When you hear the name "Acapulco" you immediately think of beaches, beautiful beaches - beaches you've read about in travel brochures or that you've seen in Hollywood movies. You'll probably be surprised to learn how many beaches there really are in and near Acapulco, beaches not only in the center of the city and a short walk from your hotel or condominium, but beaches on the outskirts of the city that, when you visit them, you'll think you're in a small fishing village located somewhere else in Mexico. There is such a variety of beaches in Acapulco that no matter the experience you're looking for you're likely to find it.
Types of Beaches
There are beaches that lie within the protected areas inside Bahia Santa Lucia and Bahia de Puerto Marques, and there are beaches that front the open stretches of the Pacific Ocean. Obviously, the beaches inside the bay areas have calmer waters, as compared to beaches along the open stretches of the Pacific Ocean where wave activity can be strong, and at times making it dangerous to enter the water except along the shoreline.
Beaches to the Northwest of Acapulco
Pie de la Cuesta is one of the most popular beaches in Acapulco - often called the "Sunset Beach" because of the spectular views of the sunset you see when there. This is a laid-back beach located about 6 miles NW of the historic center of Acapulco, and is reachable by public bus, taxi or private auto. The beachfront is lined with small hotels and restaurants (many of them inexpensive), catering, mostly, to weekend and holiday period visitors. Wave action along the beach (Pacific Ocean) can be very strong, and swimmers are cautioined to observe the safety flags that advise of the danger level.
Beaches in the City
Playa La Angosta is a small beach located in a small cove opening directly into the Pacific Ocean, not far from La Quebrada (where the cliff divers perform). This very small beach lies beneath towering mountain cliffs dotted with homes and small hotels. Some small, inexpensive restaurants are across the street and within easy walking distance; there are bathrooms and a changing area, and chairs and umbrellas are offered for rent. A small group of fisherman makes the beach their center and offer their catch of the day for sale to the general public. The beach is easily reached by public busses operating along Costera Miguel Aleman.
Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla beaches which are adjacent and are situated in the Peninsula de las Playas section of Acapulco, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. These beaches are very popular with budget tourists from Mexico City (and other parts of the country) and other visitors longing to spend time surrounded by Mexico's golden years. These beaches offer scores of nice, small seafood restaurants, and a full array of amenities for tourists. Several large hotels are located in the area. For many years, these beaches were referred to as the "Morning Beach" because they received the most sunlight early in the day. The beachfront is one of two principal terminal points for busses operating back and forth along Costera Miguel Aleman, the coastal road that hugs Bahia Santa Lucia and along which many hotels, restaurants and attractions are located.
Playa Honda and Playa Manzanillo were, at one point in Acapulco's history, small but popular beaches. Both are located in the Peninsula de las Playas section (and not far from Playas Caleta and Caletilla). However, over the years the beaches have been neglected by city promotional efforts and neither has particularly good quality water in which to swim. Playa Hornos is very close to the cit's principal yacht club, and a residue of gasoline frequently floats on the water. At Playa Manzanillo, scores or more of abandond boats dot the beach - making it difficult to enjoy the site. The beaches are reachable by public buses operating along Costera Miguel Aleman, by taxi or by car.
Playa Tlacopanocha lies along the city's Malecon (sea walk) and is the closest beach to Plaza Juan Alvarez and Zocalo district. Because of its calm wave action, it's probably the most popular spot for families with very small children wanting to spend time in the water. There is a restaurant at the beach, changing facilities, public bathrooms and a large parking lot. The water here sometimes has a slight amount of gasoline residue that comes from the fleet of charter boats parked closeby. The beach is easily reached by use of the city's public busses, by taxi, by private car and by walking along the Malecon.
Playa Dominguillo and Playa Tamarindo are located only a few feet from Costera Miguel Aleman, approx. 1 mile beyond the Cruise Ship Terminal after you leave Plaza Juan Alvarez. The beaches are popular basecamps for local fisherman who store their boats on a portion of the beach, and where they return early each morning with their daily catch from the sea. The beach is shared with swimmers, and there seems to be no conflict between the two. At Playa Dominguillo, you'll see people (tourists and residents alike) standing in the water fishing, most afternoons. They share the competition for the fish with the local flock of brown Pelicans, though!
Playa Hornos and Playa Hornitos are both popular beaches, and, once again, they're both just a few feet from Costera Miguel Aleman and easily reached by public bus, taxi or on foot. Not as popular as they once might have been, they remain crowded beaches on weekends and at holiday/vacation periods when visitors come into the city from out of town. Some large tourist hotels are situated across the street from these beaches, and there are many nearby restaurants. Vendors/waitors regularly work the beach, and you can order everything from a meal, some cocktails or soft drinks or purchase t-shirts and other merchandise. Chairs and umbrellas are offered for rent, also.
Playa Papagayo is another of the many beaches fronting both the Bay and Costera Miguel Aleman roadway. It's located across the Costera from the large public park - Parque Papagayo (also worth a visit, for a quiet oasis on a warm day). The typical array of tourist services are offered: chair and umbrella rental, food and beverage service, water sports, etc. Many people think this is a good shell-hunting beach, and early-mornings you'll see people scouring the beach for something to add to their collection. It's also a popular beach for families on the weekends. During the high tourism season each Winter, the beach is frequented by many French Canadians and Europeans who spend the season in Acapulco. Truly an international beach!
