Camarones Beach in Puerto Vallarta Aims For Blue Flag certification by July or August 2025, reflecting the city’s commitment to coastal preservation and tourism quality.
Puerto Vallarta is set to strengthen its reputation as a model of coastal stewardship with the imminent Blue Flag certification for Camarones Beach, announced Councilman Christian Omar Bravo Carbajal, president of the municipal committee on Free, Clean and Certified Beaches. This accolade will mark a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing efforts to preserve its shoreline, following the recent quality and White Flag certification of Playa de Oro.
Since taking office, the municipal government has prioritized environmental management and public engagement in beach conservation. “We’ve done an excellent job with the cleanup campaigns we’ve conducted since the start of our administration, completing more than 18 cleanups and collecting more than 125 tons of trash so far,” Mayor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez stated. “We’re not going to let our guard down.” Bravo Carbajal echoed this commitment, emphasizing that certification is not merely symbolic but reflects a sustained dedication to maintaining water quality, public safety and environmental education.
The Blue Flag program, administered by the Foundation for Environmental Education, sets stringent criteria across four key areas: water quality, environmental management, safety and services, and environmental education and information. Beaches aspiring to earn the Blue Flag must demonstrate exemplary bathing water quality through regular monitoring; implement waste management and habitat protection measures; provide adequate lifeguard services, first-aid equipment and accessibility for all visitors; and conduct outreach activities to inform and engage the community.
Work at Camarones Beach has been underway for several months to meet these benchmarks. “Depending on certain meters and certain characteristics, we can obtain it there,” Bravo Carbajal explained, noting that sampling and assessment began two months ago. The councilman anticipates that the official award ceremony, complete with flag-raising, will occur between July and August 2025. This timing aligns with the high season, positioning Puerto Vallarta to showcase Camarones Beach at its best as both locals and international tourists flock to the Bay of Banderas.
Local stakeholders have welcomed the initiative. Members of the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Association praised the municipal government’s proactive approach. “Blue Flag certification not only enhances visitor confidence in our beaches but also incentivizes businesses to support environmental projects,” said association president María Fernanda López. “It’s a win for public health, tourism and the community.”
Beyond tourism, the campaign underscores Puerto Vallarta’s reliance on its natural assets. The city’s economy is closely tied to coastal recreation, marine biodiversity and eco-tourism. By safeguarding beaches like Camarones, authorities aim to ensure long-term economic resilience and quality of life. Environmental NGOs have also partnered with the municipality, organizing educational workshops on waste reduction, responsible boating practices and protecting endangered species such as sea turtles, which nest along the shoreline.
Bravo Carbajal invited residents and visitors alike to participate in the preservation efforts. “Remember that the beaches belong to us, and we must take care of them and respect them,” he urged. With the onset of the rainy season, he specifically cautioned against disposing of trash in streams or canals, warning that debris carried by stormwater will ultimately pollute the ocean. “All we’re doing is throwing that same trash into the ocean,” he said.
The move to certify Camarones Beach follows a broader strategy to cultivate a network of exemplary coastal sites. Playa de Oro’s White Flag certification—recognizing its impeccable sand quality, visitor services and safety conditions—served as the first stepping stone. Next, the city plans to extend similar initiatives to other key beaches, including Las Gemelas and Mismaloya, forging a unified front of environmentally responsible recreation areas.
Financial and logistical support for these projects comes from a combination of municipal funds, private-sector partnerships and federal environmental grants. Councilman Bravo Carbajal highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation, with the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) providing technical guidance on water testing and sanitation protocols.
As Puerto Vallarta prepares to hoist the Blue Flag at Camarones Beach, the city’s leadership sees this achievement as part of a continuous journey rather than a final destination. Regular audits, community feedback mechanisms and adaptive management plans will ensure that standards are upheld year after year. “Certification is only the beginning,” Mayor Rodríguez affirmed. “Our goal is to foster a culture of environmental responsibility that will sustain these efforts far into the future.”
The forthcoming Blue Flag distinction for Camarones Beach represents a convergence of environmental ambition, civic pride and economic foresight. For residents who cherish their coastline and for tourists seeking pristine, well-managed beaches, the certification will serve as both a badge of honor and a promise of quality. When the Blue Flag flies over Camarones, it will symbolize not only the excellence achieved in Puerto Vallarta but also the shared responsibility to protect Mexico’s coastal treasures.
Camarones Beach in Puerto Vallarta Aims For Blue Flag certification by July or August 2025, reflecting the city’s commitment to coastal preservation and tourism quality.
