Gerardo, also known as "Cola," was born on October 20th, 1949. Although he has only been with Costa Rica Expeditions since 2004, Gerardo has been guiding since 1969, when he started as a sport-fishing guide in Barra de Colorado. He learned to speak English just by hearing his guests talk and then decided to complement his newly acquired skill with more formal studies in tourism, choosing courses in “Attention and Guiding” and “Ethics in Tourism.” He has won the respect and friendship of many guests at Tortuga Lodge and is known for his permanent smile, hard work and flashy silver necklaces. Gerardo is originally from Barra del Colorado and enjoys reading in his spare time. He has four adult children. Read testimonials. EDUARDO AGUILAR
Eduardo "Novoa" joined our rafting staff in 1998. Born on May 31, 1977, and raised near Turrialba, Eduardo first became interested in the river while working for a wooden paddle factory in town. A local rafting company warehoused their equipment next door and, interested in using the paddles he constructed, Eduardo began begging river trips with the guides. He also learned his English from his river friends. Eduardo is a keen birder and enjoys playing basketball and kayaking in his free time. He has a son, Dixon, 7. Read testimonials. FEDERICO ALBAN
Federico was born on April 11, 1971, in Costa Rica, but has lived all over the world, including Jerusalem, Madrid and New York. He speaks perfect English and can also understand Hebrew. He has worked at Costa Rica Expeditions for 9 years and particularly enjoys guiding Multisport and Naturalist trips, which combine his love for nature with biking and other outdoor sports.
Federico first became interested in guiding while working with young adults. He was the group leader for a 5-month program with Youth Challenge International and later went on to work for Fundacion D.A., a foundation that works with children with ADD.
Federico is currently taking his last courses at the Universidad Estatal a Distancia for a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management. He also undertook two years of courses in Agricultural Engineering and four years of Industrial Design. Realizing how important environmental education is to the planet, Federico has taken numerous courses on the Natural History of Costa Rica. His goal is to impress on guests the value and beauty of nature.
Federico shares most of his free time with his wife Karol and his three-year-old son, Santiago. When not with them, he is usually riding his mountain bike or photographing wildlife, two of his favorite pastimes. Read testimonials. JEANINA ALFARO
Jeanina, 25, was born outside San Jose, the oldest of five siblings. Put in charge of watching her younger brother and sisters (and often her cousins too), she grew into a leader, a guide and caretaker - exactly the skills needed to manage and organize groups. At Costa Rica Expeditions Jeanina is in charge of coordinating the various activities of some of our visiting groups, including rafting, hiking and diving. This year Jeanina graduated from the Univ. of Costa Rica with a degree in industrial engineering. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking Costa Rican dishes for friends and giving talks on the country’s natural history. Her birthday is Feb. 1, 1983.
LUZ ELENA ALPIZAR Guide Scheduling & Reservations Coordinator lalpizar@expeditions.co.cr
Luz Elena has been with us since 1992. She is responsible for many things but, most importantly, for keeping track of every room reservation Costa Rica Expeditions makes. Her other role is to keep our guides in line: juggling their schedules, organizing jobs and often acting as surrogate mother. When she is not working, Luz Elena dedicates time to her son Alejandro, 11. She also enjoys swim class, running in the morning and decorating her house. Read testimonials. MARCOS ALVARADO
Originally from Limon Province on the Caribbean coast, Marcos learned to swim and fish at a young age. As a child he spent most of his time in the outdoors and developed a deep love and appreciation of the tropical rainforest and its fauna.
Marcos, 33, worked in cruise ships until he decided to come ashore and work as a guide in 2001. Since then, he has worked on the Osa Peninsula and more recently, leading biking trips. Marcos has two children, Fernando, 9, and Kemsy, 4. His birthday is Aug. 22, 1974. Read testimonials. MARIELA ALVARADO
Three major interests have defined Mariela’s life: sports, nature and dance. As a teen, she played sports at the national level and also spent a lot of time in the mountains of Costa Rica with her family. In their four-wheel-drive they explored some of the country’s remotest natural places. These camping trips sparked a life-long interest in biology. During college Mariela volunteered on various scientific projects - looking at parasites on butterfly eggs, identifying frog pond contaminants, and documenting tree fern communities in the cloud forest. The projects took her to butterfly gardens and other nature attractions. “That’s why I ended up working in tourism,” she says. “I found myself spending more time explaining what I was studying to visitors than working on the real research. I soon realized how much I enjoyed explaining and sharing Costa Rica’s amazing natural world.”
Mariela’s other passion is dance. At the age of eight she started taking ballet, jazz and tropical rhythms lessons and never stopped. She was a member of her university dance troupe then joined a professional group that performed in Latin and North America. Currently she is in the Fusion Guarica dance company, which specializes in salsa. Marielas birthday is December 26, 1983.
SAMUEL ARGUEDAS
Samuel Arguedas Monteverde Guide Samuel Arguedas is the youngest of 14 brothers and sisters. He was born on September 25, 1968 in the city of Puntarenas and raised in Monteverde. As a child went to the Cerro Plano School and then on to the High School where he completed the ninth grade. After High School he worked for one of the Quaker families in Monteverde milking cows on the dairy farm and tending to crops. In 1991, the Monteverde Reserve offered him the opportunity to participate in a course to become an environmental educator for local schools. At the time, Samuel decided to focus on plants rather than birds (the favored species) because he didn’t need to own a pair of binoculars to study plants. After working with local schools and high schools as an environmental educator, Samuel began guiding in Spanish at the Santa Elena Reserve. It was with Monteverde Lodge that he first started guiding for English speaking guests. “In the beginning”, he says, “I guided in Spanglish”! Samuel learned his English from his guests on the trails of Monteverde. He has continued learning about the forest by doing courses on mushrooms, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, but with out a doubt his day to day experiences in the forest have been his best teacher. When he’s not guiding Samuel likes to explore places that he’s never been to before and spend time with his wife Yorleny and his children Jeffrey, Angelica and Anthony.
Erick planned to become an electrical engineer, but his career path took a different turn when he started working for a tour operator a decade ago as an accountant. He came to Costa Rica Expeditions in 2000 and his talent for numbers was recognized quickly. He is now the Finance Department’s second in command. “Although I didn’t plan to go into accounting, I found that I liked working with numbers and creating reports that track how business decisions affect the company's bottom line.” Besides keeping the books at Costa Rica Expeditions, Erick is currently working on two bachelor degrees in accounting and systems engineering. His birthday is July 4, 1975.
