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Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find answers to common questions about the Nosara Census, its purpose, data collection, and how you can participate in this important community effort.

Our goal is to provide clear and accessible information so that all members of the community are well informed and able to contribute effectively.

If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please feel free to contact us.

  • According to official estimates, Nosara is the second district in the country with the largest annual population increase. The real estate boom that this area has experienced has brought with it drastic changes in the reality of the community, which has seen an increase in inequality and in the complexity of solutions that truly build an integral development of the population, while maintaining the necessary balance with economic growth and the protection of environmental resources.

    Without data, it is not possible to plan solutions that respond to the current and future reality of the district, so efforts and investments require a study to determine the current and projected population, as well as housing and community indicators, such as poverty, relative poverty, employment, health, access to services, education, resources, among others.

    Example: we do not know how many doctors, police officers, teachers, wells and power plants are needed for the current and future population in Nosara 5, 10, 20 years.

  • The INEC conducted the corresponding Census in 2022 (a Census must be conducted every 10 years according to international law and practice). However, due to various factors, it was unable to collect sufficient information at the national and district levels, so it did not generate the complete information required to generate changes in public policy and resource allocation. Therefore, we must wait another 10 years to have the data, which would be in 2032.

  • In response to the request to conduct a new census in the community, the INEC has provided human resources to update the required information and supervise the census processes, which is a key support for carrying it out; however, it is required to cover the operational costs of this process with funds from interested individuals and entities. The estimated cost is $203,590 for this project including contingencies and it involves a team of 50 people working as interviewers, supervisors, logistics, and operations; supervised by national and local entities.

  • A Population and Housing Census is an expensive process compared to other types of research and studies. This is due to the fact that a Census must follow national and international standards, granting the highest level of credibility to the information presented. It is used for the design of high-level public and private policies, from development plans to comparative studies by the United Nations Population Fund.

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    For the Nosara project, an estimated cost of $203,590 is required, including contingencies, and a team of 50 people will work on the interview phases, along with a team of professionals responsible for coordination, supervision, and delivery of results for follow-up. These costs have been compared with those of the most recognized survey firms in the country, as well as with the government’s cost for similar studies, ensuring maximum efficiency at the lowest possible cost.

    The project's costs and execution are overseen by ConoSer’s Board of Directors, the accounting firm Alta Batalla & External Controller.

  • The information will be processed through INEC procedures and the results and reports will be published without prior access by Nosara personnel, administrative or operational staff. The delivery will be complete and simultaneous to all members of the Nosara community in collaboration with INEC, who will guarantee that the results are the real data from the Census and that these will be available on a public and open website to consult the data and download them at any time.

  • The Census is the most important statistical tool for transforming the reality of a community. Its public, inclusive and transparent nature, free from the usual biases of private research, means that governments, international organisations and organizations prefer the Census to studies that have limited scope and may include flaws or not present complete results.

  • The information collected by the Census Taker will go to the database that will be analyzed in San José with the protocols and researchers of the INEC, where all personnel or consultants will have temporary and limited access to the data. The information will be eliminated from the platform for the collection of information and only the INEC will have backup of the data.

  • Only the INEC will have the final backup of the information. The INEC cannot give this data to any other government entity, company or person. For example, if someone is building a house at the time of the survey, the INEC cannot give that individual information to the Municipality. Nor should an undocumented immigrant worker fear, since the information is not shared with Immigration either. This applies to all institutions. Neither ADC, ConoSer, donors nor any local organization will see advance or individual information from the Census.

  • ADC Alliance for Community Development is a non-profit organization that seeks to create connections between community actors to achieve positive changes in education, housing, health, environment, political representation and financial autonomy.
    ConoSer is also a non-profit organization that seeks to rescue the local culture and community values of Nosara, through sustainable tourism experiences with the families that make this land special.
    Both entities got involved and joined forces because they firmly believe that it is responsible to invest more resources in solutions without first measuring in a real and comprehensive way the needs of each sector of the population, in order to understand inequality and restorative approaches. And also, that this investment in solutions must be accompanied by effective and strategic public investment from the Government, in order to no longer depend on a private philanthropy model that is not sustainable, as there are already 60 social entities in Nosara competing for the same limited funds.

  • Yes, the Nosara District Council voted unanimously at the April 30th meeting to support the implementation of this project. The new Council is aware of the project but has not yet scheduled a presentation.

    In the session on Thursday, August 22, the INEC presented the results of the work carried out to update the counting and distribution of households in the Nosara district. The first launch was also carried out at the session after its execution was approved with the representatives of the community-based organizations present: Asadas and ADIs of the District, and the Nosara Health Committee.

    More activities and presentation events are planned for the following weeks.

  • Be a communication ally to share posters and key information about the process.

    Volunteer to learn more about the importance of the Census in social research as a basis for designing solutions to the problems that plague the district.

    To be a guide for census takers who will visit neighborhoods and streets with families who are not familiar with the Census or who need trustworthy people to open the doors of their homes.

    Provide accommodation, transportation, food or drinks to census takers. Connect with people or companies that can collaborate with this project.

  • It borders Zaragoza to the east, Río Montaña to the north and Garza-Delicias to the south. It covers the entire district of Nosara.
    Click here for coverage map.

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