As you can see from any map, the Bahía de Santa Lucía is an oval with the long axis running east-west. The Costera Miguel Alemán runs along the the Bay, from the Naval Base to the traditional section of town most often referred to as "Caleta." A gigantic flag pole in front of Parque Papagayo is midway between the two extremes.
Most of the newer, eastern side of town has grown since the 1960's, and is home to high-rise hotels, condominiums and most of the discos. All three of Acapulco's largest shopping malls are in this area: La Gran Plaza, just one block east of Parque Papagayo; Plaza Bahía, about half-way to the Diana Fontain; and Galerías Diana, on Diana Circle. The Acapulco Convention Center is about half-way from Diana Circle to the Naval Base.
The original town at one end of the Bay is over 500 years old and was obviously not designed for cars. It is far denser, with narrow crooked streets and few if any right angles, but an interesting area to stroll. If you feel like walking, take as your reference point the traffic light at the corner of the Costera and Juan R. Escudero Street, with Sanborn's Centro on one side and the Oviedo Building on the other - almost adjacent to the city's zocalo playa - Plaza Juan Alvarez.
There are many possibilities for walking tours in Acapulco. Two such routes start from "Escudero / Morelos" corner: (1) right up Morelos to Fort San Diego, or (2) left to the Zócalo.
1. Fort San Diego is straight up Morelos St. to the right. In about one block, the street veers to the left. Continue straight ahead on the pedestrian walkway. Just before you reach the iron gates of the Fort grounds, you'll see the Mask Museum on your left. The Museo de la Máscara houses well over a thousand masks, principally from the state of Guerrero. Admission is free, but donations are requested. Fort San Diego Museum is dedicated to the history of the Manila Galleons, which sailed what may be the most difficult trade route ever undertaken: the journey from Manila to Acapulco lasted an average of seven months. Despite incredible hardships, the trade endured for 250 years, which is testimony to the vast wealth carried on these ships. You can return directly to the Costera either through the moat or by the pedestrian bridge which connects the grounds to the cruise ship dock. Like virtually all museums in México, Fort San Dieto is free on Sundays and closed Mondays.
2. The Zócalo - Plaza Juan Alvarez is 1.5 short blocks to the west the Escudero / Morelos corner. The first block is an open street but the second has become a pedestrian area. At the Zócalo you can sit in the shade of huge rubber and mango trees, enjoy the sights, listen to the fountains, or get your shoes shined. The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, on one side of the Plaza, was built in 1938 in a style which might be described as Art Deco / Moorish. The domed nave is a perfect circle and an 18-point sunburst design in the terrazo floor echoes the 18 gores in the dome above it. The Malecón or fishing dock is across the Costera from the Plaza. You can rent a boat for an hour, for a tour of the bay, or for a day of fishing. You'll need reservations during major holidays such as Christmas and Holy Week.
A somewhat more energetic walk leads to Acapulco's famous cliff diversat La Quebrada. If you stand facing the cathedral, right at the front door, you’ll see closed streets on either side of the building. A thirdc street, also closed, leads directly away to your left. Take that street about three blocks, past the telephone building until you come to a tiny park at a dogleg in the street. The water company (CAPAMA) building is on the left. Straight ahead is one of Acapulco’s oldest residential streets, leading directly up to la Quebrada. It’s about a 10-minute up-hill walk to the plaza in front of the Mirador Hotel which overlooks La Quebrada.