80.56 Very HighCrime Increase Rate for the Last Five Years67.39HighViolent Crime77.52HighCrime due to Drug Dealing and Using67.44High From A Celebrity Hotspot To A Struggling Beach Location: The Transformation Of Acapulco Acapulco, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, has been a popular celebrity tourism destination throughout the 20th century. It had earned the reputation of being the Riviera of Mexico, with celebrities such as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor flocking to this Mexican beach vacation frequently. However, the high rates of drug cartel crimes and violent crimes have made this beach retreat less popular among international tourists. Today, tourists are looking for safer alternatives such as Los Cabos or Cancun. What’s So Special About Acapulco? Know Things You Cannot Miss In Acapulco The beaches and the unique gastronomic experience are the things you cannot miss in Acapulco. Here are the details. 1. The Best Beaches In Acapulco The beaches of Acapulco are beautiful, with the Pacific Ocean kissing the golden sandy shores. Bars, restaurants, and other amenities make the beaches of Acapulco the ultimate destination for family vacations. At the same time, you can bring out your adventurous self on these beaches with activities such as snorkeling, surfing, parasailing, and skiing. The most popular beaches in Acapulco are Condesa Beach, Pichilingue Beach, Majahua Beach, and Barra de Coyuca. 2. The Best Gastromic Experience In Acapulco Zocalo de Acapulco is the hub if you want to try the authentic flavors of Acapulco and the best international cuisines. You can try fish tacos, enchiladas, and tamales from the local vendors in Acapulco. Furthermore, Pozole is a kind of popular Mexican stew. It has variations such as green, white or red. The Acapulco Se Transforma Contigo (Acapulco Transforms With You) Program: The Way Forward For Acapulco View this post on Instagram A post shared by Partido Morena (@morena_partido) The Mexican Government has recently issued a decree and the Acapulco se Transforma Contigo (Acapulco Transforms With You) program to build an “Integrally Planned Center (CIP).” According to a report in Mexico Business News, Sebastián Ramírez, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, has said that the Federal Government will invest MX$800 million for the development of the port. Furthermore, for many other cities in Mexico, CIP has been a successful model, promoting a tourism boom. Therefore, it will play a crucial role in the city's transformation. In addition, there will be a revitalization of the Bay of Acapulco. The revitalization program will create a historical, tourism, and cultural circuit of 5 km. Moreover, Acapulco is going to have the Maribus maritime transportation system, protected natural areas such as the Puerto Marques Complex, and the Coyuca-Tres Palos Lagoon System, along with amenities such as free Wi-Fi on the beaches. In addition, there will be major road and public infrastructure developments, like the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) investing MX$7.9 billion for better potable water, sanitation, and flood management facilities. So, Acapulco, Mexico, is standing on the verge of a massive transformation, and with a controlled crime rate, the city has every potential to regain its glory as a celebrated travel destination. Is Acapulco Safe? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about safety in Acalpulco. 1. What Is The Safest Way To Go Around Acapulco? Acapulco has an extensive bus network. It also has many other shared ride services. However, considering the safety scenario of the city, it is better to book app cabs or opt for the pre-arranged airport services. 2. What Language Do They Speak In Acapulco? Most people in Acapulco speak Spanish. However, if you don’t know Spanish, you will also find people speaking English. Still, you can learn some basic words and phrases in Spanish for easy conversations. 3. What Is The Safest City In Mexico? Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, is often considered the safest city in Mexico. The U.S. State Department also considers Mérida safe for travelers. The USA travel advisory has also just issued a “Level 1: Exercise normal precautions" statement for the region. Furthermore, the city boasts a strong sense of community involvement and civic pride. In addition, it has the best infrastructure. 4. Is Acapulco Or Cancun Safer? Cancun is a safer place than Acapulco, considering the level of crime in Acapulco is 80.56, and in Cancun, it is 60.50. Furthermore, the overall crime index of Acapulco is 66.27, and for Cancun, it is 55.27. (Source: Numbeo). Read Also: What Is Mazamitla Mexico, Known For? (Directions, Things To Do, Accommodations, And More) Is Monterrey Mexico Safe For A Holiday? Decoding Your Travel Safety For A Trip To Mexico Valladolid Mexico: Exploring The City That Was Built In 1543