Diving in South Pacific Coast

You don’t hear much about the diving along the South Pacific Coast, but if you’re in the area it’s a great place to explore.  It’s full of marine life and even humpback whales if you’re very lucky.  There are sights for beginners to advanced divers and there can be extreme and dangerous up and down currents, so be sure to be clear about certification level and number of dives before attempting one of the more challenging ones.  

In Acapulco check out the site Los Bajos de la Quebrada near the famous cliff jumpers, here you might see a whale.  In Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo the dive sites Los Morros de Potosi and Solitary Rock are great to visit.  For beginner divers there are some calm sites with lots of sea life such as La Roqueta Island, Caleta and Caletilla in Acapulco or Playa Manzanillo in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.

If you’re going to Mexico for the diving then I wouldn’t recommend the south as your main destination but if you’re in the area then be sure to do a few for the interesting life and formations.

(By Kelly Luckman)

Travel to South Pacific Coast

The South Pacific Coast of Mexico is different every direction your turn.  From the busy polluted city of Acapulco, made famous by stars such as Elvis and Elizabeth Taylor to the quiet fishing village of Zihuantanejo, full of hidden secrets that you’ll have to visit it yourself to find your favourite part.

You can fly to either city from Mexico City or there are quite a few flights from the USA direct to Acapulco.  It’s easy to drive from Mexico City to Acapulco but it’s not recommended driving to Ixtapa-Zinhuantanejo, due to dangerous road conditions.

Acapulco is a huge city with many 5 star, all inclusive beach resorts.  Ixtapa is a lot quieter but also full of resorts so if you’re looking for quiet, cobbled streets then you should head directly to Zinhuantanejo where it’s more family owned hotels with a friendly and personal atmosphere.  

The most famous thing to see on this coast is the cliff jumping in Acapulco, called la Quebrada.  Here you can find every watersport available, or head inland for bird watching or jungle trekking.  There’s some great diving and snorkelling if you get the right time of year (Feb-Aug is best) but be sure to research all your options before you go and know where you’re diving before you get there.  It may not be as easy as you think to find a dive centre, especially in such a big city like Acapulco.

(By Kelly Luckman)