Top 6 Beaches in Acapulco

From Playas Caleta to Playa Icacos, check out these top beaches.

2 min read•Apr 26, 2018•By Mandy Hegarty

Hi, I'm Mandy!

Mandy Hegarty is a writer who specializes in food and travel. Currently based in Dublin, Ireland, she’s previously lived in New York, London, and Montreal. She has written for the likes of Time Out New York, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines.

The so-called Pearl of the Pacific, Mexico’s Acapulco has been attracting sun-seekers since Frank Sinatra and Gary Cooper first started hanging out here back in the 1950s. The main draw has always been, and remains, the region’s magnificent sun-kissed beaches, of which there are many to choose from. See below for our top beach picks.

Why you are seeing these recommendations

Playas Caleta & Caletilla

Playas Caleta & Caletilla from above. | Photo Credit: ehudson / Shutterstock

These neighboring beaches, separated by a rocky strip, are loved by locals for their fun, buzzy atmosphere. Visit on the weekend when a festival-type atmosphere pervades.

Playa Icacos

Playa Icacos in the sun. | Photo Credit: Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock

A less-crowded, though by no means quiet, alternative to the ever-popular Playa Condesa beach, the golden-sand Playa Icacos faces onto Acapulco Bay. This centrally situated beach is a hub for water sports, with everything from water skiing to parasailing on offer here.

Playa de Barra Vieja

Silver sands and waters to explore. | Photo Credit: LUIS9799 / Shutterstock

About an hour’s drive from Acapulco, Barra Vieja is a secluded and scenic strip of sand tailor-made for relaxation. Have a professional work away knots in one of the beach’s massage tents or go horseback riding across the sand.

Playa Puerto Marques

Playa Puerto Marques and the lush surrounding greenery. | Photo Credit: Victor Hugo Pacheco / Shutterstock

Set south of Acapulco Bay, this flat, pristine beach overlooks the C-shaped Puerto Marques Bay. Surfers and bodyboarders can be seen tackling the waves offshore from the ocean-side restaurants.

La Roqueta Island

La Roqueta Island in the sun. | Photo Credit: ehudson / Shutterstock

Located offshore in the warm waters of Acapulco Bay, La Roqueta Island is a little more laid-back than the mainland. The beaches here are a haven for snorkelers with nearby reefs to explore. Glass-bottomed boats take passengers out to underwater sights, including the submerged Virgen de los Mares Acapulco statue, which sits on the sea bed.

Playa Pie de la Cuesta

Playa Pie de la Cuesta at sunset. | Photo Credit: Villalobos_f / Shutterstock

Situated about six miles (10 kilometers) northwest of Acapulco near the picturesque mangrove-lined Coyuca Lagoon, this beach offers a much more peaceful, tranquil experience than the lively stretches in the main part of Acapulco Bay. Lay out on the sand, go horseback riding along the shoreline, and see if you can spot dolphins frolicking in the waves.