Mexico: Acapulco: A La Quebrada cliff diver leaps into the Pacific Ocean, along the Mexican Riviera

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Clavadistas de la Quebrada

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Acapulco’s most famous tourist attraction, the cliff divers of La Quebrada have been dazzling audiences since 1934. Every night, a team of seven lithe young divers leaps into churning waves before scaling the cliff opposite the viewing platform and then plunging with fearless finesse from heights of 25m to 35m into the narrow ocean cove below. The spectacle lasts for 20 minutes. The last show features divers holding torches. For good road karma, tip the divers on your way out.

La Perla restaurant-bar provides a great (but pricey) view of the divers from above.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Museo Histórico de Acapulco at Fort San Diego.

    Museo Histórico de Acapulco

    0.9 MILES

    The Fuerte de San Diego is home to this excellent 15-room museum, an enjoyable romp through history of the region, from its settlement by various pre…

  • Zona Arqueológica de Palma Sola

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    3.09 MILES

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  • Zocalo Plaza in Old Town Acapulco.

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    0.51 MILES

    Every night Acapulco’s leafy old town zócalo comes alive with street performers, mariachis and sidewalk cafes; it also hosts occasional festivals. It’s…

  • Pie de la Cuesta

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    5.88 MILES

    Just 12km from central Acapulco is Pie de la Cuesta, a rustic beach suburb built on a wide sand spit that acts as a dividing line between the sea and the…

  • Museo de la Máscara

    Museo de la Máscara

    0.74 MILES

    If you love masks but are unable to visit the epic museums in Zacatecas and San Miguel, swing by this new museum, where visages of devils, conquistadors,…

  • Isla de la Roqueta

    Isla de la Roqueta

    1.68 MILES

    This island offers a popular (crowded) beach, and snorkeling and diving possibilities on the far side. You can rent snorkeling gear, kayaks and more. From…

  • La Capilla de la Paz

    La Capilla de la Paz

    4.32 MILES

    Perched on a hilltop high above Acapulco is this quiet spot for reflection, an airy '70s A-frame chapel surrounded by lovely gardens and providing…

  • Fuerte de San Diego

    Fuerte de San Diego

    0.92 MILES

    This beautifully restored pentagonal fort was built in 1616 atop a hill east of the zócalo. Its mission was to protect the Spanish naos (galleons)…

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Nearby Acapulco attractions

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0.15 MILES

A dying Diego Rivera spent the final two years of his life at this villa with his muse and lover, Mexican art collector Dolores 'Lola' Olmedo. Rivera…

2. Sinfonía del Mar

0.21 MILES

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3. Playa La Angosta

0.28 MILES

Playa La Angosta is in a tiny, protected cove on the west side of the peninsula. From the zócalo it takes about 20 minutes to walk here. Or you can take…

4. Playa Manzanillo

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Playa Manzanillo, a small crescent of sand handy for the center, is popular with locals but not especially clean.

6. Zócalo

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7. Playa Tlacopanocha

0.51 MILES

One of the beaches closest to Old Acapulco is Playa Tlacopanocha, directly across from the zócalo, noteworthy more as a departure point for bay cruises…

8. Museo de la Máscara

0.74 MILES

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