Explore Acapulco's Best Beaches: Ranked

During our time in Acapulco, we did the best that we could to get to as many popular Acapulco beaches as possible. While one week isn’t nearly enough to explore every single beach in the Bay of Acapulco, we did hit all of the popular ones and a few of the lesser-known ones that are a bit off the beaten path. In this Acapulco beach guide, we will score and rank the top seven beaches that we visited, rating their water, sand, waves, location, and convenience to other amenities. We’re using Mexican beaches as the baseline with a 5 in any category being considered average.

We decided not to give a number for waves because there is no universal definition of a “good wave.” If you’re a surfer, you want something entirely different than someone relaxing on the beach with a couple of cocktails. Instead of a number, we will give a general description of the waves!

7. Playas Caleta and Caletilla

clear blue beach with people in acapulco — **^{© DE MIGUEL ANGEL ALVAREZ BERNARDO}**

SAND : 3	WATER : 5
LOCATION : 7	AMENITIES : 6

SAND: 3

The sand at Playa Caleta and Playa Caletilla was very pebbly and dark. We tend to prefer very fine, white sand and this was the polar opposite. It wasn’t rocky and it wasn’t very dirty, but it was definitely below-average sand.

WATER: 5

The water here was very average by Mexican standards. It was a translucent shade of blue. It would probably be clearer if there weren’t so many boats in the water in this area, but this is where the ferries and water taxis leave from to get to Isla de la Roqueta, so it is naturally going to be a bit polluted. The boat traffic could also be seen as a negative as it may be a safety risk for children that aren’t paying attention!

LOCATION: 7

The location is pretty great, largely because of the proximity to the dock that takes you to La Virgen de los Mares and Isla de la Roqueta. It is on the furthest-west point of the Bay of Acapulco, and there are some pretty views of the rest of the bay. While it is a bit further away than some popular beaches like Playa Condesa, the convenient bus network of Acapulco makes it very easy to reach.

AMENITIES: 6

There is plenty to do around this area. There are food options right along the beach, there are plenty of hotels in the area, and there is even a souvenir market right across the street from the beaches. We didn’t try any of the food here, but it looked like it would be average for food at a beachside restaurant. The proximity to the docks is nice, too, because you can easily head to Isla de la Roqueta if these two twin beaches really aren’t your thing.

WAVES

They are extremely relaxed and subtle.

★

OVERALL SCORE

During our stay we kept hearing about Caleta and Caletilla, and that is the only reason that we went. We were definitely underwhelmed, and we won’t go back the next time we’re in Acapulco. These beaches are very popular with the locals and mingling with them was a plus, but overall, we’d conclude that there is no real draw to Caleta and Caletilla and your time is better spent elsewhere! The only real sight to see is La Virgen de los Mares, which you can see on a snorkeling tour.

Submerged statue of the Virgin Mary in Acapulco — Seeing La Virgen de Los Mares in person was the coolest experience of our trip.

6. Playa Manzanillo

beach with small boats in mexico — **^{© BEACH SEARCHER}**

SAND : 5	WATER : 5
LOCATION : 7	AMENITIES : 7

SAND: 5

The sand here is very average. There is nothing wrong with it, but it is definitely nothing to write home about.

WATER: 5

The water here is also nothing extraordinary. Moderately clear, moderately blue.

LOCATION: 7

Here is where Playa Manzanillo begins to earn its stripes. It is right off of the western part of the Costera, which makes it very reachable by public transportation. The buses and taxis run right by here all day every day, and you will have no trouble getting here or getting home. Additionally, it is located just a 12-minute walk from the Zocalo, and it pairs nicely with a walk through Old Acapulco!

AMENITIES: 7

This is the other category that nudges Playa Manzanillo into 6th place. Being right off of the main strip (though definitely at the end of it) means that there are plenty of dining options within a walkable distance. There is even a restaurant, Don Pescador, right off of the beach. We ate here and were satisfied, especially for the very low prices. There isn’t much shopping in this area, but if you walk towards the Zocalo there are more options.

WAVES

Very relaxed and smooth.

★

OVERALL SCORE

This beach is an extremely average beach. That isn’t a bad thing! It is quick and convenient and may be a nice way to mix things up if you’re staying along the Costera. The food options here are decent and the proximity to the Zocalo and the main road are definite pluses. It is located right next to a marina, so there are a lot of private boats right off of the beach.

