Frank Simms
Naturalist Guide
Born on March 25, 1966, and raised in Escazú, Costa Rica, Frank Simms attended public school and, as a teenager, earned a scholarship to study English at a private language institute — a skill that would later shape his professional path.
After working in several jobs, Frank became a television cameraman for a local station. This role sparked his desire to travel and explore Costa Rica more deeply. While assisting foreign visitors with directions — as the only English speaker nearby — he realized he could help travelers more directly, which inspired him to pursue guiding as a career.
He later completed the Tour Guide Program at Costa Rica’s National Training Institute (INA) and is accredited by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT). Since then, Frank has guided a wide range of groups throughout the country and has also worked extensively as a whitewater rafting guide and in Tortuguero National Park.
A self-taught photographer, Frank’s skills led him to become a Certified Photo Instructor for Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic. One of his photographs was selected for exhibition at the Louvre Museum in Paris. He has traveled to destinations including Barcelona, Rome, Paris, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and has transited the Panama Canal several times. He hopes one day to photograph the Northern Lights and visit Nordic regions.
When not guiding, Frank enjoys spending time at home and working as a photographer for social events.
