Is it Safe to Travel to Acapulco, Mexico's Most Dangerous City in 2020
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
- I spent 4 nights on the beach in a 2 bedroom penthouse suite. It was so nice, amazing views, the only bad thing, it was in Acapulco. Or was it bad, that’s the question I kept searching for the answer to while I was there.
I’ve heard in the past Acapulco was really dangerous and tourists stopped going there. Recently though I’ve been hearing that people have started to go back. So when I found a deal on the room I thought I’d give it a try.
Not until I was at the airport waiting for my flight did I think to do a Google search if it was safe now, and I found a lot of articles saying it wasn’t. By that time it was too late to cancel, so I figured I would go and see for myself.
The first day I stayed close to the hotel, worried I would be caught up in a shootout on the streets. But when nothing happened, I ventured out further to the central mercado, then to the Zocalo. Everything seemed fine, like any other city in Mexico I’ve been to, nothing scary or dangerous.
So I asked some locals and they said it’s fine around the tourist areas, but be careful in the local neighborhoods, and don’t go up the hill at all. I’m still not sure if it’s that much more dangerous than other parts of Mexico, but for me I had a nice uneventful trip.
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I think Acapulco will regain its legendary nobility. I was there in the 80s and it was a paradise for a vacation.
I liked it, just wish I would have stayed longer and saw more of it. But I'll go back again soon!
I hope so. I was there for 2 weeks in '91. one of my best vacations ever.
I think Acapulco has one of the best bay in the world.
we used to have a timeshare their in the early 2000's it was amazing but we had to sell it because of the crimes.
@Dj Colourzone it will never be the same of course, but it can still come back to a new golden age. I'll continue to go there and spend my money to help that happen negative Nancy
I've been traveling to Acapulco since the 80's. I generally get there about twice a year. I was last there in January 2020. The city has changed over the years. 25 years ago there were still many Americans and Europeans. Nowadays, you generally find tourists from Mexico city. As far as the violence, there is none directed toward tourists. There is a large military presence as opposed to the federales that once patrolled the streets. I have never felt unsafe and the people are truly wonderful ! In fact , I've made many life long relationships. I even have a Goddaughter ! I'm going back in January 2021 regardless of covid. Take a chance on this fantastic city. Your dollars will go a long way !
Thanks great! I was just there for 2 weeks in August, had a great time again!
Me and my wife had a vacation to Acapulco for our anniversary last month January. We never did any research before we went not until we noticed no American or European tourist after being their about 3 days lol then my wife Googled it and that's when we found out to our surprise Acapulco is the second most dangerous city in the world but we never seen no indication of that we rented a car and had one of the best vacations of our lives we absolutely loved it. But word of advice do not rent a car from thrifty car rental in the Acapulco airport they are a scam.
That's great you both had a nice time there, funny you didn't research it until it was too late as I did. Pretty brave driving there, I haven't driven in Mexico yet and I've been over 50 times, but I think in April I'll rent a car when I explore the Yucatan for a month or two. Thanks for watching!
@@ToddHata sorry I forgot to say I loved the video it was brilliant. I always rent a car I'm not one to lay to long at the resort plus it's how you get to see the real people when you drive out a bit we planned on driving to Mexico city but it was the night before that we were supposed to go to it is when my wife googled it lol so we changed our mind and didn't go. We had a great time it was funny a cop stopped me I dont speak Spanish but I could make out he said I went through a red light which i didn't I pointed to show him how every other driver was actually running the light he held my license showed me a board what the fine was and wanted 1680 pesos I took out 500 and he put his hand in the window and grabbed it gave me back my license and told me to go lol man I thought it was more comical than anything else.
I'd definitely recommend going to Acapulco we loved it the cliff diving is a must see we went a few times one in the day and once at night dinner and the show at it looking down is awesome.
