North America > Mexico > Acapulco (ACA)
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Acapulco can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Acapulco ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Acapulco ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Acapulco?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚕 Why You Might Not Need a Car in Acapulco
First of all, Acapulco’s main tourist areas sit along La Costera, the famous waterfront boulevard. Taxis and ride-hailing services run constantly. Because of this, moving between beaches, hotels, malls, and restaurants stays very easy.
🌟 Going Car-Free Works Well If:
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You stay near La Costera, Zona Dorada, or Zona Diamante
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You want quick access to bars, clubs, and seaside restaurants
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You prefer relaxing on central beaches without travelling far
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You plan to see La Quebrada (cliff divers) and central attractions
Additionally, traffic can be heavy along the waterfront. Parking can be busy too. Therefore, many travellers choose taxis so they can enjoy the bay without any driving stress.
➡ In short, for a classic beach-and-nightlife Acapulco trip, a car isn’t essential.
🚗 When Renting a Car Makes Sense
However, Acapulco has beautiful remote beaches and scenic viewpoints beyond the main strip. If you want to escape crowds or see more of Guerrero’s coastline, a car becomes incredibly useful.
A Car Helps If You Plan To:
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Visit Pie de la Cuesta for sunsets and quiet beaches
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Explore Barra Vieja and long, peaceful stretches of sand
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Drive into the hills for bay viewpoints and hidden restaurants
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Visit Laguna de Tres Palos or local ecological areas
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Explore small coastal villages outside Acapulco
Public transport outside the tourist zone is limited. Because of this, a car gives you flexibility and faster travel.
➡ For coastal adventures, a rental car makes the experience far richer.
🚤 Local Transport Options Inside the City
Even so, Acapulco gives you plenty of alternatives:
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Taxis everywhere
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Ride-hailing apps for simple, cashless trips
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Local buses and colectivos along La Costera
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Water taxis and boat tours around the bay
These work well if you stick to the main shoreline.
🇲🇽 Can You Go Loco in Acapulco and Take a Train?
No — you can’t take a train to Acapulco. There is zero passenger rail to the city. Mexico shut most long-distance rail services in the 1990s, and Acapulco was never connected to a passenger line anyway. So even if you want to go loco on a locomotive, Acapulco is strictly a plane, bus, or car destination.
🚫🚂 And the Closest Train?
The closest things are:
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Mexico City–Toluca commuter rail (now open) — but irrelevant to Acapulco
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Tren Maya — thousands of kilometres away
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El Chepe — in the Copper Canyon
🧭 Quick Decision Table
| Your Plan in Acapulco | Car Needed? |
|---|---|
| La Costera, Zona Dorada, nightlife | ❌ No |
| Beach days near central Acapulco | ❌ No |
| La Quebrada cliff divers | ❌ No |
| Pie de la Cuesta / Barra Vieja | ✅ Yes |
| Laguna de Tres Palos / remote beaches | ✅ Yes |
| Multi-stop coastal exploration | ✅ Yes |
🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Acapulco?
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🚫 Skip the car if you are staying along La Costera and focusing on beaches, restaurants, boat trips, and nightlife.
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🚗 Rent a car if you want to explore Pie de la Cuesta, Barra Vieja, lagoons, or hidden coastal spots beyond the city.
In the end…
Acapulco gives you everything from wild waves to peaceful sunsets. A car isn’t required for the classic bay experience, but it absolutely transforms the more adventurous side of the coast.