Language
Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Usually personnel at hotels, shops, restaurants, etc, speak and understand English. If you know some Spanish don’t hesitate to try it, it’s the best way to make new friends among the warm, friendly people of Mexico.

Money exchange
The peso is the legal tender in Mexico ($1 peso = 100 cents, or centavos). You can exchange your currency at the American Express Travel Service Offices or the Foreign Exchange offices. You can also withdraw money from most of the ATMs, in pesos.In this Welcome Kit you will find a flyer to exchange your currency to pesos at preferential rates in all American Express Foreign Exchange and Travel Service Offices in Acapulco.

Credit cards
Travelers Cheques and major credit cards, such as American Express, are widely accepted in Acapulco. The large hotels, restaurants, and department stores accept cards readily.

Valuables
It is not advisable to carry large amounts of cash and several credit cards as well as plane tickets, passport and personal documents with you. Take with you only what is necessary and keep the rest in the safe in your hotel. Overall, Acapulco is a safe destination, but losing money or documents is never a pleasant experience, anywhere in the world.

Transportation
Taxis and buses are the most convenient transportation vehicles in Acapulco. Taxis are circulating along the streets looking for persons requesting services. Acapulco offers buses that circulate to most places you’d want to go. There is no particular time schedule, as the buses are circulating frequently. Walking along La Costera is easy; a novel alternative is a decorated horse-drawn cart.

Tipping
Service charges are not added to restaurant bills in Acapulco. A gratuity between 10 and 15 percent is recommended. For porters and other hotel or service staff a tip equivalent to one or two US dollars is the norm. Taxi drivers do not automatically expect a gratuity but an extra ten percent on the fare would be an appropriate payment if desired.

Shopping
Shopping in Acapulco ranges from the ultra-sophisticated to the simplest of crafts displayed in over 600 shops city wide. The main shopping strip for upscale stores is along the Costera Aleman between the Acapulco Plaza and El Presidente Hotels.

Time sharing
There are many timeshare promoters at the Acapulco airport and at the resorts. You may be approached with offers of half price tours, free breakfast, etc.; if you accept, you will be obligated to attend a timeshare presentation. Neither American Express nor your travel agency are in any way connected with these associations, and do not endorse their activities.

Water
Most hotels have water filters and purified tap water. Ice cubes are also safe to use and consume. You can always get a bottle of purified water in the tobacco shop of your hotel, if you are going out.