@@johnnyjesus8 I missed the cliff diving. Ok, I'll drive next time and make sure to have some 500's with me :)
@@ToddHata 🤣
@@johnnyjesus8 planning to rental car drive from Mexico to acapulco
I was there in 2007 with girlfriend for 3 weeks and it was awesome...what surprised me was when I took 4000 cash and left 2000 in the hotel safe box and went touring with $2000 but once we got to our destination...I noticed I had lost my wallet with the $2000 and I really said good bye to that money but my girlfriend said to go back to the hotel and ask in the lobby, I kind of laugh but we did and the staff at the lobby and smiled and said to describe the contents and they surprisingly found it the lobby couch, apparently a tourist from Mexico City found it and handed it to the lobby...after that I went to tip the tourist but they did not want any and they said to enjoy the city....I wanted to compensate so I did give some extra y tips to the hotel staff and was generous with folks from the street...,but after that it really changed my way if thinking of people there are many that are humble ....also learned from that day on my wallet stays in my front pocket...lol....it was at Fiesta Americana recommend it
Thanks amazing, a lot of cash to bring to Mexico! I use the Charles Schwab account to withdraw without ATM fees, get $300 US in pesos at a time.
Nice video. We visit from San Diego twice a year. Never had a problem. Thank you for sharing!!
Craig that's great to hear. Do you always take taxis from the airport, I really want to find out a cheaper way, thanks!
I've always been curious about Acapulco. Thanks for shedding some light.
Yeah, check it out sometime!
Acapulco is simply amazing and the view from the bay is breathtaking
My fam lives there
Like Infront of the beach
@@ashleymejia2853 mine too colonia icacos
I’m an American who has lived here in Acapulco since January 2019. It’s totally safe in the areas you’d want to live in.
Nick, thanks, good to know. It really seemed safe to me, the areas I explored. Thanks for watching!
Hey Nick, I'm looking to visit now and saw they recently opened up tourism with safe practices for covid. Would you say the streets are just as safe for tourists now or have things changed with the changes going on globally right now?
@@yourinvestorbroker6945 my opinion is that it's no different than any city if you're in the right areas. Costa Azul, Costera/Condesa/Diamante, no wandering down dark streets drunk at 3am, don't join a cartel, don't flash wads of cash, etc.
@@yourinvestorbroker6945 my opinion is that it's no different than any city if you're in the right areas. Costa Azul, Costera/Condesa/Diamante, no wandering down dark streets drunk at 3am, don't join a cartel, don't flash wads of cash, etc.
I was there in 2018 and 2/3 of the restaurants were boarded up. I asked several restaurant owners what had happened in the past decade to cause the closures. Many (not all) told me that the restaurants could no longer afford to stay in business due to the enormous EXTORTION restaurant owners were having to pay in order to stay open. So if the police won't protect the locals, I'm not so sure, push comes to shove that police will protect the tourists....very sad....it was a paradise in the 1970s.
I've seen that in other cities too, very sad for the restaurant owners and the towns. It's hard enough to be profitable as a restaurant without paying extortion, I can't imagine.
hi Todd!! i am originally from Acapulco, i know how you feel, it is the same feeling how i felt coming back to Acapulco after 18 years, it does feels odd, but it is very normal to see solders around. i hope you like to be there, and hope you come back again!=)
I really did like it, I wish I could have stayed longer. I was supposed to go back this month, but unfortunately had to change my plans. I'll go back again later this year or next year :)
I spent Christmas day there with a girlfriend in 2003. All Mexico City folks on holiday, we were the only foreigners in sight. People were super nice. Saw the whales jumping offshore. Beach soccer. Perfect day.
Very nice, I never made it there back then, I was going to Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta in early 2000's and Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Glad you had a great time!
Yeah, my wife is from Acapulco. I haven't gone back since 2009. ALL her family is there. I told her last week, let's buy a place near the tourist zone. Her family is more inland. She's excited about the idea. We'll live there in the winter months, as our regular home is in Wyoming. I'm ready to go back. I'm a white boy though, so I will stand out. I won't leave the tourist zone much, if we move there in winters.
Nice, good luck with the house search, very exciting! Let me know where the best places to eat are once you get settle in.
