In the vibrant beach town of Jacó, Costa Rica, a new force for community and conscious business is taking root. Tania Guevara, a Colombian native with a passion for connection, is the driving force behind Papaya Collective, an initiative she affectionately describes as a “rebellious and super active child.” Far from a meticulously planned venture, Papaya Collective blossomed organically, fueled by Guevara’s natural ability to connect people and elevate brands.
The Genesis of Papaya Collective
Guevara’s journey to Costa Rica began six years ago, when her mother purchased land with the dream of opening an esoteric café. While her mother ultimately didn’t stay, Tania found herself drawn to the country’s unique energy and settled in Jacó in July 2019. It was here that the seeds of Papaya Collective began to sprout. Guevara emphasizes that there was no grand scheme or strategic plan. Instead, it felt like an “unexpectedly expected” event, a project that was simply meant to be.
A Passion for People and Filling the Community Gap
The heart of Papaya Collective lies in Guevara’s inherent “gift with people” and her passion for supporting fellow entrepreneurs. She noticed a common sentiment among expats and locals alike: a longing for deeper community connections within Costa Rica. Guevara saw a need to bridge this gap, fostering collaboration and co-creation where people could connect and thrive together. This vision resonated deeply with her background in journalism, a field built on connecting stories and people.
Papaya Collective: A Catalyst for Community
While juggling a personal branding mentorship, Guevara felt a “creative energy swirling around,” urging her to create something more. The idea for Papaya Collective crystallized during a workout, sparked by the question, “What’s happening in Jacó?”. The name “Papaya” emerged organically, inspired by the fruit’s ubiquity and symbolism in Costa Rican culture. Guevara considers the Papaya a very noble fruit. The design and visual identity of the brand were brought to life in collaboration with two Costa Rican friends, embodying the spirit of co-creation that defines the collective.
A Traveling Digital Platform
Unlike a traditional brick-and-mortar business, Papaya Collective operates as a “traveling and omnipresent digital platform.” This allows the collective to connect people and businesses across a wider area, acting as a catalyst for community building and promoting responsible, sustainable tourism. Guevara envisions Papaya Collective as “a rocket or a spark designed to reinforce the identity of the inhabitants of Jacó, clean up the image of the area, and give back a little of everything it has given in recent years.”
The Petite Comité: A Team of Passionate Collaborators
At the heart of Papaya Collective is what Guevara calls the “Petite Comité” – a group of 11 strategic allies and friends. This interdisciplinary team includes photographers, designers, artists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and business owners, all women deeply connected to the community and driven by a shared passion for positive change.
Empowering Purpose-Driven Businesses
Papaya Collective serves as a platform for local businesses to gain visibility, create engaging content, and forge strategic alliances. It connects businesses with a community that values authenticity and supports local initiatives. The goal isn’t simply to “sell for the sake of selling,” but to showcase businesses that are built on passion and intention. The collective acts as a cultural and informational hub, currently focused on the area from Herradura to Bejuco, with ambitions to expand throughout Costa Rica and beyond.
Curating Unique Experiences
Beyond promotion, Papaya Collective takes an active role in curating unique events and experiences in the Jacó area. These co-created tours, excursions, and events emphasize authenticity and purpose, connecting participants with the local culture and environment. The experiences cover a wide range of topics, from personal finance and sustainability to nutrition, leadership, and women’s health, aiming to connect with the body and spirituality.
Consulting Services for Holistic Growth
Papaya Collective also offers professional consulting services in marketing, branding, visual identity, and strategic management. Recognizing the importance of holistic well-being, they also provide guidance on time management, mental health, and women’s health, demonstrating their commitment to the personal and professional growth of their community.
The Woman Behind the Collective
Tania Guevara’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early in life, selling items at home and candy at school. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, she always dreamed of creating her own business. She describes herself as lively, empathetic, creative, and decisive, with a passion for connecting people and ideas. While she acknowledges her flaws – impatience, distractibility, and a tendency to become overwhelmed – these are balanced by her drive and determination.
A Bridge Between Worlds
With a background in social communication and journalism, Guevara sees herself as a “bridge,” connecting people from different backgrounds and cultures. Her first job at Impact Hub in Bogotá, a co-working space for entrepreneurs, honed her ability to create experiences and foster community. She has since worked in content creation for major brands, leveraging her skills to elevate their online presence.
A Global Citizen Rooted in Costa Rica
Guevara’s international experience includes an internship at the Colombian embassy in Ottawa, Canada, where she connected with One Young World, a global network for young entrepreneurs. Fluent in English, French, and Portuguese, she has worked as a Spanish teacher and a spinning instructor. Her passion for her native Colombia led her to import unique Colombian products, showcasing the country’s talent and craftsmanship to the world. She is also a menstrual and comprehensive sexuality educator, passionate about women’s and mental health, and has undertaken extensive training in related fields.
Costa Rica: An Inspiration
Costa Rica’s natural beauty and “Pura Vida” lifestyle deeply inspire Tania Guevara. The country’s slower pace and emphasis on simplicity have allowed her to reconnect with her roots. The combination of mountains, rivers, and the ocean in Jacó fuels her creativity and drives her passion for Papaya Collective. It’s also the perfect country for a digital nomad.
Contributing to a Sustainable Future
Guevara believes that environmental education is the “platform, the key, and the most powerful weapon” for improving the planet. She advocates for raising awareness, starting with understanding and caring for our own bodies. She believes that “caring for nature begins with caring for the body,” emphasizing the importance of going back to basics: food, movement, and understanding our natural cycles. This translates into conscious consumption, avoiding chemicals, and respecting our bodies as an integral part of nature.
Looking Ahead: A Vision of Freedom and Connection
At 30, Guevara is driven by a desire to create, learn, and connect with communities around the world. Inspired by her travels, she envisions a future filled with peace, energy, and vitality. She plans to continue working with women and communities, creating transformative experiences that foster personal growth. Her dream is to create experiences worldwide, envisioning herself living in Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica, and traveling to Africa, always with a sense of freedom.
The Power of Community
For Guevara, living, working, and creating in community is essential. She believes that “we cannot function alone” and that “we need each other to coexist.” She sees community as an innate human need, fostering growth and support in ways that are impossible to achieve in isolation.
Tania Guevara invites you to follow Papaya Collective @papayacollective_ and collaborate to support their mission of building community and empowering purpose-driven businesses. “Creating with purpose always has great rewards,” she says, “taking into account planting papaya seeds and lighting up all people.”
Inspired by Tania’s vision? Explore the beauty and community of Costa Rica. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a chance to connect with nature and like-minded individuals, Costa Rica has something to offer everyone.