5. Playa de los Enamorados

tranquil beach with clean sand and blue waters

SAND : 8	WATER : 8
LOCATION : 6	AMENITIES : 3

SAND: 8

This beach had some of the nicer sand that we found in Acapulco. It was finer and a bit whiter than most of the sand that we experienced, and even the worst sand (other than Caleta and Caletilla!) is pretty good in Acapulco.

WATER: 8

Like the sand, Playa de los Enamorados had some of the nicest water that we experienced in Acapulco! It was very clear and very warm. It was hard not to give it a 9, but it doesn’t quite compare to the water at the beaches that we score a 9 and a 10!

LOCATION: 6

This one gets a bit fuzzy, and it is one of the potential downsides of this beach and a couple others on the list. This beach is small, and it is located on Isla de la Roqueta. If you’re looking to relax and get off the beaten path, this is great. However, if you prioritize convenience, it most certainly is not. From our hotel on the main strip, it was a 30-minute bus, 8-minute ferry, and 30-minute hike. This was very doable on the front end, but the hike was a bit less pleasant in wet bathing suits on the way back!

AMENITIES: 3

While location is a bit subjective, amenities are not. This beach is very barebones. There is no food, no bathroom, and no store. You should pack whatever food and beverage you want for the day. If you do get in a pinch there are a couple of restaurants by the dock on the island, but they are a 30-minute hike away!

WAVES

Very tranquil and relaxing.

★

OVERALL SCORE

If you catch it at the right time and are looking for a secluded and possibly romantic beach day, this could be the one. The water and sand are great and the hike to get there is very beautiful. While the long commute to the beach may be deterring for some, we definitely think that the island as a whole is very worth visiting and stopping at this beach shouldn’t be too far out of the way if you’re already on the island.

4. Playa del Amor

beach underneath a huge cavern — **^{© 1001BEACH}**

SAND : 9	WATER : 10
LOCATION : 5	AMENITIES : 5

SAND: 9

The sand here is fabulous. It is a pretty white color and very fine. We almost gave it a 10, but it wasn’t quite on par with the beach on this list that does score a 10!

WATER: 10

The water is a different story. This is absolutely the nicest water in all of Acapulco. It is warm, crystal clear, and extremely relaxing!

LOCATION: 5

This beach is also on la Roqueta. It is much more convenient than Playa de los Enamorados and sits only a 15- to 20-minute hike from the docks. However, just like we noted with Playa de los Enamorados, not everyone is willing to trek the whole way to the island, and that remoteness is what knocks this beach’s location score down to a 5.

AMENITIES: 5

The amenities here are just like the ones at Playa de los Enamorados – there are none. However, it is only half the distance from the main beach with restaurants. Because of this, you can much more easily stop over at the main beach for some food and drinks and return without too much hassle.

WAVES

Extremely tranquil due to the natural barrier of rocks that blocks the incoming waves. The water feels a lot more like a saltwater pool than a beach.

★

OVERALL SCORE

Definitely a top beach in Acapulco. The water and sand are great, and if you’re willing to travel a bit to get there, you will definitely be rewarded. This beach also has a bit more aquatic life than most of the other beaches, and you can occasionally find starfish, little octopi, and other cool species here!

3. Playa Diamante

happy couple embracing and kissing on cheek under overcast beach sky

SAND : 10	WATER : 9
LOCATION : 8	AMENITIES : 3

SAND: 10

This is the nicest sand we found in all of Acapulco and some of the nicest sand we have ever experienced in our lives. It was bleach white and extremely fine. Not to mention the beach was pristinely clean!

WATER: 9

The water here was incredible as well. We almost gave it a 10 but it doesn’t quite match up to the water at Playa del Amor. However, it is very warm, grayish clear, and extremely relaxing. It is also very shallow and makes for a great wading beach!

LOCATION: 8

This one is located just a 20-minute cab ride south from the main strip, and the ride is pretty beautiful! You will go way up on a mountain as part of the drive, and from this point you receive a beautiful view of the bay. You can ask the driver to stop so you can get out and take a picture! While it isn’t walkable, it is still pretty convenient to reach.

AMENITIES: 3

Here is the only category that knocks Playa Diamante from the top 2. There are no food options within walking distance of the beach. The section that we were on runs alongside luxury condo buildings, and it seemed like the only food options were a drive away. We packed a picnic lunch and had a fantastic time. If you’re looking for relaxation, this is the place. Just bring your own food and drinks!

WAVES

Extremely relaxed, and the drop off is so steady that you can be at waist-depth 40 feet into the water.

