Faico: About Us
Friends of Cocos Island Foundation (FAICO) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1994, with the aim of channeling and executing human, technical, and financial resources to contribute to the effective management of the Cocos Marine Conservation Area and surrounding and essential ecosystems of the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
For 3 decades, FAICO has consolidated successful relationships with key players at the local, regional, and international levels, becoming a replicable model of strategic partnership that inspires marine conservation globally.
The lines of action of FAICO are carried out in a coordinated manner with the Government of Costa Rica, through an official agreement with the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and the Cocos Marine Conservation Area , contributing to initiatives aimed at planning, control, and surveillance, infrastructure, natural resource management, pressure analysis, institutional strengthening, positioning, environmental education, and governance, among others.
Our Mission
To promote the best practices for the management and conservation of the marine biodiversity of Cocos Island and the Seamounts, as well as of the migratory species of the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
Our Vision
Migratory species and ecosystems in Cocos Island National Park, the Bicentennial Marine Management
Area, and the Eastern Tropical Pacific are thriving and will continue to do so for generations to come.
Faico Work Team

Alejandra Villalobos
Executive Director
avillalobos@cocosisland.org

Sebastián Barquero
Political Advocacy Manager
sbarquero@cocosisland.org

Gabriel Rodríguez
Project Manager
grodriguez@cocosisland.org

Jenifer Madrigal
Finances and Administration
jmadrigal@cocosisland.org

Debbie López-Nuñez
Marine Sciences Officer
dlopez@cocosisland.org

Dahiana Solano
Accounting & Administration Specialist
dsolano@cocosisland.org

Jimena Araya Castillo
Communication Specialist
jaraya@cocosisland.org

Randy Chinchilla
GIS Specialist
rchinchilla@cocosisland.org

Carlos Hernández
TIC Specialist
chernandez@cocosisland.org