Good
Great video, entertaining and informative. I was there for 2 weeks in '91. Happy I didn't go all inclusive because I was all over the city. Except for the hill of coarse. One of may favorite trips ever. Thanks for bringing back some great memories. I stayed at The Calinda. Its the round one across from Le Dome.
Thanks a lot! I wish I stayed longer, next time I'll stay at least a week, maybe two. thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing.. I love Acapulco and never had any problems when I was there. Beautiful place and wonderful people.
Thanks for watching, I'm glad you've always had a great experience there!
I used to love Acapulco...i was there 3x in the late 80s when it was in it was popular. They had a strong military police presence then too and on the beach with machine guns. Great times...
That's great, I always wanted to go a long time ago, but went to so many other cities in Mexico instead. I'm glad I got to spend a little time there, and I will go back again.
long time ago where i was at Acapulco "Continental Plaza" Hotel 1994 and 1996. iam now 34 and i had good memories about it. was my best holiday in my life. never forget!
Very nice, I really did enjoy my time there, I'd like to go back sometime this year.
Great video! I have been going for years. I was there around the same time you were, for Christmas/NYE - looks like the decorations were still up in the Zocalo when you were there. I really liked your exploration. You are right, El porton is horrible. VIPs is a little better, but yeah, mall food. If you ever go back, hit me up and I will tell you of some good eats round where you were.
Acapulco has absolutely improved in the last year, and the advice the locals gave you was spot on. Hope you go back and make more videos!
Thanks a lot for watching. So you never felt like it was more dangerous than any other city in Mexico? I'll let you know if I go back and need some food recommendations, thanks!
@@ToddHata At certain times, absolutely - 2011-15 Acapulco was on its heels. Even the Costera has had its share of problems. I stayed at Los Flamingos hotel, and I was the only guest. Sipping a margarita by the pool while watching military helicopters patrol is a surreal experience.
Acapulco has a long way to go, but is getting slowly better. Less violence, more investment, and as you noted, some increased interest from abroad.
@@MM-qo9vw That's crazy, it really seems like a paradise but to see military helicopters as you're relaxing by the pool must be really strange. Glad it's making a comeback, hopefully more vacationers from the US and Canada make their way back there again.
Thanks for video! I use to go down to Acapulco for years starting 1999-2007 but quit going b/c the very last time they had automatic gunfire in the main street there. Good to see it might be safer now. I like the video many of the same places are still there!
That's cool, you'll have to go back again sometime, check it out!
I've been to 60+ countries including Mexico, I was only scared.in the USA, Baltimore, Washington, Los Angeles, scary places, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia not a single problem
So true, every time I would travel internationally, I would be most scared taking the metro train back from LA out to San Bernardino near my home in the mountains. Totally thought I would get robbed way more there than even taking the trains in Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and tons of other countries!
Oh man, looking outside at snow while watching this video really makes me wish I was there instead.
Get out of the snow and back to Mexico!
@@ToddHata Tempting...very tempting!
Great information! I really appreciate you explaining the prices for things and other fine details. As for being labeled a dangerous city, maybe you're safe during the day and the shenanigans happen after dark? Just a thought.
I was very cautious on this trip, didn't really walk around much at night, but I did go to the mercado near centro. I just went for 2 weeks in August and did much more, never felt any danger, even at night, and even a little bit off the main strip.
I think most of the homicide/crime victims are members of the cartel or involved with them. Would be interesting to see what the stats would be if those were left out.
Is disco beach still open i use to go for sumers 20 years ago i cant wait go back
Not sure, I didn't make it to that area. Hope so!
Mazatlan & Acapulco my favorite spots for vacation lol also eat from street food vendors best
Great, I'll have to check it out again, didn't even try the street food there.
Two most cartel resort towns lol! Mazatlan is killer. Shrimp every night.
México is wonderful and save !!!
The beach is perfect .❤❤❤❤
I love acapulco.
Great!
As long as you play it smart (don't hang around sketchy people or areas), you'll be as safe as going to St. Louis, Detroit or Baltimore. Still though, the murder rate is way too high in Acapulco and I hope it stops. Mexico is resilient.
