Costa Rica’s cleanest beaches are measured by a strict program called the Ecological Blue Flag, based on an international effort, and it is a fantastic way for our visitors to know the quality and cleanliness of the gorgeous Costa Rican beaches.
Guanacaste Beaches
However, like anywhere else in the World, there are polluted waters and beaches, and well! Yes! Some of the most visited can be, by consequence, some of the most contaminated. In this article, however, we are congratulating the one that received stars in the Ecological 
Blue Flag Program.
The Blue Flag Ecological Program was created in response to the imminent dangers of beach pollution, its repercussions on public health and the tourism industry. It has reached its twelfth year of operations, with a marked increase that began in 2002.
Criteria for Coastal Communities:
The following aspects will be evaluated:
| Microbiological quality of the ocean’s water |
35%
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| Quality of potable water |
15%
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| The quality of coastal sanitation areas: | ||
| ———–Garbage and garbage containers |
10%
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| ———–Treated industrial waste |
5%
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| ———–Treated run-off water |
15%
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| Environmental education |
10%
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| Security and administration |
10%
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| Total |
100%
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The categories are the following:
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One star:
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If the criteria achieved is between 90% – 100% |
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Two stars:
|
If the criteria achieved is 100%Motorized vehicle restrictionsHorse and domestic animal restrictions brought in by visitors or locals
Maritime current signals if they exist |
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Three stars:
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Complying with that under Star twoSecurity and rescue teams during High seasonRegulatory plan or plan of action regarding conservation zones |
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Four Stars:
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Complying with that under star threeEasy access and security measures for those with disabilities like showers and public sanitationSeparation and Recycling of solid waste
Constant Security and Rescue measures Local emergency committee Member of the “Sanitary quality seal” program |
Costa Rica makes significant efforts in executing various mechanisms to clean the beaches and instruct the population to avoid further contamination; tourism companies are also part of this endeavor, and as a result, today, 11 beaches proudly display the Ecological Blue Flag with 3, 4 or 5 stars, which means they comply with high cleaning standards, environmental educational programs, security and touristic services.
In total 110 Costa Rican beaches have received the flag with one or more stars, which means they are still in the process of achieving a higher standard.
Find them on this map:
Blue Flag Beaches
With Five Stars:
Matapalo: Located in Guanacaste
Playa Blanca: In Punta Leona, Puntarenas.
Playa Blanca in Punta Leona
Punta el Madero: Guanacaste, between Tamarindo and Langosta beaches
With four stars:
Playa Playitas, located in Puntarenas, next to Manuel Antonio, was the only beach to earn four stars.
Playitas Beach, Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
The following beaches received the Ecological Blue Flag with three stars:
Puerto Vargas: Located in Limon.
Esterillos Oeste: In Parrita, Puntarenas
Tortuguero: Limon (protected area)
Bejuco: Parrita, Puntarenas
Manuel Antonio: National Park in Quepos, Puntarenas
Espadilla Sur: Quepos, Puntarenas
Junquillal: Santa Cruz, Guanacaste
During 2016, there were many volunteers cleaning different beaches. The organization of biologists, The Leatherback Trust (TLT) for instance, which works in turtle nesting sites in Guanacaste, together with local forest rangers, organized 12 cleaning sessions in Playa Grande and Ventanas in Guanacaste, during which they collected 225 kilograms of solid waste which included especially different plastic items.
Sources:
Written by Olga Sáenz-Carbonell for Camino Travel. If you have any questions or comments you can write to blogwriter@caminotravel.com