Acapulco is among the top resorts in the world, and with its great variety of attractions, it is the ideal vacation spot for every taste even of the most demanding traveler. And yet, unlike other travel destinations, the history of this port is particularly interesting.
The Náhuatl tongue is the root of Acapulco's name which, according to tradition, means "Place where he reeds were destroyed". It all began with a Yope Indian legend. Ácatl ("reed"), the eldest son of one of the tribe's chiefs, was in love with Princess Quihuitl ("rain"), daughter of a rival chief. But, of course, any idea of a marriage was out of the question because of the rivalry between the heads of these families. Thus Ácatl went back to his home near the bay, and sank into such a deep depression that his own tears melted his body, forming a large muddy swamp where reeds began to grow.
Meanwhile, princess Quihuitl, drifted across the bay in the form of a cloud and, in her deep sadness upon discovering the death of her loved one, she hurled herself down in the form of a huge storm, destroying the reeds, and dying beside her beloved Ácatl. In this manner they were united forever, giving birth to the word Acapulco, "Place where the reeds were destroyed".
This legend is part of Acapulco's Pre-Hispanic history along with the items found at the Sabana archaeological excavations. In the high areas of Acapulco, stone carvings and figurines have been found, indicating that the Port was inhabited since approximately 3000 B.C.
The first European to arrive at our beautiful Port was Fernando Chico, on December 13, 1521, who named the bay of Acapulco "Santa Lucía", being that on that date Saint Lucía was honored in Spain. Acapulco's bay is still officially the Bay of Santa Lucía.
It was around the year 1532 when Acapulco came under the domain of the Spanish colonizers who referred to it as the "City of Kings" and interestingly enough, it was considered the place with the most beautiful beaches, a well-deserved title which still holds true today.
With the return of the Spanish galleons from their trips to the Orient, the Port was declared the official site for trade between Asia and America, which brought about the Americas' Fair or the China Nao, which were dates when Acapulco was transformed and filled with splendor. This was one of first times Acapulco played a part in the hospitality industry, the main source of employment and provider of large amount of foreign exchange.
As the years went by, Acapulco became one of the most glamorous cities of the world. We need only recall the1950s when great Hollywood stars would revel in this paradise of the Americas. We must also keep in mind that Acapulco has proudly been the inspiration for movies and novels which are now considered classics and that have given Acapulco even more international fame. Today it is one of the preferred travel destinations for national and foreign tourists.
-Acapulco Convention and Visitor Bureau
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