Blue Flag Back for National Park Beaches

The four beaches at ManuelAntonioNational Park have regained their Ecological Blue Flag status, the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications Ministry (MINAET) announced Thursday.

The Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) had revoked the Blue Flags, which recognize cleanliness and eco-friendliness in the country’s beaches, last month, citing the risk of sewage contamination (TT, Feb. 26). But the move was predominately a precautionary measure, as AyA officials said at the time beaches in the park “remained in good condition.”

According to MINAET Vice Minister Jorge Rodríguez, the Blue Flags were returned after MINAET proposed a plan to rectify the sanitary conditions at the park. The ministry will install portable bathrooms for tourists while construction begins on new, permanent bathrooms and a sewage treatment facility for the park.