Dennis Wille 
A native Costa Rican, Dennis Wille was never bored by being immersed in the country’s culture and landscape. Much to the contrary, the more he learned about his environment, the more he loved and cared for it.
His passionate affair with nature in the Central American region has taken him far and broad. He is always invited to share his lore with other professionals and enthusiasts worldwide.
His study and co-existence with nature have brought him to interact and lend his expertise to international institutions such as The National Audubon Society, The Organization for Tropical Studies, The Rainforest Aerial Tram, The Nature Conservancy Group, and The American Birding Association. On a local level, Dennis has worked with renowned institutions such as Coter Biological Reserve, Tortuguero National Park, Bosque Protegido Reserve, and Caño Palma Biological Station, among others.
His knowledge is always welcome in Panama, where Dennis conducts a yearly “Guiding Techniques” program for the local Panamanian tour managers, guides, escorts, and in-depth courses in Natural History.
Although Dennis is proud of his intimate knowledge of Central American history, botany, herpetology, and other specialties, he is most happy when focusing on his favorite subject. Birds!
It is not difficult to live in Central America to see how Ornithology could become popular science for any nature enthusiast. There are well over one thousand bird species in the region, with some of the most spectacular in the world, such as the Resplendent Quetzal, the Scarlet Macaw, and many others, including several endemic species.
He has a passion for bird sounds and has a collection of them; recently, he created a CD by a Costa Rican pianist that mixes the piano with the sounds of the birds.
His experience and knowledge have taken him to guide in other countries worldwide. His guidance is always related to the Natural History and Culture of places of worldwide interest, such as the Antarctic, The Panama Canal, The Mayan World, Northern Africa, The Orinoco River, The Arctic, The Amazon, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, The Bering Sea among others.
Jorge Monge
Jorge was born and raised in a rural area just outside of the capital city of San Jose. From a very early age, he became interested in Costa Rica’s wildlife and abundant natural resources, mainly due to his childhood experiences in the wilderness around his home. After high school, Jorge graduated from college with a degree in tourism and studied English at INTEC (Inter-American Institute of Technology). Gaining experience in college by guiding tourist groups from the International University of the Americas, he formally entered the tourism industry as a naturalist guide in 1998. After gaining experience in his early years by guiding groups in the rainforests of Tortuguero, he now has the privilege of conducting groups in all regions of Costa Rica and even in other countries in Central and South America. Jorge loves sharing flora and fauna of his country and especially enjoys showing tourists hundreds of bird species that live in Costa Rica. He also firmly believes in the importance of sharing authentic Costa Rican culture with his tourists to have a unique and unforgettable experience. As the first guide hired onto the Natural Expeditions team of guides, Jorge is loved by all. He earned several nicknames due to his energetic personality and extensive knowledge of Costa Rica.
Herson Guevara
Herson was born in the capital city of San José. Even though he went to college intending to study law or biology, a friend introduced him to the idea of choosing a career in the tourism field. He tried out a few classes and was immediately hooked. As a child, Herson lived close to the Arenal Volcano for a few years, where he developed his love of nature. With no electricity or potable water, he spent more time interacting with the wildlife in the forest than inside the house. Herson graduated college in 1995 with a degree in tourism and was immediately welcomed into the booming tourism industry. With specializations in bird-watching, rural tourism, and student travel, Herson is a tremendous asset to our team of guides. He is an award-winning tour guide recognized worldwide for his professionalism, expertise in the field, and superb customer service. As a member of several professional tourism organizations, Herson has presented at conferences and workshops and is often asked to help train and develop new and experienced guides. Herson also volunteers his time working in an educational preserve to introduce children to the concept of conservation and appreciation of Costa Rica’s wildlife. What he loves most as a tour guide is the opportunity to get to know people from around the world and share the beautiful country of Costa Rica, especially the flora, fauna, history, and culture.
Humberto Espeleta
Humberto was born and raised in the capital city of San Jose. After studying English in the public school system, he decided to continue developing his skills after graduation by enrolling in the INTENSA Language Institute. Being fully bilingual at a young age, Humberto landed a job working for one of the airlines at the Juan Santamaría International Airport. During this time, he became increasingly interested in sharing his beloved country with the thousands of tourists he saw coming and going daily. He underwent strenuous training and certification to become a licensed guide specializing in natural history and archaeology. With almost 25 years of experience as a naturalist guide, Humberto is passionate about sharing his country’s natural and cultural diversity and helping people learn about conservation, the environment, and the interrelationships among living organisms.
Corina Duran
- Working in the Tourism field since 1996
- Born in Paruro, Cusco-Peru
- A resident of Cusco, Peru
- Languages: Quechua, Spanish, English, Italian
- Hobbies & interests: Reading, gardening, swimming, playing volleyball, dancing, singing
I grew up in a small community called Paruro, the town where the Incas mythically originated. I got immersed in culture and history, and the archeological ruins were my playground. I used to make my toys from clay and wood without televisions, radios, and automobiles. As the oldest of seven children, I took on the caretaker role for my younger siblings, and this responsibility caused me to mature early. By the time I was ten years old, I had made chicha beer from corn and wheat bread to sell for money or barter for other products.
I look back fondly on my memories of the farm:
- Herding the cattle
- Taking care of my grandparents’ sheep
- Planting and plowing potatoes
- Growing corn
However, it was not easy to be a farmer. It made me strong and motivated me to study. My ambitions drove me to college, which is only a dream for most farming children. Fortunately, I was able to make this dream come true. Life in the city was challenging and different from everything I was used to. Today, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Administration, a Master’s in Administration and Tourism Management, and a Doctorate in Administration.
I was eager to share my Inca background and teach visitors about the Andean People. I began my work as a tour guide, and I learned just as much from my travelers as they learned from my instruction. I am passionate about my job because this phenomenon never ceases to amaze me. Sharing my culture, history, and tradition with travelers worldwide also molds me into a worldly person. The ability to learn about various cultures enhances me as a tour guide and makes me a more open-minded individual.
Every aspect of my tours is meaningful but shopping in a local grocery market with my groups is always special. Sharing local fruit and food and pleasant interaction with local people is unique and something I will enjoy while being a tour guide.
