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About Us — Who We Are

Toucan Maps Inc. - Costa Rica Guide is a U.S. based corporation whose main objective is to provide useful information and planning assistance for travelers including publishing the best map in print and the most current, informative and helpful integrated map, directory and information website available for Costa Rica.

Pacific Trade Winds S.A. is a Costa Rica based company whose main objective is to provide exceptional value for full service planning, no nonsense prepaid reservations and in country client support for worry free private vacations in Costa Rica.

In order to provide full service to travelers each company is independently owned and operated because there are some things a U.S. company just can't do in Costa Rica and vice versa. Each company is certified by the appropriate business and travel quality assurance organizations (see details)

Despite the geographical and practical separation of the companies we're one team when it comes to ensuring a great trip for you. If you decide to travel with us you'll have a primary contact to ensure communication continuity, but whether you're talking to someone in our Costa Rica office or e-mailing to Colorado everyone below knows a LOT about this unique country and we're ALL available to lend our individual expertise.

Sue and Ray honeymooned by bicyle in Costa Rica in 1993 and just kept coming back for more. They started an informational website about Costa Rica when they were still biochemists and it's grown into Costa-Rica-Guide.com (almost 2 million visitors a year) and Toucan Maps Inc. (the whole story)

Sue and Ray live in northern Colorado and spend several months every year on the road (literally) in Costa Rica.





Justin and Gretchen started Pacific Trade Winds Travel in 2007 and quickly grew it into a million plus dollar a year business by offering exceptional service and great travel plans that start with lodges and resorts that they've visited or stayed in and critically inspected and tours they've tried in person.

In 2008 they moved to Arenal where they were married and are building a home.





Meghan and Ryan are our resident wedding and honeymoon experts. Anything from a simple ceremony for two on the beach to a blowout with rafting and waterfall rapelling at the bachelor and bachelorette parties and the trip of a lifetime for all the guests.

Meghan and Ryan currently live in Playa Hermosa Guanacaste Costa Rica.




Sherry recently joined the team and is currently in Costa Rica training and putting in the long tough days of visiting beaches, rain forests, waterfalls and hot springs to gain the personal familiarity with the attractions of Costa Rica necessary to plan the perfect trip.