Acapulco is the largest city in the Mexican state of Guerrero, with a population of more than 700,000. It is located on the Pacific coast, more than 300 kilometers from Mexico City. It is a truly beautiful place. Until the 1980s, it was the most fashionable place in Mexico and was overrun by a large number of tourists from the United States and other countries. Later, the Mexican government decided to invest in tourism on the Atlantic coast and promote the development of other places (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, etc.). And today, most of the international tourism has moved here.
In Acapulco, there are neighborhoods that are for wealthy people or tourists, where there is a high level of security, but housing costs are expensive and other neighborhoods for ‘normal’ people where security is low.
Acapulco enjoys a good tropical climate that is warm all year round. Thanks to a mountain range that protects the city, it’s warm and sunny even in winter.
The thorny issue, however, is the services, which are quite deficient. Public transportation is outdated and overcrowded. The health care system is inefficient and corrupt, and facilities are old and inadequate. Bureaucracy and corruption go hand in hand. Public education is practically free, but the level is very low in both elementary schools and universities, and as if that were not enough, the situation of schools in Acapulco is the worst in all of Mexico. Not to mention the high illiteracy rate among the population.
As for the cost of living, it is quite low in Acapulco and in Mexico in general. With an income of 800 – 1000 $ per mounth you can live a ‘normal’ life here.
Another reason to fall in love with the city is its people. The people of Acapulco are kind, friendly and generous. Almost everyone is welcoming and willing to welcome newcomers with open arms, regardless of their race, origin or social status. You’ll never get bored in Acapulco, because the city has a lot to offer for everyone: surprisingly beautiful beaches and a rich nightlife.
Unfortunately, the main problem of Acapulco is crime. Acapulco is one of the cities with the highest crime rate in the world. If you stay in the tourist areas you should be safe, but even that is not always the case, because even in these areas there are sometimes reported acts of violence, robberies and shootings. The drug cartels have a firm grip on the city, and sometimes shootings occur on the beach. In Acapulco, there are more than 100 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. When you consider that in Naples there are 7 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, you get an idea of how dangerous the city is.
It is true that the shootings and murders are mainly between the different drug gangs, but in any case it is advisable to always stay inside the tourist areas. For the sake of truth, it must also be said that although foreigners have practically disappeared in Acapulco, many Mexican families, mainly from Mexico City, continue to spend their vacations here with their children without any problems, but they know where they can and cannot go.
If you plan to live here, you will have to get used to the robberies, the violence and the fifty murders a day that, although they do not affect the normal population, make you live in a state of constant tension.
As for labor, although international tourism has practically disappeared, the presence of national tourists is considerable, so there is no shortage of jobs in the hospitality sector. The construction sector has also recovered strongly recently. Considering the low wages and the high crime rate, I would say that it is not worth working here.
Living and working in Acapulco, conclusion
Acapulco has been replaced by other places today, but it is still one of the most beautiful and charming places I have ever seen. It was a popular destination for celebrities, Hollywood stars, rich Mexicans, U.S. presidents and many tourist from all over the world. Meanwhile, international tourism has shifted to Mexico’s Atlantic coast.
Today, Acapulco is visited only by many Mexican families who have chosen this enchanting place as their favorite vacation destination, thanks in part to government policies aimed at fighting crime and making Acapulco a destination aimed primarily at families.
