Acapulco, Mexico – January 2000

Taxis

Very few Acapulco taxis have meters, so always settle the fare before you get in. Here’s one way to estimate a “fair” fare: the enormous flagpole in front of Papagayo Park is about midway around the Bay. If your trip starts and ends on either side of that landmark, the fare should be about twenty or twenty-five pesos. Longer trips, which pass the flagpole, will be about 40 pesos. Trips to or from Las Brisas, Acapulco Diamante, or the Airport may run as much as 200 pesos or more.

Bullfights (Corridas)

The bullfight season opens Sunday, January 9, at Plaza Caletilla, and “corridas” will take place every Sunday at 5:30pm (sharp) until sometime in April. As a rule, three young men will face three bulls in ritual killing that dates back several centuries; as one example, the fighters wear clothing (”traje de luces”) which is derived from Spanish street wear of the 16th and 17th centuries.

The fights in Acapulco are “novilladas” meaning that the bulls are between three and four years old and weigh not more than 450 kilograms (1000 LB). The fighters, too, are young, and have not yet taken the “alternativa” which will admit them to the full status of “matador de toros”.

Tickets (Boletos)

Tickets can be obtained at virtually any of the larger hotels; ask at the front desk. On the day of the fight there are almost always good seats available at the ring right up to the time of the fight. Prices vary from about 50 pesos for general admission to 200 pesos for reserved seats on the front row.

Bullrings are divided into two sections, “Sombra” (shady) and “Sol” (sunny) sides, and the cost of tickets is somewhat higher in Sombra.

Getting There

The western end of the line, for any bus marked “Caleta,” is the old Jai Alai Frontón near Caletilla Beach. The bull ring is just behind the frontón, a short walk up the one-way “loop” street which circles both the fronton and the plaza de toros.

If you walk to the right of the Fronton, with the traffic, you come to the “Sombra” entrance first. If you walk to the left of the Fronton, against the traffic, you’ll get to the “Sol” entrance, where tickets are slightly cheaper and there may be more room.

If you would like more information on the Acapulco bullfights, please email me at wylie@prodigy.net.mx

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