Municipal authorities in Los Cabos began a formal Blue Flag compliance inspection on May 12 that will run through May 28. The audit covers all 33 criteria required by the international Blue Flag program, and results will determine whether the municipality’s certified beaches keep their designation for the coming season.
Blue Flag México evaluators are conducting the review alongside Rafael Guillermo Álvarez Munguía, coordinator of Zofemat (Zona Federal Marítimo Terrestre) for Los Cabos. The inspection covers five categories: water quality, environmental management, safety, services, and user information standards.
What the Auditors Are Checking
Auditors are testing for enterococci levels, a bacteria measurement that indicates whether ocean water is safe for swimming. Blue Flag and Platinum Beach standards require water to stay within strict sanitary limits, even after heavy tourist seasons. The inspections also evaluate signage, lifeguard coverage, accessibility, waste management, and environmental education programs at each beach.
This audit follows a separate semi-annual inspection in April, when Los Cabos put 27 beaches through a standardization review after the busy Spring Break and Holy Week period. That earlier round focused on verifying water quality and zero-waste standards following peak-season foot traffic.
Los Cabos Has Expanded Its Blue Flag Count
Los Cabos currently holds more than 20 Blue Flag certifications. The program has grown steadily in the municipality. In 2025, three new certifications were awarded to beaches including one near Rancho Leonero in La Ribera, Corazón Beach at El Médano, and La Playita east of San José del Cabo. Well-known certified beaches include Chileno Beach, Santa María Beach, and Palmilla Beach along the Tourist Corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
The Blue Flag program is operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education, a Denmark-based nonprofit. Beaches must requalify each year, and certifications can be revoked if standards slip during control visits like the one now underway. The designation is recognized in more than 50 countries.
Any changes to certified beach status will be announced after the review wraps up on May 28, ahead of the peak summer beach season. The inspection was first reported by the Los Cabos municipal government and La Pola BCS.