ESTEBAN BIAMONTE
Esteban is a biologist with a passionate interest in tropical birds or just about any kind of living creature for that matter. Ever since he got his first pair of binoculars at age 18, he hasn’t left home without them. His interest in wildlife and working outdoors led him to guiding a decade ago, a career which allows him to share his passion for Costa Rica’s flora and fauna with others. He is a certified Naturalist Guide by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.
Over the years Esteban, 29, has focused intensively on tropical birds. For three of the four years he was at the University of Costa Rica (2000-2003), he was the ornithology class’ Teacher’s Assistant. Esteban also worked for the Museum of Zoology, taking care of its bird collection. Currently he is in the second year of a Master’s Degree program in Ornithology. When he has free time, Esteban spends his free time practing Tan Soo Do (he is black belt, 4th dan) or enjoying a bike ride in the mountains around San Jose.
Read testimonials. DIEGO BLANCO
Diego, 26, was raised in Ciudad Quesada, a rural town located next to a National Park and studied Tropical Biology at the Univ. of Costa Rica. “My backyard was full of birds, bugs and even snakes,” he says. “As a kid I observed all these creatures with interest and developed a love of the outdoors and the wildlife of Costa Rica.”
Diego began guiding Costa Rica Expeditions’ Multisport and Naturalist trips in Sept. 2006. He is an avid mountain biker and after a decade with his home town’s swim team he swam for the National Team for two years. Diego spent a year in Belgium as a high school exchange student and later worked in Florida for six months in 2003.
Recently Diego began a Masters Degree correspondence program in Wildlife Management at the State University. When he's not guiding, Diego likes to read, bike and spend time with his girlfriend and his family. His birthday is Nov. 3, 1981.
Andres - or Andrew as his clients know him - started at Costa Rica Expeditions in 2004 with eight years of experience as a guide. He is very proud that he was given the title of Naturalist Guide, a dream - as he puts it - that finally came true.
Besides being a passionate natural history buff, Andres recently took up a new hobby: cooking. It has turned into more than just a hobby; in fact, he went to cooking school and is now a Chef. Andres is an avid reader and also enjoys working with his hands, particularly with wood. He and his wife, Gabriela, have a four-year-old daughter, Fiorella, who loves dancing and singing. Read testimonials. WALTER CENTENO
“I really enjoy meeting people from different places with different customs and being on the river with the other guides,” says Walter, 21, about his job as a Costa Rica Expeditions guide. He started out kayaking on weekends and after school and then looked for a job on the river after graduating from high school.
Walter, known as Pate, was born on Nov. 15, 1985. He has emergency first aid training is now studying at the Colegio Tecnica Profesional La Suiza in Turrialba. When he’s not guiding or studying, he volunteers with the Red Cross. He enjoys listening to music or watching TV, and honing his kayak freestyle skills. Read testimonials. LUIS CHINCHILLA
Luis has a tourism degree from Alajuela Community College (2002) and is currently finishing a graduate program in Managment and Protection of Natural Resources while working as a Naturalist Guide. Originally from Heredia, Luis has always appreciated and enjoyed being close to nature. At Costa Rica Expeditions, he has moved from post to post, first as a transport provider, then in Corcovado as a Tree Platform Guide, more recently in Operations and now as a Naturalist Guide. No longer behind a desk in Ops, Luis is enjoying spending his time outdoors with his guests. He is one of six siblings and has four nephews, of whom he says, “I love as if they were my own.” His birthday is Jan. 14, 1979. Read testimonials. SOFIA CORDERO
Born December 20, 1979, Sofía was raised in Heredia, Costa Rica. From the ages of 6 to 10 she lived in England, which accounts for her very good command of the English language. Both her love for nature and her country, comes from memories of her childhood when her parents took her to the many of the National Parks of Costa Rica. These trips were a major factor in her decision to study Biology at the Univ. of Costa Rica.
Sofia has been guiding for Costa Rica Expeditions since Nov. 2003 and working on her Masters Degree in Natural Resources Management. What she likes most about guiding is the opportunity help her guests reflect on the complicated relationship between man and nature. "I am not an extremist," she says. "Many conservationists see only one side of the story. I like to give a balanced picture."
When Sofia was in training, here is what legendary biology teacher from Nolan High School in Dallas, Dr. Joe Kuban, had to say about her: "She was absolutely wonderful. The students were amazed that she was just a naturalist guide-in-training. I think she is mature beyond her years. Clearly, she has a grasp of ecology and natural history of organisms in Costa Rica...I would highly recommend her for any group visiting Costa Rica. She has the right passion and motivation/work ethic to be a fabulous guide."
When not guiding or studying, Sofía enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities with her husband, Luis Alonso, and playing with her three Labradors, Lucca, Scott and Mia. Read testimonials. VALENTIN CORRAL General Manager, CRE Lodges vcorral@expeditions.co.cr
Chef Valentin is from Valencia, Spain, and came to Costa Rica Expeditions in 2005 with nearly 20 years cooking experience in his
native country and France. His talent in the kitchen, however, doesn't stop at the dining room door. In the last couple of years he
has revolutionized the menus at all three of our lodges, managed inventory and staff, streamlined the supply chain, and made other
general improvements – outside the kitchen - at each of our lodges.
Valentin's efforts led us to promote him to General Manager of our lodges in early 2007. For someone who has been dedicated to haute cuisine and the study of enology (wine making), hotel management has proven to be a challenge, but one worth undertaking, according to him. “New challenges are exciting,” he says. “Essentially I'm a
creative person who enjoys experimenting and trying new directions. Life isn’t static and since arriving in this beautiful country I
haven't stopped growing, learning and being creative in and out of the kitchen.”
Before pursuing a career as chef, Valentin worked in the ready-to-wear fashion industry for Cristian Lacroix Paris. He speaks English, Spanish, French, Italian and a bit of Japanese, and loves the opera
and art films. Valentin, born on March 30, 1964, is single. Read testimonials. LUIS CUBERO lcubero@expeditions.co.cr
After working several years as a geographer, Luis has an intimate knowledge of Costa Rica’s most remote areas from the central mountain ranges to the coastal lowlands. This knowledge gives him a unique perspective when designing trips for guests. “Geographers are travelers by nature,” he says. “We like to explore places and cultures and we are lovers of the outdoors. As a travel planner I’m in contact with people from around the world who share my interest in learning about and exploring this marvelous country.”
