Set on the southern Pacific coast, Acapulco is famous for its divine beaches that will take your breath away.
Acapulco de Juárez (to give it its full name) is found in a deep-set bay that’s about 350 kilometers south of Mexico City.
With over 50 kilometers of beaches to choose from, you might wonder how to decide where to head.
Whether you’re looking for surfing and watersport, lively beach bars or a secluded piece of tranquility, we’ll have you going loco for the best beaches in Acapulco.
The Best Beaches in Acapulco – Geography
When it comes to beaches, the reason why some places have better ones than others is to do with their geography.
In Acapulco, the beaches are glorious thanks to their geography.
The bay of Acapulco is a deep semicircle on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. It lies at 16.8° latitude, making it firmly in the tropics.
Booking.comIt is cradled by the Sierra Madre del Sur – a magnificent mountain range that surrounds it like a natural amphitheater.
Acapulco’s climate attracts many tourists and has grown to include many lavish hotels alongside its impressive beaches.
One thing’s for sure, when it comes to beaches, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Acapulco.
Let’s do a rundown of the best of the Acapulco beaches.
Playa Pie de la Cuesta
This hidden gem of a beach sits a little way from the bustling city of Acapulco itself, but it is well worth the journey.
You can hire a car or take the little green and white van-like buses like the locals do. And the drive there is almost as spectacular as the destination.
When You Arrive – You’ll be stunned to see miles and miles of beach set between the Pacific ocean and the Coyoca Lagoon.
It’s a perfect spot to watch the most spectacular sunsets.
This is definitely the place to go if you want the beach all to yourself (or at least to feel that way – it’s so long, there’s plenty of space for everyone!).
At only 10 kilometers from Acapulco City itself, it’s worth a little trip out for the laid-back beach vibes alone.
One Thing to Note – This is not the place to go if you want a casual swim in the ocean. The waves and rip tides here can be incredibly dangerous.
Playa de Barra Vieja
Less than an hour south by car, Playa de Barra Vieja takes you to this quiet and impressive beach that’s far from the metropolitan backdrop found in the City of Acapulco itself.
Despite its tranquility, it has a variety of eateries to sample the delicious dishes of the area as well as a range of activities to keep you amused.
Sunset horseback riding along the beach? Consider it done! How about a thrilling chase on an ATV quad? Check!
What’s more, there’s a lot of wildlife to observe in the environs, from dolphins to tropical birds.
Whatever takes your fancy, if you’re there in the evening, it’ll be all under the most impressive of fiery skies.
This beach is one that is favored by the locals because it’s away from the crowd of the big city.
If you’re wanting authentic Mexican food and regional specialties, you should certainly head this way.
You could try the snapper zarandeado – an entire red snapper, marinated in spicy deliciousness.
Looking for affordable place to stay in Acapulco? Take a look at the latest accommodation deals on booking.com
Playa Marin and Playa Roqueta
This pair of beaches are located off the beaten Acapulco track.
That is, they’re on the Isla de Roqueta rather than the mainland.
If you’re an ecotourist, a visit here is a must. Quiet relaxation, accessible only by water taxi from Playa Caleta, you’ll find yourself in paradise.
Playa Roqueta is the main beach on the island and Playa Marin is smaller and more remote.
To get to this undeveloped wonderland, it’s a little hike away.
Playa Revolcadero
Just ten minutes from the airport, this beach is a little bit of an exclusive one.
Visited mainly by hotel guests from the Fairmont Pierre Marques and Acapulco Fairmont Princess, it’s the epitome of luxurious beaches with pretty much anything and everything to do.
What to Expect? Jet skiing, hang gliding, snorkeling and parasailing are all popular activities here. The sea is usually good for a swim, but watch out if the red flags are out.
Of course, the beach cabanas are also there for you to lay back and relax, enjoying a tropical cocktail or two next to the Pacific.
This is also the place where the well-dressed, chic crowd come to laze the day away, perhaps recovering from last night’s partying.
If you’re hungry, the cabanas also offer delicious dishes that whet your appetite.
If you’re a guest at the hotels, you won’t need to move a muscle as the staff will cater for your every need.
Playas Caleta and Caletilla
If you prefer your beaches to be traditional holiday beaches, then these two are where you should head.
The two beaches are technically one long one that is separated by the Mágico Mundo Marino – the aquarium!
Here, you can relax and unwind, listen to the sounds of a Mexican guitar player, have a massage and swim in calm waters. Oh, and grab a mojito of course!
This used to be the place to go when Acapulco first became a destination to visit for tourists after Hollywood discovered its amazing beauty.
The beach fills up each morning, usually with locals or fellow Mexicans who have come for a break away.
It’s stepped away from its earlier reputation of the beach for the rich and famous and now has a more traditional and local feel.
It tends to be more the spot for tourists on cheap and cheerful holiday breaks.
Playa Pichilingue
This beach takes you away from the noisy and traditional Acapulco and into waters that are cleaner and a deeper blue.
It’s somewhat of a private beach that is mostly accessible by the nearby mansion owned by mega-rich Mexicans or the luxury hotels nearby.
You can get here by boat, however.
What makes this little beach great is that the waves are calmer, so it’s much safer for younger children that the wilder waves of other beaches.
Playa Condesa
Situated in the center of Acapulco’s “Golden Zone”, Playa Condesa is famed for its tourism and hedonistic lifestyle.
A large, craggy rocky outcrop called La Redonda sits just off the shoreline and there are plenty of places to rent a jet ski or go parasailing.
The water’s often not the best for casual swimming, but great for a paddle to cool off.
This is the partygoers’ beach and it’s always busy. It’s near the hotel zone of Acapulco.
There’s also a section of the beach that’s considered to be the best gay beach.
This extends from Las Piedras to the eastern end of Playa Condesa, just below the Beto’s Condesa bar and restaurant.
Playa Icacos
This beach is another of the big, popular ones in the Golden Zone.
In some parts, it’s much wider than Playa Condesa, with clean water and sand.
There are many bars and restaurants to keep you fed and watered too.
It’s the ideal place to visit if you are staying in one of the nearby hotels or condos in the Costa Azul area.
Playa Icacos offers splendid sunsets too, with a great view out to the open Pacific waters.
Playa Puerto Marqués and Majahua
If you want the beach that the locals recommend, this one has to be it.
These beaches are much smaller than many beaches in Acapulco, but they have calmer waters affronting a luscious green cove.
If you want a relaxing retreat and a swim, this is where to head.
The beaches also have a great atmosphere and much fewer tourists.
Even Better – The village of Puerto Marqués has a few shops and some amazing seafood restaurants that you really should check out.
By the end of the day, the tide rushes in, taking in nearly all the beach.
So if you’re after a sunset stroll on the sand, I’d head elsewhere.
The Final Words about Best Beaches in Acapulco
When it comes to a visit to Acapulco, a trip to a beach or two is a must.
But what kind of beach you visit will come down to personal preference. Are you looking for a taste of luxury and private surroundings?
Are a lively atmosphere, cocktails, and water sports more your thing? How about secluded, eco-tourism, or miles and miles of virgin sand?
Whatever your preference, we’re sure to have covered it.
Now you know where to head, all you need now is your beach towel, swimsuit, and some suntan lotion!
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