Welcome to Our Community

As the official Tourism board representing the community, commerce, and tourism sectors in Malpais, Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa & Playa Manzanillo, we are dedicated to linking our issues to the government and the general public.

Our mission is to create lasting connections and promote sustainable growth in this beautiful region. Join us in making a positive impact!

Our Mission:

Promote and strengthen regenerative, ethical and high-quality tourism, through authentic Costa Rican experiences for tourists, in harmony with nature, integrating the traditions of local culture, activating community and environmental resources, and strengthening strategic alliances for the benefit of the affiliates.

Our Vision:

To be the association responsible for the organization, union and representation of tourism entrepreneurs and businesses of the coastal strip that includes Malpaís, Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa and Manzanillo, in order to position the blue zone as the most important destination for regenerative tourism and Costa Rica wellness center

Aerial view of a coastal town at sunrise with lush green trees, houses, a road, and the ocean in the background.

Current projects:

Land Use Planning:

CATUZA holds a seat on the Special Commission for Regulatory Plans of the Municipal Council of the Cóbano District, from which it will ensure that territorial development is in harmony with the focus on regenerative tourism and considers the well-being of people who live in and visit the Blue Zone. A balanced development with the environment, biodiversity, and economic growth.

Destination Marketing & Promotion:

CATUZA is working to hold the first Expo Turismo Azul in the area in 2025. The main objective of this expo is to promote the entire tourist offer of the area and make it visible both nationally and internationally, generating linkages with emerging destinations. This expo is aimed at inbound travel agents, local businesses, international wholesalers, and local and national press.

Promotion of Regenerative Tourism:

Innovatively, CATUZA has set out to promote and strengthen high-quality, ethical regenerative wellness, surf, and romance tourism through authentic experiences in harmony with nature, integrating Costa Rican cultural traditions, activating community and environmental resources, and prioritizing local and organic production, supply, and consumption.

Organizational Structure of the Chamber:

Recently, the Chamber hired a new Executive Director with whom the association's organizational instruments are being updated, and the Chamber's administrative mechanisms are being strengthened to provide better service to our affiliates. Additionally, it aims to have greater reach, presence, and positioning to work hand in hand with other Chambers and Institutions related to Tourism.

Strengthening Security:

For several years, CATUZA has been working alongside other organizations, the local government, and central government authorities to establish a new police station in Santa Teresa. Additionally, an agreement is in the process of being signed with the Ministry of Security for the installation of a camera system at various points along the coastal strip, starting in Santa Teresa. Furthermore, CATUZA has participated in the Tourism Commission of the Legislative Assembly, raising its voice to create relevant mechanisms to eliminate illegal parties that bring other types of problems to the area.

Board of Directors

  • Man with beard and sunglasses sitting in vintage aircraft cockpit, holding control yoke, with gauges and instruments visible in black and white.

    Everardo Carmona

    PRESIDENT

  • A man with long hair and sunglasses riding a dirt bike on a rural road with trees in the background.

    Andrey Mejías

    VICE PRESIDENT

  • Black and white photo of a woman sitting on a chair indoors, wearing a sleeveless top and jewelry, with a circular logo on the wall and decorative items in the background.

    Paola Espinoza

    SECRETARY

  • A man smiling outdoors in black and white, wearing a dark button-up shirt with a collar, with trees and a clear sky in the background.

    Harry Hartman

    TREASURER

  • Smiling man wearing glasses and a wide-brimmed hat sitting outdoors on a beach with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and palm trees in the background.

    Salomón Arv

    VOCAL

  • A man with sunglasses taking a selfie at the beach in black and white.

    Tomás Fernández

    VOCAL

  • Black and white photo of a man with wavy medium-length hair and a beard, wearing a plain white t-shirt, looking off to the side with a neutral expression, standing in front of a plain wall with a slightly blurred information sheet visible in the background.

    Lucas Gutiérrez

    VOCAL

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with no hair, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with a small logo on the chest, standing with arms crossed in front of a blurred abstract background.

    Mario Mikowski

    FISCAL

  • A woman with long dark hair, smiling and sitting with arms crossed, wearing a blazer and white shirt in a grayscale photo.

    Ana Cristina Quirós

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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