LOADING
Get to know our specialized team of guides and biologists—many homegrown. All nature lovers and influential champions of science and research in Costa Rica. Each one is here to build confidence in beginners, take virtuosos to the next level and share a love of this country’s wondrous nature that will bring you back, again and again, for life-changing eco-adventure.
Explorer Extraordinaire
Miguel Sánchez
Origin: Barcelona, Spain
Domain: Under the sea
Claims to fame: Scuba diver, videographer, dive instructor, global traveler with a taste for the extreme, inspired home chef celebrating his Spanish-Cuban cooking genes
Magic power: Creating outrageous excursions few people ever experience
Fun fact: Addicted to big-animal ocean encounters
Epic moment: Rescuing a giant Pacific manta ray entangled in a fishing net while scuba diving
Favorite Guanacaste spot: Playa Iguanita with a good swell
Motto: Life’s about enjoying the ride
Lead Naturalist Guide
Jhonny Hernandez Martínez
Origin: Limón, Costa Rica
Domain: Reptiles and amphibians
Claims to fame: Conservationist, manager of wildlife refuge, honor medal as a conservationist from the Boy Scouts
Magic power: Interpreting the sounds of the forest
Fun fact: Wildlife photographer on the side
Epic moment: Taking care of crocodiles in the reptile farm rescue center
Favorite Guanacaste spot: Santa Rosa National Park
Motto: Nature is life
Watch Bio
Mountain Bike Guru
Gabriel Chacon
Origin: San José, Costa Rica
Domain: Mountain bike and trail builder
Claims to fame: Adventure tour guide and trails designer, Costa Rica’s 3rd-place winner of Enduro, climbing Chirripó Peak 12 times
Magic power: Creating unparalleled experiences for his clients
Fun fact: Trail running and biking the wild side of Costa Rica
Epic moment: Seeing a savage jaguar hunting a deer
Favorite Guanacaste spot: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano
Motto: Improving your skills is my satisfaction
Watch Bio
Jungle Man
Ersel Aguilar Villalobos
Origin: Alajuela, Costa Rica
Domain: In the jungles, on the rivers
Claims to fame: Nature tour guide and designer, TripAdvisor #1 best tours in the area, Ministry of Culture award winner
Magic power: Connecting people with nature and pura vida
Fun fact: Creator of YouTube channel Ersel Costa Rica
Epic moment: Rescued and handled a baby sloth that was lost on the ground; after a hug that stopped the baby sloth’s crying, Ersel gallantly helped find its mother
Favorite Guanacaste spot: Bahía Santa Elena
Motto: Every day is a great day
Lead Ocean Guide
Ronald Valverde
Origin: Zona Sur, Pavones Costa Rica
Domain: Ocean
Claims to fame: A master at scuba diving, free diving and wakeboarding and the first person to mark sharks in Coco Island
Magic power: Connecting people with the ocean
Fun fact: Lover of pelagic ocean creatures
Epic moment: Swimming with a killer whale
Favorite Guanacaste spot: Isla San Pedrillo
Motto: Enjoy pura vida
Activity Center Lead
Fabián Castro Hiller
Origin: San José, Costa Rica
Domain: Water
Claims to fame: Divemaster, former national swim team member, water sports enthusiast, physical-condition addict, HIIT instructor, lifeguard
Magic power: Keeping it together around huge animals
Fun fact: Can sleep for days in a row
Epic moment: Swimming with humpback whales
Favorite Guanacaste spot: Playa Avellana
Motto: Good vibes only