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Our Story
With a shared vision of protecting the pristine beauty and biodiversity of Paquera, we created the Committee of Paquera as a Sustainable Touristic Destination in 2024. Our goal is to develop sustainable eco-tourism in our community, highlighting its natural beauty, local culture and businesses, and our shared sense of adventure.
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Seeking donations to help make information about Paquera more accessible to international visitors, we now have four founders from the community of Paquera that are also a part of the committee.
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As locals, we know Paquera best and we want to share her beauty with you while conserving what makes her special. We are a community-based organization that is dedicated to helping create sustainability in our community through promoting ecotourism, environmental awareness, supporting small local businesses, and celebrating Paquerañan culture.
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Meet Our Founders
Asociación de Desarrollo para la Juventud de Paquera (ADEJ)
Our mission is to empower the youth of Paquera by promoting their holistic development, encouraging active participation in the community, and strengthening their skills to help build a prosperous and sustainable future.
Our vision is to become a leading organization in the social, economic, educational, environmental, athletic, cultural, and recreational development of young people in Paquera. We strive to be recognized for our positive impact on youth, our contribution to community progress, and our strong commitment to core values and principles.
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ADEJ was founded through a community-driven dialogue sparked by a shared desire to revive the spirit of civic engagement that once thrived in the Paquera District. After several attempts to gather the necessary quorum, the association was officially established on December 11, 2021, with 50 founding members and formal recognition from Costa Rica’s National Directorate of Community Development (DINADECO). The idea for ADEJ grew out of concern for the lack of youth involvement in local development. From the beginning, our goal has been to inspire and prepare the next generation of community leaders by creating more opportunities for meaningful participation.
TURISMO CURU
Our company was born with the aim of providing personalized and quality services to all those people and companies that visit the south of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica and thus be able to show the tourist attractions, both marine and terrestrial; with the sole purpose that tourists can enjoy with confidence, security and at the same time appreciate the beauty of our country.
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Thus, in 1998, we acquired the first boat called Baula II with capacity for 10 people, in order to carry out marine tours to different places in the area such as: Tortuga Islands, Isla Negritos (National Park) and others. As the service offerings increased, we decided to purchase another boat called Curú with greater capacity, always with the vision of making a difference in personalized treatment and with optimal security measures for our clients. As time goes by, we believe in consolidating ourselves and diversifying our work even more, which is why Turismo Curú S.A. was created. That same year, another Curú I boat with an intermediate capacity was acquired, thus managing to cover all the needs of the current and future market. During all these years of service, we have participated in different projects, providing our services with all seriousness and confidence to national and international companies in charge of filming, special events or tourism.
ISLA CHIQUITA GLAMPING
Located on its own small island in the Gulf of Nicoya, Isla Chiquita Glamping Hotel is a pioneer of sustainable tourism in Paquera and one of Costa Rica’s most inspiring examples of eco-luxury. The project was born from a family’s vision to share the beauty of the islands while protecting their fragile ecosystems through responsible tourism practices.
Beyond offering guests an unforgettable nature experience—combining adventure, comfort, and authentic local cuisine—Isla Chiquita has also been deeply involved in community development. Through collaborations with the Asociación de Desarrollo para la Juventud de Paquera (ADEJ) and other local initiatives, the team actively supports education, youth leadership, and conservation projects that strengthen the future of Paquera as a sustainable destination.
BAHIA RICA ADVENTURES
Founded in 2007 by a Norwegian couple, Bahía Rica Adventures has become a cornerstone of sustainable tourism in Paquera. What began as a small adventure lodge by the sea has grown into a model of community-based tourism that blends authentic nature experiences with local empowerment.
Through fishing charters, kayaking, stand-up paddling, and wildlife tours, Bahía Rica invites visitors to discover the Gulf of Nicoya’s natural wonders while promoting conservation and respect for the environment. The lodge has created meaningful employment opportunities in the coastal communities of Punta Cuchillo and Isla Cedros, helping strengthen the local economy through responsible tourism.
As one of the founding partners of VisitPaquera.com, Bahía Rica plays an active and committed role in shaping Paquera’s sustainable tourism identity. The team is not only a collaborator but also an active member and driving force within the Asociación de Desarrollo para la Juventud de Paquera (ADEJ), participating in committees and community projects that foster youth education, marine conservation, and leadership development. Together, these efforts help ensure that tourism in Paquera benefits both people and the planet — inviting visitors to truly ‘be a part of nature, not apart from it.’