Acapulco — Take a Boat Tour of the Bay
April 29th, 2010 | by admin |Bernal Castillo asked:
Even if you are a newcomer to Acapulco, it takes very little time to learn your way around. One of the fastest and most agreeable ways to do it is to take any one of several daily boat tours. Most of them take off from the town dock near the center of the traditional part of town and make a trip around the shore of the bay. Then they head out into the open waters and visit the bay of Puerto Marques before passing by La Quebrada. That is the craggy point from which the divers plunge into a shallow sea over a hundred feet below.
One of the best times to take a tour is around sunset, so you can catch an unobstructed view of the sun sinking into the Pacific with a final flash of green light. During high season, the boat companies schedule “moonlight cruises” for the romantically inclined. The outings are always accompanied by music – often by a live group – and lots to drink. One early outing serves a brunch aboard.
From the bay you can look back up into all the different parts of Acapulco and appreciate the mountainous backdrop – the “geological amphitheater” – that makes this protected bay so special.
For those who are happy to stay closer to home there are boat rides in glass bottom boats, which will take you from Caleta Beach across the channel to Isla Roqueta, a nature preserve. One stop along the way will be the Virgin of Guadalupe, a submerged statue and underwater shrine.
If you sit on a beach of the bay in the late afternoon, perhaps sipping your favorite libation and watching the passing scene, you will probably see these bay cruise boats come by with their lights on and music playing. Usually the Yate Bonanza is the first. The Bonanza makes a morning trip and a sunset run. During times of high demand, it also goes out for a moonlight tour, where the music is softer and the mood is romance. On board there is a small pool and an open bar.
The second ship to pass is called Acarey. It is a double-hulled ship (a catamaran), with wide decks on three levels and a capacity of about 350 revelers. A large red neon heart illumines its crest. In high season the Acarey may go out a bit earlier, so as to have time for a moonlight run later than night.
In other tourist locations an outing such as this might be called a “booze cruise” because there is not much to do besides drinking. Not so in Acapulco! People who can multi-task especially enjoy the outings into Acapulco’s bay and into the Pacific. As you move along, the crew points out the sights to you. Some of these can only be enjoyed from vantage points out in the water. The crew also keeps the drinks coming, of course. Have as much as you want or dare. Choices are usually limited to Mexican beers and wines, Mexican liquors and mixed drinks (like Piña Coladas and Margaritas). This may not be the best situation if you are a scotch drinker, but if you like tequila and rum, you will be in great shape.
While you are drinking and taking in the sights, you may find it hard not to start moving to the rhythms of the music on board. There is always music – sometimes Mexican, sometimes American, sometimes Hawaiian. Often a live group will come along to play. Dancing is not only encouraged, it’s pretty hard to resist.
Some outings offer a chance to jump into the ocean for a swim in safe waters. Others offer the fresh water pool on board. Either way, you may want to bring an extra bathing suit and towel.
Often the crew may “animate” the crowd by organizing some grown-up games or contests. There is always a lot to do all at once.
Even though these bay trips are designed with adults in mind, children are welcome to join in, too. The only exception is for some moonlight cruises, which are “adults only.”
If you are in town as part of a business group, wedding or family reunion, look into making the bay cruise an early part of the experience. The vessels have special arrangements for groups and private parties.
From your spot on the beach, watching the boats go by, you may think that it takes a lot of effort or money to take part in an Acapulco Bay cruise. In fact, it’s not hard at all. All hotel concierge desks have schedules and price information. Transport from the hotel to the dock and back again is easy to arrange; in fact, it is usually part of the price of the outing. Prices run in the range of $35 to $50 per person, less for the children. If you go to the dock yourself and buy a ticket, you may save some part of the fee. Group rates are available.
Do not forget to tip the crew at the end of your trip. They are very good at entertaining their guests, and they work very hard to make the outing a success for you.
One other detail: The crew members almost always speak some American English as well as Spanish, and often some Canadian French as well. It is possible to have a guide that is able to speak Portuguese or Italian, but prior arrangement is necessary.
