This page explains why the Nosara 2024 Census was created, who participated, how it was funded, how data were safeguarded, and all publications available for public consultation. We aim to ensure information democracy, citizen participation, and open data for public use.

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Origin: Signs of Change (2020–2022): We felt something was happening in Nosara

During and after the pandemic, the community identified accelerated growth reflected in:

• Increased traffic and longer daily commutes.

• Longer wait times at the Nosara EBAIS and limitations in emergencies.

• More reports of incidents and violence.

• Reduced availability of cemetery space.

• Increased school enrollment and greater demand for transportation (school and public).

• Opening of businesses responding to greater population (e.g., supermarkets).

• Water non-feasibility declarations issued by district ASADAS.

• Frequent power outages and more electric meters installed.

• Surge in construction activity (earthworks, new buildings, and remodels).

• Growing concern about environmental damage, pressure on services, and sustainability.

In this context, Michael Fonseca Cortés (Nosara EBAIS) led a citizen effort to request additional medical staff and extended hours from the CCSS. At the same time, the idea of conducting a local census emerged to provide technical support for decision-making, since the recurring institutional response to community requests was: “we don’t have data.”

Meanwhile, we awaited the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, but it faced limitations in hiring enumerators just weeks before starting the census operation. Witnessing this challenge, in 2022 Emmanuel Gutiérrez initiated conversations with INEC to develop a district-level census with a local focus.

From Idea to Action (2023–2024)

In 2023, the Community Development Alliance (ADC) emerged from debates on cost of living and dignified income. It became clear that many community discussions were based on personal perceptions and lacked comparable, updated data. Key conclusions included:

• We must measure before investing in new solutions: Without a reliable baseline, resources are wasted and impact assessment (philanthropic or public) becomes difficult. The community had been navigating projects that did not solve root problems and were economically costly to sustain.

• The State is an essential actor: Solutions to public-interest issues require State participation with technical criteria, avoiding duplication or substitution. Forgetting or replacing the role of the State led to solutions that were unevenly implemented or lacked open and public governance.

With this framework, ADC submitted the Nosara 2024 Census project to INEC, which received it in January 2024. It was also proposed to the CCSS to update health data during the census operation with support from ATAPs, leveraging synergies and reducing costs for the institution.

Community Approval: Nosara’s residents and leaders agreed the Census was urgent

After INEC’s review of the proposal, we worked with the community to refine the project and collectively carry out the effort across Nosara.

Key milestones included:

• April 30, 2024: Presentation to the Nosara District Council (2020–2024), which unanimously approved the Nosara Census project. The following District Council (2024–2028) requested and received a copy of the project through a formal request to INEC.

• August 22, 2024: Presentation to community-based organizations (ADIs and ASADAS) and the Health Committee, where project details were made public and advanced planning stages began for data collection in November and December.

From that moment, fundraising began to hire enumerators and support operations, platforms, supervision, coordination, and logistics. ADC initially carried out all tasks on a volunteer basis, contributing time and resources until the first contributions were confirmed (executed starting September 2024).

Governance and Roles: How Was the Census Managed?

• Community ideation and coordination: ADC – Community Development Alliance; Emmanuel Gutiérrez

• Technical support: INEC (advice, training, tools, and data processing)

• Health and complementary data: CCSS / Nosara EBAIS / ATAPs

• Project administration: ConoSer Association (nonprofit organization)

• International donations: Amigos of Costa Rica (fundraising platform)

• Academic and technical allies: UNDP, UNED, Master’s Program in Tourism and Sustainable Development (UNA), and Pablo Acuña (School of Architecture, UCR)

• Logistical and in-kind support (spaces, materials, communication):
  Ferreterías Grupo de Nosara, Guanacaste Builders, The Gilded Iguana, Nosara Real Estate, Alta Batalla, Sfera Legal, Redondel de Nosara – ADI Bocas de Nosara, Musmanni Nosara, Farmacia Elimar Nosara, Plaza Elimar, Minisuper El Pueblo, Restaurante Palmeras, Minisuper San Pedro, Nosara EBAIS, Cocina de la Tita, Santa Marta Community Hall – Local Association, Il Pepperoni Restaurant, La Esperanza School, Chicharronera La Nosareña, Garza Church, Delicias Community Hall – ADI Delicias, Vacation Rentals Nosara, Alba Properties, and Rent Nosara.

• Community institutions: ADI Bocas de Nosara, ADI Delicias, ADI Garza, ADI Esperanza Sur; ASADAS of Playas de Nosara, Bocas de Nosara, Santa Teresita, Esperanza, and Delicias–Garza; Nosara Health Committee.

Methodology, Scope, and Data Protection

• Scope: Population and Housing Census of the Nosara district (November 2024) with technical support from INEC.

• Coverage: 95.1% population coverage, with quality control protocols (information review during processing).

Definitions:

• Cartographic points: Every structure classified in the field.

• Occupied dwellings: Structures inhabited at the time of the operation.
  Indicators differentiate both when relevant.

Privacy: Data were handled in accordance with data protection law and the statistics law. Results are published only in aggregated form, generalized to avoid exposing microdata.

Funding and Use of Resources

Sources: Individual donors and local businesses; international contributions channeled through Amigos of Costa Rica; fund administration by ConoSer Association. The Allies section contains information on entities that supported project financing.

Main expense categories: Hiring enumerators and field coordination; development/platforms; consultancies; insurance, per diem and logistics; communications and operations centers; field supplies, licenses, and statistical tools.

Independence: No contributions were accepted that were conditioned on results. Donors had no influence on methodological design, data processing, or priority access to information. Full compliance was maintained with the principle of independence inherent to scientific and statistical research.

Limitations and Best Practices

• Executive nature of web reports: This page summarizes processes and results; expanded thematic reports will be published on censonosara.com.

• Coverage and nonresponse: Despite 95.1% coverage, some points may not have been reached due to difficult access, language barriers, unoccupied dwellings or refusals, incomplete responses, or missing data.

• Comparability: Some variables were adapted to the local context; definitions are documented to ensure comparability with INEC. The next national census will serve as the continuous monitoring benchmark managed by INEC.

• Responsible use: Results should be interpreted alongside their intervals/methodological notes, appropriate referencing, and consultation with our team for any interpretation questions.

Accountability and Citizen Oversight

• Transparency Session: Community progress presentation held on July 18, 2025

• Inquiry and alert mechanism: Exclusive channel for information requests or reports: info@censonosara.com

Use and Reuse of Content

Materials and resources from this page may be cited simply as Censo Nosara 2024.
In bibliographic references, use the following format:

Gutiérrez, Emmanuel. (2025). [TITLE OF ARTICLE OR REPORT]. Censo Nosara 2024. Available at: www.censonosara.com

Contact

General inquiries and information requests: info@censonosara.com

Glossary

• ADC: Community Development Alliance

• ADI: Integral Development Association

• ASADA: Rural Aqueduct Administration Association

• ATAP: Primary Health Care Technical Assistant

• CCSS: Costa Rican Social Security Fund

• EBAIS: Basic Comprehensive Health Care Team

• INEC: National Institute of Statistics and Census

• UNDP: United Nations Development Programme