Acapulco Bays and Beaches

The beaches in Acapulco Mexico, from west to east around the bay, are:

Playa la Angosta: a small, sheltered, often-deserted cove located just around the bend from La Quebrada (where the cliff divers perform)

Caleta & Caletilla: located south of downtown on the Peninsula de las Playas. Separating them is a small outcropping of land that contains the Aquarium and Water Park Mágico Mundo Marino (Opening Hours: daily from 9 am to 7 pm).
These two beaches also offer:

• Thatched-roofed restaurants
• Water sports equipment for rent
• Brightly-painted boats that take passengers to RoquetaIsland
• Daily beach chair and umbrella rentals

Mexican families prefer these beaches.
They are near several inexpensive hotels in Acapulco. In the late afternoon, fishermen haul their colorful boats up on the sand.
Visitors can buy the fresh catch of the day and, occasionally, oysters on the half shell.

Playa Manzanillo: located south of the zócalo.
It features:

• Charter fishing trips
• Docking for pleasure boats

In the old days, the downtown beaches (Manzanillo, Honda, Caleta, and Caletilla)  were the focal point of Acapulco. Today, beaches and resort developments stretch along the 6.4 km (4-mi) length of the shore.

East of the zócalo, the major beaches are:

• Hornos (near Papagayo Park)
• Hornitos
• Paraíso
• Condesa
• Icacos

Icacos is followed by the naval base (La Base) and Punta del Guitarrón. After Punta del Guitarrón, the road climbs to the legendary Las Brisas hotel.

Beyond Las Brisas, the road continues to the small, clean bay of Puerto Marqués. It is followed by Punta Diamante, about 19 km (12 mi) from the zócalo.
The landscape fronts the open Pacific.

It is dominated by the following hotels in Acapulco:

• fabulous Acapulco Princess
• Quinta Real
• Pierre Marqués hotels

Other beaches in the area are:

Playa Puerto Marqués: located in the sheltered bay of Puerto Marqués. Its calm water makes it an attractive area for swimming and water-skiing.

Revolcadero Beach: located past the bay. It is a magnificent wide stretch of beach on the open ocean.
Many of Acapulco, Mexico's grandest resorts are located here.

Other beaches are located farther north. They are best reached by car and also by bus.
One such beach is:

Pie de la Cuesta: located 13 km (8 mi) west of town. Buses along the Costera depart every 5 or 10 minutes. The water is too rough for swimming.
But it is a great spot for:

• Checking out big waves
• Enjoying the spectacular sunset
• Savoring coco locos (drinks served in fresh coconuts) at a rustic beachside restaurant
• Going birding (this area is excellent)
• Visiting coconut plantations

By car, continue west along the peninsula. Pass Coyuca Lagoon on the right, until almost to the small air base at the tip. Along the route, various private businesspeople (mostly young boys) invite tourists to park near different sections of beach .

Swimming in the Acapulco Bay - Water Pollution

Over the past ten years, the city has spent both effort and a lot of money to clean up the waters off Acapulco. Acapulco is an industrial port. It was once heavily polluted. Many tourists choose to swim in the pools in Acapulco hotels instead. There is a fleet of power-sweeper boats that skim the top of the bay each morning to remove debris and oil.

Among the bay beaches that remain popular with tourists and locals are:

• Caleta & Caletilla beaches
• Playa Puerto Marqués

Tide Warnings

Every year, at least one or two unwary swimmers drown in Acapulco due to deadly riptides and undertow.
Swim only in Acapulco Bay or Puerto Marqués Bay.
Be careful of the undertow in every seaside area. If caught in the undertow, head back to shore at an angle. Don’t try to swim straight back.