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Adventure Vacations from the Experts
   

To fully appreciate your experience in the rain forests and villages of Costa Rica you need a professional guide. Local guides not only locate wildlife, but are eager to share their knowledge about tropical ecology and Costa Rican traditions. From drivers who meet you at the airport, to master naturalist guides, we are associated with Costa Rica's most personable, knowledgeable and professional guides. 

Professional Guides

Years of practice leading natural history trips has given these highly experienced bilingual naturalists and biologists an interpretive ability that master craftsmen achieve only through years of discipline, perseverance, and patience. They lead out scheduled departures and many private trips.

Alex Arias

Alex has worked as a naturalist Costa Rica tour guide for over a decade. He is passionate about birding, biking, kayaking, and specializes in guiding active Costa Rica family vacations. Alex is a rappel and canyoneering expert and represented Costa Rica as a member of a national search and rescue team in adventure competitions in Mexico, Panama and Nicaragua. In his free time he can be found mountain biking, exploring new trails, rappelling down a waterfall, or with his rod and binoculars exploring new fishing sites. These experiences have given Alex the opportunity to explore and gain experience in Costa Rica tourism and throughout the region establishing skills as a top naturalist Costa Rica tour guide. Alex continues to travel a few weeks each year outside of Costa Rica especially canoeing in Boundary Waters, Minnesota and Quetico Park in Canada.

"Alex was friendly, organized, and insistent (in a kind way) on helping us see and learn all we could. He is so knowledgeable and pointed out animals, insects, and birds we could never have seen on our own. He deserves an A+."

The Lane Family ~ Lapa Rios Tropical Adventure

"Alex is a fantastic guide - we were near tears when he left us after just those 3 days. He was great with the kids as well."

Matthews Family ~ Natural Wonders Family Tour



Erick Gomez


Erick Gomez has guided travel in Costa Rica for over 14 years. His goal on every Costa Rica eco tour is to have every traveler not only enjoy every minute of their Costa Rica vacation but also that each leaves the country understanding the importance of preserving Costa Rica's ecological heritage. Eric understands that cultural interaction with local people is an integral part of our 'Wild style' of travel, especially on Costa Rica family vacations. He is especially proud to have the opportunity to show Wildland travelers the rural side of Costa Rica, visiting local schools, small farms, and facilitating natural opportunities for interactions with local families resulting in rewarding, sometimes life changing experiences.

As a naturalist he is constantly improving his guide skills and updating his knowledge for our Costa Rica eco tours by taking new courses on diverse subjects including ornithology, natural history, first aid, volcanology, and more. As a volunteer, he has participated in local recycling community programs and he also enjoys visiting local schools in his home town of Escazu where he gives kid friendly lectures to young children about conservation and sustainability. Eric's enthusiasm and passion has made him one of our most requested guides.

"Erick was a highlight of the trip. His professionalism, experience, friendliness, and enthusiasm made this trip extra special. He was amazing with the kids and was so patient and knowledgeable. He made sure that our 3 and 6 year olds were comfortable and engaged, always on the lookout for things of interest for them. We saw so many things on the trip that we would have never seen without Erick. Our children became very attached to him and whenever they talk about the trip it always includes stories with Erick".

Kirsten Thesberg ~ Costa Rica Family Vacation



Leo Chaves


Although Leo received degrees at the University of Costa Rica and the National Institute of Learning, much of his vast knowledge of natural history is self taught from so many years in the field. He has been a naturalist guide for over 18 years and in the past decade he has been recording bird songs throughout different habitats. He is a member of the Costa Rican Association of Ornithology and has participated in bird banding projects and surveys. Although he knows his birds, Leo shares his vast knowledge about all flora and fauna of the tropical ecosystem on general Costa Rica eco tours, as well as giving lectures, short courses, and special training sessions for other guides. He has guided birdwatcher groups and naturalist groups for many different organizations and universities and has written a number of scientific papers on Costa Rican's birds and natural history. Leo's knowledge and field experience as a guide is enhanced by field trips he has taken to the Andes and Amazon in Ecuador, Panama, Churchill Canada, and in the United States. Leo especially loves guiding Costa Rica family tours, student groups, and general nature lovers.

"The Broyles family trip to Costa Rica was one of the highlights of our life. The experience exceeded our expectations by such a large factor that I'm having trouble thanking everyone properly! Leo Chaves, Ph.D in CR and Interpersonal Relations, was one of the most professional "teachers" I've had the privilege to know. Our itinerary and accommodations were excellent, but the feast of Costa Rica with its people, culture, vistas and animals was out-of-this-world. We've developed a great empathy for the country we had the privilege to visit; of all the outcomes, perhaps this is the most profound".

