water contamination

A total of 135 beaches along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are displaying blue flags this week to let visitors know that their sands and waters are among the country's cleanest.

Three beaches will display blue flags with the maximum of five stars for the next 12 months, all of them on the Pacific coast.

National and local officials in the Central Pacific canton of Garabito are stepping up measures to ensure the World Surfing Games that will take place in Jacó beach Aug. 6 - 14 is a safe, healthy, scam-free success for the country.

A total of 110 beaches along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are displaying blue flags this week to let visitors know that their sands and waters are among the country's cleanest.

A major river in Guatemala’s northern region has been contaminated by pesticides used to produce African palm oil, affecting thousands of people.

The Ecological Blue Flag program this year awarded three Pacific beaches with flags portraying the maximum five stars. Four beaches will display the blue flag for the first time this year, including two at Cocos Island.

Residents of Siquirres and their supporters say the government of Costa Rica is violating the communities’ right to access clean water by not properly handling the contamination problem, and not forcing pineapple growers to accept their share of responsibility.