Our Story

OUR STORY

How we started

Namu Travel Group is a Central America-based travel company specializing in luxury, boutique vacations to Central America and South America.

It was founded in 1999 when two twenty-something expats in Costa Rica connected through a 'roommate wanted' ad.

Living in Costa Rica, they found themselves giving friends and family personalized travel recommendations in the country. From there, Costa Rican Vacations was born and soon became the most successful online travel agency in Costa Rica.

Over the years, the company began offering services in other countries around Central America, and thus Namu Travel came into being as an umbrella brand to hold everything together and identify itself.

The Namu family encompasses the following brands: Costa Rican Vacations, Panama Vacations, Nicaragua Vacations, Fishing Vacations, and Centralamerica.com (our regional information site).

AS SEEN In

NAME ORIGIN

What “Namu” means

Our name, Namu, holds a special meaning as it signifies "jaguar" in the Bribri language—a sacred animal in Costa Rica and Latin America.
The Bribri, one of the country's largest indigenous groups, reside in the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica and Panama.

OUR TEAM

Who We Are

Our tribe hails from all over the world and know their way around the region like locals. Travel isn't only our profession—it's also our passion, our way of life. We understand what it feels like to visit a country for the first time and strive to help our guests, with our intimate knowledge of the region, as only locals can.

Lucia Passuello

Sales Consultant

Originally from Argentina, I grew up in Costa Rica, and currently based in Buenos Aires. I’ve always loved travel, culture, & creating meaningful experiences. My passion for hospitality & background in client-focused roles naturally led me to the world of planning.

Anyelin Ruiz

Sales Consultant

Proudly born & raised in Costa Rica, I live in Tamarindo. I’ve dedicated the past 14 years to working in tourism. I’m passionate about exploring new places, learning from different ways of life, & embracing the small moments that make each day special.

Soledad Loría

Sales Consultant

I'm a proud Costa Rican native based in San José, with over 18 years in the travel industry. My love for travel & adventure comes from my family. I wasn’t even walking yet when they took me camping for the first time in the Osa Peninsula, an unforgettable family tradition.

Luis Mendieta

Sales Consultant

I was born & raised in the land of Pura Vida, Costa Rica and live in Cartago. With over 20 years in the travel industry, from hotels to multiple roles with travel agencies, I’ve built my career around connecting people with new cultures. I love exploring the world.

Martyn Makepeace

Sales Consultant

Originally from England, I’ve been living in Guanacaste, Costa Rica for over 12 years, long enough to proudly call myself a Tico at heart. I’ve spent more than a decade working in the tourism industry. I’m passionate about creating unforgettable experiences.

Carlos Barquero

Sales Consultant

I’m a proud Costa Rican, living in the mountains. With over five years of experience designing vacaiton across Central America. I’m passionate about creating one-of-a-kind, off-the-beaten-path adventures that feel authentic, personal, and unforgettable.

partners

Our Esteemed Affiliates

We take pride in collaborating with a curated selection of travel and hospitality experts who share our commitment to excellence. Together, we bring you seamless experiences that blend luxury, authenticity, and exploration.

OUR VISION

Unforgettable Stories

As a Central America-based company, we see this region as "home," not just another destination. We strive to contribute to society here and create a deeper understanding of Central America's people and customs. It's that important to us, and ensuring you have a perfect visit goes far to achieve that goal.

Therefore, we offer a level of service that aims to more than satisfy all our guests, no matter where they're traveling to in Central America.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that each guest returns home with unforgettable stories to cherish about their vacation in Central America and beyond.