Alternatives to Acapulco: Atoyac de Alvarez, Guerrero, México

For most, the city Acapulco - a tourist city found in Guerrero, Mexico – conjures up images of a beach paradise where one can escape the bitter winters found in other parts of the world.

But the city has a much darker side. Acapulco is part of one of the poorest states in Mexico (Guerrero falls just behind Chiapas and Oaxaca in poverty). Away from the mega-hotel lined beaches (and even sometimes within them) are frequent crime, drug activities, and poverty. Once a small fishing town with crystal beaches, the city has transformed into a sprawling dangerous city with polluted beaches.

The tourism - once looked at as the solution to economic problems - has instead brought on more. Locals struggle to compete with international businesses for a piece of the tourist pie, after having been forced from their original professions. The money has attracted drug traffickers looking to cash in along with others.

What is a socially-conscious tourist to do? The first is to not be part of the problem, but look for alternative locations. Not only will you feel better about yourself, you will find better beaches, get a better taste of Mexico, and have a better vacation!

Many looking for better beaches are tempted to try out Zihuatanejo. Located about a six-hour bus ride north of Acapulco, the beaches are certainly cleaner. But the city is quickly turning into an Acapulco of its own as more tourists arrive each year.

There are several better options between the two big cities. Along the stretch of Interstate 200 that runs along the Pacific Coast, there are numerous small towns as well as miles and miles of undeveloped beaches.

While there are dozens of towns to choose from and hundreds of possible stops along the way, my personal favorite is Atoyac de Alvarez. It is located at almost the midpoint between the two tourist stops (3 hours north of Acapulco). There are several transportation options, but the best is Turi-star-sur that will get you a reliable bus ride from Acapulco all the way to the center of Atoyac for less than $4.

With a population of over 60,000, Atoyac is small, but big enough to have locally owned hotels and the essentials a tourist may need. A river runs through diving Atoyac with its neighboring community, El Ticui. A smaller town – San Jeronimo – is closer to the beach and a short drive away.

The hottest time of the year is in May and June, and the rainy season goes from mid-August until mid-October, but the rest of the year is a tourist's dream.

As a visitor continues north up the coast, they will find themselves following an almost limitless beach – and will have a better chance to get a feel for the people and culture of the area.

While a venture away from Acapulco may be a little off the beaten path, it will give you a chance to break away from life as usual (and winter!) without damaging the same land and people you have come to experience. After all, isn't that what a vacation is about?