Costa Rica Guide: Rocio Madrigal

Guide: Rocio Madrical
Short Bio: Rocio is a Certified Naturalist Tour guide form the Institute of Biodiversity INBIO in Costa Rica. 7 years ago she decided to pursue her passion and decided to make agendas with nature. Since she was little her favorite place and playground was being surrounded by forest and rivers. Through time she has been able to travel to different countries that have helped her to understand that her country is part of this beautiful world, allowing her to share Costa Rica’s culture, people and wonders. Energetic and

charismatic, Rocio combines her multifaceted experience to share all the surroundings of this tropical land, making the journey an enriching experience and full of great memories. She is a mother of three.

Trips Guided by Rocio:

Rocio's Guide Survey:

My favorite destination? Tortuguero

What destination would you like to visit? Peninsula de Osa

What’s your favorite bike ride? Around Lake Arenal

What is your favorite hike? Chirripo

What’s your favorite historical site, castle, museum, etc? Out of CR: Macchu Picchu- in Costa Rica: Guayabo.

What’s your favorite trip to guide? Is difficult I like them all Why? Because Costa Rica is so diverse and each part of the territory offers so much, you can never get bored. It is always changing!!! I look forward every time to seeing something different.

What do you do that makes a guest’s vacation special? I love nature and Costa Rica offers so much. I find that as a tour guide I can share and show my country, our customs and culture. And most important, I enjoy doing it : )

Describe the most amazing experience you’ve had while traveling: One time when I was with a family inside the forest, I was explaining about a behavior of the red poison dart frog. Oophaga pumilio, when the males fight to protect their territory with another male, was explained by a herpetologist in a book and I remembered that he mentioned it took them several days to see in person that type of wrestling fight among those male frogs. All of the sudden I spotted several red poison dart frogs and while observing them two of them started fighting just how I explained to my group and how I read in the book. It was so impressive we stayed looking at them for 15 minutes. It was one of those lucky times I felt like I just found a hidden treasure in the jungle and my group did too :)

Favorite Movie: I have many but Forest Gump was the first to come to mind.

Favorite Book: the Bible - As a women think -Don Quijote and many more

Favorite Outdoor Activity: Running and walks in the forest.

What are your hobbies? Reading, karaoke, gardening, and cooking.

When did you first catch the travel bug? When I had to introduce a new group in Costa Rica as a Tour Director 7 years ago.

Jimmy has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Latin America; he has visited Spain, England, Italy, France, Holland, Turkey, Germany, Greece, Mexico, and Panama. This has helped him acquire a very good understanding of other cultures which he has been able to apply as a tour guide. Jimmy admits that Italy was his favorite destination which he first visited over 12 years ago, when he first discovered his talent for Italian cooking. