Located in province of Guanacaste, Santa Barbara is a village full of tradition with a proud people and vibrant culture.  It is the birthplace of the marimba, an instrument that has its place as national symbol of Costa Rica, as well as the only part of the country where the ancient tradition of ceramics, inherited from the indigenous people of the region, is maintained.

The Key Need

The tourism industry in Costa Rica is one of the most important and influential in the country providing jobs, revenue, and purpose for many people. In the province of Guanacaste, traditionally known for its agriculture and ranching, tourism hasn’t always lived up to its promises of sustaining positive social, environmental and cultural impact. Relocating communities for the construction of all-inclusive hotels, a movement away from economic support for the agricultural industry, and destruction of ecosystems, has gradually resulted in the loss of local customs, traditions, and way of life for many in the region.

Making an Impact

Meet Clara Padilla a leader and organizer in her community on a mission to preserve the rich culture and history of the Guanacaste region while helping locals benefit from tourism. Over the years she has organized different groups in her community to offer a variety of cultural activities such as cooking classes, typical dances, marimba lessons, and agroecological tours. Today the community operates a successful rural community-based tourism program offering the world a glimpse into their traditional way of life while allowing them to do what they have always loved to do, all the while creating a space for their culture to thrive and live on through current and future generations.

Visit Santa Barbara and join Clara along with her community as they share their history and culture through presentation and conversation.

Learn how to make tortillas the traditional way, take a culinary class featuring dishes from the local Guanacastecan gastronomy, or participate in a time-honored pottery workshop, explore the time-honored tradition of the marimba, and tour a local agroecological farm.

These one-day tours as well as overnight stays provide revenue for the community in need and aid conservation efforts, while offering guests excitement and adventure in the mountains, forest, and beaches of this largely unexplored island.