Why are we called Cuchitransfers?

The story of CuchiTransfers didn’t begin in an office or with a marketing plan. It began in a natural tide pool on a Costa Rican beach back in 1995… and it all started with a pufferfish.

In Costa Rica, we lovingly call pufferfish “cuchi sapo.” One sunny afternoon, while exploring the rocky pools left behind by the receding tide, Luis, our founder, spotted a tiny pufferfish stranded in a shallow lagoon. Gently, he reached in, scooped it up, and took it home, filled with excitement. This little fish would puff up when touched, but once it gained your trust, it would relax and deflate. A real character!

Back in Jacó, with the best intentions, Luis placed the Cuchi in a fish tank. Unfortunately, he used freshwater, unaware that pufferfish need saltwater to survive. By the next day, the little guy had passed away. It was a sad goodbye—but it marked the beginning of something bigger.

Luis was working as a radio dispatcher for taxis in Jacó at the time. When he told the drivers the story of the pufferfish, they gave him a nickname that stuck: “Cuchi.” And just like that, the legend was born.

Later on, Luis saw an opportunity: if everyone already knew him as Cuchi, why not turn that nickname into a brand full of heart? That’s how CuchiTransfers was born—an adventure inspired by a little fish that taught us about trust, adaptability, and presence.

Today, we continue taking travelers to every corner of Costa Rica, delivering unforgettable experiences…
with the same warmth, humility, and adventurous spirit that started it all. Because for us, every trip is a story—and this one is ours.