Luis Rodriguez has been working with Global Family since 2008.
When Luis was a young child, his uncles took him several time to visit their family in the countryside. They took the old train from the Central Valley, then a small bus or sometimes a horse to visit places full of nature, farms, rivers, animals and delicious food.
In 2006, Luis began working in tourism because he wanted show people all the beautiful places that he enjoyed on his school vacations as a child.
Luis loves finding animals including birds, monkeys, toucans, frogs, and when possible, snakes. Outdoor activities are his favorite things to do: hiking, running, biking and swimming. He also enjoys siting on the sofa and enjoying a cup of coffee with a wonderful view (rain forest, volcano, beach, any place)- it’s a prize at the end of the day.
His hobbies are listening music, participating in triathlons and travel.
“Life is a journey to enjoy at any moment and place”
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Jose Pablo Ugalde has been working with Global Family since 2011. Jose Pablo, sometimes known as “Chicken Little,” has eight years of experience in the tourism industry, but his passion for discovery developed at a very young age, when he joined his father on a variety of Costa Rican tours. In addition to being a certified tour guide (Costa Rican Tourism Institute, or ICT), Jose is a licensed naturalist guide, certified by the National Institute of Biodiversity (INBio). He has worked for extended periods in the areas around Arenal and the Osa Peninsula as a local guide. Jose, like his father, is a lifelong nature lover and an enthusiastic bird-watcher.
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Gil is a seasoned naturalist and dedicated tour guide with over three decades of experience exploring the wonders of Costa Rica. Since 2013, he has been sharing his passion for the country with Global Family Adventures, where his expertise shines through. Certified by the ICT and armed with a technical degree in travel company management and transportation logistics, Gil ensures each excursion is both seamless and enriching.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Gil’s heart belongs to Marlen, his beautiful Costa Rican flower, whom he met 27 years ago during one of his unforgettable journeys. Together, they have nurtured a family of two boys, fostering a deep connection to their homeland.
An avid herpetologist and nature enthusiast, Gil finds solace in birding, hikes, and capturing the essence of Costa Rica through his photography. His true joy lies in introducing visitors to the authentic Costa Rica he knows and loves, serving as a bridge between cultures and fostering meaningful connections. To Gil, the essence of Costa Rica lies not just in its breathtaking landscapes but in its warm and welcoming people, a sentiment he holds dear.
In his downtime, Gil finds pleasure in simple pleasures from savoring papaya smoothies to embracing the beauty of sunsets. He finds inspiration in nature, technology, movies, and music, all of which enrich his life. With his dogs by his side and a spirit of adventure in his heart, Gil embodies the essence of Costa Rica, a land of unparalleled beauty and boundless possibilities.
See testimonials of families who traveled with Gil (Gilberth) Calvo
Diego Gonzalez has been guiding for Global Family since 2014. He’s a nature lover who really enjoys teaching his explorer friends about the beautiful landscape, history, folklore and wildlife of Costa Rica. His specialty is reptiles and amphibians, plus some bird-watching and “anything that suddenly appears on our path.” He’s a certified licensed tour guide.
Diego lived in Minneapolis for two years where he studied English. He is married and has a little girl, Sophie, and a stepson Johan, who just graduated with a master’s degree in journalism. He enjoys spending as much time with his family as possible. His hobbies include riding a motorcycle through the mountains, and flying remote control airplanes, helicopters and a drone (aerial photography). Diego loves hiking in the forest. He says, “I love to meet new persons were I can learn from them, and they can learn from me.” Go Diego Go!
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Walter Hamm has been working with Global Family Adventures since 2015. He is a Naturalist tour guide from Tortuguero, a small community accessible only by boat or plane and home to eleven different habitats including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches and lagoons. He began his career as a guide in beautiful Tortuguero 27 years ago and now leads families and groups throughout his country. Walter is a certified tour guide by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. He says, “I am very proud of my country so I know that you will have a nice time traveling in this beautiful place that we call Costa Rica.”
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Kevin Herra Martinez has been working with Global Family since 2006. Another fantastic birder, Kevin is a new dad and likes to go whitewater rafting in his free time. He operates Andrea Cristina B&B and Tierra Hermosa Wildlife Rehabilitation Center with his family and his rafting and birding business is growing strong: Green Rivers Rafting and Green Ibis tours that include quiet water rafting for families with kids 4-8, wilder rafting for adults and teens, bird watching and tours to Tierra Hermosa.
See testimonials of families who traveled with Kevin Herra Martinez
