Just seen a BBC documentary about how deserted Acapulco is now and the Mafia Problems there? Is it as bad as they say? Are you noticing aggression towards tourists?
Found this comment on my facebook and it makes me incredibly sad. This wonderful place is really empty, thanks to such bullshit being broadcasted. The many hard working locals do not deserve this, because it has no truth to it.
I came to attend the Anarchapulco conference and of course I had read all the warnings as well. But I also know how the press works and chose to ignore as always.
Speaking fluent Spanish, I did not stay in our resort, but went exploring the city. No surprise, that I had quite some truly enjoyable conversations and anyone I met was incredibly friendly and helpful. Moreover, I have never seen that many different police forces in one place.
Not that the presence of armed men would make me feel any safer, but it shows that the local authorities are working very hard on protecting tourist locations. Tourists are an important asset, no one will ever hurt them.
Let's get one thing straight: Where there is nightlife and diversions including drugs, prostitution and gambling, there will always be the mob, organizing supply lines, distribution and taking share from the profits. Where there is mob, there will be armed hostilities between rivaling gangs.
This is not an Acapulco problem but a worldwide phenomenon. You will find it in Antalya, Mallorca and Pattaya as well as in Hamburg or Amsterdam, see below.
If you happen to be in the middle of a shootout you may get hurt or die, but such is very, very unlikely. The last tourist who died in Acapulco was a drunk guy from Chile who started fighting with locals. If you behave, you will be completely safe as you are an asset to the mafia as well! The so-called redlight districts are probably the best guarded areas ever.
Oh well, there are many streets in Berlin, Paris and London that I would definitely avoid at nighttime. Why doesn't the BBC cover that instead?
