Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a significant boost to its commitment to sustainability and tourism excellence, Puerto Vallarta proudly celebrated the recertification of Playa de Oro with both the Playa de Oro Beach Quality Certification and the White Flag. The accolade was presented on Wednesday by the federal government through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), highlighting the beach’s high standards in sustainability, safety, infrastructure, water quality, biodiversity protection, and responsible solid waste management.
The official certificate and corresponding flag were handed over by Luis Eduardo Alarcón Núñez, Director of Operations of the Mexican Institute for Standardization and Certification. He announced that Playa de Oro’s recreational area spans 590 meters and will enjoy its certified status for the next two years. This certification complies with regulation NMX-AA-120-SCFI-2016, which sets forth key environmental requirements—such as water quality, solid waste management, and noise pollution prevention—to ensure the protection of Mexico’s tourist beaches.
“Sustainability isn’t a goal—it’s a path we must all walk together with determination and the conviction that the future of our beaches depends on the actions we take today,” Alarcón Núñez commented, commending Puerto Vallarta for reclaiming its status as a destination offering clean, safe, and unobstructed beaches.
Mayor Luis Munguía emphasized the importance of continued efforts to maintain and expand beach certifications, noting that his administration’s goal is to reach 15 certified beaches across Puerto Vallarta.
“We are working diligently to restore these recognitions and ensure our city’s beaches uphold the highest standards. This achievement will further enhance the quality of our tourist destinations and the overall experience for visitors and locals alike,” he stated.
The recertification ceremony was held on the beach at the Krystal Vallarta hotel, where General Manager Manuel del Callejo Palacios urged a unified effort to keep Playa de Oro at its best:
“We have to take care of this, gentlemen. The responsibility lies with everyone. Certification requires the collaborative effort of hoteliers, authorities, and vendors. We all live off the people who save to come to our beaches. Without that, we wouldn’t be here—and having a certified beach is a source of pride,” Del Callejo Palacios said.
Councilman Cristian Omar Bravo Carbajal provided a testament to Puerto Vallarta’s broader environmental initiative, reporting that, during the current administration, there have been 20 organized beach cleanups with the help of 2,300 volunteers, collectively removing over 100 tons of waste.
With this prestigious recertification and shared dedication to protecting the natural environment, Puerto Vallarta reinforces its position as a leading beach destination. Officials, hoteliers, and local citizens alike remain optimistic that these efforts will sustain high tourist appeal and preserve the area’s natural beauty for generations to come.