★

OVERALL SCORE

We would’ve loved to rank this beach higher. We also weren’t really inconvenienced because we packed our own food and drinks and we drove our own car. However, if you don’t pack food and you have to rely on taxis, the experience will probably be a tad less immaculate, and that is what drops this beach down to number 3 on our list. It is definitely worth noting, though, that this is by far the most relaxing beach that we found in Acapulco and it is 100% worth a visit!

2. Playa La Roqueta

aerial view of gorgeous blue ocean and sandy beach during day

SAND : 8	WATER : 8
LOCATION : 9	AMENITIES : 8

SAND: 8

The sand here is very nice. It is a light shade of tan and is very fine. It’s on par with the other nice sands we found in the area.

WATER: 8

The water here is also very nice. It is warm and relaxing, and it is significantly clearer than the water across the bay in Caleta and Caletilla. It’s crazy what 2 miles of separation can do!

LOCATION: 9

We gave this one a 9 because it is the only beach on Isla de la Roqueta that doesn’t require any hiking to reach. It is right off of the dock and couldn’t be easier to get to. While you do still need to take the bus or taxi to La Caleta and then catch a ferry across, it is a very seamless process and well worth the journey.

AMENITIES: 8

As we mentioned with the other beaches on the island, all the food is located here. The food is pretty decent, too! The prices are a bit steep for the area, but that’s what you get when there are only a couple of restaurants on the island. The food they serve isn’t fancy by any means, but it definitely hits the spot on a hot day in Acapulco! They also serve plenty of drinks if you’re looking for a Margarita or a beer to unwind.

WAVES

Medium strength waves. They are big enough that you feel them but not powerful enough to push you off of your feet.

★

OVERALL SCORE

This beach is definitely the fun beach of the island, but it is also the most populated. We’d recommend visiting one of the other beaches first, returning to this beach for lunch, and then venturing out to the beach that you haven’t yet visited. The two smaller beaches flank Playa la Roqueta, so you’d most likely need to return to this area to get to the other beach, anyway.

1. Playa Condesa

swimsuit model in white and blue bikini on Mexico beach with clear blue water

swimsuit model in white and blue bikini on Mexico beach with clear blue water and city of acapulco in the background

SAND : 8	WATER : 7
LOCATION : 10	AMENITIES : 10

SAND: 8

The sand here is very nice. It is more tan than it is white, but the texture is definitely great. The only negative is that the beach is very sloped which can make the waves crash pretty high up on some stretches of the beach. If you want to avoid this, we’d recommend finding a section of the beach that sits a bit further back from the ocean.

WATER: 7

The water here is definitely nice. It is surprisingly clear for such a popular beach on the coast of a city. The drop-off is a bit steep so it is definitely more of a swimming beach than it is a wading beach.

LOCATION: 10

In terms of location, Playa Condesa is unbeatable. It is the central beach that stretches alongside the entire main strip. It could not be easier to get to, and this centrality is what earned it an easy 10 in our ratings.

AMENITIES: 10

Playa Condesa has it all and giving it a 10 in this category was a no-brainer. It is fully lined with restaurants both on the beach and right off of the beach, there are hotels everywhere (ours was here) and there are plenty of stores right off of the strip that will have anything you need.

WAVES

Pretty rough for such a popular beach but definitely swimmable.

★

OVERALL SCORE

Playa Condesa is the best beach in Acapulco, and it is hard to imagine anything topping it. While the water and sand aren’t the nicest in town, they are well above average. The location and amenities make this beach the place to be, and if you visit any beach more than once on your trip it will most likely be this one.

That’s it for our guide to the best beaches in Acapulco! We hope you learned a bit and enjoyed reading. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.

If you’re planning on going to Acapulco, be sure to read our Acapulco Travel Guide!

The Acapulco Travel Guide

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What Are the Best Beaches in Acapulco?

· [Updated December 2022] ·

7. Playas Caleta and Caletilla

SAND: 3

WATER: 5

LOCATION: 7

AMENITIES: 6

WAVES

6. Playa Manzanillo

SAND: 5

WATER: 5

LOCATION: 7

AMENITIES: 7

WAVES

5. Playa de los Enamorados

SAND: 8

WATER: 8

LOCATION: 6

AMENITIES: 3

WAVES

4. Playa del Amor

SAND: 9

WATER: 10

LOCATION: 5

AMENITIES: 5

WAVES

3. Playa Diamante

SAND: 10

WATER: 9

LOCATION: 8

AMENITIES: 3

WAVES

2. Playa La Roqueta

SAND: 8

WATER: 8

LOCATION: 9

AMENITIES: 8

WAVES

1. Playa Condesa

SAND: 8

WATER: 7

LOCATION: 10

AMENITIES: 10

WAVES

Greg

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