Luis has been with Costa Rica Expeditions since Oct. 2006. He specializes in upscale, family and active vacations. He holds a geography degree from Costa Rica University (2002) and is an avid reader of National Geographic and other books and magazines. In his spare time Luis also enjoys listening to world music, Internet radio and playing Beatles tunes on his guitar. Even when he climbs Costa Rica's highest mountain, he dresses professionally just in case he finds somebody who wants him to plan an itinerary.
His birthday is July 4, 1980. Read testimonials. RICARDO DAVIS
Ricardo, known as "Caro" in Tortuguero, was born on October 13, 1959, in Limon Province. He is one of five siblings. Before coming to Costa Rica Expeditions in 2004, Ricardo worked 14 years as a pile loader operator for Plywood Costa Rica in the town of Moin. After that, he started doing boat transfers between Moin and Tortuguero. Watching the local guides with their guests on Tortuguero’s creeks, led him to consider guiding as a profession. Ricardo improved his English and began guiding before coming to Costa Rica Expeditions. Ricardo enjoys talking to visitors and takes special pride in pleasing the guests on his tours by spotting hard-to-find wildife and getting them close enough for a good picture. In his spare time he enjoys playing soccer and playing “Caribbean” dominoes. Read testimonials. DOUGLAS ESPINOSA despinosa@expeditions.co.cr
After working for Costa Rica Expeditions for three years, Douglas left the company in 2000, due in part to the long commute to his hometown, Atenas. It was understandable that he sought a job closer to home - according to National Geographic, Atenas has "the best climate in the world." Still, a new work schedule and faster transportation lured Douglas back in Nov. 2004. Today Douglas manages upscale and special interest and affinity group vacations. He also plans natural history and nature photography trips.
Famous for his equanimity and sense of humour, Douglas enjoys spending time with his sons Jason and Steve playing soccer, surfing the Web or, his newest hobby, raising Brown quails for eggs. Douglas' birthday is Sep. 28, 1968. Read testimonials. FERNANDO ESTRADA
Fernando, best known as "Don," was born on May 30, 1954, in Bluefields, Nicaragua. He is one of 12 siblings. He has worked for Costa Rica Expeditions since 1989. As a child, his grandparents, originally from Jamaica, taught him to speak Jamaican English. When he moved to Tortuguero, at age 18, he learned American English from the scientists and tourists he met there. Don worked for 14 years for the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) before coming to work as a guide at Tortuga Lodge.
He’s an excellent boatman and has also guided and worked as an assistant manager at Corcovado Lodge. Don and his wife, Pastora, have four children: Jimmy, twins Maribel and Maricela, and Katherine. What Don likes best about guiding is getting to talk to all kinds of people, being outside and observing the more than 100 bird species found in Tortuguero. He is known for his booming laugh, which can be heard for some distance. Read testimonials. NATALIE EWING Chief Marketing and Client Satisfaction Officer natalie@expeditions.co.cr
After 13 years as chief operating officer Natalie has stepped back to become Chief Marketing and Client Satisfaction Officer. She is in charge of communicating the companies vision of creating unique travel experiences that transcend conventional travel, and then following up to make sure that what we say and what we do coincide. Since she began working at CRE in 1986, Natalie has managed most of the company's departments before becoming COO. This makes her uniquely qualified for her present position. Born in the United States on Dec. 12, 1966, Natalie moved to Costa Rica when she was four. After elementary and junior high school in Costa Rica, and high school in the United States, Natalie began her advanced degree at Costa Rica Expeditions U in March 1986. Outside of her demanding work schedule, Natalie spends free time with her teenagers, Shamielle and Shawn, hiking, cooking and enjoying friends.
Julian came to CRE in Sept. 2006, after working at the Ministry of Education. Although he had no previous experience in tourism or hotel management, he quickly adapted to the job and the challenges of running a hotel in a remote area. “I was always interested in tourism and jumped at the opportunity to change careers when I saw an ad in the local newspaper for a job opening at Costa Rica Expeditions that didn’t require experience,” he recounts.
"After more than two years at Tortuga Lodge I still enjoy seeing the look of surprise and happiness our guests have when they arrive at the dock,” he says. “It’s satisfying knowing that many of our clients’ expectations have been exceeded after staying with us and experiencing Tortuguero’s rainforests.” Julian, one of 11 siblings, was born on May 22, 1970, in San Jose. He has three boys, Julian, 11, Emiliano, 7, and Angel, 2.
ALVARO FARIAS
Alvaro, called “Natu” by colleagues and guests, discovered rafting after watching the Camel Whitewater Challenge in 1998 in Costa Rica. Before that he worked on Coco Island as an assistant researcher and as a park ranger. In 2003 he joined the Costa Rica Expeditions’ rafting team and in 2004 completed the INBIO training course to qualify as a naturalist guide.
Natu is from San Jose, and is working toward a biology degree at Latina University. “One of the things I like most about my job,” he says, “is the chance to learn from the other guides and the opportunity to observe wildlife.” In his free time, Alvaro enjoys mountain biking, running and bird watching. He was born on Dec. 29, 1977, and is single. We call him "Natu” or “Natural" because he is.
Read testimonials. ISABEL GARBANZO Director of Human Resources igb@expeditions.co.cr
Isabel joined Costa Rica Expeditions in 1988. After nearly 20 years at Costa Rica Expeditions, she is the staff’s problem solver and everyone’s confidant. Isa is finishing a university degree in Psychology and has already begun applying her new knowledge of theory with her innate people skills, much to the company’s benefit.
In her spare time, Isa enjoys being at home, in the hills above San Jose. She is married to Costa Rica Expeditions’ River Guide, Ricardo Jiménez. They have two children, Renan, 15, and Marcela, 13.
CARLOS GOMEZ Guides Manager
Carlos, or as he is better known, Charlie, started his birding career working with Gary Stiles, the author of Birds of Costa Rica. He has guided birding and other natural history groups for Costa Rica Expeditions for two decades. Before that, he was Station Manager at the Organization for Tropical Studies' La Selva Biological Station. Called "legendary" in the Washington Post, groups he has led include Henderson Birding, Audubon Naturalist Society and Noble Proctor.
"Birding is my number one love – after my family of course. Guiding lets me share my ideas about conservation with other people. Sometimes I think I am a frustrated professor, but my job as a guide is much better than sitting behind a desk, and it’s a great way to meet people and share my knowledge with them."
