Costa Rica Travel Designer
Marco is a lover of stories — perhaps that’s why he began working in tourism more than thirty years ago, a journey where he has learned not only to create stories but also to contemplate them. He has seen families grow through their small businesses — some achieving remarkable success, others making profound changes, such as having the first generation of their family graduate from university. Over the years, he has witnessed how travel can truly transform lives.
As a writer, Marco has learned to craft stories with words and poetic imagery. Yet, when he’s in the office negotiating with a local producer, he often sees the beginning of a new story — one in which many of them will become the heroes of their own legend.
Deeply multifaceted, Marco is also a facilitator for NGOs promoting gender equity, a volunteer clown in hospitals, a creative writing instructor, and a holistic therapist. All these layers are impossible to keep in separate boxes — they constantly intertwine, allowing him to listen and to create stories that we traditionally call journeys, and that often leave a lasting mark on everyone involved. Not only on the travelers, but also on those who welcome them. That shared transformation is what makes creating journeys so deeply fulfilling for him.
It’s hard to define — usually, it’s something unexpected that touches me. I remember seeing turtle nesting many times, but one day, while walking on the beach in Tortuguero with my kids, we saw the baby turtles hatching. There are simply no words to describe that moment.
Other times, it’s a story from a farmer, or children approaching with curiosity in small communities. I think it’s different each time; it’s not something I choose or look for. It’s as if Costa Rica itself decides when to surprise you — when to show you an emotion you didn’t expect.
When you work in tourism, you often have to travel alone. Along the way, I’ve witnessed magical places and moments that I wish I could share again with my kids, my partner, or the people I love. That makes me realize how important it is to protect those moments — to make sure they’re still here in the future, whether I’m part of them or not.
To me, sustainability means not exploiting a moment until it disappears, but keeping it alive so it can be experienced again. True magic is cyclical — and I want others to see and feel the same cycles of wonder that I’ve seen, and maybe even help recover some that we’ve already lost. Life itself is made of cycles, and the travel industry must learn to respect and protect them.
Working with Impactful Travel has been a relief because it allows me to put my values and principles before sales. If a traveler insists on something that goes against nature or local culture, we have the freedom to say that perhaps we are not the right option for them. Many other companies have learned to say “yes” at the expense of their principles just to sell — but that doesn’t happen here.
Communication — both before and during the experience. Before the trip, we try to get to know our clients as much as possible, to understand their motivations and create an experience that feels real and personal.
Sometimes, people don’t even know what truly motivates them — and that’s okay, it happens to all of us. But our role is to understand it, so we don’t just offer a “nice” experience, but create a safe emotional space where travelers can truly vibrate with the experience — not just see it or feel it, but become part of it.
That communication continues during and after the journey — to make adjustments, to listen, or simply to ensure travelers feel supported and accompanied throughout.
