“Playa Platino” and “Blue Flag” are both environmental certifications for beaches, but they differ in their focus and criteria. “Playa Platino” is a local initiative, potentially focused on attracting tourists and supporting local economies, while “Blue Flag” is an international certification that emphasizes sustainable management and environmental education
The Playa Platino distinction is a national certification that recognizes excellence in management, sustainability, cleanliness, safety, and environmental education in coastal areas. This recognition does not imply financial contributions but rather endorses optimal environmental and management conditions.
Beaches must meet rigorous requirements including water quality, cleaning every five meters, safety signage, environmental education programs, and carrying capacity control, among others.
The iconic Balandra Beach hosted the official ceremony in which, for the second consecutive year, the Platino Beach Award was presented to five coastal areas in the municipality of La Paz. The recognized beaches were Balandra I, Balandra II, Coromuel, El Saltito, and, for the first time, El Saltito Original.
Balandra Beach has been listed by various international rankings as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the event, its ecological value was highlighted, especially for its mangroves, dunes, and reefs.
Dilia Meza, head of the protected area, noted that this beach has a carrying capacity study, which allows a maximum of 450 people per visit.
“Certification may attract more visitors, but demand cannot exceed ecological capacity,” she explained.
For her part, Mayor Milena Quiroga emphasized: “Economic development is important, as is tourism growth, but it cannot take precedence over the environment, which is our main attraction.” She emphasized that the Balandra model, which eliminated trash cans to promote a zero-waste culture, should be considered for replication on other beaches in the municipality.
During the ceremony, awards were presented to the Zofemat staff, whoimplement cleanup and active surveillance plans. Twenty-seven employees of this municipal agency were also recognized for their exemplary work in beach care.
The Director of Tourism, Natalia Rulfo, closed with a clear message: “The Playa Platino distinction is not a goal; it is a means to continue building a more sustainable, more orderly, and environmentally committed municipality.” With this new award, 30% of the state’s beaches have earned the Playa Platino distinction, according to the IMEEC (Mexico Institute of Environmental Studies).