Design of an integrated evaluation index for recreational beaches

An integrated index to evaluate recreational sand beaches (IBVI) was designed using descriptive beach indicators (BI), beach user's perception (KI) and indicators of beach economic value (MI). This index was applied in five urban sandy beaches with similar physiographic features, but economically and socio-culturally different (Ensenada, Rosarito and Mazatlan in México; Copacabana in Brazil; and Oceanside in Southern California in USA). According to the IBVI evaluation, Oceanside was the best beach, all values rating high, followed by Copacabana with high BI and KI but low MI. Mazatlan was rated medium, although user's perception was high. Poorly developed beaches, such as Ensenada, were rated medium for BI, KI and low for MI. The IBVI value at Rosarito was rated medium–low because both the BI and KI values were low. IBVI incorporates three visions for beach awards in one and can be useful to compare tourist sand beaches around the world.