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Il Viaggo Travel in Costa Rica is the winner of the Award of Excellence 2025 in the category Accessible Travel Product

The Accessible Travel Foundation raises awareness on the importance of accessible travel. Every other year the Awards of Excellence are given to companies, non-profits, travelers and others who stand out from the crowd when it comes to raising awareness or contributing to the world of accessible travel.
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Today, IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL proudly stands as a pioneer and benchmark in accessible tourism in Latin America, proving that with commitment and love, a small family business can transform an entire destination.

I am Stephanie Sheehy, co-founder of IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL, a Costa Rican inbound tour operator born in 2004 from a dream to share our country’s beauty with the world. Together with my husband Emilio Zúñiga, we have spent over two decades designing authentic and sustainable journeys that allow travelers to truly live the spirit of Pura Vida.

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In 2012, everything changed when we welcomed our first traveler with a disability. That experience opened our eyes — and our hearts — to the urgent need for inclusion in tourism. From that moment, IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL became the first and only company in Costa Rica fully dedicated to accessible and inclusive travel, investing time, resources, and passion to create a Costa Rica for all.

Since then, we have developed accessible itineraries throughout the country, trained hundreds of tourism professionals, and designed infrastructure improvements that embody universal design principles. Beyond being a tour operator, we have become a movement — leading national initiatives through the Red Costarricense de Turismo Accesible, empowering communities, and showing the world that inclusion is not an option; it is the future of travel.

5 things you need to know about this second place award winner in the Awards of Excellence in the category Travel Company in Costa Rica.

When did you start your work and why?

We started IL VIAGGIO TRAVEL in 2004 as a small family business dedicated to creating unique, personalized travel experiences for everyone — a company where people would always come first. In 2012, after assisting our first traveler with a disability, we realized how limited the options were for accessible tourism in Costa Rica.
That moment changed our purpose — from operating a travel company to building an inclusive movement. Since then, we have developed accessible itineraries, trained suppliers, and created awareness about accessible tourism at both national and international levels.

Tell us a bit about your city and how do you experience it accessibility-wise.

We are a small company creating a big change. From our base in Costa Rica, we work nationwide, empowering the entire tourism chain of value — from local communities and small businesses to large hotel groups and public institutions. Step by step, we are transforming how the country understands and implements accessibility.

Through our NGO, the Red Costarricense de Turismo Accesible, we extend our impact even further, building alliances between the private and public sectors to promote education, awareness, and inclusive development. Together, we are turning accessibility into a shared responsibility and a source of national pride.

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What is your favorite accessible destination?

Without hesitation — Costa Rica itself! From the rainforest to the beaches, our small country has become a living example of what inclusive travel can be. Over the years, we have created, designed, and worked hand in hand with suppliers across the nation to ensure that accessibility is part of every experience.

Today, we can proudly offer the same Costa Rica to travelers with and without disabilities — a place where families can discover, connect, and create lifelong memories together, regardless of age, condition, or ability. From thermal waters and wildlife observation to rafting, hiking trails, and even accessible beaches through our project Donatapa, every destination offers something unique, welcoming, and inclusive.

If you could spend 1 million on improving accessibility in your country, what would you do?

I would invest it in strengthening the Verification Process of Continuous Improvement of Accessibility in Tourism — a program we have created to transform how the industry approaches inclusion.

This process is designed to empower, educate, and guide tourism suppliers through clear steps and annual goals, helping them improve year after year. It creates a culture of learning and accountability, where businesses not only comply but truly understand and respond to the diverse needs of travelers.

For travelers, it means safety, trust, and equal enjoyment. For suppliers, it provides a practical roadmap to grow and evolve. And for the country, it offers a unified system that turns accessibility into a measurable standard of quality and sustainability.

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With the right investment, we could scale this model nationwide — turning Costa Rica into a global benchmark of accessibility, where every tourism service continuously improves and every person can experience our country without barriers.

What would you like to share with our followers?

Accessibility is not a favor; it is freedom, dignity, and equality. Every small effort counts when we build a world where everyone belongs. Travel can transform lives — and inclusive travel transforms societies.

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