An excellent naturalist and avid birder with a B.S. in biology from the University of Costa Rica, Charlie's tireless enthusiasm on the job has made him our most requested naturalist guide. He is often asked by our clients to guide their trips in other countries. Charlie was born on Dec. 29, 1955. When he's not guiding, Charlie works in his garden, making it a haven for birds, and relaxes with his family. He and his wife, Vicky, have three adult children: Laura, Sergio, and Silvia. Read testimonials. WILLIAM GRANADOS
Born in San Ramon de Alajuela, surrounded by nature, William’s first jobs were in local coffee farms and mills with his brothers. He also worked as a forest guide and trail designer. Later he moved to San Jose and, in 1992, began working with Costa Rica Expeditions as an emergency substitute managing the Transportation and Procurement Department.
Over the years he has studied Agricultural Engineering, Natural History and Vulcanology, Hospitality, and Tourism Management. His love of the outdoors makes him perfectly suited for guiding, which he now does full time. “I really enjoy introducing visitors to my native land and revel in showing off the real Costa Rica. Along the way, I always look for fun and unique learning opportunities.” Weekends, he says, are spent with his family: “We may take a country drive or go bird-watching. I also like to cook or spend time reading.” Read testimonials. GORDON HEIN Chief Operating and Financial Officer gordon@expeditions.co.cr
Michael Kaye first met Gordon when he was toiling away for long-time Costa Rica Expeditions’ client, International Expeditions in Helena, Ala. When International Expeditions became part of Grandexpeditions.com, Michael quickly snatched Gordon for a temporary assignment in Costa Rica. The “temporary” assignment that began in early 2002 continues to this day.
Gordon, who has degrees in both economics and political science, uses his talents to observe the economic rhythms of Costa Rica Expeditions, converting those rhythms into understandable information for managing the business and predicting the future. When not observing rhythms in the office, he enjoys a state of bliss with his partner, Javier, 6 cats, 5 chickens, a happy rooster, and a dog named Bryce, on their farm halfway up the side of a dormant volcano overlooking the Central Valley and San Jose. Gordon has lived all over the US, but most recently is from Boca Raton, Florida. His birthday is Aug. 15, 1948.
MARCO HERNANDEZ mhernandez@expeditions.co.cr
Marco or "Luk," as his friends call him, studied business administration and tourism at Cartago Universtity and has worked in the tourism business for ten years. He is familiar with nearly every valley and beach in the country and uses that knowledge to specialize in planning natural history and active vacations. He also manages trips that feature celebrations and other occasions.
After hours, Marco has an alter ego. He is the singer and songwriter for one of Costa Rica’s best-known rock bands, “Xpunkha”. They have been playing together for nearly a decade, headlining in the country’s best concerts and music festivals, and have opened shows for some renowned international bands. When he’s not practicing with his band, you can find Marco watching a Yankees game or catching up with his parents and five siblings. His birthday is March 24, 1979. Read testimonials. ALEXANDER HERRERA Operations Manager
Born on Feb 03, 1967, Alex was raised in the city of Barva, Heredia, one of the oldest settlements in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. He first worked for Costa Rica Expeditions starting in 1987 as a Transfer Guide and he then went on to work in key departments such as Operations and Sales. Finally he worked as the Executive Assistant to Founder and CEO, Michael Kaye, not an easy task. In 1994, Alex left Costa Rica Expeditions to pursue other interests and has come back 16 years later.
As the new Operations Manager, Alex says, “I admire consistent teamwork and attitude. I like to keep it simple and find an attractive challenge in continuously simplifying processes as a way to support creativity and commitment within the department with quality of life. My mission at the Operations Team is to provide Legendary Service and Unforgettable Memories to guests who choose Costa Rica and Costa Rica Expeditions.”
When he’s not at the office, Alex is a supportive dad to his four children, Alexis 21, Andres 15, Pablo 12 and Fiorella 8 who likes to sing, draw, paint and also runs his Dad’s life.
After various school and family visits to some of Costa Rica's protected areas, Jorge became interested in the environment in high school. He decided that he would pursue environmental studies on his own while learning English at Columbus State University in Georgia. Today Jorge is well versed in many areas of nature; he has done courses on ornithology, medicinal plants, sea turtles, general natural history and others. He is currently finishing his degree in Management and Protection of Natural Resources at Cost Rica's National State University.
Jorge feels that guiding, which has been his profession since 1997, is his calling. It allows him to educate a large number of people about the importance of protecting the planet. A lot of his clients are "already converted" he says, but he's especially proud when he has successfully taught his guests about the urgency and importance of sustainable development.
When he's not guiding or working on his university degree, Jorge is either playing basketball or reading. He was born on May 31, 1977, and grew up in San Jose. Read testimonials. ARTURO JARQUIN siamtico@hotmail.com
Arturo's passion and career is landscape architecture. He is a graduate of the Longwood Gardens Horticultural School's work-study program in Pennsylvania (1983-4) and also spent a year working at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis (1987-8). Arturo, who worked for Costa Rica National Parks for three years (1979-82), not only has a strong background in horticulture and conservation, but also has a strong knowledge of the country's native bird species.
In 1996 Arturo completed Monteverde Lodge's gardens using mainly native species. His goal was to bring the forest and its wildlife right up to the Lodge's doorstep. Today's visitors enjoy the results of this work. During his twelve years as a guide for Costa Rica Expeditions, Arturo has led trips for the Nature Conservancy, Massachusetts Audubon Society and several horticultural organizations.
Through guiding he has realized a life-long dream of designing and managing a cloud forest reserve. His charisma, talent and love of nature caught the attention of a visitor from San Francisco in 1996 and she ended up financing a private reserve now managed by Arturo.
PRISCILLA JIMENEZ pjimenez@expeditions.co.cr
Priscilla started working for us in Nov. 1997, when she first came to CRE as an intern from a local university. We were so impressed with her ability to learn quickly, her dedication to “Legendary Service and Unforgettable Memories,” as well as her ability to get things done, that we offered her a position as sales assistant. In 1998 she became a Travel Planner. Today Priscilla is a Senior Travel Planner handling the most upscale of our clientele. She has come to specialize in designing natural history and special interest and affinity group trips. She also plans honeymoons, anniversaries, and other vacations featuring celebrations.
