Acapulco is one of the most storied cruise destinations in the Americas. Framed by the emerald Sierra Madre del Sur and the deep-blue horseshoe of Acapulco Bay, the "Pearl of the Pacific" combines dramatic natural scenery, four centuries of maritime heritage, and a vibrant Mexican beach-city culture that has drawn travellers since the golden age of the Hollywood jet set.
Acapulco Cruise Port (ACP) — officially the Puerto Transatlántico Internacional Teniente José Azueta — is Acapulco's cruise gateway, located directly on the downtown malecón, steps from the Zócalo and the historic Fort of San Diego. In April 2026, Global Ports Holding signed a 24-year concession agreement with Mexico's National Port System Administration (ASIPONA Acapulco) to operate and develop the port — the first concession in Mexico and a key addition to its Americas portfolio.
Under the concession, GPH will operate and progressively invest across a 17,199-square-meter concession area, focused on modernizing the terminal, improving passenger flow, upgrading retail and food & beverage offerings, and elevating the overall guest experience. Working in parallel, ASIPONA is constructing a new 350-meter cruise pier — funded with public resources and scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2027 — that will allow Acapulco to welcome the largest, newest cruise ships in the world.
The redevelopment will re-establish Acapulco as a marquee transit destination on the Mexican Riviera and West Coast of the Americas itineraries, delivering meaningful economic opportunity to the local community while celebrating the city's unique cultural identity. GPH began operations at Acapulco in the second quarter of 2026 following selection as ASIPONA's preferred bidder.
Acapulco, the capital of tourism on Mexico's Pacific coast, is set on a deep natural bay in the state of Guerrero, 380 km south of Mexico City. Nicknamed the "Pearl of the Pacific," the city was a linchpin of the trans-Pacific Manila Galleon trade route for 250 years, connecting Spain's American colonies with Asia — a heritage still visible in its colonial architecture, star-shaped fortress, and multicultural cuisine.
Today, Acapulco pairs that deep history with tropical beaches, world-famous cliff diving, jungle-clad mountains, and a legendary nightlife that once drew Hollywood royalty like John Wayne and Elizabeth Taylor. Whether guests come for culture, cuisine, adventure, or simply to relax on golden sand, Acapulco offers an unmistakably Mexican welcome.
