Frequently Asked Questions

We help people find accessible locations across the country—whether they live here, are visiting, or planning a move. Accesible Costa Rica is a 100% volunteer-run project.

Anyone with a temporary or permanent mobility challenge, including:

• Wheelchair users
• People using walkers or canes
• Individuals with balance or vision difficulties
• Those recovering from injuries or surgery
• And you, the more accessible business or location!

Watch our explainer video and register as a volunteer at accesible.cr.

No—we have no government ties. Our map is free and open to everyone and run by Ticos, residentes and visitors—all volunteers.

Definitely. Mapped businesses will likely see more visitors looking for accessible options. In an upcoming version of accesible.cr, we plan to offer AI tools that help people plan trips using these “more accessible” locations.

Absolutely! Use our sandbox to practice. Go to “Volunteer” for an automatic login, then jump straight to “Create a New Entry” and start mapping your dog, your bathroom or anything else. Test submissions disappear every 24 hours. Once you feel comfortable, visit accesible.cr to map real places.

Register as a volunteer at accesible.cr and start mapping! Take photos and note a few accessibility details at the places you visit—your local Ebais, favorite restaurant, hairdresser, a park you enjoy, or any spot in your community. If you’re traveling, map that soda, beach, market, or roadside stand where you stop.

No. Any smartphone with a camera and internet access is enough. You’ll also need a measuring app or a tape measure:

Yes. In the future we may integrate measurement tools directly into the app. For now, use a separate app like “Measure” (iOS) or “AR Measure” (Android).

Start with a few of your favorite haunts and help them get on the map. If you’re inspired, go for 100 locations. Every contribution helps! Encourage the places you visit to join us as volunteers.

Usually 5–10 minutes if you include measurements and take time to explain the project to the business.

Log in at accesible.cr on your phone. Inside the app:

• Photograph the facade (good view of building)
• Photograph the entrance showing ramps or steps; measure the door width
• Identify and photograph the most accessible bathroom and measure its door and interior
• Optionally leave notes from the locale or manager related to accessibility
• Speak with someone in charge and encourage them to become a volunteer

Yes. Some beaches are accessible up to a point (for example via a walkway), or a great restaurant may have only steep stairs. This information is useful.

Yes, in fully public places like commercial businesses or municipal buildings. We do encourage a friendly conversation—it often leads to support and awareness.

Costa Rica presents unique challenges:

• Little or no Google Street View in many areas
• Complex terrain (a hotel may have accessible rooms on a steep, inaccessible hill)
• Today we have nothing—you can make a difference

Our goal is to provide practical, local info while aligning with global efforts like wheelmap.org. We also share data with Costa Rican accessibility organizations such as costaricaturismoaccesible.com.

No—and yes. We provide photos and basic facts so each future visitor can decide for themselves. After you enter the photos and dimensions, we use AI to suggest a rating based on Wheelmap.org standards:

• Green = Fully accessible by walker, wheelchair etc.
• Orange = Partial or mixed accessibility
• Red = Not accessible
• Grey = Not measured or incomplete

Yes—the data is available to anyone working toward better accessibility.

Yes—100% Spanish and English.

Anyone! Residents, tourists, local Cámaras, ARCR members, local Tico organizations, the American Legion, Facebook community groups—even trained squirrels.

Absolutely. Before you arrive, watch our explainer video and read a short description of a visit. You can start mapping on your next trip to anything in Costa Rica.

Yes and no. Most photos will be taken live, but you can use accesible.cr on your desktop and upload directly from your computer.

In a limited way. If you lose signal (for example in an underground garage), the app will buffer your last entry and upload it once you’re back online. In remote spots, try connecting to local Wi-Fi.

Submissions are reviewed and approved within a day or two—or as soon as we wake up from our nap.

Yes! Most travelers stick to a few well-known, fairly accessible locations. We hope our volunteers will help highlight and spread access to more rural and lesser-known areas across all of Costa Rica.

We’re working on this.

Write to us at: info@accesible.cr