WARNING: DO NOT GO TO ACAPULCO IN DECEMBER!!

It was a little too late to change plans when we read that December is the busiest month of the year in Acapulco. We had timed our travel to arrive in the afternoon, in time to anchor before dark. The current slowed us down, but we did arrive in this huge bay while the sun was dropping quickly in the west. Our guidebook is now several years old, and the area designated for anchoring has become rows of mooring balls controlled by the two local marinas. SO, we made a dash across the three mile wide bay and around the corner to Puerto Marques, a much smaller bay just southeast of the city. By the time we got there it was pitch black... another night anchoring, which we hate, and in a strange port. Just to be safe, we anchored in about 60 feet of water. The next day we called for fuel and a mooring ball, drove over to the far end of Bahia de Acapulco, and found a line-up of vessels in the very congested fuel dock area. Frustrated, we returned to the relative safety of P. Marques. With it still being Christmas vacation, the bay was full of pleasure boats, jet skis, kayaks, speed boats with skiers, etc. making circles around us!
The next day we started earlier, and did not call until we got to the marina, and then were told "Take a place in line- we have many boats wanting fuel." It was nerve-wracking for both of us, but we did finally get the fuel and a mooring ball (too expensive). We only stayed one night- long enough to go to shore for supplies and to check out the city. We walked to an auto parts store for engine oil and they were kind enough to take us back to the marina by car with two 5 gallon buckets! Then we rode the bus downtown, past dozens of huge hotels and restaurants- from Planet Hollywood to McDonalds, finally getting off at... Walmart! Once we had all supplies on board we ditched the mooring ball and went back to the circus in Puerto Marques for one more night. We know we will attempt to bypass this port on our way north in a year or so. The above photo, taking at 6:30 AM, is a poor example of the reason why this bay is called the Bowl of Diamonds~ very beautiful at night! The other photo is a shot of a very busy sailboat~ most boats in Acapulco are owned by Mexicans and they do love to party on their boats...