A Guide to Costa Rica's Finest Beaches
By Staff writters

SAN JOSE (Special to CostaRica.net) - Thirty-five of Costa Rica’s finest beaches were awarded the prestigeous Ecological Blue Banner 2000 Distinction last week. The award goes every year to those beaches deemed by experts to be the cleanest, best ecologically protected, and safest beaches in the country.

The award, presented by a panel of senior officials from local, private and public sector institutions such as the National Water & Sewage Service (AyA); the Health Ministry; the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT): Ministry of the Environment (MINAE) and the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR), graded the country’s beaches in regard to the cleanliness of their local sea and fresh water resources, and and on their standards of environmental consciousness.

Additional critera were the conditions of the coast, safety of the beaches, and their administration. Based on these factors, Blue Banner beaches are far and away the cleanest and safest in the country. Tourists looking for clean beaches would do well to acquaint themselves with the recipients.

Among the beaches on the North Pacific Coast awarded the Blue Banner this year are Playa Junquillal, Playa Hermosa, Tamarindo, Ocotal, Langosta, Sámara, Pan de Azúcar, Carrillo and Punta Islita.

Most are popular tourist attractions, sporting excellent and highly-praised hotels such as Guacamaya Lodge, Hotel Tatanka and Land-Ho at Hotel Villa Serena (Playa Junquillal); Hotel Tamarindo, Jardín del Edén, Capitán Suizo, Cala Luna Hotel & Villas, Best Western Tamarindo and Villa Alegre B&B (Tamarindo); El Ocotal (Playa Ocotal); Villas Playa Sámara (on Playa Sámara); Sugar Beach (Playa Pan de Azúcar); Guanamar Beach & Sportfishing Resort (Playa Carrillo) and Punta Islita (Punta Islita beach). These beaches are universally recognized as among the country’s finest, and are deserved winners of the Blue Banner prize.

South of the above, on the mid-Pacific coast, are the beautiful Manuel Antonio beaches of Puerto Escondido, Playa Gemelas and Playa Espadilla Sur - also winners of this year’s award. Among the popular hotels in this area are the Hotel Parador, La Mariposa, Casitas Eclipse, Costa Verde, Karahe, Mimo’s Aparthotel and Best Western Kamuk.

Among the safest and cleanest beaches on the Caribbean Coast are Playa Negra, Punta Cocles, Playa Blanca (Cahuita) and Playa Chiquita. There are excellent hotels at every one: Atlantida Lodge (Playa Negra - Cahuita); Hotel Punta Cocles (Punta Cocles);

Hotel Villas del Caribe (Playa Chiquita) and Hotel Jaguar near Playa Blanca in Cahuita.

The Blue Banner has been awarded annually since 1996, when only ten beaches qualified. The next year 19 beaches were given this distinction, then 24, 27, and this year 35 .

Tourism minister Walter Niehaus said that the Blue Banner award recognizes the achievements of different communities on Costa Rica’s two attractive coasts, and demonstrates that cooperation between local communities, the public and private sectors does produce excellent results.

The hundreds of thousands of thousands of Costa Ricans and tourists from around the world who flock to the award-winnning beaches every year can enjoy excellent accommodation in a secure, healthy and ecologically sound tropical beach environment. Pura Vida (‘pure life’) at its finest.

For More Information on visiting the beaches of Costa Rica, contact Costa Rica's Travel Web at: 1-888-246-1431

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