Of the three coastal provinces of Costa Rica, Guanacaste has the highest number of beaches that proudly display the Blue Ecological Flag. According to online news site Primero en Noticias, 51 beaches in Guanacaste meet the strict environmental conditions needed to receive the blue flags awarded by the Ministry of the Environment and the National Board of Tourism (Spanish initials: ICT).

These 51 beaches in Guanacaste are part of the 107 that the ICT deemed worthy of being recognized with the Blue Ecological Flag. The flags have become highly sought-after by the different coastal communities since the ICT incorporates them into its extensive international marketing efforts. A Blue Ecological Flag is very attractive to tourists not only because it denotes a clean beach but also a sustainable mindset

Presentation of the Blue Ecological Flags took place earlier in April at the Riu Palace Hotel. Ironically, conservation activists have targeted this hotel with chain with allegations of environmental disregard and greenwashing, and these protests have been previously reported by The Costa Rica Star.

The Guanacaste beaches that are now flying the blue flags include:

Canton of La Cruz:

• Bahía Junquillal
• Copal
• Coyote
• El Jobo
• Manzanillo
• Morro
• Rajada

County of Carrillo:

• Arenilla
• Buena
• Carrillo
• Chorotega (Panamá)
• Hermosa
• Manzanillo
• Ocotal

Canton of Santa Cruz:

• Avellanas
• Bonita
• Conchal
• Grande
• Junquillal
• Langosta
• Mansita
• Matapalo
• Ostional
• Pan de Azucar
• Penca
• Potrero, Blanca (Flamingo)
• Punta El Madero
• Venado
• Ventanas

Nicoya Region:

• Buena Vista
• Garza
• Guiones
• Nosara
• Pelada
• Samara Sur

Nandayure Sector:

• Camaronal
• Corozalito
• Puerto Coyote
• Punta Islita
• San Miguel

Nicoya Peninsula:

• Curu
• El Carmen
• Hermosa (Cobano)
• Isla Tolinga (Tortuga)
• Mal País
• Órganos
• Pochote
• Quesera
• Quizales
• Santa Teresa
• Tambor

It is important to note that some of the beaches above are secluded and may lack easy access by tourists. A few of the beaches obtained extremely high marks in terms of sustainability: Junquillal, Matapalo and Punta El Madero.