What are the best beaches in Acapulco? Acapulco is a resort city on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast that is famous for its beautiful beaches, calm waters, and great weather. Acapulco is the “original” resort city in Mexico, attracting tourists since as early as the 1940s, when it was the premier destination for Hollywood celebrities and wealthy American tourists. Since then, the city became increasingly popular for average Americans, and although newer resort cities like Cancun and Cabo san Lucas have stolen some of Acapulco’s thunder, the city remains one of the best tourist destinations in Mexico.
Popular activities to do on Acapulco’s beaches include relaxing and sunbathing, jogging, swimming, paddleboarding, boogie boarding, and more, although the best beaches for each activity can vary. Here are the XXX best beaches in Acapulco that you should be sure to check out on your next trip.
Playas Caleta and Caletilla
Two of the best known and most popular beaches in Acapulco, Playas Caleta and Caletilla are beautiful yellow sand beaches with calm, swimmable waters that are perfect for families, children, and the elderly.
Both beaches are easily accessible from the main hotel zone in Acapulco, and restaurants, changing rooms and bathrooms, and other amenities are present in the area, making the beaches very convenient and a perfect place to spend the day. Popular activities on the beaches include swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, or just relaxing on the hot sands.
Playas Caleta and Caletilla can get very crowded, especially on weekends and public holidays, as Mexican nationals from the area flock to the beaches. It is better to go during the week or as early as possible if you do decide to go on the weekend or a holiday.
Pie de la Cuesta
Five miles northwest of Acapulco is Pie de la Cuesta, a scenic beach known for its beautiful sunsets, and calm, tranquil environment, away from the hustle and bustle of Acapulco proper. The beach is a favorite of the locals, and is rarely crowded, and the long, open beaches are great for jogging and strolling.
The ocean in Pie de la Cuesta can get rough with strong currents, so it is not advised for young or inexperienced swimmers to swim in the waters. However, the views from the beach and the activities available at the nearby lagoon (including kayaking, swimming, boating, and more) more than make up for the water conditions.
Playa de Barra Vieja
A long beach stretching several miles along Acapulco’s coast, Playa de Barra Vieja is known for its warm waters and beautiful scenery. Less crowded than many of the other popular beaches in the city, Playa de Barra Vieja has a wealth of activities for visitors to partake in, including horseback or ATV riding along the beach, boat tours, and great restaurants just off the beach, serving local specialties like red snapper.
Playa de Barra Vieja directly faces the ocean, so the waters can get rough, and swimmers should pay close attention to the water’s conditions before deciding to go in. The beach itself, however, is calm and peaceful, and makes a great place to watch the sunset over the Pacific each night.
Playa Condesa
A sheltered beach that has some of the best swimming in Acapulco, Playa Condesa is also centrally located and easily accessible from most of the major hotels and resorts in the city. As one of the more popular beaches in Acapulco, Playa Condesa can get quite crowded, especially on weekends and Mexican national holidays, so you should try to go there during the week, or as early as possible on the weekends and holidays. If you get there before 11am, you should be able to find a spot, and you can rent chairs and umbrellas from vendors on the beach.
The soft, warm sands and calm waters make the beach great for swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Other popular activities on the beach include snorkeling, windsurfing, paddleboarding, parasailing, and water skiing.
Tlacopanocha Beach
An excellent swimming beach with calm waters and few waves, making it great for families, children, and the elderly. Less crowded than some of the other popular swimming beaches in Acapulco, Tlacopanocha Beach is quiet and comfortable, with boats slowly passing by offshore and a cool ocean breeze that feels great on hot days.
The beach is also a popular spot for fishing, with many fishing boats and yachts present in the waters just off the shore. The area is also a popular departure point for cruises of Acapulco Bay, and ships frequently enter and leave the area.
Playa Revolcadero
A beautiful, scenic beach located to the south of Acapulco. Playa Revolcadero is known for its stunning scenery, hot sands, and cool waters. The ocean off Playa Revolcadero can get rough, and there are no lifeguards, so it is better suited for experienced surfers and boogie boarders, and is not suitable for all but the strongest swimmers.
Along the shore you can see fish and find shells along the water’s edge. You can also rent boogie boards, umbrellas, and chairs from nearby vendors, and you can order food and drinks right on the beach.
Playa Bonfil
One of the more secluded beaches in Acapulco, Playa Bonfil is a great place to spend the day relaxing in the sun or enjoying the ocean. The waves on the beach are fast and the water can get rough, so it is not ideal for swimming, but the beach is very popular for surfing and boogie boarding.
Playa Bonfil is within walking distance of many condos and hotels in Acapulco, and for those travelling from further away, there is plenty of parking available. The beach is usually not very crowded, especially compared to some of the more popular beaches in the city, and is a perfect place for surfers and sunbathers to escape from the hustle and bustle.
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