Sometimes, when you find a wonderful place to visit, you can’t help but be excited to return.
For me, that place is Acapulco. (Well, the Apple TV+ series, I mean.)
For those who are unaware, Acapulco tells the story of Maximo (Eugenio Derbez), a wealthy mogul in Malibu who is determined to resurrect his beloved hotel, Las Colinas and return it to its former glory. Having worked there almost 40 years ago, his youth was filled with romance and joy and he wants to pass that on to the next generation. Telling the story between two timelines, we watch as the younger Maximo (Enrique Arrizon) works hard for to make Las Colinas one of Acapulco’s ‘best hotels’ and secure its future while the older incarnation tries to repair the pain of his past in the present.
Returning for its fourth (and final) season, Apple TV+’s Acapulco proves to be a delightful finale for the staff of Las Colinas. As always, the series absolutely bubbles with colour and personality. Pop music infuses each episode, yet not enough to call it a ‘musical’. But, most of all, it’s very, very funny.
In many ways, Acapulco exemplifies the modern telenovela in its purest form. Scandals and relationship struggles drive the narrative. Betrayals and backstabbing leave viewers waiting for the next installment. And, of course, family is everything. These are the tried-and-true building blocks of this sort of soap-y fun and they run rampant throughout the series.
Ultimately though, what makes Las Colinas worth visiting is its staff.
Frankly, this is one of those series where every character is lovable, even those we’re meant to despise. Villains play themselves with a wink and heroes are delightfully self-deprecating. Even when he’s doing the wrong thing, Arrizon’s Maximo has such a delightful innocence about him that one cannot help but adore him. What’s more, the chemistry that he shares with Perez’ Julia makes for delightful banter that becomes the emotional core of the series (and adds genuine tension to their future relationship fallout). In fact, everyone here delivers their performance with an ever-flowing energy that’s simply infectious.
With that in mind, the tone of the series is always positive, even when it’s dealing with its issues between people. Despite the silliness of its humour, these characters feel genuine. Although they may be broken, manipulative or just plain foolish, the staff of Las Colinas seem to actually care about one another. (In this way, Acapulco echoes its Apple TV+ cousin, Ted Lasso, another series that sought to celebrate the good in everyone.)
While the series does tackle some issues such as fair wages, Acapulco admittedly puts far more emphasis on the fun than it does any grand social messages. However, it’s worth noting that the series’ emphasis on ‘passing on the story’ between generations does demonstrate the value in honouring what’s come before. As Maximo tells his daughter and friends about what happened in the past, so too does he also breathe life into Las Colinas (and his family).
For these reasons, one can’t help but be saddened by the fact that Las Colinas is closing its doors after this season. (Though, if Ted Lasso can return, why can’t this place eventually reopen?) However, even if you’ve never taken a trip to Acapulco before, there’s still plenty of time to grab a drink and sit by the pool for a few more delightful stories.
The final season of Acapulco begins streaming on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025.