Tortuguero is her favorite place to visit—for the wildlife, the people and the town—and she loves to share the wonders of that wilderness with her sons Randy and Santiago. Born on Oct. 31, 1976, Priscilla loves dancing and music. She has recently ventured into the world of theater and claims there is no better way to forget the hustle and bustle of the office than to show up for rehearsal. Read testimonials. RICARDO JIMENEZ ricardojimenezch@hotmail.com
Ricardo, called Robalo by his fellow guides, has led a very interesting and diverse career at Costa Rica Expeditions. In 1989, he started as a bus driver for group trips. Then he decided that he wanted to become a river guide. Not speaking a word of English, he signed up for classes at the University and was conversing before the year was up. Working his way through the ranks, Ricardo became one of our head river guides in 1993.
Seven years later, in January 1999, he decided to come ashore to work in the San Jose offices as Operations Manager. Recently, however, he decided to return to the river and has started guiding rafting trips once again. Ricardo, whose birthday is July 2, 1963, is married to Isabel Garbanzo, the company’s Director of Human Resources. They have been married for 17 years and have two children, Renan, 15, and Marcela, 13. Read testimonials. MICHAEL KAYE President & CEO mskaye@expeditions.co.cr
Born December 11, 1941, a river guide for many years, Michael was the first to run Costa Rica's white water rivers. Michael and his wife, Yolanda started Costa Rica Expeditions as a white water rafting company in the fall of 1978.
Although the company has grown considerably since, the original vision which Michael expressed in a June 1981 brochure has not changed:
"Our goal is to create unique travel experiences that transcend conventional sightseeing and travel. Our dream is to promote the type of tourism which is mutually beneficial and nourishing to both the visitor and the visited."
Known as an iconoclast Kaye’s stands against what he calls "dubious carbon offset and sustainability certification schemes have been stirred up controversy in industry circles.
A self-professed workaholic, he puts everything he has into whatever he does. As well as continuing to actively manage Costa Rica Expeditions, his current passion is a blog Vacation Time is Precious, which he started on December 14, 2009.
In October 2007 Michael was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Adventure Travel Trade Association.
Michael and Yolanda live in a suburb of San Jose Costa Rica. They travel fairly often, always with their tandem bicycle and Michael’s laptop. They spend at least a month each year in Manhattan, which Michael calls "the greatest secret bicycle destination in the world.”
They have two adult children, Brenda and Hilton, and three grandchildren.
Yolanda Kaye, born in 1951, in rural El Salvador, is the woman wise enough to be Michael's wife and survive. Really she has done more than survive; she is thriving. Doña Yoly as we all affectionately call her, is truly the great woman who is not only behind a great man but also behind a great organization. Her wise words, observations and willingness to listen to gardeners, cooks, account executives and executive team staff alike has provided many of us with a sound "put your feet on the ground and count your blessings" perspective. She is a world-class cook.
One of Michael's and Yolanda's adventures was "Bike New York." They peddled a tandem bicycle 42 miles through the five boros of New York City. "I haven't seen a bicycle built for two in years," an old gentleman remarked. "Is it an antique?
"
Jude, as we call her, started at CRE in 1990 and has the monumental task of distributing our email, which can easily be more than 500 pieces of correspondence in the high season. She is Michael's right hand, organizing his impossible schedule and keeping him generally in the right place at the right time - while somehow remaining serene and centered. If that were not enough to do, Jude has three children: two teenagers, Kenneth and Hillary, and her "baby," Ashley, 10. Her birthday is on Sep. 10th
JIM LEWIS
Born May 19, 1940, Jim is Costa Rica Expeditions' Master Naturalist Guide Emeritus, with nearly three decades of guiding with us. Although Jim is now retired, he continues to advise the company and our guides.
Jim has extensive field experience with animal surveys for the Smithsonian Institution, Scripps Institute and the Farallon Islands off California. Before joining Costa Rica Expeditions as head naturalist in 1980, he did six years of biological consulting work and independent research throughout Costa Rica.
An avid birder, Jim has guided trips for numerous Audubon Society groups, the Americans Society (which is chaired by David Rockefeller), The Nature Conservancy, the NY Zoological Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Oceanic Society, among others.
Jim and his wife, Barbara, have two adult children, Jonathan and Jennifer. In his free time, Jim volunteers at INBIO and tends his orchid collection (he especially loves miniatures). Read testimonials. ALEX LOPEZ
Born on a farm in the town of San Rafael de Heredia, Alex has always loved the outdoors and enjoyed showing the rainforest to as many people as possible. On the farm Alex grew up with animals, an interest that also drew him to guiding and learning about wildlife.
Alex has studied English as well as subjects as varied as Butterfly and Frog Breeding, and Bats and Volcanoes of Costa Rica. He has also taken specialized guiding courses. Alex has been with Costa Rica Expeditions for three years. When not guiding, he enjoys riding his bike and listening to music. Read testimonials. MIGUEL MARIN
Miguel was born Nov. 15, 1966, and has guided for nearly two decades, 17 of them with Costa Rica Expeditions. He discovered guiding after a false career start in business administration, which he studied for 2-1/2 years.
Mammals are Miguel’s special area of interest, but he also is knowledgeable about birds, flower identification, and the natural history of many areas in Costa Rica. Miguel has taught guiding techniques to students specializing in tourism at the Universidad Latina.
Miguel is a walker and also enjoys traveling. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Americas. In Costa Rica he travels on public buses and is an expert on the best and most scenic bus routes in the country. Read testimonials. LARRY MARIN
Since 1994 Larry has guided and managed tours all over Europe, Northern Africa, Asia Minor, North and South America, the Caribbean Islands, and of course his native country, Costa Rica. He has a B.A. in Tourism from Central American Autonomous University in Costa Rica and is certified by the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco.
Larry grew up in an isolated, rural district in the rainforest near the Nicaraguan border. “At that time, and even today,” he says, “there were no roads, electricity or even running water on our farm – nowhere better for a kid to develop a passion for nature.”
Apart from Spanish, Larry speaks English fluently, French and Portuguese, and has a good knowledge of Italian. His multi-cultural experiences allow him to better share his passion for nature with people of all backgrounds. Those who have traveled with him say his love and enthusiasm for nature is contagious. When Larry is not guiding a tour, you might run into him birding in Guatemala, scuba diving in Malaysia, hiking volcanoes in Tanzania, or visiting art museums and galleries in Argentina (another of his passions).
ALBERTO MARTINEZ
Alberto and his identical twin brother, born on Sept. 15, 1976, began working with Costa Rica Expeditions five years ago as transport providers. Two years ago Alberto began guiding. Long before that, however, he dreamed of working as a Naturalist Guide. It began in Finland, where he lived for a year after high school. Friends he met there showed him some of that country’s wild and beautiful places and he developed a passion for nature and the outdoors.
