Acapulco: (Guerrero state)

Acapulco, the most famous of Mexico's seaside resorts, combines magnificent scenery with the comforts of a modern city. Sited on a beautiful bay ringed by mountains, Acapulco enjoys tropical weather, which varies little from an average annual temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even though the 50s are over and Elvis has gone to that great concert hall in the sky, Acapulco still swings. In terms of exciting nightlife, it can't be beat and it is a less expensive destination than Cancun.

A recent $12 million grant from the state of Guerrero allows for daily beach cleaning and water purification, among other programs. This follows a $25 million investment to clean up the bay.

The destination has some 17,000 hotel rooms located along the "Zona Hotelera" (hotel zone), a stone's throw from the Centro Acapulco, the cultural and convention center.

Meeting Needs, at a Glance

Convention Centers: The Centro Acapulco has nearly 200,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor exhibition space, with meeting rooms for 7,000 attendees. A new alternative is the Copacabana Congress Center, next to the Copacabana hotel, with 3,500 square feet of exhibit space.

Attractions: Acapulco's reputation for wild nightlife is renowned. The fun usually begins around 11 p.m, after a long dinner, and lasts until the morning hours. Most activity centers on hotel bars, nightclubs, and discos.

Another celebrated attraction is "La Quebrada" where, from a torch-lit cliff, divers plunge 135 feet into a narrow cove bordered by treacherous rocks.

Newer attractions include high-speed boat tours, sport fishing, parasailing, and water-park excursions. For groups, evening receptions and events can be held at the old stone Fort San Diego, the bullring, or at a lovely seaside mansion.