Sounds good, yeah I did my best to stay away from sketchy areas, all seemed ok. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Same rules as any major city.
@@James-kd1kp pretty much, yep
I heard they want to make people believe that Acapulco is Dangerous to keep the Real Estate prices down. It makes sense to me.
I haven't heard that, but I guess it works. I did enjoy my time there and I'll return and spend more time on the next visit. Thanks for watching!
@@ToddHata I live in Acapulco Diamante life is good here.
If you ever go there again you should stay in the Ritz, it's right next to the hotel in which you were in this video.
Oh cool, thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out!
You had to go all the way to Mexico to get a McDonald’s soft serve 🍦 the machine never work in the US lol. It looks beautiful there it’s a shame more tourist out the country don’t go
The soft serve is so cheap in Mexico, Dairy Queen is a little more pricey than McDonals though. Yes it is beautiful there! Thanks for watching!
We have a house is in Acapulco but I haven’t gone and visited in about 5 years :/ I MISS IT !
Oh cool, go back soon!
I miss my old Acapulco, Now it's a place of death and broken dreams...
It's not all bad, I was just there a couple weeks ago, although there was a shooting in one of the bad areas. But that's every day all over the US.
I was there in 2019 and it was paradise.
Nice! I'm hoping to get back there later this year.
I plan to go here soon. Guerrero Is my parents home state in Mexico, so what better place to vacation than Acapulco. I had no clue it was dangerous at all currently. Helpful video though, not changing my mind now.
Nice, have fun there!
I’ve been going over there and I’m going this September. It’s beautiful 😍 and hot. Btw a Big Mac isn’t healthy for you lol
Cool, glad to hear. Haha, yeah I know a Big Mac is bad for me, I try not to eat too many :)
I’m going there too in September! Where will you be staying?
I love your video on Acapulco! I lived in the Caleta area as a child. How are you coping with the pandemic? I also love the soft serve ice cream. Did you eat sopa de mariscos?
Thanks a lot! I'm in Queretaro now, most things seem ok here. I'm allergic to mariscos, so I missed out on a lot of the good seafood there unfortunately. But I did have a lot of good steak!
@@ToddHata Omg!!! I miss the way steak is prepared there. 😋 I can't find a flavorful steak in Bali. I've always been curious about Querétaro until I noticed the rental prices going up.
Please enjoy your time and be safe. 🙏
@@ord2jpn I had some really good steak there, I ate way too much meat but it was so good!
I was there when you were, stayed at Acapulco Princess Mundo Imperial: 60 murders since January 2020, so yes it is a dangerous place. I would recommend staying at Las Brisas or the Princess/Pierre for the massive compound, as well as the excellent, heavily armed Mexican Marine security!
Oh wow, maybe you saw me, the only asian guy there :). That is a lot of murders, although compared to my hometown of Los Angeles it might be less.
Yes and about the same number of murders in London in my home country and its the most visited city in the world!
Now I wanna go to the beach :)
It's a nice beach, needed more time there!
Thanks for the tour.
Thanks for watching!
what was the name of the hotel? do they still sell a lot of chicklets on the street?
Didn't see many chickelts there. I stayed at the World International Vacation Club goo.gl/maps/fRGDd6Hn5H1tEJ677
Easier for you remember as you are dark skinned and you look local
I still don't get confused as a local, but I don't stand out as much as my European friends
Nice colorful bus. You got a free house for me.
Yeah, crazy buses!
I used some statistics to create a map to find places to go in mexico and avoid crime. I took crime data for the last 14 months. I was created a "heat map" that now shows me crime hotspots. I expected Acapulco to be bright red. Or even orange.. but it was green. I thought there was a problem with my math.. but the numbers are correct.. for the last year or so it seems to be pretty safe(er) and Quinta roo shows more crime
That's great, what are the hot spots currently, I hear the state of Guanajuato is getting pretty bad. I spent a lot of time all over Guanajuato, I saw a little bit but heard about a lot of things from locals.
