These Los Cabos Beaches All Have Blue Flag Certification: What Does It Mean For Tourists?

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Last Updated 2 weeks ago

It was a banner year for sustainability efforts on the beaches of Los Cabos.

Not only did several of the beaches in Los Cabos receive recertification of their coveted Blue Flag status, but there were also others that received new recognition this year.

What is the Blue Flag Certification

The Foundation for Environmental Education certifies beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats around the world for their impact and contribution to the tourism, safety, security and sustainability of the beaches and oceans worldwide.

It is the highest sustainability program honor available for beaches around the world.

It also attracts tourists who specifically visit beaches globally which have been recognized with the honor.

The municipal government of Los Cabos, along with the State of Baja California Sur and the Mexican Federal Government, spend considerable money and resources to ensure that the local beaches meet and maintain the prestigious tourism standard.

In order to obtain and maintain the very special status, beaches in Los Cabos must achieve a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria.

There are regular third-party visits and audits to reach and maintain certification.

There are only 5121 beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats in 51 countries around the world that currently hold the prestigious Blue Flag designation.

Los Cabos Has Most Blue Flags

Across the entire nation of Mexico, 78 beaches, two marinas and 40 sustainable tourism boats have received the Blue Flag certification for 2024.

There were 12 new Blue Flag awardees in Mexico this year.

Mexico has the most Blue Flag certified beaches in North America and is No. 10 overall in the world. It is also No. 1 in the world when it comes to sustainable tourism boats.

Of these Blue Flag recognized beaches, Los Cabos has the most in the entire country.

According to published reports, here is a list of several of the recognized beaches in Los Cabos: Villa de Arco; Villa la Estancia; Villa de Palmar; La Ribera; Surgidero; La Gaviota; El Corsario; Las Viudas; Santa Maria, El Chileno; Palmilla, Acapulquito; Riu Palace Baja California; Riu Santa Fe; Riu Palacete Los Cabos; Casa Dorada; Me Cabo; Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos; Pueblo Bonito Rose; Club Cascadas Baja.

Grants to Expand Blue Flag Beaches

Los Cabos received grants and financing to significantly expand its Blue Flag corridor for tourists this year.

It received part of a $7.2 million dollar grant from the Environmental Fund Global Environment and United Nations Development Program for the La Paz – Sierra La Laguna – Los Cabos corridor.

Another piece of an overall $5.34 million dollar grant to Mexico also benefitted Los Cabos from the German Agency for Cooperation for Sustainable Development.

What Tourists Need to Know

There are several things travelers to Los Cabos can do to help preserve the Blue Flag status.

First, observe the safety and security rules in place at local beaches including the beach condition colored flag system.

Second, avoid having bonfires on the beaches as this can contribute to the environmental degradation of the beaches by creating waste and leaving dangerous items such as nails in the sand.

Last, visitors should always pack out what they pack in for a day in the sun, sand, and surf in Los Cabos.

Remove waste from the beaches and recycle items such as glass, plastic, paper, and cans.

Together, travelers can help make a difference with the Blue Flag certification status of the Los Cabos beaches to make sure they maintain the standards needed to receive recertification.

In doing so, they help to ensure that the beaches are maintained in a safe, secure and clean manner for all travelers enjoying a vacation getaway to Los Cabos.