Upon return to Costa Rica, Alberto worked for an educational agency that hosts foreign visitors to Costa Rica. Soon he envisioned himself working in tourism and, eventually, as a guide. Many years later, he earned the title of Naturalist Guide and continues to impress our guests today with his enthusiasm, knowledge and personality.
Read testimonials. ADRIAN MARTINEZ
Since 2000 Adrian has been guiding individuals and groups in Costa Rica. He started guiding when a friend asked him to help lead tour. “He needed an assistant with good knowledge about the country and above all good human relations. I did a few more trips and really liked the work, so I decided to make a career out of it.”
After high school, Adrian decided to work abroad for a year and went to Iceland. There he did community work with handicapped people and found it to be a life-changing experience. “It helped me develop a life vision and better understanding of people – something immensely important in life and in my career as a guide.”
Adrian was born in Costa Rica but as a child lived for several years in the Dominican Republic. He has a twin brother, both born on Sept. 15, 1976. He is married and he and his wife live part of the year in Germany.
JOSE MARTINEZ
Jose, also known as "Macho," was born and raised in the small rural town of La Suiza, 30 mins. from Turrialba, the heart of river rafting county in Costa Rica. He went to a high school that focus on conservation of natural resources, which marked him for life with a deep respect for nature and wildlife, and a love of the outdoors. Jose began guiding river trips in Costa Rica several years ago and more recently in California for Mariah Wilderness Expeditions.
Currently Jose is in training to become a Naturalist Guide. “River guiding will always be very special to me,” he says, “but I’m ready to move up and widen my range of skills and capabilities. Now, in preparation to be a Naturalist Guide, I’m also studying geography, history, biology, flora, fauna and even current affairs.”
Jose, 32, is an amateur photographer, who owns several SLR digital cameras and spends some of his free time shooting outdoors. He also likes to play soccer and basketball, or just relax at home watching TV or surfing the web. “As a bachelor I also do my fair share of cooking,” he adds, “although I prefer doing it for guests and not just myself.” Jose’s birthday is on Sep. 20, 1975.
ALEJANDRO MENDEZ
Alejandro, affectionately called “Pulpo,” spent some years in the US but returned in early 2006. Before leaving the country, Alejandro worked as a CRE Naturalist Guide for seven years. Now in Operations, he knows exactly what kind of logistics go into making even the most complicated trip run smoothly.
“I enjoy sharing my country with visitors,” he says, “and making exceptional trips happen is what we do best. I am proud to work in a great company surrounded by friends who are not only hard-working professionals, but great people too.”
Alejandro graduated from the Univ. of Cartago in Costa Rica in 1992, with business and tourism degrees. He has a daughter, Maria Fernanda, 8, and enjoys spending free time listening to music, reading or traveling. His birthday is March 19, 1974.
KENYA MENDEZ Corcovado Lodge Manager col@expeditions.co.cr
Kenya, 27, perfected her English in Burlington, Vermont, where she spent a year and a half in a student exchange program. After returning to Costa Rica she began studying biology and has nearly completed her degree at Costa Rica’s Latin University. She has been with Costa Rica Expeditions since Nov. 1998, when she started as a Transfer Guide and later moved up to Naturalist Guide. Recently Kenya took up the challenge of managing Corcovado Lodge & Tent Camp on the Osa Peninsula.
Kenya has studied miniature orchids - particularly their insect pollination – as well as the ecology of the Tropical Dry Forest and worked extensively at Santa Rosa National Park with Dr. Daniel Janzen. She was a volunteer at the National Institute for Biodiversity at Maritza Station where she collected plants and insects that pollinate orchids in the Dry Tropical Forest environment. When she's not working, Kenya, born on Sept. 23, 1978, spends her time with her younger brother and sister, and is dedicated to poetry and painting. She also likes to hike and surf. Read testimonials. DIEGO MONTERO
Diego, 29, has been on Costa Rica Expeditions’ white water team since 2005, and has been guiding rafting trips for 9 years. He enjoys his career for the thrills and for the opportunity to meet new people from around the world. “I have also been able to travel a lot - to Italy, Norway, Nepal, Chile and Argentina - thanks to rafting,” he says. Diego speaks Spanish, English and Italian and is an excellent surfer. He is married to Betsy Chaves and his birthday is March 6, 1979.
JORGE MORA
First guided for IE and CRE from 1989 to 1992. He then went to the Denver, Colorado to get his Masters Degree in International Politics, returned to Costa Rica, and started guiding again several years later.
Born in San José, Jorge has been working as a guide for a decade. He is an avid reader and autodidact and, to enjoy and improve his career as a naturalist, Jorge moved to the mountains of Heredia to be closer to nature. On his farm he grows different kinds of ornamental and medicinal plants as well as cut flowers.
Jorge has a BS in marine biology and Masters Degrees in tropical biology and international politics. With a diverse education and interests, it's not surprising that he has guided groups such as the National Geographic Board of Directors, Sierra Club Board of Directors, and many more. In fact, he remembers all of his groups fondly and always learns something new from each guiding experience.
When he guided Michael Collins, the astronaut, Jorge could not resist asking him what it was like to be on a spaceship looking down at the Earth. He never forgot Collins' reply: "It feels lonely, Jorge. Mostly you feel loneliness."
YESENIA MORA Director of Travel Planning ymora@expeditions.co.cr
From San Jose, Yesenia has been working in tourism her entire career. She came to Costa Rica Expeditions from a local operator, where she was the Tour & Travel Sales Manager. As Director of Travel Planning, Yesenia focuses principally on sales and client relations. She has a Business Degree from Costa Rica’s Latina University, where she concentrated on Sales and Marketing (2005).
Yesenia is the second of five siblings and is married to Pablo Richard. They have a five-year-old daughter, Pamela. In her spare time, she loves to take weekend trips with her family and also plays for the Belen town volleyball team. Her birthday is Nov. 28, 1977.
GERARDO MURILLO
Born in San Jose on October 15, 1964, Gerardo, also known as "Siau," has been guiding whitewater rafting expeditions since 1986. He grew up on his father’s farm in Turrialba where he spent most of his time outdoors riding horses and playing in the rivers and fields.
