Catalina Murillo

I am Catalina Murillo, a Costa Rican entrepreneur, model, and advocate who believes that our circumstances may shape where we begin, but they do not have to define where we go. Throughout my journey, I have learned that confidence is built through discipline, perseverance, and the courage to believe in yourself, even before others do.

I have a background in Business Administration and Digital Marketing, and I am the founder of my own content creation and marketing company. Through my work, I combine creativity, leadership, and one of the things I enjoy most: helping others grow. For me, entrepreneurship is not only about building a business, but also about creating opportunities and using what I have learned to make a positive impact on others.

My journey in pageantry has given me the opportunity to represent Costa Rica internationally and has taught me that having a voice and a platform comes with great responsibility. I have learned that being a representative is not simply about wearing a crown. It is about knowing how to use that visibility with purpose, empathy, and authenticity.

Beyond pageantry and business, I have a deep passion for running. I have completed four half marathons, and I am currently working toward completing my first full marathon. Running has taught me that every finish line begins with a single step and that consistency matters more than perfection. It has become a reflection of the woman I strive to be: resilient, disciplined, and willing to keep moving forward, even when the journey becomes difficult.

One of the causes closest to my heart is Oneira, an initiative focused on inspiring children to believe in themselves, strengthen their self-esteem, and understand that their circumstances do not have to determine their future. I believe that sometimes the most meaningful change begins by helping one person discover their own potential.

As Miss Grand Costa Rica 2026, I want to use my platform to promote a message of peace, respect, and hope, while encouraging others to pursue their dreams with courage. I want to represent Costa Rica not only with elegance, but with purpose and substance, bringing the warmth, resilience, and spirit of my country to the international stage.

For me, a crown is not the destination. It is a responsibility: to speak with purpose, to serve with compassion, and to inspire others to believe that their story is still being written.

Stop the War and Violence

To me, “Stop the War and Violence” is not only a message about conflicts between countries. It is also about the choices we make every day in the way we treat one another. I believe peace begins when we choose dialogue over confrontation, empathy over hatred, and understanding over judgment.

Growing up as a Costa Rican, this message has a very special meaning to me. My country made a remarkable decision when it abolished its army and chose to invest in people, education, and healthcare instead. That decision became part of our national identity and showed the world that peace is not simply an ideal; it can be a conscious choice.

As Miss Grand Costa Rica 2026, I feel a responsibility to carry that message beyond our borders. I want to use my voice to remind people that we do not have to agree on everything to respect one another. We can have different beliefs, cultures, backgrounds, and opinions and still choose compassion over hatred and dialogue over violence.

I also believe that peace starts much earlier than we think. It begins in the way we educate children, the way we speak to those who are different from us, the way we resolve disagreements, and the way we teach future generations the value of human dignity.

Representing Costa Rica gives me the opportunity to share a message that my country has lived for generations: that when we choose to invest in people, we are choosing to invest in a more peaceful future.

For me, peace is not weakness. Peace is a decision, and choosing it requires courage.

The 4Bs

To me, the 4Bs represent the balance of the woman I am and the woman I continue to become. They are not four separate qualities, but four different parts of my identity that help me grow, lead, and serve with purpose.

Body represents discipline, strength, and the commitment to take care of myself. As a runner, completing four half marathons has taught me that physical strength is also connected to mental strength. There are days when the body wants to stop, but the mind reminds you why you started. For me, taking care of my body means respecting it, challenging it, and understanding that consistency can take me further than I once imagined.

Beauty represents much more than appearance. To me, beauty is confidence, authenticity, kindness, and the ability to make others feel seen and valued. I believe beauty becomes truly powerful when it is connected to purpose. A woman does not become more beautiful by becoming someone else; she becomes more powerful when she is confident enough to be herself.

Brain represents curiosity, education, and the willingness to keep learning. My background in Business Administration and Digital Marketing has taught me to think strategically, make informed decisions, and adapt to change. But I believe true intelligence also means being open to different perspectives, learning from experiences, and using knowledge not only to grow personally, but to create opportunities for others.

Business represents independence, ambition, leadership, and the courage to turn an idea into reality. As an entrepreneur and founder of my own content creation and marketing company, I have learned that building something of your own requires discipline, resilience, creativity, and the willingness to take risks. For me, business is not only about success; it is about creating value, opening doors, and having the courage to build the future you envision.

Together, the 4Bs represent the woman I strive to be: strong in character, authentic in her beauty, curious in her mind, and courageous in her ambitions. I believe that when these four qualities work together, a woman does not simply become a stronger candidate—she becomes a stronger person, leader, and example for others.