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The main bus line follows the Costera Boulevard from Puerto Marqués to Caleta, and stop at the fairly conspicuous metal bus stops along the way. In Mexican tradition, you can also wave at a bus between stops and chances are the driver will take you in.

The standard buses, usually gray, are no more than a few minutes apart, and are reasonably clean but without air conditioning. Yellow air-conditioned tourist buses, marked "Acapulco," follow the same route and run about every 30 minutes.

Eastbound buses following the Costera are marked "Hornos" in white chalk on the windshield. From the Zocalo and some part of Old Acapulco, you can also take marked "La Base" to go to Golden Acapulco (in reference to the naval base near the Hyatt Regency). These bused cross through Old Acapulco and returns to the Costera just east of the Ritz Hotel.

Buses to Pie de la Cuesta or Puerto Marqués say so on the front. The Puerto Marqués bus runs about every 10 minutes and is always crowded.

Most busses are about three pesos, and they give change.

Taxi

VW cabs are cheap and plentiful, and can be hailed from anywhere in Acapulco. Taxis don’t have meters, and usually charge by zone, so it is always wise to settle on a price before boarding (¿"cuanto"?). Few rides cost more than 40 pesos, and most short rides will end up costing the 20 pesos minimum. Rates are about 50% higher at night, and although tipping isn't expected, Mexicans usually leave small change.

If you board a taxi at a taxi line, price will also be doubled.

Hotel taxis are roomiest and more comfortable, but usually more expensive. A price list that all drivers adhere to is posted in hotel lobbies. Fares in town are usually about US$3 to $10.

You can also hire a taxi by the hour or the day. You should be able to negotiate around US$10 an hour. Don’t blindly follow recommendations from taxi driver as to where to eat or shop, since many get kickbacks from some of the smaller stores and restaurants.

Car Rental

Car rentals are available at the Acapulco International Airport, and at most of the major hotels. Most car rental companies in Acapulco are fairly expensive. Prices start at about $35 a day and $235 a week, plus 15% tax plus insurance, in Acapulco for an economy car with air-conditioning, a manual transmission, and unlimited mileage. You may not find car available in the whole city during high season.

• Hertz (Tel. ++52 (744) 485-89-47),
• Avis (Tel. ++52 (744) 462-00-85),
• Dollar (Tel. ++52 (744) 466-94-93),
• Quick (Tel. ++52 (744) 486-34-20),
• Budget Tel. ++52 (744) 486-89-55).

All have offices at the airport.

You must carry a Mexican auto insurance. If you injure anyone in an accident without valid insurance, you may end up being jailed, even if it is not your fault. You can buy insurance from the following Car Insurance Agencies:

• Instant Mexico Auto Insurance (223 Via de San Ysidro, San Ysidro, CA 92173, PHONE: 619/428-3583).
  
• Oscar Padilla (4330 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego, CA 92122, PHONE: 800/258-8600).
  
• Sanborn's Mexican Insurance (2009 S. 10th St., McAllen, TX 78503, PHONE: 210/686-0711).
  

Be aware when trying to find your way around Acapulco that street names and numbers are generally not logical or well marked.