Fort of San Diego (Fuerte de San Diego)

It’s impossible to miss the Fort of San Diego, and many guided tours of Acapulco include a stop here. Its stone fortifications stretch across the strategically important point at the end of Playa Hornos, where it guarded the deep natural port that today hosts enormous cruise ships. Its five turret-topped stone arms once protected galleons that connected the Americas to Asian ports. Today, they house the Acapulco Historical Museum, with objects from that era through the Mexican War of Independence and good signage in Spanish and English. On-site guides are available, although you may want to call ahead first to make sure.

• Admission to the Fort of San Diego is free on Sundays.

• Plan to spend 1–2 hours exploring the museum exhibits.

• Restrooms are available on-site.

The Fort of San Diego is located on the west end of Acapulco Bay. Since navigating the roads and dealing with Acapulco’s heavy traffic can be frustrating, the easiest way to visit the Fort of San Diego is as part of a guided tour with hotel pickup and drop-off. Otherwise, take the bus (there is a bus stop in front of the fort) or grab a cab, which are readily available.

To beat the afternoon heat, you should plan to explore the Fort of San Diego in the morning hours, though the museum’s air-conditioned rooms offer relief from the sun. Overall, Acapulco’s peak season is in the winter months, from December to March, so expect the biggest crowds then.

Located right outside the fort, the House of Masks makes for a quick and easy additional sightseeing stop. Browse the impressive assortment of hand-carved masks on display, which range from simple and bare to oversize and ornate. Housed in a former residence, the museum is free to enter.