The Blue Flag Program - Arenas del Mar

Since 2006, the beach located in front of Arenas Del Mar (known as Playitas) has coveted the prestigious Blue Flag (Bandera Azul Ecolgica) award. This program, based on a similar model developed in Europe, works towards the sustainable development of Costa Ricas beaches through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.

Whenever you see a Blue Flag located on one of Costa Rica beaches, you will know that the surrounding community is working rigorously to better its:

Water Quality by assuring that sea water is suitable for swimming and other recreational activities.

Waste Management, assuring that no untreated waters go directly into nearby steams and oceans, and that a recycling and trash collection program is in place.

Environmental education by providing workshops and training to students and the surrounding population.

Safety and administration, assuring that beaches are safe for the general public.

The Bandera Azul is a volunteer certification that incorporates both private and public sectors. In the case of Playitas Beach specifically, Arenas Del Mar has taken a leadership role in obtaining certification. During your stay, we ask for your cooperation in maintaining our beaches clean and pristine. Thank you!

Hotel Grano de Oro - Thanks for such nice comments!

We would like to thank to our guests for the nice comments in our guest book, we would like to share some of these comments with you:

“Costa Rica is a beautiful and interesting country. This will be the first of many trips to Costa Rica. The hotel was outstanding and we were well looked after by your excellent staff.”

Jim & Jacky, Calgary, Canada

“This is a great place to stay. Service is good, the restaurant one of the best in San José, I will be back.” Juan Kivotos, California, USA

“A splendid beautiful stay. Strongly recommended. Will be top memory of trip to Costa Rica”. Brigitt & Harry, from Germany & Belgium

“This is a beautiful hotel, thank you for preserving the classic style along with modern convenience. Food is exceptional as is the service. We will recommend to all we know.”

Nancy, from USA

“Thanks for the two pleasant nights in this wonderful hotel. A good hotel mets the demands of its customer; a superb hotel, like Grano de Oro, exceeded our expectations by friendly personal…thank you!” Olaf, from Holland


“Our fourth visit to this hotel. We never leave Costa Rica without our visit here. Food was excellent as always.” Jack & Mary, Calgary, Canada


“What an awesome hotel! Beautiful! And your staff amazing! I communicated via internet from the United States and everyone was so nice and helpful! We will be back and we’ll stay much longer!! Thank you for such wonderful hospitality!” Chris & Slisha, Florida, USA


“We are on our honeymoon and we found this hotel to be beautiful and a great start in Costa Rica. We would love to come back and visit. Thank you for the great service and wonderful food.”

PJ & Sasha, Arizona, USA

“On our 20 day honeymoon here in lovely Costa Rica we have traveled all over the country, and have met wonderful Costa Ricans and also people from the USA whom we will continue to be in contact with. Hotel Grano de Oro was great and fantastic. PURA VIDA! And may God bless the land of Costa Rica.”

Bill & Patricia, California, USA

“This was our last trip on our honeymoon and we wish we could have stayed longer. The staff is amazing and very helpful to whatever your needs may be. Have a drink at the bar and you will be very relaxed. Muchas gracias to all the people here! Made a wonderful ending to our amazing honeymoon!”

Allison & Walker, North Carolina, USA

“I love the Grano de Oro with its old world charm, elegance and décor. I loved the attention to detail at every turn, the well appointed rooms, the woodwork, the tropical flowers. Most notable was the restaurant. The courtyard was delightful, what a relaxing atmosphere for breakfast. The food was superb and the service refined. The staff was friendly and accommodating, making our stay all the more pleasurable. I would highly recommend a stay at this hotel.”
J. from New York, USA