The sunset dive is the most spectacular. (source)
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Looking for some excitement after a day lazing on the beach? How about the legendary clavadistas at La Quebrada cliffs, who dive with a graceful finesse from 45m (130 feet) into the turquoise-blue water below to show their courage, or perhaps impress a señorita.
While their prime motive nowadays may be to collect your $2, the show is still awesome! Moreover, it is one of the most famous sites of Acapulco, since being made famous by the movie “Fun in Acapulco” with Elvis Presley.
The divers first scale the cliff face, then wisely pray at a small shrine before leaping over the edge (so did Elvis Presley in the film Fun in Acapulco). During each show, 3 to 6 divers perform, all trying to outdo the others in showmanship. The youngest start from halfway up the cliff, while their more experienced peers start from still higher. Finally, the last diver leaps from the very highest edge of the cliff.
Waiting for the right wave to dive. (source).
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The trick to this dangerous exercise is for the clavadistas to time their dive to an incoming wave so that there will be enough water in the gorge. They must also enter the water in perfectly perpendicular position in order to avoid breaking bones. And they have to remember to adjust their swimsuits again before leaving the water and climbing back up through the crowd, which has already begun to drift away. Then they hurry through the crowd to stand at the top of the stairs, where they receive tips and will happily share their stories - and their scars.
Arrive early if you can: the show of boats and people coming to watch the spectacle is captivating especially when boats honk merrily after each dive. Before the only daylight show, you can also watch the young apprentices training under the watchful eyes of their elders. With age and experience, they practice from higher up on the cliff.
Most of the people amass to look at the spectacle from a smaller cliff across La Quebrada, but the terrace of the El Mirador hotel is also a good spot, especially if you want to be seated. The Mirador is also the first luxury hotel built in Acapulco in 1933, and countless celebrities have scrawled their admiration for the divers on the wall. It is also a superb spot for watching sunsets.
At night, the last divers carry lighted torches as they plunge into the water -- an unforgettable sight.
Next: The Golden Side of Acapulco  .
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