Nancy and Joe Governali ~ Broyles 1st Birding Group

"Our guide Leo used several local guides and homes for rest stops and lunches along our route. One lady near Jaco cooked a phenomenal lunch for us and our group still speaks about it. They enjoyed the home feel and the smile of the lady who was obviously very proud of her production and the enjoyment of the group. This was such an important cultural opportunity for our group. I also like the idea of providing direct monetary benefits to the individuals in this community who hosted us".

Steven Broyles ~ Broyles 4th Birding Group



Marco Fallas


Marco (aka Tex) is a native Costa Rica travel guide from the Central Valley suburb of Desamparados. He started working as a Costa Rica tour guide in 1989 and has spent the last 16 years as a master naturalist guide, having been accredited as a professional naturalist guide by the National Institute of Learning. He continues to take courses on nature photography, ornithology and lepidopterology (study of butterfies) at the National Biodiversity Institute of Costa Rica, and also expounds upon his knowledge of Costa Rica's volcanoes by participating in seminars with Costa Rican volcanologists.

Marco also travels to many natural areas in the USA including Sedona, Moab, the Grand Tetons, and several nature reserves in Minnesota and Michigan to learn about temperate habitats. Marco's boundless enthusiasm and passion for Costa Rica adventure travel is obvious to all who travel with him; he puts an unbelievable amount of time and energy into all of his Costa Rica tours. Marco and wife Lety live in San Jose and have two children, Mariana and Daniela. When he is not guiding, Marco enjoys reading and his principal hobby of wildlife photography.

"Marco - our naturalist guide - was incredible, informative, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and passionate about his country, conservation and the company. We thought this guy to become a good friend. He made the trip so enjoyable. We hope to return and ask for his services! I just can't say enough wonderful things about him".

Carla Ullom and Family ~ Costa Rica Family Vacation

Guillermo Ayub 

Guillermo's educational background, field experience and charming personality have proven to be the perfect combination for a Naturalist Guide. Born in San Jose, he moved to the U.S. to finish high school and came back to Costa Rica with not only perfect English, but also the desire to study biology and natural history. After attending the University of Costa Rica, Guillermo started working as a Naturalist Guide for various Costa Rican tour operators. During that time he also took night classes at some of the most prestigious national and international organizations in the country. The diversity of course material ranged from botanical agriculture to pre-Columbian history. Conveying that knowledge to visitors to Costa Rica, adults and children alike, has been Guiellermo's passion for the past 10 years.

"Working with Wildand Adventures was terrific - they answered all our questions quickly and the pre-trip info was outstanding. Our guide, Guillermo Ayub, was a true professional. The best guide we have had in 22 years of wildlife adventure trips/travel, without hesitation. He made the trip an unforgettable family memory. He was also great with our 4 1/2 year old. The nighttime turtle watch was a highlight; it felt like we were living in a National Geographic film - an experience of a lifetime."

Lori Glasttetter ~ Costa Rica Adventure



Luis Torres


Luis had his first nature experiences as a youngster involved in subsistence hunting and logging. That perspective has given him his great respect for the natural environment, as well as excellent wildlife spotting abilities. Born in the Caribbean Province of Limon of Nicaraguan decent, Luis moved north to the small town of Torugero with his mother at the age of 2. After beginning his ecotourism career as a gardener for Tortuga Lodge in 1986, Luis was promoted to fishing and naturalist boatman guide. He paid close attention to the experienced naturalists as they wound their way through the canals, and followed up with study of Costa Rica's natural history. Luis' special efforts have more than qualified him as a first rate Naturalist Guide. Luis has guided for the National Orchid Society, University of California at Berkeley and Microsoft among others. When not spending time with families visiting Costa Rica from other countries, Luis spends time with his own five children and his wife, Angela.

"Our guide, Luis Torres, was top notch. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and he demonstrated a real love and respect for nature. He carried a spotting scope on a tripod on all excursions so that everyone had an opportunity to experience what he was showing and explaining."

Jeannette Metcalf ~ Costa Rica Adventure


Alexander Lopez

Born on a farm in the town of San Rafeal de Heredia, Alex has always loved the outdoors and enjoyed showing the rainforest to as many people as possible. The animals on the family farm spurred his interest in nature and drew him to guiding and formal wildlife and natural history education. Alex has studied subjects as varied as Butterfly and Frog Breeding, and Bats and Volcanoes of Costa Rica. He has also taken specialized guiding courses. When not guiding, he enjoys mountain biking and diving.

"Having our own naturalist guide was worth every penny. Alex and the river guides were all outstanding. He was friendly, organized, and insistent (in a kind way) on helping us see and learn all we could. He is so knowledgeable and saw animals, insects, and birds we never could have seen on our own. He deserves an A+. Our guides on the rafting trip were excellent, skilled, full of the knowledge and very funny. Jorge was an amazing cook!"

The Lane Family ~ River and Rainforest Adventure

 

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