His river career started by coincidence, when 17 years ago, he decided to go for a morning run and a pickup truck drove by with a raft on the roof. They stopped and asked him if he would go to the river with them, as they needed another paddler that day. He agreed to go, and he’s been on the river ever since. Siau has participated and organized a number of rafting expeditions and competitions starting in 1991, when he was a member of the Costa Rican team for the world championship, Project Raft. Since then, he has been team captain for the Camel White Water Challenge team and the Foto Linda Rafting National Championship.
When not on the river, which isn’t very often, Siau spends his time working on his photography, horseback riding, camping in the mountains and reading. He is an accomplished cook. Read testimonials. OMAR MURILLO Ground Transport Coordinator omurillo@expeditions.co.cr
Omar has worked as a Naturalist Guide for Costa Rica Expeditions for many years, but recently decided to give up the vagabond lifestyle of a guide for the very detailed-oriented transport programmer job in the company's Operations Department. “I’m looking forward to learning about the bigger picture of the company,” he says. “Coordinating a trip-of-a-lifetime requires careful orchestration of not only transport and lodging, but a whole chain of services.”
Born to Costa Rican parents on July 14, 1964, in Los Angeles, Omar graduated from high school in Costa Rica in the 80s, earning a degree in precision mechanics. Since then he has earned two degrees from National Learning Institute in general mechanics and guiding. Omar is a dedicated father to his five children and enjoys spending his free time with them. He likes all kinds of sports and, whenever possible, surfing the Web. Read testimonials. RUFILIO NUñEZ
Rufilio, or "Fillo" as everyone knows him, came to Costa Rica Expeditions in late 2003 with more than a decade of guiding experience. He is particularly interested in the plant life of the rainforest. Rufilio, 46, once worked in fishing and, for many years, in hotels. He is from Puerto Jimenez, Puntarenas, and has two children, William and Yessica. His birthday is April 23, 1962. Read testimonials. URBANO QUESADA
Urbano, 61, has guided for Corcovado Lodge since it opened and has many years of experience with horses and rural living on the Osa Peninsula. His sharp eyes find crocodiles, macaw feathers and more as he leads horseback trips along the beautiful coastline of the southern Pacific coast to the Río Oro Lagoon.
Miraculously cured of a serious illness by an herbalist at the age of three, Urbano has been interested in herbs and their medicinal uses ever since. He is a storyteller and a giver of good luck; he enjoys planting medicinal plants and caring for Corcovado Lodge’s horses.
Even if you don’t speak Spanish, with a little patience and perseverance, you can learn a lot about this remote and wondrous area from this quiet man. Born March 25, 1946, Urbano has three adult daughters: Zinia, Guiselle and Elena.
JONATHAN QUIROS
Jonathan has been a transport provider for Costa Rica Expeditions since 2006 but has had his eye on a permanent position for some time. When a spot opened in Operations, he sent in his resume and was hired for his can-do personality and for his knowledge of the roads, distances and best routes to take to the country’s most popular destinations. Jonathan is a mountain biker and runner and enjoys both playing and listening to music. His birthday is June 26, 1982. He and his wife, Jenifer, have a 3-year-old daughter.
JUAN JOSE SANCHEZ
Juan Jose, 24, was born in the mountainous province of Turrialba, near the same rivers on which he now leads rafting trips. Before coming to Costa Rica Expeditions he worked as the safety kayak for different rafting companies. His first job was on the river with his cousins, who were guides themselves.
“After school I would head to the Reventazon River to help my cousins,” he recalls. “We would pull the boats out of the water and store the equipment. But before putting everything away, my cousin would teach me how to use the kayak. I learned to roll and also began to run rapids.” Not long after, Juan Jose entered a kayak school and took up the sport seriously. He was selected for the national team and competed in slalom at the Panamerican Games in Chile in 2001. Juan Jose's birthday is June 5, 1983.
JORGE SEGURA
An adventurer at heart, Jorge has been guiding on the country’s rivers for 14 years. “I love the adrenaline of rafting, the big runs and being outside – whether it’s raining, cold or sunny, I love seeing the changing seasons on the river.”
Jorge, born on May 19, 1969, started tubing as a kid and then took up kayaking, which he learned in a pool and practiced on the Reventazon River. He has worked in business and is currently finishing a physical therapy degree at Santa Paula University. Jorge enjoys mountain biking and has two sons, Luis Diego and Julian. Read testimonials. NADYA SHAW nshaw@expeditions.co.cr
Born Aug. 21, 1963, Nadya first started working for Costa Rica Expeditions as a bilingual secretary in 1991. In 1994 we reluctantly let her go due to a restructuring. Nadya was quickly hired by one of our competitors. Hoping to get her back, we kept an eye on her and in Aug. 2003, were able to offer her a position in the trip planning department. We haven't been sorry. Today Nadya handles some of our most upscale trips as well as family, honeymoon and other special occasions vacations. Her five children, Kevin, Jason, Ruji, Alexsha and Jared, more than take up her free time. Read testimonials. NORTON SINCLAIR
Norton, better known as “Putut,” was born on March 10, 1964, in Rio Maíz, Nicaragua, and is one of nine siblings. He began working for Costa Rica Expeditions in 2005, and since then has gained his coworker’s and guest’s affection because of his good humor and sweet character.
Norton worked many years in fishing, but eventually moved to the Limón Province to be with his family. Once settled, he took up guiding. After so many years working on the ocean and living in coastal areas similar to Limón, Norton had become an expert birder and knowledgeable on the tropical flora surrounding him. “I especially enjoy helping guests spot a particular bird or animal they’ve never seen before or are keen to see,” he says. In his spare time, Norton can be found fishing, listening to music, playing dominoes with friends or watching tv. Read testimonials. IVAN SOTO Scheduling & Logistics Coordinator
Ivan, 27, is from Moravia, outside San Jose. He has worked in tourism for three years, the first two-and-a-half at a local outfitter, concentrating in reservations, sales and operations. "I like being at the controls, making sure our customers tours, transfers and flights are executed perfectly," he says. "Also being part of a supportive and professional team is great." Ivan enjoys playing sports and listening to music when he is off. His birthday is Aug. 27, 1980.
CLARENCE TAYLOR
Although he was born and raised in San Jose, Clarence has spent a lot of time traveling inside and out of Costa Rica. He did all his studies in Costa Rica, mostly focusing on the tourism industry, but also completed a year of medicine.
He grew up enjoying the outdoors with his family and considers himself a true nature lover. “While I was still a kid, my parents would take us camping and we would explore places all over the country. I have always loved taking friends and clients to the country’s remote and beautiful places. When I discovered guiding as a career, it was a dream come true.”
