Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Puerto Vallarta’s Commission for Free, Clean and Certified Beaches reported collecting more than 21.8 tons of waste during the 2025-2026 period, along with progress toward Blue Flag certification for eight beaches.
The results reflect ongoing efforts to protect the municipality’s natural areas through community participation and environmental programs.
Cleanup Campaigns Bring Together More Than 1,200 Volunteers
The Permanent Commission for Free, Clean and Certified Beaches of the Puerto Vallarta City Council presented its annual work report, highlighting 20 cleanup events that brought together 1,295 volunteers. The campaigns targeted beaches, rivers, canals and other bodies of water throughout the municipality.
Led by councilman Christian Bravo Carbajal, the commission organized cleanup activities at several locations, including Playa Camarones, Playa de Oro, Boca de Tomates, the Cuale and Pitillal rivers, Estero El Salado and Laguna del Coapinole.
These areas play an important role in the region’s environmental health while serving residents, visitors and local communities.
“Caring for our beaches is a task for everyone, and every effort we contribute brings us closer to that goal,” Bravo Carbajal said.
Eight Beaches Pursue Blue Flag Certification
The commission also reported progress toward Blue Flag certification for eight of our local beaches: Playa de Oro, Holi, Camarones, Amapas, Conchas Chinas 1, Conchas Chinas 2, Nogalito and Palmares.
The internationally recognized program sets standards for water quality, safety, environmental management and visitor services. Efforts to meet these requirements are intended to strengthen the protection and management of Puerto Vallarta’s beaches while maintaining their appeal for residents and tourists.
New Initiative Strengthens Environmental Partnerships
Another development highlighted in the report was the formal establishment of Cruzadas por el Mar (Crusades for the Sea), an initiative designed to encourage greater cooperation between government agencies, schools, hotels and civil associations.
The program began building a collaborative network through signed commitments with educational institutions, members of the hotel sector, civil organizations and municipal departments. Its activities include coordinated cleanup campaigns, environmental education and opportunities for more residents to take part in protecting local ecosystems.
Among the events organized through these efforts was the First Cleanup Rally, held in connection with World Environment Day with support from the Twelfth Naval Zone and Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
The commission also highlighted an international beach cleanup at Playa Holi and the Pitillal River, bringing further attention to the need to protect both coastal areas and inland waterways.
Continued Cooperation to Protect Natural Areas
The commission includes council members María Laurel Carrillo Ventura, Víctor Manuel Bernal Vargas, Melissa Marlene Madero Plascencia, Micaela Vázquez Díaz, Felipe Aréchiga Gómez, Marcia Raquel Bañuelos Macías, Erika Yesenia García Rubio and Luis Jesús Escoto Martínez.
Its members reaffirmed their commitment to working with residents, businesses, educational institutions and government agencies to expand environmental initiatives across the municipality.
Through waste collection, certification efforts and community-based programs, the commission aims to preserve Puerto Vallarta’s natural heritage and encourage greater public involvement in caring for beaches, rivers, canals and other waterways. These efforts are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and protecting the natural resources that support daily life and tourism throughout the region.
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