Archeological evidence from the coastal region of Puerto Marques, just east of Acapulco, indicate that the area has been inhabited from at least 3000 BCE. These hunter gatherer tribes left behind pottery and figures made of stone, clay and ceramics.

There are also cave paintings and petroglyphs found in the Pie de las Cuesta area, north of Acapulco, that indicate an early presence of fishing settlements; these paintings and petroglyphs are believed to have been made around 1200 BCE.

And in the Veladero National Park, in the hills behind Acapulco Bay, one can find the famous Palma Sola petroglyphs and giant carved granite stones. These artifacts are believed to have been created between 200 BCE and 600 AD, during the time of a migration of nomadic tribes from the northeast of Mexico to the Acapulco area.