Asociacion Mar a Mar Costa Rica

What Asociacion Mar a Mar Costa Rica does

Asociacion Mar a Mar Costa Rica (DBA: El Camino de Costa Rica) is a Costa Rican nonprofit organization founded by Conchita Espino and Marco Marín that manages a 280-kilometer coast-to-coast long-distance hiking trail running from Barra de Parismina on the Caribbean coast to Quepos on the Pacific coast. The trail is organized into 16 stages crossing 6 microclimates, with approximately 5,800 meters of accumulated elevation gain/loss and a high point at 2,035 meters. It traverses more than 25 rural communities and indigenous Cabécar territories, providing lodging, meals, guiding, and transport services through a network of around 300 families and 45 businesses. The organization employs 13 people and is supported by 13-person staff based in San José.

The core product is the trail experience itself, delivered through three commercial channels: guided group tours via certified operators (UrriTrek, Ticos a Pata, ViaLig Journeys), self-guided independent hiking booked directly through the association's website and the Gronze GPS app, and the annual Camino Endurance 100K Challenge ultradistance event. Underlying infrastructure includes hummingbird-pattern trail markers (red/white slashes on trees and posts), GPS navigation resources, the Service Best certification program (developed with Tourism Saskatchewan Canada and delivered via Canatur), and physical assets such as the Puente Colgante Saldí suspension bridge built by TreeNets using the ecological SATE anchoring system. Community coordination, trail maintenance, and quality assurance are managed centrally by the association.

The revenue model blends five streams: tour operator commissions and fees for trail access and community coordination; community-based tourism transactions (lodging, meals, guiding, transport) that flow primarily to local providers; donations and memberships through the website portal; event registration fees from the Endurance 100K Challenge; and institutional partnership funding from the William H. Donner Foundation, BID Lab (via the Reactur project), the American Embassy, and the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo. Pricing for guided operator packages is published in the EUR 1,500-2,000 per person range for 15-17 day coast-to-coast journeys, while self-guided costs are variable and dependent on individual booking choices.

Name

Asociacion Mar a Mar Costa Rica

Legal name

Mar a Mar Association (Asociación Mar a Mar)

Website

https://caminodecostarica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Asociacion Mar a Mar Costa Rica is a nonprofit that manages El Camino de Costa Rica, a 280-kilometer coast-to-coast hiking trail connecting 25+ rural and indigenous communities across 16 stages, serving adventure travelers via guided tours, self-guided hiking, and an annual 100K endurance event.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Tourism and Sustainable Travel (Long-Distance Hiking Trail)

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Jungle/Rainforest Expedition & Survival Tour Operators (THAAADAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rainforest & Jungle Ecotourism Tours (THAAAEAF), Eco-Adventure Multi-Day Expeditions (Trekking, Hut-to-Hut, Pack Trips) (THAAAEAJ), Rainforest, Jungle & Canopy Experiences (THAJAIAE), Guided Tours & Interpretive Services (Ranger-Led, Naturalist, Cultural Interpretation) (THAAAGAB)

Keywords

• Long-distance hiking trail
• Sustainable tourism network
• Rural community tourism
• Guided hiking tours
• Endurance sports events

Headquarters

HQ city

Costa Rica

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tour Operator Partnerships: Commission-based revenue from partnerships with tour operators (UrriTrek, Ticos a Pata, ViaLig Journeys) who organize guided group hikes along the trail. Operators pay fees or share revenue for trail access, community coordination, and marketing support.
2. Community Tourism Services: Local families and entrepreneurs provide paid services including lodging, meals, guiding, and transportation. While revenue goes primarily to communities, the association coordinates and benefits from these tourism flows.
3. Donations and Memberships: Individual donors and members support the nonprofit through the website donation portal and membership program. Funds support trail maintenance, community development, and conservation initiatives.
4. Event Registration Fees: The Endurance 100K Challenge generates registration fees from ultradistance athletes participating in the 24-hour event that covers 100 kilometers of the trail.
5. Partnership Funding: Grants and donations from organizations including the William H. Donner Foundation, BID Lab, and the American Embassy fund specific projects such as infrastructure development, environmental education, and conservation programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Mar a Mar Association manages El Camino de Costa Rica, a 280-kilometer coast-to-coast hiking trail spanning 16 stages across 6 microclimates and 25+ rural communities and indigenous territories from the Caribbean to the Pacific. It sells guided and self-guided hiking experiences, community-based lodging and meal services, and the annual Endurance 100K Challenge ultradistance event. Its core operations also include trail maintenance, Service Best certification of community providers, and conservation initiatives funded by donations and grants.

