A Chononlogy of Acapulco History

Acapulco History

During the 1500's, the conquistadors discovered Acapulco.

Some 500 years later, Sylvester Stalone films Rambo II here and decides to buy some real estate.

1532 - Cortés arrives and decides to make Acapulco a base for further exploration while laying on the beach one day.

1565 - Commerce between Acapulco and Manila (Philippines) was established and becomes a major trade route between Asia and the Americas.

Some 500 years later, I move to Acapulco and make vague plans for a trip to the Philippines that I always claim will be happening "sometime soon" though two years have passed since it was first announced.

1599 - King Phillip II names the place Puerto de Acapulco (The Port of Acapulco).

1617 - Fort San Diego was completed in order to protect the city from pirates.

1776 - Fort San Diego was totally renovated after an earthquake destroyed it. Two restaurants and a pool with Acapulco's first swim up bar were added.

1818 - Mexico won the struggle for independence and Mexican forces sacked the fort causing the Spaniards to abandon it. The Asia-Mexico trade route came to a halt. There hasn't been a really good Chinese restaurant in town ever since.

1873 - The Port of Acapulco suffers an identity crisis and decides to change it's name to Acapulco de Juérez.

1927 - The first highway between Acapulco and Mexico City is opened. The trip takes about a week. The same year, Acapulco begins hearing its first complaints about Chilangos from Mexico City arriving and acting like they own the place.

1933 - Acapulco's first hotel, El Mirador, is built near the Zocalo.

1945 - A new highway was built between Mexico City and Acapulco that shortened the trip to six hours. Acapulco starts becoming a major tourist destination.

1950s - Acapulco and Las Vegas become two of North America's hotest spots. Hollywood stars and the jet-setter from around the world. Johnny Wiesmuler and John Wayne start a hotel here. Lana Turner stays at the Villa Vera Hotel for three years.

1962 - Elvis arrives in town to film Fun in Acapulco and performs a heroic cliff dive.

1964 - Direct flights to Acapulco are established and Acapulco and domestic tourists begin to crowd out the Hollywood hpsters.

1972 - Centro de Convencions was constructed at a cost of 50 million dollars. It's considered the best convention center in the Republic.

In 2003, I move to Acapulco, open up a PO BOX inside Centro de Convencions and notice the place is always practically empty.

1976 - Howard Hughes dies at the Acapulco Princess Hotel.

1980s - Acapulco begins to suffer in competition with purpose-built tourist towns elsewhere in Mexico.

1997 - Hurricane Pauline tears the town up.

2004 - Real Acapulco is born.