Acapulco's most storied tradition vaults daily from La Quebrada's daunting clifftops in Old Acapulco. The cliff divers are a must-see and are usually well worth the price of booking an organized tour (which often includes hotel or port round-trip transportation). The show involves several professional divers leaping from more than 130-foot cliffs high above the Acapulco landscape. The divers have drawn attention ever since they began diving as a team in 1934.

The shows get started around 1 p.m. each day and divers must time their jumps with the tide so as to land when the water is deepest. Diving also takes place in the late afternoon and – when divers are feeling especially adventurous – in the dark of a summer evening. Many previous travelers reported grabbing a meal and a drink at Hotel Mirador's La Perla Restaurant, which offers spectacular views of the cliffs.

The cliff divers and the surrounding Old Acapulco best represent the city's aged past, but the attraction and its surrounding area – including Playa Caleta – offer basic, affordable and fun stays for thrifty travelers. To watch the dives, you'll have to pay an entrance fee of about $3, according to recent travelers.