Product overview

El Camino de Costa Rica is a nonprofit-managed 280-kilometer hiking trail experience spanning 16 stages from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The Mar a Mar Association offers this as a single unified product comprising guided and self-guided hiking options, the annual Endurance 100K Challenge event, and community-driven hospitality services along the route. The trail connects over 25 rural communities and serves as a sustainable tourism platform for rural economic development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• El Camino de Costa Rica (long-distance hiking trail experience) A 280-kilometer coast-to-coast hiking trail running from the Atlantic (Caribbean) coast at Barra de Parismina to the Pacific coast at Quepos, divided into 16 stages across 6 microclimates and passing through 25+ rural communities and indigenous Cabécar territories. It is managed by the Mar a Mar Association as a sustainable tourism initiative supporting rural communities.
• Guided Hiking Tours Guided tour services along El Camino de Costa Rica, connecting hikers with local communities, indigenous territories, and nature reserves, providing accommodation, meals, certified local guides, and end-to-end logistics over a 15-17 day coast-to-coast journey.
• Self-Guided Hiking Tours Independent hiking options along the trail with resources, maps, guides, and workshops available for hikers to complete stages at their own pace, with lodging and meals arranged through community providers along the route.
• Camino Endurance 100K Challenge An annual ultra-distance athletic event where hikers and ultradistance athletes cover 100 kilometers in 24 hours along El Camino de Costa Rica, part of the international Ultra Endurance El Camino Series and driven by event registration fees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 600 hikers per month during peak season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Tourism Saskatchewan CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Developed the Service Best customer service excellence certification program, which was delivered to community tourism providers along the trail through a partnership with Canatur and the Mar a Mar Association.
• National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Partnered with the Mar a Mar Association to deliver Service Best certification training to community tourism providers including lodgings, restaurants, transport providers, and tour operators.
• FedecaturcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecuted the Reactur project with support from BID Lab, implementing the Service Best certification program and community tourism development initiatives along the trail.
• Association for Integral Development of Nairi Awari (ADIRINA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperated with the Mar a Mar Association on the Puente Colgante Saldí bridge project, representing the 11 indigenous communities of Nairi Awari territory.
• UrriTrek Costa RicacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary certified tour operator providing guided group hiking experiences along El Camino de Costa Rica, with certified local guides including Juancho and Geovanni.
• Ticos a PatacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified tour operator offering guided hiking services along El Camino de Costa Rica, listed by National Geographic as a recommended operator.
• ViaLig JourneyscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTour operator providing El Camino de Costa Rica hiking experiences, featured by National Geographic as a recommended operator for the trail.
• Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCosta Rica's national tourism institute participated in the Association's annual event, providing institutional support and seed capital to participating families.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Intrepid Travel: Global adventure-tour operator offering multi-day small-group trips across Latin America, including Costa Rica itineraries. Comparable as a channel for distributing guided El Camino-style experiences and as a tour operator benchmark.
• G Adventures: Adventure tour operator with Central America itineraries focused on community-based tourism. Direct distribution comparable and operational model similar in promoting local-provider-led trips.
• Camino de Santiago: Historic 800km long-distance pilgrimage trail across Spain that inspired El Camino de Costa Rica. The most comparable long-distance, multi-stage, community-served trail model globally.

Direct peers

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Nonprofit organization managing the 3,500km Appalachian Trail in the United States with volunteer-based community partnerships. Closest structural peer as a nonprofit long-distance trail operator.
• Tour du Mont Blanc: A ~170km multi-country alpine long-distance circuit passing through France, Italy, and Switzerland with hut-to-hut accommodation. Directly comparable as a long-distance, multi-stage trek with community lodging and guided/self-guided options.

Emerging players

• Natural Habitat Adventures: Nature-focused tour operator emphasizing small-group, conservation-aligned itineraries in Costa Rica and Latin America. Comparable on guided ecotourism product for the same high-end adventure-travel segment.

Others

• Rainforest Alliance (tourism programs): International NGO promoting sustainable tourism certification and community-based ecotourism. Adjacent comparable in certification frameworks and community-tourism partnerships.

Regional players

• La Ruta del Sol (Costa Rica): Established Costa Rican multi-stage active travel route with community-based lodging. Comparable as a regional long-distance, community-based trail product in the same market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ElCaminoDeCostaRica
• Instagraminstagram.com/elcaminodecostarica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asociacion-mar-a-mar-costa-rica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Asociacion Mar a Mar Costa Rica