Miss Playas del Coco 2025: A Voice for Her Community
When you meet Luana Dalay Barrera Canales, you don’t just see a titleholder in a sash. You see someone whose roots run deep in the sand and soil of Playas del Coco. Raised in the heart of Los Canales, Luana’s story is one of homegrown pride, shaped by barefoot afternoons and a sky that is blazed orange at sunset.
“I didn’t grow up dreaming of pageants,” she says. “But I always loved beauty, expression, and the magic of connecting without words.”
Her path to becoming Miss Playas del Coco 2025 wasn’t charted out. It arrived like most meaningful moments do, unexpected, encouraged by family, and backed by purpose.
What makes Luana’s journey special is that it isn’t just about winning a crown. It’s about carrying a cause.
A Crown with Responsibility
Luana doesn’t take her title lightly. To her, being Miss Playas del Coco 2025 means honoring a place that raised her. She sees herself as a bridge between generations, between traditions and new ideas. She walks with intention, grounded in the belief that humility, joy, and unity are the soul of her town.
“Every step I take carries a piece of my people,” – Luana Dalay Barreras Canales
What’s surprised her the most since earning the crown? The love. From locals, sure but also from tourists and visitors who, even if they don’t fully grasp the cultural depth of the title, respect her role and cheer her on. That cross-cultural support has shown her the power of representation. It’s not just about who you are. It’s about what you stand for.
More Than a Role Model
Luana is using her platform to spark change. One of her first major initiatives and backed by ADICOCO is a two-day community beach cleanup on July 5th and 6th. It’s not just a surface level project, she’s involving children through art contests, offering environmental talks, and inspiring teamwork that feels less like an obligation and more like a celebration of shared space.
She wants people, especially the youth to feel a sense of ownership over their environment.
“Respect for nature starts young,” she says. “If we plant those seeds now, we grow a community that truly protects what we have.”
This isn’t a one-off event. Luana envisions a calendar filled with workshops, community events, and artistic gatherings, all designed to bring people together, educate through experience, and amplify voices that deserve to be heard.
A Leader Who Listens
Luana’s vision isn’t to be admired from afar. She wants to sit beside the girls and young women of Playas del Coco, not above them. Her goal is to be approachable, real, and present.
“I want to be someone they can talk to, someone who reminds them they matter,” she shares.
Confidence, for Luana, is something earned through presence not likes. While she’s learning to embrace social media as a tool for outreach, she still believes the best connections happen face-to-face, during shared projects and honest conversations.
Creativity Meets Community
Whether it’s through fashion, art, or community projects, Luana’s personal style is all about intention. She doesn’t need to be flashy to be heard. She leads with substance, and she finds her strongest voice in service.
“I’ve always connected with people through action,” she explains. “Whether it’s organizing, painting, or just listening, I want people to feel seen and understood.” – Luana Dalay Barrios Canales
What She Hopes You’ll Remember
Luana hopes visitors and locals alike remember two things: her genuine love for Playas del Coco and her commitment to making it better.
She wants the world to see this beach town not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing community. A place where tradition meets progress. Where young leaders rise, and where culture is celebrated with pride and purpose.
“Playas del Coco is full of warmth,” Luana says. “Not just from the sun, but from the people.”
She’s not just wearing a sash. She’s building something—one initiative, one conversation, one act of kindness at a time.
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Photography Credits:
All photos of Luana in this article were taken by Paradise Productions. Used with permission.
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