Starting out as an effort to preserve the natural and environmental riches of
Costa Rica, the Ecological Blue Flag program is coordinated by several
governmental agencies and the National Chamber of Tourism. Blue Flag is
a program, developed by the National Institution, ICT, Acueductos y
acantarillados, Canatur and Minae. It was started a few years ago to improve
the quality of life of beach communities and create and maintain a clean and
garbage free environment along the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. It
has now seen some significant results and offers local residents and tourists
cleaner, safer and quality water.
The ecological Blue Flag is awarded to those beaches which have improved their
sanitary conditions with the result of cleaner, safer quality water.
Mr. Abel Pacheco, President of Costa Rica (on the right) at the Ecological Blue Flag
ceremony - January 2003.
Samara - a clean and beautiful beach.
Samara Beach -- a beautiful white sand beach on the
Pacific coast, now proudly flies the Ecological Blue Flag of Costa Rica.