Where you stay in Acapulco really depends on what you're looking for. If you're on a budget, then Old Acapulco near the city center offers many affordable choices in close proximity to the tourist activities that first made Acapulco famous. But if you're looking the luxury of sleek, newly renovated accommodations, your best bet is the up-and-coming Acapulco Diamante neighborhood on the city's southern end.

Acapulco Diamante

Acapulco's luxury hotels are packed into this southern neighborhood, close to the city's prettiest beaches, fine dining and most exciting nightlife. This is also the part of town with the most expensive rates, so you're almost guaranteed a better deal if you pick a less-fancy hotel near Old Acapulco.

Old Acapulco

You'll get a good dose of bygone Acapulco by picking a hotel in this part of town: near the La Quebrada divers, the Zócalo, and the always-busy Playa Condesa. The hotels play into the "old" theme as well, with a decidedly retro-feel that will recall the days when a studio starlet might have passed you in the lobby. Some call the décor and amenities of Old Acapulco hotels "rustic." Others prefer the word rusty, but one thing is for sure: You will certainly save money if you plan on rooming here.