Rad Livin’: Meet Nena Ocampo

Texan native, Nena Ocampo, decided to go for her dreams by moving to Costa Rica and launching the wonderful travel company, TuCamino. TuCamino was created out of her combined love of surf, travel and culture, and is where women come together to experience the real Costa Rica (and Mexico) while finding their own paths.

Their focus is on emerging yourself into a new culture, while making sure to have a positive impact on the surrounding communities. They do this through working with local businesses and volunteering with organisations that they truly believe in.

Meet Nena…

Where are you in the world?

I am currently located in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica–one of our TuCamino Travel locations.

How do you follow your bliss? 

I follow my bliss by remembering to love myself. As much as I want to give light and love to others all day long, this is not possible unless I am working on self-love. Doing the things I am passionate about such as spending time with friends, surfing, creating, painting, making jewelry and reading is how I follow my bliss. Helping others and knowing that I am making a difference is another way I follow my bliss. It is the most amazing feeling to make someone laugh or smile.

When did the inspiration for TuCamino Travel first come about?

I love this question! The thing is, the inspiration for TuCamino Travel has always been here. I just didn’t know how to get it out into the world and did not believe in myself. I guess a couple years ago, when I started working in the tourism industry and created a little surf shop, the inspiration came about. Since then, I have had opportunities fall through or not work out and in turn this has resulted in the full creation of TuCamino Travel. I have finally put everything in my head out in the world. 🙂

What would your biggest dream for TuCamino be? 

My biggest dream for TuCamino is that women from all over the world book trips and experience a week long trip unlike any other. That they go back home from Costa Rica and Mexico with a fresh outlook on life feeling empowered and ready to take on the world. That they encourage one another and build each other up. It is hard enough being a woman, why not work together and love one another? My dream is that they learn something new whether it be something as simple as how to pick a banana off a tree and eat it or how to stand up and ride a wave. How to let go of the negative things through meditation and yoga or how to speak a few words or Spanish to the local children we are helping. These are my biggest dreams.

If fear ever shows up in your life, how do you move passed it?

There is a saying, “Feel the fear, do it anyway.” This is something that I say to myself when I am scared or fearful. Sometimes, the biggest roadblock is yourself. You stand in the way of your success, but you are also the key to your own success. I move past my fears by staying motivated and not giving up. Even in the darkest times, the ones who keep going are the ones who find the light. It is a hard thing to get over fears, but it is possible especially if you are confident in yourself.

Why do you love what you do? 
I LOVE Costa Rica and I LOVE Mexico. I love surfing so much. I love the ocean and the moon. Both control my life and my moods. I LOVE the jungle and sounds of the animals in Costa Rica and I LOVE the rich culture in Mexico and I dream of the food. I love what I do because I get to share all the things I am passionate about with other women. I get to teach them and learn from them.

What’s one of the biggest risks you’ve taken, and how did it feel to go for it?

One of the biggest risks I have taken is honestly traveling to Costa Rica after college. While others had full time, high-paying jobs lined up and were engaged to be married, I sold all my stuff and returned to the country I studied abroad in years before. I think everyone thought I was a little crazy, but then again it wasn’t that big of a surprise. I have always gone where the wind takes me. This was a risk but it has turned into something beautiful. I would not trade my experiences and the wonderful people I have met for anything. Lots of doors have opened for me since I decided to take a risk and I am so happy I went for it.

Tell us a time when something totally synchronistic happened?

Something that synchronized in my life recently was the building of my website. I may have some computer skills, but in the past, I had no idea how to create a site. I really put it out into the universe this year that I wanted to create my company and just like that I met someone who designs websites. I was really focusing on getting a site going and after a day of really thinking about it and focusing on it, I met Kelly. We worked together and created it super fast. This was completely not a coincidence.

What advice could you give to someone who knows what they love to do, but haven’t gone for it?


My advice is to just go for it. One thing I have learned is life is short. Why not do the things you love? The only thing holding you back when it all comes down to it is yourself. You have the power to do whatever it is you want to do. So ask the universe for it. Put it out there and also take those baby steps in the direction of your dreams. I promise it will work! Celebrate small victories and keep going even when times are hard. Having an awesome support system also will help. You can do it!

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