Acapulco is the original Mexican resort town which came into prominence by the 1950s as a getaway for Hollywood stars and millionaires. No visit to Acapulco is complete without watching the cliff divers perform their impressive jumps into ocean. They have been doing it since the 1930s, although today the divers are professionals. You can see the dives from a small platform by the cliff for a small entrance fee, or eat at the La Perla restaurant which offers a good view of the divers.
Acapulco Cliff Divers - Famous Show of the Elite Athletes, Mexico
Undeniably the most splendid performance of people jumping from heights in the world. The show, that can not be missed here at Adrex.com. So called “Clavadistas” (cliff divers) of La Quebrada have been showing off in front of spectators since 1934. Their diving from heights of 20-35m (80-115ft) into the "Gulch" - narrow sea cove below, have inspired thousands of divers worldwide for years. To this day, even professional high-divers from around the world regard La Quebrada as a legendary top spot.
For generations, brave young men from Acapulco have hurled themselves off the majestic cliffs towering over the Pacific Ocean. Cliff divers´astonishing performance swiftly became Acapulco´s main attraction with over five million annual visitors.
The main finesse of the dive is that the jump must be made considering the wind, time between leaving the cliff and hitting the water and the tide. Timing is crucial for the divers. If the water level is not deep enough, the diver will not have the 4-5 meters needed to clear the dangerous rocky bottom. In a free fall of about 50 mph, the risk of injury is condiderably high.
The dives usually take place in the afternoons and evenings. During the night, divers often hold torches while diving. When the show is finished the divers walk to the top of the stairs and accept tips.
The dives differ in levels of difficulty, in some cases a spectacular show is formed in a duo or trio dive. Divers keep themselves in a very good shape by everyday practising. Even if some of them very young, they are greatly experienced, which is the main reason of no fatalities occurence despite of all the dangers.
Acapulco – A Great Travel Deal!
Acapulco is a great travel deal, once made famous by the jet set in the 50s and 60s it has become a quieter destination, making the perfect getaway. A beach resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, it is set on a large bay backed by high-rises and the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. It is also known for its high-energy nightlife, beaches, golf, cliff divers and now, for the longest over-the-sea zip-line! The Xtasea tour has you flying up to 74.5 miles per hour in a zip-line circuit running over a mile at 328 ft above sea level. Admire stunning views of Puerto Marques Bay on your way!
While Acapulco is still famous and still attracts many tourists most now are from Mexico itself (its closest to Mexico City) and the American vibe isn’t present anymore. The resort area is divided into three parts: The north end of the bay encompassing the area from Parque Papagao through the Zocalo and onto the beaches of Caleta and Caletilla, the main part of the bay known as “Zona Dorada” and the south end “Diamante,” dominated by newer luxury high-rise hotels and condominiums. The food is still delicious; the iconic cliff divers still wow visitors; and Acapulco still commands one of Mexico’s most stunning coastal settings.
When it comes to gastronomy, Acapulco is a destination teeming with richness including Pozole, a soup with a salsa base, pork or chicken and served accompanied by ‘antojitos,’ an often fried pastry filled with veggies or cheese. This dish is served as part of a weekly Thursday event in the city and the state for that matter, with many restaurants offering it along beside entertainment ranging from bands, dancers and celebrity impersonators.
Acapuco is also known for its Relleno, baked pork served with a variety of vegetables and fruits such as potatoes, raisins, carrots and chiles. It is eaten with bread called bolillo.
A can’t miss experience is Acapulco’s iconic La Quebrada cliff divers, professionals who plunge 40m into a small ocean cove every day and night, after praying first at a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe. The tradition began in the 1930s when young men casually competed against each other to see who could dive from the highest point into the sea below. Dives range from the simple to the complicated and end with the “Ocean of Fire” when the sea is lit with gasoline, making a circle of flames which the diver aims for.
Reference:
1. touropia
2. adrex
3. mexicoxpertz
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