Giving Back to Guanacaste: How You Can Support Local Kids and Families around Playas del Coco

The Beauty and Challenges of Guanacaste

Guanacaste is known for its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and abundant wildlife. As a popular tourist destination, areas like Playas del Coco and the Papagayo Peninsula are familiar to many visitors. However, beneath the beauty of this tropical paradise, local communities face significant economic challenges.

Many residents, particularly those in rural areas, rely heavily on the tourism industry for their livelihood. With the downturn in tourism during and after the pandemic, income levels have dropped sharply, leaving families struggling to meet basic needs. While Costa Rica's Central Valley has more economic opportunities due to its proximity to urban centers like San José, Guanacaste faces high unemployment rates, and many households are dealing with the increased cost of living, including rising food and housing prices.

The Economic Divide

The economic situation in Guanacaste is different from that of the more developed regions of Costa Rica. In the Central Valley, average monthly incomes range from ₡500,000 to CRC 800,000 (roughly $800 to USD 1,300). In contrast, many rural families in Guanacaste live on less than ₡300,000 (USD 500) per month, with many workers, especially those in tourism, earning minimum wages closer to ₡200,000 to ₡400,000 ($350 to USD 700).

This income disparity is compounded by the fact that necessities in rural areas often cost more due to transportation and import taxes. For families with children, these challenges are magnified regarding education. While public schooling in Costa Rica is technically free, there are numerous expenses associated with schooling that many underprivileged families struggle to afford, such as uniforms, school supplies, and specific books required by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP).

Supporting Local Kids: What’s Needed

If you're traveling to the area and want to give back, several ways exist to help support local children and families. Many kids need basic school supplies, including:

• Backpacks: Simple, durable, and large enough for books and notebooks.

• Pencils, pens, and erasers: Staples of any typical classroom.

• Colored pencils and crayons: Often used by younger students for art and schoolwork.

• Lined notebooks: Typically, students use 50 to 100-page notebooks for daily assignments.

• Rulers, glue sticks, and scissors: Useful for both elementary and secondary students.

• Black school shoes: Costa Rican children wear black shoes with their uniforms, and these are often expensive or difficult to find for struggling families.

• Uniforms: The public school system requires students to wear specific uniforms, which can be sourced in places like Liberia but are costly for many families.

• Extras: Soccer is a highly celebrated sport in Costa Rica. A soccer ball (which can be sourced locally) is always a welcomed gift for any child.

Bringing a few of these items in your luggage can make a world of difference to local kids. Supplies from North America are often cheaper and of better quality than what’s available locally due to high import taxes and limited availability in smaller towns.

The Power of Community

As a local of Liberia and a native of Grecia, I’m deeply embedded in the Costa Rican community and see firsthand the impact of economic inequality. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with families and children in need, organizing and delivering school supplies, uniforms, and essentials directly to those who struggle to afford them.

Recently, I coordinated a group of 100 tourists to support a local community affected by a large fire. The children in that area received a variety of much-needed school supplies, helping them continue their education despite the disaster.

If you’re traveling to the region and want to help, I can personally work with you to ensure your donations—whether it be backpacks, school shoes, or basic supplies—reach the right families. I know where the need is greatest and can connect you with specific communities and schools that would benefit most from your contributions. Together, we can ensure that local kids have the tools they need to stay in school and succeed.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Help Matters

Children in rural regions like Guanacaste face higher rates of dropout and absenteeism due to the costs of education. While the public school system in Costa Rica is commendable, children from low-income families often struggle to keep up with these expenses. In communities where tourism fuels the economy, when tourism falters, so do family incomes. For these children, a new backpack or a pair of school shoes isn’t just a small gift—it can be the key to staying in school and continuing their education.

There is a notable divide between the economic situations in coastal regions and more developed areas like the Central Valley. While wealthier regions have better access to resources and higher wages, rural beach areas often see higher poverty levels. Living costs have risen, but wages in rural areas have not kept up. This is why helping the community directly through practical and meaningful support can make a difference.

How You Can Help

Myself and my tour company Freddy’s Costa Rican Experiences can assist in delivering these items and even introduce you to families or schools in need. By contributing to these local efforts, visitors can leave a lasting positive impact on the community, ensuring that children have the tools they need to succeed.

Together, we can bridge the gap and support the next generation of Costa Rican students.