It's a heat map so it's not so black and white it's sort of spread out throughout the country. if you send me PM I will send link to my map. Also people must realize that in *some* of these dangerous cities, the violent crime is between drug cartels and the police go to great lengths to protect the tourist areas
Have you published this anywhere?? This would be very useful.
I went to PIE DE LA CUESTA. by myself I had no problems
Cool, that's great!
Right now guanajuato is on the top list but yea acapulco still has hot spots
That's too bad, I love the Guanajuato area, been spending a lot of time in Celaya, Guanajuato, San Miguel, Leon.
Ask shopkeepers how much they love paying "protection" money or get shot or disappeared
I haven't asked anyone about that yet
Dude u can't order ribs in Acapulco.. that's like ordering frog legs in Texas
I know, I was craving bbq and it was cheap, so I tried it :)
for the safety situation yes it is safe for the tourist but if you are a drug dealer in Acapulco is different other dealers will kill the other drug dealer for that territory
Yeah, I don't recommend being a drug dealer in Mexico, pretty dangerous
good video keep up doing it!
Thanks a lot!
I was there from 1962 to 2011 off and on.
Wow, so you've been going for a long time!
Todd Hata I lived there also as a second home starting at age 20.
Welcome to my city acapulco. 😃😃😃😃
Thanks! I had a nice time there, except I could have eaten some better food :)
I'm coming back to Acapulco next month, can you recommend some good restaurants? I need to eat way better this time and I'll be there for 2 weeks! Thanks!
El Porton sucks bro! Nobody goes there
Wish I knew that before I wasted my time :)
@@ToddHata not even locals
what the food it so good there :0
I just spent 2 weeks in Acapulco and had some great meals, last time I didn't know where to eat, so this time I found some good meals.
Acapulco reminds me of Chespirito.
What is Chespirito?
The beaches look empty 😯
Yeah, it wasn't very crowded. Nice beaches!
Cancun literally stole Acapulco’s crown
Yo entiendo todo lo que dijistes pero no se escribir en ingles y les boy adecir algo siempre cuidamos alos turistas porque de eso vivimos todo el Puerto es seguro asi que vengan a Acapulco todos son bienbenidos nose van arepentir
Muy bien, gracias!
How about renting a car and driving local in acapulco
It's probably ok, I haven't driven in Mexico yet, with the public transportation and Uber being so affordable
Hi still bungy jump is there?
I'm not sure, I didn't see one, but not sure where it was
What about at night?
I didn't go out too much at night
How safe is cancun for a family with children from the uk? On the main holiday resorts?
Cancun is one of the safer tourist areas, especially on the resorts. Pre covid the resorts were full of families and kids, I haven't been there lately so I'm not sure how busy it is, but you should be fine.
Mom I’m in Acapulco 🤣
:)
i want to go to Acapulco an Meet My Wife there
Good luck, she's waiting for you!
@@ToddHata shes waiting for him for $5 an hour until he runs out of cash
@@user-ue8jk4to7j Lmao
You are lying Acapulco is not dangerous my parents where born there and speak Spanish my grandpa lives there
From what locals told me, just don't go into the neighborhoods up the hill. By the beach seemed to be fine, from what I saw, but it was only for a few days I was there.
I live in Acapulco since 4 years and never had any problems
How do you what bus to take?
It's tricky, on the main road along the beach, most just stay along the beach, but some turn Inland. I got on the wrong one and it turned right away so I got off, then had to walk back to the main road and try again, haha
More videos like these please
Thanks Oscar, I'll be coming out with a video about Tijuana as well.
Cuando regreses a Acapulco contáctame te puedo ayudar a conocer muchos lugares hermosos que te faltaron como aguas termales, playas escondidas que muy pocos conocemos, ríos, lagunas, lugares donde laguna Mar se juntan y muchos lugares más que solo los que vivimos aquí conocemos será una excelente experiencia
Muchas gracias! No estoy seguro de cuándo regresaré a Acapulco, pero recordaré contactarte cuando regrese.
@@ToddHata por su puesto, saludos, cuando quieras!! 🥳🥳
Wasn’t Juarez the most dangerous city in Mexico?
