Who is El Camino de Costa Rica helping?
Costa Rica is constantly showcased as one of the world’s most coveted tourism destinations, especially eco-tourism. Although this tourism positively impacts the country’s economy, the greatest benefits have been traditionally reaped by the developers and the communities on the two coasts–the Caribbean and the Pacific, while the central part of the country and particularly the rural areas which are the most economically vulnerable, have traditionally been excluded.
Since 2016, the Mar a Mar Association has been writing a new exciting chapter for Costa Rican tourism by creating and promoting El Camino de Costa Rica. This coast to coast long-distance trail has shifted the traditional tourism focus from beaches and national parks to a holistic one fostering sustainable rural community development for the 25 towns along the route as well as related entrepreneurial efforts to provide food, lodging, and other services to hikers. This is a more participatory, bottom-up approach honoring and supporting local traditions, knowledge and existing resources. In the end, these communities—previously untouched by tourism—have become the beneficiaries of a new kind of tourism: hikers who want to experience Costa Rica from a totally different perspective.
As a result of concerted efforts of the Mar a Mar Association and local guides driving their businesses, the number of hikers has increased dramatically to reach more than 8000 Costa Ricans and 500 foreigners in 2024.
Our hikers support sustainable conservation and travel in the heart of Costa Rica by visiting our rural entrepreneurs, spreading the word about El Camino de Costa Rica, donating, and fundraising.
This is what the El Camino de Costa Rica beneficiaries are saying… testimonials from our communities.
“I am grateful for the Camino de Costa Rica and the Mar a Mar Association for this initiative, since this has made it possible for many people to visit our rural areas and indigenous zones, and so reviving and honoring our customs and traditions”.
Rita Quirós, entrepreneur starting by catering for hikers en route to establishing her own restaurant –Soda Comidas Rita–as well as providing lodging for hikers at Stage 5, in the town of Pacayitas.
Photo: Thomas Enderlin, Cortesía El Colectivo 506.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for collaborating with us. This camp (Tsinkicha) is very important for the entire indigenous population because it is generating a source of income for the population. Without you, we would not have been able to develop this project. And from the heart I thank the Mar a Mar Association and the Camino de Costa Rica for all the support they have given us.”
Florita Martínez, Treasurer of the Nairi Awari Cabecar Territory ADI (Asociación de Desarrollo Integral) and community leader.
Photo: Thomas Enderlin, Cortesía El Colectivo 506.
“We have seen an increase in the number of tourists who come to stay with us to hike the trail from here to Quepos. Mar a Mar has helped us with projects like Improving our medical services clinic.”
Julio Knight, fisherman, entrepreneur, owner of the Pacuare Tourism Center at Laguna Madre de Dios, on the Caribbean and an active member of local government.
Photo: Thomas Enderlin, Cortesía El Colectivo 506.
“Getting to know the Association Mar a Mar has been an inspiration…we have now gained the confidence to look for better projects and create sustainable work within our territory. Thanks to Mar a Mar and El Camino de Costa Rica we’re dreaming big to fulfill our dreams of offering our entrepreneurships as an attraction for visitors, hikers, rafters who come to learn from Etnoturismo Tsiöbata about our sustainable tourism based on the Nairi Awari Cabecar Indigenous Cosmovision.”
Leo Martínez, President of the Tsiöbata-Ethnotourism Committee, member of ADI of the Nairi Awari Territory and young leader of his community.
Photo: Thomas Enderlin, Cortesía El Colectivo 506.
Learn about the history of El Camino de Costa Rica and find a deeper understanding of the impact of your visit.
Where are these people benefiting from El Camino de Costa Rica?
If you want to learn more about the towns that benefit from the hikers on El Camino de Costa Rica, we invite you to explore this map: