6 Best Sights in Acapulco, Mexico

On the southern peninsula in Old Acapulco, this beach and smaller Playa Caletilla (Little Caleta) to the south once rivaled La Quebrada as the main tourist areas, and were quite popular with the early Hollywood crowd Today their snug little bays and calm waters make them a favorite with Mexican families, and the newly renovated Boca Chica, one of Acapulco’s original hotels, keeps the glamour alive. Caletilla also has many small family-run restaurants serving good, cheap food. On both beaches vendors sell everything from seashells to peeled mangos; boats depart from both to Isla de Roqueta. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise.

Referred to as "the strip," this stretch of sand facing the middle of Bahía de Acapulco has more than its share of visitors, especially singles. While the swimming here isn't the best, it's lined with fun restaurants and bars. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; walking.

Running from the Avalon Excalibur in the west to Las Hamacas, Hornitos (Little Hornos) and adjacent Playa Hornos are packed with locals and visitors on weekends. Graceful palms shade the sand, and there are plenty of casual eateries on the beach, especially on Playa Hornos. A slice of Playa Hornos and Playa Hornitos marks the beginning of the hotel zone to the east. The swimming is generally very safe in this area. Although tourist police officers patrol all beaches, their command post is here. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Stretching from the naval base to El Presidente Hotel, away from the famous strip, this beach is less populated than others on the Costera. The morning surf is especially calm. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

Tucked below the airport highway, this protected strand is popular with Mexican tourists, so it tends to get crowded on weekends. Beach shacks here sell fresh fish, and vendors sell silver and other wares. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; walking.

This sprawling beach fronts the two Mundo Imperial hotels, the Pierre and the Princess, and has become the strand of sand in Acapulco for you to see and be seen. People often come here to surf and ride horses. The water is shallow, but the waves can be rough and the rip current can be strong, so be careful while swimming. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.