According to a google search last year, Tijuana was 1 and Acapulco was 2, not sure where Juarez was in the list. This year the list changed and Tijuana and Acapulco have dropped down the list a bit.
Hi Is anyone wearing masks? Is this now during Covid?
This was before Covid in January.
I love acapulco
Me too! Just spent a couple weeks there in August, had a great time!
I used to live in Acapulco in the early 2000's as a teenager. I was always going up and down the city in those buses. Deep in the barrios too and at night. I was sad when it got really dangerous for a while. Hopefully like everything else in life it'll pass and return to being just normal dangerous like all cities lol
That's cool, yeah seems to be normal now, at least where I've been.
Nice.
Thanks for watching!
No one does video at night
I haven't really seen any at night
@@ToddHata pretty sketchy huh.
Yeah, I just went out to eat either close to my hotel or took a taxi
magical!
Thanks for watching Alan!
Yes it's safe... Just not for idiots!
Do you eat all day everyday?
I don't eat this much every day, also I was there 4 days to make this video :)
why do you keep mentioning that you are in Acapulco we all know by the title of the video just say that you are in Acapulco just once we all know!!!!!
Welcome to my Acapulco, is very safety and this poor man talk like a HIS president jajaja HIS not from united states but Acapulco is The Best place to feel The Sunshine and let ne tell you no exist one careful place in all World but my Acapulco respet The turistic and him is The example to film like FREE, JUST come to Acapulco like any famous doing too.
I felt very safe there, I just got back from another trip to Acapulco for two weeks and had a great time!
@@ToddHata speak well, of my Acapulco, its not correct to say false opinions to my Acapulco cause you walk very free here nobody Hurt you, nobody tief nothing of you, so TALK WELL VERY WELL TO MY ACAPULCO, OK AND WILL BE FRIEND, THANKS YOU.
I’m from Acapulco and Im going to visit my grandma and grandpa on June but they say it dangerous Bc there’s a lot of homicide
Some locals said not to go to the neighborhoods up in the hills, stay along the beach. Let me know how it is in the local areas when you visit, and good luck!
You whent to the wrong place to eat im local hear in acapulco hit me up i can shiw you all good places 😆
Ok, cool, I'll let you know when I come back next time, thanks!
I'm coming back to Acapulco mid August for a couple weeks, can you let me know where to eat? I don't eat seafood, other than that, let me know what's the best restaurants you know of, thanks!
Your by the beach eat sea food and tacos duh 🙄
I don't eat seafood, but yeah, that's probably one of the better things to eat here.
No hay subtítulo en español😢
Lo siento, posiblemente en el futuro.
The earthquakes ran me away, but it is beautiful. They fired the police, and military police took over. The Caleta is my favorite area. I had a time share there called Sherezada on Via Tropical. I loved the raspberry paletas.
I lived there part time. Do not eat pork, Lupitas near La Junga is a nice small restaurant near Caleta.
,
Oh too bad, ok, I'll check out Lupitas, I may go back and do some more exploring! Thanks!
Todd Hata You are welcome and enjoy. Nothing ever happen to me there, and the people were super nice, and I was generous towards them.
@toddhata dont get that haircut in Mexico
It was so cheap, just a #1 on the clippers, I usually do it myself at home between trips.
Definitely not a place to go back to it's definitely danger especially at night time F that
Really? The places I went seemed ok, but I didn't walk too far during the night.
Really great travel information! EVERYONE CHECK OUT HIS BLOG
His blog is... toddsmexico.com/is-acapulco-safe-everything-you-need-to-know-before-traveling-precautions-warnings-scams/
Thanks a lot!
Telling folks you "didnt research before visiting" means you did... FOH
As I was waiting to board the plane I started to Google Acapulco.
🍺
Thanks for watching!
Your lucky & they see you filming 😂so your fine. Very unsafe...high crime
Seems to be getting a bit more dangerous lately, but I just went and didn't have any issues, but there was a shooting in a club across from our hotel at 4am on the Costera one night
Acapulco vs ciudad brasileña: czcams.com/video/FejfkgiSZqE/video.html