Costa Rica Beaches – New Study Shows Improved Water Quality

89 of 94 beaches analized by laboratories comply with norms. Fecal contamination from livestock and humans at five locations are a concern, including Quepos and Limón and the ‘Achilles Heel’ continues to be the outflow from the Tárcoles.

The majority of Costa Rican beaches have healthy waters and tourists can swim with confidence withour fear of contamination.

The presence of fecal contamination is minimal according to a new October 2006 report from the National Laboratory of the main water authority in Costa Rica AyA.

Out of 94 beaches, 89 fulfill the critreria for safe bathing. Only five Costa Rica beaches were listed as in ‘critical condition.’

The Five ‘Critical’ Beaches:

• Balneario Municipal and Portete – Both on the Caribbean in the province of Limon
• Tárcoles
• Azul and the
• Quepos beach

If people swim in these places, they run the risk of getting sick because of higher fecal contamination.

The Best Costa Rica Beaches:

A group of 54 beaches of the 94 examined are classified as “AA” beaches where the fecal contamination is minimal. The ten best beaches are listed as:

1. Iguanita
2. Junquillal
3. Prieta
4. Las Manchas
5. Cocalito
6. Monte del Barco
7. Playa Grande
8. Cocal
9. Linda and
10. Corazolito

In the past ten years, these and other beaches have seen much improved conditions.

One of the best examples of this dramatic cleanup is the beach of the peninsula of Puntarenas which has achieved an “A” and is maintaining it’s ecological Blue Flag status.

For those of you who have a serious interest in owning Costa Rica real estate on one of those clean beaches, you may wish to see the following article: ‘Puntarenas Luxury Condo Apartments & Marina Resort – Free developer video interviews.’

Our thanks to Ángela Ávalos R. and our friends at La Nación – Costa Rica’s largest Spanish circulation newspaper for their permission use this article.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.