Costa Dorada (Costa Dorada Iberostar and Costa Dorada Oasis) are the first north coast beaches to have fulfilled the requirements for the prestigious European Blue Flag beach certification. Now nearby Playa Dorada I, Playa Dorada II seek the certification. Previously, Playa Coson, off Las Terrenas, on the northeastern coast was certified.
Others that are opting for the certificate this year are sections of Cabeza de Toro beach in the eastern Punta Cana area. The Cabeza de Toro beaches are in front of the Grand Oasis, Sunscape and Natura Park resorts in the area, about 10 minutes drive from Punta Cana International Airport.
The first Blue Flag beach in the country was Laguna Dominicus in Bayahibe.
The certification increases the worth of the resorts, as it certifies that their beach has been monitored for high quality standards, including water quality, environmental information, environmental management, security and services. The certification also requires the beach to be open to the general public.
A local jury first pre-selects the beaches, and then an international jury has the final word. Members of the international jury are representatives from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the World Tourism Organization, the European Union and the European Union for Coastal Conservation.
To date, 3,300 beaches and ports in 36 countries in Europe, Morocco, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and the Caribbean have been worthy of the certification.