Playa Tlacopanocha, Coastal beach in Acapulco Traditional, Mexico.

Playa Tlacopanocha is a sandy beach in the central port district of Acapulco, running along the main boardwalk on the edge of the bay. The shore faces anchored fishing boats and small vessels moving through the harbor, giving it the feel of a working waterfront rather than a resort beach.

Acapulco's port area became one of the most active trading points between Asia and the Americas starting in the 16th century, when galleons regularly crossed the Pacific. The shore at Tlacopanocha was part of this anchorage zone long before the city developed around it.

The name comes from two things once exchanged on this shore: the tlaco, a wooden coin, and panocha, a sweet the local people sold and bought here. Over the years the two words merged into Tlacopanocha. Fishing boats and outboard launches still work the water in front of the beach.

The beach is within walking distance of central Acapulco and sits directly along the boardwalk, where food stalls and shops are easy to find. Because this is an active port area, it is better suited for a walk and watching harbor life than for swimming.

The name comes from two things once exchanged on this shore: the tlaco, a wooden coin, and panocha, a sweet the local people sold and bought here. Over the years the two words merged into Tlacopanocha. It was on this beach that General Vicente Guerrero boarded the ship El Colombo, owned by the Genoese mercenary Francisco Picaluga, who seized him for a 50,000-peso reward from Anastasio Bustamante.