Children of Santa Marta's School rising the
new Blue Flag aquired on April 2007
The Blue Flag and Guiones Beach Program
About the Blue Flag Program
The Blue Flag is an eco-sensitive label that has been awarded to over 3100 beaches and ports among 36 countries within Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean. Blue Flag is an internationally recognized symbol that requires compliance with the environmental and sanitation standards established by the campaign, it works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services. These standards include existing sanitation facilities, first-aid, life-saving and rescue services that are readily available at the beach or port, providing in addition educational and environmental information for public and tourism operators. The Blue Flag Campaign is in accordance with the Program Development and the Organization of Tourism of the United Nations.
Program Requirements
Environmental Education
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Information regarding the natural coastal ecosystem within the zone and emphasis on sensitive areas.
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Information on water quality for bathing.
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Information about the Blue Flag Program.
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Legal codes regarding the beach must be suitably displayed and the laws that govern the use of the area must be readily available to the public upon request.
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A minimum of 5 environmentally related activities must be offered.
Water Quality
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Complete report including water quality standards.
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Industrial discharge or related water residual may never impact the area of the beach.
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Continuous monitoring of the coral reefs to ensure environmental health.
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Compliance by the community upholding water quality standards and treatment of residual water.
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Seaweed and vegetation decay must be slowed on the beach unless constituting an inconvenient.
Environmental Management
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A beach administrative commission must be established and responsible for implementing an environmental management system with regular audits.
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Zonal compliance with all regulations that affect the location and the operation of the beach (coastal planning of the zone and environmental legislation).
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The beach must be clean.
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Bins for garbage deposits must be sufficiently available on the beach and must be attended to regularly.
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Recycling bins or facilities must be available at the beach.
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Containers must be sanitary and clean in addition to methods of treatment for residual waters.
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Only authorized campers and motor vehicles can be allowed.
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Compliance and regulation of dogs and other domestic animals must be met while on the beach.
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All buildings and equipment must be maintained and have infrastructural support.
Security and Services
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Suitable number of life jackets and belts and/or rescue team must be available at the beach.
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Access to a first-aid crew on the beach.
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Management system to deal with diversity of users and applications to prevent conflicts and accidents.
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An emergency plan must be in place to ensure safety and minimize risk of contamination.
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Constant patrol of the beach.
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Drinking water must be available.
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Handicap facilities and services offered by the beach must be visible and displayed on a map.
These points are evaluated from January to November and the selection of the awarded beaches is made in December.
The Blue Flag Program and Costa Rica
The Blue Flag Program started in Costa Rica in 1996 with the idea to promote a coastal community organization and the objective of looking for its development protecting the Ocean and its beaches.
Playa Guiones, where Harmony is located, has had the Blue Flag for three years now thanks to the The Nosara Civic Association! The hotel, as part of the program helps with the following:
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beach clean ups
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water quality tests (the ocean, our pool and our water)
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recycling bins and facilities both at the beach and at the entrance of the hotel
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security provided at the beach and membership of the community security program sponsored by all the hotels and restaurants of the area
For more information on the Nosara Civic Association visit www.nosaracivicassociation.com.
To learn more about this project please contact us here.
The Harmony Hotel’s Community and Sustainability Projects promote the development of the community without compromising the environment.
ORGANIZATIONS