Clarence has been guiding travelers from all over the world since 1989 and relishes sharing his knowledge, built on years of experience, of the native flora, animals and insects. Clarence is married and has a 17-year-old daughter, Nicole. He comes from a very large family of Sephardic Jews, originally from Spain.
MARTHA THOMAS Receptionist
Martha, who worked at Costa Rica Expeditions for 15 years from 1982 to 1998, recently returned to take up the position of receptionist. She will be handling the dozens of calls, solicitations and deliveries we receive daily in our downtown San Jose office. In the last several years Martha has worked in a restaurant and two local hotels.
“I am a ‘nice’ and ‘service-with-a-smile specialist,’” she says (with a smile). “With so many years in the restaurant and hospitality industries, this skill has served me well.” Martha, 54, has 11 siblings, so there is no shortage of family events to keep her busy during her off hours. She and her husband, Luis, have two grown up children and three grandchildren. Her birthday is on Nov. 23, 1953.
LUIS TORRES
Born in Limon on April 3, 1960, of Nicaraguan parentage, Luis moved to Tortuguero with his mother at the age of two. His first experiences with nature were related to subsistence hunting and logging, which provided him with a great respect for the natural environment, as well as excellent wildlife spotting abilities.
Luis started out as gardener for Tortuga Lodge in 1986 and was soon promoted to fishing and nature boatman. He paid close attention to the naturalists for whom he was driving his boat and learned about ecology every chance he got. His drive for self-improvement led him to better his English and even take courses about Costa Rican natural history. Luis’ efforts allowed him to rise to a full-fledged naturalist guide. He has guided for the National Orchid Society, the University of California at Berkley and Microsoft among others.
Luis has six children: Erick, Karina, Jeremy, twins Tongny and Wongny, and Luange, with his wife Angela. When not guiding or keeping track of the kids, Luis enjoys soccer and playing the guitar. Read testimonials. ANDRES VALVERDE
Andres, 26, is a second generation River Guide; his father, once a Costa Rica Expeditions Guide, introduced him to the river. Starting as a Transfer Guide seven years ago, Andres worked his way up to River Guide after completing a rigorous training program. “Guiding white water trips is not only physically demanding, but mentally as well,” he says. “We have to be alert at all times and vigilant of river currents, which change daily. This is what makes the job so stimulating, not to mention the pleasure of working in a natural paradise.”
When Andres is not on the river, he and his wife, Edda, own and run a handicraft store in San Jose. Andres is also studying to become a veterinary surgeon at San Jose's Veritas University. He was born on Jan. 8, 1982, and has a two-year-old son, Javier.
GABRIEL VARGAS
Gabriel, 27, is from San Jose and has been working as a guide in Costa Rica for several years. Gabriel grew up on a family ranch, where he learned to love the outdoors and nature. He earned a degree in agro-ecotourism from the Central American School of Cattle Raising and later studied at the National Institute of Biodiversity.
“I was drawn to guiding because I like being with people,” he says. “I’m also very proud of my country and it’s great to show off Costa Rica’s natural treasures to visitors.” In his free time, Gabriel likes to spend time with his son Fabian. He also enjoys body surfing and horseback riding when he’s back on the ranch.
JONNATHAN VARGAS
Before coming to Costa Rica Expeditions, Jonnathan worked in the operations department of a local rafting company. “This is where I really learned about white water, tourism and client service - all of which got me interested in guiding as a career,” he says. He is currently studying to qualify as a naturalist and multisport guide.
Born in Guapiles, on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Jonnathan moved to Boca Raton, FL, with his parents for several years when he was in elementary school. The family returned to Costa Rica in 1996 and soon after Jonnathan started playing soccer and other sports seriously. He eventually took up cycling and was selected for the country’s mountain biking team, traveling throughout the country for races. The team won several regional competitions. In his spare time you’ll find him biking a less-traveled road outside San Jose. Jonnathan, 19, was born on May 29, 1988.
ABEL VARGAS
Abel, 36, is a true outdoorsman and experienced guide. He was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, but has traveled around the world guiding white water, canopy, bungee jumping and canyonning tours. During the past 13 years he has worked as a rafting guide in the US, Mexico, Colombia, Switzerland and Slovenia.
Abel is an accredited wilderness first aid and CPR instructor for the US National Safety Council. He also teaches a swift water rescue technician course for Rescue-3 International. He holds a Tourism Degree from the Latin American University of Science and Technology (2001) and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) degree from the University of Costa Rica. One of his current hobbies is the art of “fire pois,” or fire spinning, using Kevlar balls set on fire and chained to the hands. His birthday is May 11, 1972. Read testimonials. CARLOS LUIS VASQUEZ
Carlos Luis Vasquez Monteverde Guide Carlos Luis Vasquez, known in Monteverde as Charlie, has been guiding for nine years. He first started guiding because friends and colleagues at local tour operators encouraged him to take that route. It’s a path that he has never regretted taking.
Carlos loves sharing the environment and encouraging travelers both from Costa Rica and abroad to protect our natural resources. He is well versed in most of the subjects that are likely to come up while on a trail in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, but he has a special place in his heart for birds. Born on January 29, 1973, in the city of Puntarenas, Carlos has completed High School through the ninth grade. To complement his guiding he completed an eight month course at the Institute of Biodiversity and another course from the National Institute of Learning. He has worked in the travel business for most of his adult life. When he’s not guiding Carlos likes to go to the beach, swim and play soccer. Carlos is married to Marta Araya Jimenez and he has a 16 year old daughter, Angelyn.
As you search for your ideal trip in the custom itineraries section of our web site, you may wish to create a list of favorite trips. To do so, click on the link above each itinerary, “Add to My Favorites.” Each itinerary you chose will be added to a personalized list of trips. You can add as many trips as you want to your list and refer back to them by clicking on the link, "See My Favorites," which will appear in the right column once you have selected a favorite.
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As you search for your ideal trip in the custom itineraries section of our web site, you may wish to create a list of favorite trips. To do so, click on the link above each itinerary, “Add to My Favorites.” Each itinerary you chose will be added to a personalized list of trips. You can add as many trips as you want to your list and refer back to them by clicking on the link, "See My Favorites," which will appear in the right column once you have selected a favorite.
Your list of favorites will follow you as you surf the site, allowing you to refer back to selected itineraries at any time. On your next visit to our web site, the list will reappear by clicking the link, “See My Favorites.” 
