I mentioned previously Acapulco can have periods of unsafety - a long history of drug warlord wars, Hatfield-McCoy style family feuds carried over several generations, and more. Most of tourist Acapulco has been safe, but some of the outlying areas can be unsafe - particularly driving at night, camping on the beaches, hitting the red light district... but some things have changed, with the finding of decapitated heads, gunfights and more.

Currently, a period of high criminal activity exists in Acapulco, so I recommend other, newer destinations like Puerto Vallarta (the rainy season should come to an end in November, but Mexico has had the rainest rainy season in 150 years in some locations) or Cancún if you want higher-end luxe destinations, and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo or Bahias de Huatulco if you want aras with fewer people and more beauty (in fact, I recommend Zihua over Ixtapa if you want more of a traditional, er, Mexican flavor.)

For an idea of what Acapuco is experiencing right now, see this BBC article.

"In some ways it is appropriate that John Wayne used to holiday in Acapulco, because this once paradise resort for the rich and famous has become a little like the Wild West....

"Acapulco has changed," says Teresa de Jesus Rivas Perez, the director general of the city's Tourist Board.

Commander Fonseca wants new tactics to control gun crime
"I've lived here all my life, but it is not the place it was," she says with suitable understatement. "We must get rid of these gangs so Acapulco can return to what it used to be".