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
Even if you are a newcomer to Acapulco, it takes very little time to learn your way around. One of the fastest and most agreeable ways to do it is to take any one of several daily boat tours. Most of them take off from the town dock near the center of the traditional part of town and make a trip around the shore of the bay. Then they head out into the open waters and visit the bay of Puerto Marques before passing by La Quebrada. That is the craggy point from which the divers plunge into a shallow sea over a hundred feet below.
One of the best times to take a tour is around sunset, so you can catch an unobstructed view of the sun sinking into the Pacific with a final flash of green light. During high season, the boat companies schedule “moonlight cruises” for the romantically inclined. The outings are always accompanied by music – often by a live group – and lots to drink. One early outing serves a brunch aboard.
From the bay you can look back up into all the different parts of Acapulco and appreciate the mountainous backdrop – the “geological amphitheater” – that makes this protected bay so special.
For those who are happy to stay closer to home there are boat rides in glass bottom boats, which will take you from Caleta Beach across the channel to Isla Roqueta, a nature preserve. One stop along the way will be the Virgin of Guadalupe, a submerged statue and underwater shrine.
If you sit on a beach of the bay in the late afternoon, perhaps sipping your favorite libation and watching the passing scene, you will probably see these bay cruise boats come by with their lights on and music playing. Usually the Yate Bonanza is the first. The Bonanza makes a morning trip and a sunset run. During times of high demand, it also goes out for a moonlight tour, where the music is softer and the mood is romance. On board there is a small pool and an open bar.
The second ship to pass is called Acarey. It is a double-hulled ship (a catamaran), with wide decks on three levels and a capacity of about 350 revelers. A large red neon heart illumines its crest. In high season the Acarey may go out a bit earlier, so as to have time for a moonlight run later than night.
In other tourist locations an outing such as this might be called a “booze cruise” because there is not much to do besides drinking. Not so in Acapulco! People who can multi-task especially enjoy the outings into Acapulco’s bay and into the Pacific. As you move along, the crew points out the sights to you. Some of these can only be enjoyed from vantage points out in the water. The crew also keeps the drinks coming, of course. Have as much as you want or dare. Choices are usually limited to Mexican beers and wines, Mexican liquors and mixed drinks (like Piña Coladas and Margaritas). This may not be the best situation if you are a scotch drinker, but if you like tequila and rum, you will be in great shape.
While you are drinking and taking in the sights, you may find it hard not to start moving to the rhythms of the music on board. There is always music – sometimes Mexican, sometimes American, sometimes Hawaiian. Often a live group will come along to play. Dancing is not only encouraged, it’s pretty hard to resist.
Some outings offer a chance to jump into the ocean for a swim in safe waters. Others offer the fresh water pool on board. Either way, you may want to bring an extra bathing suit and towel.
Often the crew may “animate” the crowd by organizing some grown-up games or contests. There is always a lot to do all at once.
Even though these bay trips are designed with adults in mind, children are welcome to join in, too. The only exception is for some moonlight cruises, which are “adults only.”
If you are in town as part of a business group, wedding or family reunion, look into making the bay cruise an early part of the experience. The vessels have special arrangements for groups and private parties.
From your spot on the beach, watching the boats go by, you may think that it takes a lot of effort or money to take part in an Acapulco Bay cruise. In fact, it’s not hard at all. All hotel concierge desks have schedules and price information. Transport from the hotel to the dock and back again is easy to arrange; in fact, it is usually part of the price of the outing. Prices run in the range of $35 to $50 per person, less for the children. If you go to the dock yourself and buy a ticket, you may save some part of the fee. Group rates are available.
Do not forget to tip the crew at the end of your trip. They are very good at entertaining their guests, and they work very hard to make the outing a success for you.
One other detail: The crew members almost always speak some American English as well as Spanish, and often some Canadian French as well. It is possible to have a guide that is able to speak Portuguese or Italian, but prior arrangement is necessary.
Tankless Hot Water Heaters
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