Nature made Costa Rica’s beaches beautiful, and the local government is making sure that they also remain clean thanks to the Bandera Azul Ecologica (Blue Ecologic Flag) program. The PBAE was created in 1996 with the objective of preventing or stopping pollution and to safeguard the public health. The program (which is an adaptation of a similar one launched in Europe back in 1985) has been promoting the development of coastal areas for 15 years now, and its impact has been quite substantial concerning the Costa Rica tourism industry.

The different institutions running it (CANATUR, ICT, MINAE, AyA and MINSA) knew that for the program to work, they had to get everybody in the different communities involved. And for such reason, the PBAE helped to organize hotels and create local tourism boards with the purpose of looking over its progress. And, since the PBAE was created for the long run, it was also established that educational institutions would have to embrace the program as to make it sustainable for future generations.

As of now, the following 67 beaches have received the Blue Ecologic Flag Award:

Guanacaste:

Bahia Junquillal, Manzanillo de Carrillo, Playa Monte del Barco, Playa Arenilla, Playa Chorotega, Playa Buena, Playa Hermosa, Playa Ocotal, Playa Guacamaya, Playa Zapotal, Playa Pan de Azucar, Playa Penca, Playa Blanca (Flamingo), Playa Conchal, Playa Ventanas, Playa Grande, Playa Punta del Madero, Playa Langosta, Playa Bonita, Playa Mansita, Playa Avellanas, Playa Junquillal, Playa Ostional, Playa Pelada, Playa Guiones, Playa Samara Sur, Playa Carillo, Playa Camaronal, Playa Punta Islita and Playa Corazalito

Puntarenas:

Playa Hermosa de Cobano, Playa Santa Teresa, Playa El Carmen, Playa Mal Pais, Playa Quizales, Playa Tambor, Playa Pochote, Playa Curu, Playa Tolinga (Isla Tortuga), Puntarenas, Playa Doña Ana, Playa Limoncito, Playa Mantas, Playa Blanca, Playa Hermosa de Garabito, Playa La Macha (Tulemar), Playitas (Dulce Vida), Playa Espadilla Norte, Playa Para, Playa Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Playa Gemelas, Puerto Escondido, Playa Matapalo, Playa Baru, Playa Dominical, Playa San Pedrillo, Playa Blanca (Jimenez), Playa Nicuesa.

Limon:
Playa Negra de Cahuita, Playa Blanca, Puerto Vargas, Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva, Manzanillo and Gandoca.

Though all of the above beaches have received the award, a system of points determines the proper star category for each one of them, going from one star, to five stars. As of last year, only 2 beaches, Punta Leona in Puntarenas and Punta de Madero in Guanacaste, received the 5-star honors.

Categories:

1 star (A): the criteria for certifying a determined beach as apt to receive the PBAE one-star certification includes the quality of the sea water (in relation to its microbiological quality), general sanitation, potable water, correct distribution of garbage cans, industrial waste treatment, environmental education and general administration and security.

2 Stars (AA): one-star criteria plus proper restrictions for motor vehicles, restrictions on animals (such as horses) brought by locals or visitors and current maritime signals.

3 stars (AAA): two-star criteria plus advanced rescue teams and general security during tourism’s high season and the proper regulation of conservation zones.

4 stars (AAAA): three-star criteria plus a local committee for emergencies, easy accesses for people with disabilities and recycling.

5 stars (AAAAA): four-star criteria and the participation in the Sello de Calidad Sanitaria (Sanitary Quality Seal) program.

Although 84 beaches were postulated last year, only 67 met the requirements to certify them, but the institutions involved in the program are working hard on encouraging more coastal communities to actively seek the award. You can read more about some great programs happening at the Playa Nosara beach community courtesy of New York University students.