Playa Pretil may be the name of the beach, but many/most visitors will probably call it something different. It is, however, one of the most popular stretches of beachfront in all of Acapulco, beacause the waterfront is lined with hotels and condominium bulidngs. Among the hotels and time share developments are: Ritz, Mar Azul, Crowne Plaza and Continental Emporio. The full-range of tourist services are available: food, beverage, chair and umbrella rental, jet ski's, parasailing, banana boat rides, etc. The swimming is good and it's a popular place for that. If you've been to Miami Beach, Florida, you'll know what the atmosphere is like. Again, an easily reached beach, set back from Costera Miguel Aleman by a one-block walk.
Playa Condesa is a very cosmopolitan, international beach that draws well-healed Mexico City visitors as well as many foreigners. It's Acapulco's version of Rio's Playa Ipanema. The beach is situated about 30 feet below the adjacent Costera Miguel Aleman, in one of the most popular tourist districts in the city. The beach is lined (above) by some of the city's best known restaurants and bars - a principal nightlife zone. The full-range of tourists services is offered here: chairs, tables and umbrellas; food and beverage, water sports, bungee jumping, etc. The wave action here can oftentimes be strong, so be careful. To the SE of the beach area there's a small section frequented for decades by gay men and lesbians traveling to Acapulco from around the world. Overlooking the beach are several large hotels. And, as with these other beaches, Playa Condesa is easily reached on foot or by public bus; driving and looking for parking in this zone can be a challenge.
Playa Redonda
Playa Icacos is another of the city's bayvront and popular beaches, lined with hotels and high-rise condominium buildings from which most of the beachgoers come from. The full-range of tourist services are available here, also: chair and umbrella rental, food and beverage, jet ski rental, parasailing, banana boat rides, etc. The beach is a short 3 block walk from Costera Miguel Aleman.
Playa Puerto Marques is the city/area's first major beach outside the central part of Acapulco; it's about 10 miles SE of the city center. When you're here you'll think you've traveled to another part of Mexico, not Acapulco. The area is very laid-back. The beach is almost deserted except for weekends and holiday/vacation periods, when throngs of visitors from Mexico City and other parts of the country head for this economical beach. The beachfront is lined with small restaurants featuring, mostly, seafood. It's a relaxed fun destination that offers all of the tourists servicdes that the beaches in ACA's center do. There are a couple of large hotels in the area and some small ones close to the beach, and a nice hostael in town. Many people get here by private car, or by taxi, though you can take a public plus from along Costera Miguel Aleman and then change for a local Puerto Marques collectivo or bus that'll get you to the beach. Visiting here makes for a nice day trip if you're staying in the center of Acapulco.
Playa Diamante and Playa Revolcadero are situated in the zone now frequently referred to as "the new Acapulco." Along this beach are famous luxury developmetns such as the Princess and Mayan Resorts properties, to name just two. The beaches aren't as accessible here as in other parts of the area, and most beachgoers come from the hotels and new condominium towers being constructed. This is an area that visitors are frequently warned against entering the water, because of strong current/undertow. It's not uncommon to read of swimmers who perish in the wave action. Authorities post warning flags, and it's wise to look for them and obey the warnings before venturing too far into the water. Most beachgoers confin their activities to close to shore. This is one of the most expenissve beach areas to visit in Acapulco, with all tourist services costing more - sometimes double what they cost "in town."
Playa Bonfil is a bit further out than Playa Revolcadero, about 15 miles from the center of Acapulco. The beach fronts the Pacific Ocean and is a principal center of surfing in the area. Behind the beach is the small residential area of Bonfil, which offers hotels (mostly small), restaurants and a variety of services. On the beach itself you can sit under the palm-thatched enramada restaurants where you can buy food and beverages. Small ATV's are also offered for rent, and you can horseback ride up and down the beach. The beach can be reached by taking a bus and then collectivo taxi or other bus from the Puerto Marques area, or by private car or taxi. It's a nice day-trip destination. This was once one of Acapulco's isolated beach areas, but new construction of condominium towers has now reached Bonfil, and leapfrogged over. It's a nice oasis in the middle of that development, though.
Playa Barra Vieja is situated approx. 25 miles SE of the center of Acapulco - definately a "day trip" excursion, but a trip well worth the effort. For many years Acapulco families, and tourists from elsewhere in the country, have made the trek to Barra Vieja on the weekend to partake of huachinango de la talla and other seafood specialties. It's a laid-back, relaxed place to spend time - at any of the many small restaurants dotting the beachfront, or at the nearby Tres Palos Lagoon. A full array of tourist services are available: sitting under a palm-thatched enramada restaurant, or poolside at one of the restaurants, food and beverage services, horseback rides, ATV rides, swimming, surfing, walking along the beach, etc. It's a long ride on a couple of busses out to Barra Vieja, but you can go that way. Many/most people drive their own cars, or a rental car. You can also take a taxi, but that cold be an expensive ride. Barra Vieja is still just "outside" Acapulco, and one certainly gets that feel when visiting. There are some small hotels here, if you want to spend the night, or your entire trip.
