At the Mar a Mar Association, we run successful projects through the generous support of people and organizations who share our values and believe in biodiversity protection, sustainable development and community empowerment.
Every year we carry out fundraising campaigns to finance projects in the 25 communities along the route. Our focus is to provide equal opportunities to local entrepreneurs, empowering them with the necessary skills and tools to offer high-quality tourism services.
Through training and financial support, we have improved the lives of hundreds of entrepreneurs who are now able to highlight the unique cultural and natural riches of their region and serve hikers with a standardized service. This effort ensures that the differences between each stage of the Camino focus on the diversity of ecosystems and local traditions rather than economic inequality.
Our trail creates jobs, builds local capacity, provides environmental education and more. Learn more about how the Mar a Mar Association connects not only two coasts, but also a vibrant network for sustainable community development at the very heart of rural Costa Rica.
By 2024, the goal has been to raise $25,000 which goes directly to infrastructure and training projects for entrepreneurs.
In 2023, we were able to finance projects that impacted the community infrastructure of seven communities along the route.
By joining as Solidarity Hiker or as Navigator of Change, you are contributing directly to transform lives and create opportunities. Whether you choose to make a one-time donation or commit to a medium or long-term donation program, each contribution is valuable and vital to finance our projects.
How to donate?
You can support our projects by donating through:
Online as a 505(c)3
Donation by Credit Card*
You can donate, one time or monthly, at our Classy platform, credit card, PayPal, or Google Pay.
Donation by Zelle*
Zelle is a newer way of making bank-to-bank payments. It’s free and very secure. To send a donation via Zelle please advise Amigos of Costa Rica by emailing admin@amigosofcostarica.org to indicate your intention to send funds via Zelle, as well as any requests to direct your donation to support a specific project.
Funds sent via Zelle can be sent to: emily@amigosofcostarica.org
*These two options are done through the Amigos of Costa Rica platform. This non-profit organization charges us 3% of each donation as an administrative fee. You can cover this fee by including an additional 3% to your donation. Amigos of Costa Rica is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record.
By Check (501(c)3)
Please make payable to Amigos of Costa Rica and mail to:
Amigos of Costa Rica
P. O. Box 748
West Chester, PA 19380
Amigos of Costa Rica charges us a 3% fee on donations. If you would like to cover the fees associated with your donation, please include an additional 3%.
Don’t forget to tell us you’d like your donation to support the Asociación Mar a Mar! Please indicate Asociación Mar a Mar on the memo line and include a note with your check. Checks received without a designation will be used to support general Amigos of Costa Rica operating costs. Receipts will be mailed to the address on the check unless you request a digital receipt.
Amigos of Costa Rica works with the Costa Rica United States Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA) to promote Costa Rica’s sustainable development by supporting innovative projects and strategic alliances throughout the country. Amigos of Costa Rica is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record.
Wire Transfer to/inside Costa Rica
By a direct wire transfer to our bank accounts in Costa Rica.
BAC San José
Asociación Mar a Mar: Costa Rica
Cédula Jurídica: 3 -002-718717
Account in dollars – 9284840967
Customer Account – 10200009284840967
IBAN CR13010200009284840967
SWIFT BSNJCRSJ
BAC San José
Asociación Mar a Mar: Costa Rica
Cédula Jurídica: 3 -002-718717
Account in colones – 928484088
Customer Account – 10200009284840884
IBAN CR23010200009284840884
SINPE Móvil
You can use SINPE móvil inside Costa Rica +506 6036-6199.
Please include the description of “Mar a Mar Donation”.
Donations by SINPE can only be carried out within the Costa Rican banking system.
Do you want to do more for Costa Rica’s rural communities?
How much to donate?
Solidarity hiker, one-time donation.
Any amount, from $1 onward, will enhance our work. Your immediate support with a donation is destined to any of our specific projects and it will impact positively our communities.
Your gift at any level can help:
- $20 promotes the trail to bring more hikers that support rural businesses.
- $50 supports a small entrepreneur in marketing his/her sustainable small business.
- $75 funds textbooks and environmental education activities for a rural school.
- $100 improves signage and safety for 1 km of the trail.
- $500 funds a grant to a microentrepreneur to grow his/her sustainable small business.
- $1000 allows us to meet basic infrastructural needs of a small community such as potable water or electricity
Navigator of Change, monthly donation.
A sustained donation over time, with a scheduled monthly donation, will allow us to project our activities and ensure long-term support for our beneficiaries.
As a Navigator of Change, you become a key partner in our continued effort for sustainable development.
With your donation…
$50/month
We can support the formalization efforts of 6 entrepreneurs of the Camino de Costa Rica.
$100/month
We can include 8 more students in the Environmental Ambassadors program, already in 5 schools along the route.
$150/month
We can provide support in tourism infrastructure to at least 10 community-based organizations