ROMAN CATHOLIC
In light of the fact that the overwhelming majority of Mexicans (and Acapulqueños) are Roman Catholics, it comes as no surprise to learn that there are more than three dozen Catholic parishes spread throughout the city - including one at Pie de la Cuesta and another at Puerto Marqués. Many of the churches are small, simple, and very local; but there are several which have become well known to and popular with Catholic tourists. Weekend Masses (Saturdays and Sundays) at some of the city's larger, more visible, and easily accessible churches are numerous and convenient, leaving few excuses for 'missing Mass' - even while on vacation here. The following parish churches are recommended for travelers who wish to attend a Catholic Mass in Acapulco; but one should bear in mind that almost all Masses are in Spanish, with no English translation provided (though most non-Spanish-speaking church-goers will find it easy enough to follow along).
Note: In some of the listings below, the word glorieta is used; and for those unfamiliar with the word, it's English translation is traffic circle or traffic rotary.
WITHIN THE CITY - Acapulco Bay Area
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad ( Our Lady of Soledad Cathedral )
Also known as La Catedral - Sagraria
Location: Old Acapulco / Centro - at the back of the city square (el zócalo)
Telephone: 482-1848
Weekend Masses:
Saturdays - 8am, 12noon, 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm
Sundays - 7am, 8am, 9am, 10am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm
Travelers should note that the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad - still currently the episcopal see of the Archdiocese of Acapulco - is also a tourist draw and perhaps the 'busiest' church in the city. Many local Catholic families choose to attend services here; and on weekends, especially during peak travel months, Masses are often 'packed'. Note the Mass schedule and be ready to enter the cathedral as soon as the crowds from a previous Mass begin to filter out - if you intend to get a seat. Otherwise (and often within a matter of minutes), you may find that it's 'standing room only'.
The following (clickable) link will take you to a separate Acapulco Insider Page on the Trip Advisor website, with some additional information regarding this old church: Insider Page.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Reina de México
( Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of Mexico )
Location: Magallanes, on Avenida Universidad - about 250 yards inland from the Costera (walkable) in the vicinity of the Hotels Emporio, Playa Suites, and Crowne Plaza
Telephone: 486-6643
Directions from the glorieta Diana (on the Costera at mid-bay):
Walk ¼-mile west along the Costera Miguel Alemán (toward Old Acapulco) until you reach the Hotel Crowne Plaza on your left. There, on the opposite side of the Costera, you'll see an OXXO store - at the corner of La Costera and Calle Francisco Pizarro. [That corner is where the 'Acapulco Trolley' parks and departs from.] Walk to the end of Pizzaro (about 250 yards), turn left onto Universidad, and Our Lady of Guadalupe will be 50 yards west - on your left. For those who prefer to hire a taxi, most drivers will know where this church is located (or you can simply jot down its Spanish name on a slip of paper - and hand it to your driver).
Weekend Masses:
Saturdays - 7pm and 8pm
Sundays - 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 7pm (summertime only), and 8pm
Note: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is the former Iglesia de Cristo Rey, but was refurbished and renamed in recent years - when the Archdiocese of Acapulco implemented plans for building a 'new' Catedral de Cristo Rey. The cathedral, presently under construction (but behind its scheduled completion date due to lack of funds), is located just 150 yards further west - in the old courtyard of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, corner of Universidad and Avenida Ignacio Chávez.
Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús ( Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus )
Location: Costa Azul, on Calle Cristóbal Colón - about 500 yards inland from the Costera (walkable)
Note: Not to be confused with two other same-named churches listed here (one in Plan de los Amates, the other in Pie de la Cuesta)
Telephone: 484-2208
Directions from the glorieta Costa Azul (in front of CICI Water Park at the southeastern end of the Costera Miguel Alemán):
Cristóbal Colón is the street opposite the glorieta, on the inland side of the Costera. It runs north, away from the bay, into the Costa Azul neighborhood; and it has a tree-lined median down the center. Walk straight up Cristóbal Colón and Sagrado Corazón de Jesús will be directly in front of you, on the opposite side of another traffic rotary - the glorieta Colón. You can't miss it. For those who prefer to hire a taxi, most drivers will know where this church is located (or you can simply jot down its Spanish name on a slip of paper - and hand it to your driver).
Weekend Masses:
Saturdays - 8:15am, 6:15pm, 7:15pm, and 8:30pm
Sundays - 8:15am, 10:15am (Children's Mass), 11:15am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, 6:15pm, 7:15pm, and 8:15pm
Note: In February and March, there's an additional Sunday Mass at 9:15am - in Italian
The Sacred Heart is a modern beautiful-yet-simple church - convenient for anyone staying in the city's Hotel Zone east of Playa Condesa (but especially for those who plant themselves in the area in and around Costa Azul).
