A Taste of Travel: Fiesta Americana Condesa Acapulco

by Paris Permenter & John Bigley
Partially excerpted from Gourmet Getaways

Acapulco. It's glitzy. It's glamorous. It's Hollywood with a fiesta spirit. This beautiful port city, filled with the vacation homes of the some of the silver screen's biggest names, is a favorite haunt of the rich and famous.

But it's not just the jet setters who get to enjoy Acapulco's magnificent beaches and spirited nightlife. The Fiesta Americana Condesa Acapulco appeals to the average couple seeking good prices. Location is another draw, with the resort's view of spectacular Acapulco Bay, proximity to shops, and promise of round-the-clock fun.

Days at this resort can be as busy or as blissful as the two of you choose. You can stroll the Costera and shop at fashionable boutiques for designer clothing or at charming mercados for local crafts. You can don a mask and snorkel in the clear waters off the beach or take an excursion to La Quebrada to watch cliff divers make their death-defying leaps. Or just sip a margarita while floating weightlessly in the pool. However you decide to spend your day, it's always a thrill to watch the sun set over the bay and see the lights come on to greet another pulsating Acapulco night.

For more on the Fiesta Americana Condesa Acapulco, call 800.FIESTA.1.

BLACK BEAN SOUP

2 (15-ounce) cans cooked black beans, drained
10 strips bacon, diced 1/4 inch
1/4 cup butter
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 white onion, diced
Black pepper to taste
Powdered chicken stock to taste
5 cups tortilla chips
4 cups grated Cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 1/2 avocados, pitted, peeled, and sliced
1 cup cilantro sprigs, chopped

Purée the beans in a food processor, adding water to achieve a desirable consistency. Sauté the bacon, butter, garlic, onion and bean purée. Season with the pepper and chicken stock. Serve in bowls, garnished with the tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, a slice of avocado, and cilantro. Yields 10 servings.