Guides

Rick was raised in the lush tropical cloud forests of the Chiriqui highlands. A naturalist and avid birder, he has compiled an impressive bird list and a long list of experiences and adventures as one of our leading Naturalist Guides. Rick has worked throughout all of Panama's life zones, particularly as the trip leader for the Save The Rainforest program which brings over 100 high school students to Panama from all over the world to study rain forest conservation and tropical ecology. He speaks flawless English and is always enthusiastic about grabbing his spotting scope and heading for the bush!

You won’t find a more capable, experienced, personable and respected jungle guide than Hernan Arauz. Born April 5, 1961 in Panama, Hernan is the son of Amado Arauz of Ecuador and Reina Torres de Arauz of Panama. A legendary explorer of the Darien jungle. Hernan attended high school in Orange County, California, received a graduate degree from the American University's School of International Services in Washington, D.C. and served as a Representative for the Organization of American States (OAS). Hernan's extraordinary sense of pride and knowledge of the natural and cultural heritage of Panama pervades his work as a Master Naturalist Guide. With a big heart and deep laugh, he is one of our most favored and popular guides in the world. Hernan is a conservationist and self-taught naturalist with an uncanny skill to identify birds and find wildlife through his knowledge of ornithology, keen sense of sight and smell, instinct, and ability to replicate animal calls. He is the most sought after naturalist for bird watching in Panama, and has been the personal guide of the President of the Republic of Panama on official excursions into Panama’s Parks and wildlands.

An extremely enthusiastic and well-traveled naturalist, Ivan specializes in natural history and bird-watching. After living and studying in the United States and Europe, Ivan returned to his native Panama where he taught elementary school and began his work in the field of nature tourism. Ivan quickly became one of Panama's most recognized naturalist guides. He especially enjoys leading many of our family adventures with young children. He has lead our expeditions through the Darien jungle as well as countless tours throughout the rest of Panama and Central America. He consulted in the development of the first Lonely Planet Guidebook to Panama. He has also guided Wildland Adventures in Alaska through Denali National Park and Prince William Sound.

Born August 5, 1963 in Panama City of American parentage, Rich is the son of a prominent businessman and his mother a direct descendent of the legendary Sir Francis Drake. He is a graduate of Balboa High School in Panama and Franklin Pierce College, New Hampshire, where he earned a degree in Business Administration and obtained his pilot's license. An avid sportsman and businessman, Richard pioneered the introduction of snowboarding in Chile. In 1991 he began he began work developing programs and handling countless logistic details for many innovative explorations of Panama. A veteran of four Trans-Darien Expeditions, Rich's attention to detail, genuine understanding of the cultural and natural wonders of Panama together with his ability to bridge the cultures of North and Central America make him an ideal guide. Despite having fallen out of a tree in Coiba (where he earned his nickname "Whiteface") and being bitten by a vampire bat in Darien, he still feels tourism is his cup of tea.