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Home > Destinations > Central
America > Costa
Rica > Costa
Rica Travel Guides
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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