Explore Acapulco and the Pacific beaches
While locals might go swimming from the tiny harbour beach of San Pedrito and in the Laguna de Cuyutlán behind the town, both are polluted. You’re far better off heading for the beaches around the bay, along the Zona Hotelera. The nearest of these, at Las Brisas, is closer to town than you would think – just across the entrance to the inner harbour – though it seems further away due to convoluted routes around the lagoon.
Better and more sheltered swimming can be found along the coast further round, where the bay is divided by the rocky Península de Santiago. Buses run all the way to the far side of the bay, past the settlements of Salahua and Santiago and a string of beaches.
If you’re prepared to walk a little way, you can reach the calm and tranquil waters of the beautiful cove of La Audiencia, on the west side of the Santiago peninsula, beneath the Gran Costa Resort. From here, if you’re feeling reasonably energetic and looking smart enough to get past the guards, you can climb over the hill to the pseudo-private beach of Las Hadas Golf Resort & Marina, which is worth seeing even if you can’t afford a drink at any of the bars.