La Capilla de La Paz ( The Chapel of Peace )
Location: Brisamar (Calle de la Paz), on a hillside above the Hotel Las Brisas complex - about 400 yards off the Scenic Highway
Telephone: 434-0170 (or contact the Padre at Iglesia de San José in Puerto Marqués)
Directions: Hire a taxi driver or tour guide
Weekend Masses: Sunday mornings at 10 (in English) and a 6pm sunset Mass (in Spanish) - both usually celebrated by Padre Ramón Celis Nevaire from the Puerto Marqués parish of St. Joseph
Note: La Capilla de la Paz is a non-denominational chapel which welcomes people of all faiths (i.e. it's not a Roman Catholic parish). On Sundays, however, Catholic Masses are generally offered for the convenience of those who reside/stay in the Las Brisas Residential Club - and anyone else who cares to attend.
PUERTO MARQUES - Zona Diamante
Iglesia de San José ( St. Joseph Church )
Location: Puerto Marqués, on the Avenida Miguel Alemán de Puerto Marqués
Telephone: 466-0357
Directions from the glorieta Puerto Marqués (which is actually more like an intersection than a traffic circle, along the Carretera Escénica:
Drive ½-mile down Avenida Miguel Alemán, the main road leading to Playa Puerto Marqués; and San José will be on your right (about a quarter-mile before you get to the beach).
Weekend Masses: Saturdays at 7pm - Sundays at 8am
Note: The parish priest here (Padre Ramon Celis Nevaire) is also a Liturgical Assessor for Acapulco and one of very few bilingual clerics in the city. He celebrates Masses in both English and Spanish.
Given that there are only two weekend Masses at this church, it's often said to be 'a full house' (particularly during peak season travel periods). Plan to arrive 'early' for a seat - although in Mexico, that would mean by 7pm for the Saturday Mass and by 8am on Sundays.
The following (clickable) link will take you to St. Joseph's official blog-page: Parroquia de San José
ZONA DIAMANTE
Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús ( Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus )
Location: Plan de los Amates, on Calle Lerdo de Tejada - near Playa La Gloria (Bonfil)
Note: Not to be confused with two other same-named churches listed here (one in Costa Azul, the other in Pie de la Cuesta)
Telephone: 444-5364
Directions from the intersection of the Boulevard de las Naciones and the Boulevard Barra Vieja (in front of The Forum at the new Mundo Imperial):
Turn onto the Boulevard Barra Vieja, as if going to Playa Bonfil or Barra Vieja. Go 3.3 miles (past Playa Bonfil to the far end of Playa Gloria) and turn left at the glorieta, onto a street called Monterrey or Lerdo de Tejada. Go ¾-mile inland and take your second right onto Lerdo de Tejada. About 600 yards along Lerdo de Tejada, where the road forks, stay to your left; and the church will be 100 yards ahead on your left (at the corner of Sonora). For those who hire a taxi, jot down 'Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Plan de los Amates, circa Playas Bonfil y Gloria)' on a slip of paper - and hand it to your driver.
Weekend Masses:
Saturdays -
Sundays -
The parish of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in the 'colonia' Plan de los Amates was established to accommodate the needs of those who reside in and around Plan de los Amates, Lomas de Chapultepec, Bonfil, San Andrés, and Barra Vieja. The church itself is a round open-air structure; and one should probably expect that all Masses are in Spanish. This mission parish was founded in 2001 under the Pontificio Instituto Misiones Exteriores program (PIME) to extend Catholic services to people in outlying rural neighborhoods, especially indígenas; but given its close proximity to some of Diamante's resorts and condominiums, the Sacred Heart Church offers travelers a nearby alternative (one which few may be aware of).
The following link shows a photo of the church itself (bottom of the webpage): Sagrado Corazón de Jesús; and several snapshots of the church's interior can be found here: Sagrado Corazón de Jesús.
'Hotel & Resort' Masses
Some of the area's more upscale resorts offer an on-site weekend Catholic Mass to accommodate their guests, especially during peak travel periods. The following are among those which are known to have provided this service:
Hotel Camino Real (Puerto Marqués): Sundays at 11am or 12noon (in English)
The Grand Mayan: inquire at the resort
The Fairmont Princess: inquire at the resort
PIE DE LA CUESTA
Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús ( Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus )
Location: Pie de la Cuesta, along the main/central road - Avenida Fuerza Aerea
Note: Not to be confused with two other same-named churches listed here (one in Costa Azul, the other in Plan de los Amates)
Telephone: 460-3691
Weekend Masses:
Saturdays at -
Sundays at -
La Capilla de Maria Estrella del Mar ( The Chapel of St. Mary, Star of the Sea )
Location: Pie de la Cuesta, oceanfront on the main/central road - Avenida Fuerza Aerea (about ¾-mile from the Pie de la Cuesta entrance, 250 yards before Hacienda Vayma and Tres Marias)
Telephone: 460-3691 (between 10am-1pm or 4pm-6pm) for information
Weekend Masses:
Saturdays at -
Sundays at -
Note:
* It may be best to confirm in advance, to the extent possible, mass times and whether the mass is in English, before traveling to the church.