El Veladero National Park, National park in Acapulco, Mexico
El Veladero National Park is a protected area near Acapulco with oak forests and tropical plants that cover the hillsides overlooking the bay. The park has marked trails for walking and a section with ancient rock carvings, plus areas where you can spot wildlife like iguanas and birds.
The area served as a military position for independence forces led by General José María Morelos y Pavón around 1813 to 1814, during Mexico's fight for freedom from colonial rule. This chapter in the nation's story is woven into the landscape that visitors walk through today.
The rock engravings at Palma Sola show scenes from the daily lives of people who lived here thousands of years ago. Walking past these ancient carvings carved into granite, you get a sense of what mattered to the communities that once called this place home.
The park is best explored on foot using the marked trails that wind through different areas with varying levels of difficulty. Bring sturdy walking shoes and plenty of water, especially on sunny days when the forest cover is thin in some sections.
From the higher sections on a clear day, you can see three different bodies of water at once – Acapulco Bay, Pie de la Cuesta, and Laguna de Coyuca stretching out below. This panoramic view makes the trek to these spots particularly rewarding.
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