Fuerte de San Diego

Acapulco


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) conducting trade between the Philippines and Mexico from marauding Dutch and English buccaneers. The fort was destroyed in a 1776 earthquake and rebuilt; it remains basically unchanged today and is home to the excellent Museo Histórico de Acapulco.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Acapulco attractions

1. Museo Histórico de Acapulco

0.02 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…

2. Museo de la Máscara

0.18 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,…

3. Zócalo

0.41 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…

5. Playa Tlacopanocha

0.49 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…

6. Playa Hornos

0.78 MILES

One of Acapulco's busy beaches along the strip, this can smell a little fishy at its western end from the day's catch.

7. Playa Manzanillo

0.79 MILES

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

8. Clavadistas de la Quebrada

0.92 MILES

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…

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