Playa Condesa is the social centre of Acapulco's tourist zone — a long, golden crescent of sand backed by the towers of the hotel strip along Costera Miguel Alemán. It is busier than the beaches of old Acapulco, with jet ski rentals, parasailing operators, and vendors working the shore from morning to evening.
The beach clubs here have pools, bars, and restaurant service directly on the sand. Even if you're not staying at a hotel, most beach clubs will let you use their facilities for a fee or minimum spend. The water is generally calm enough for swimming — Acapulco Bay faces southwest, sheltered from the open Pacific by the headlands on either side.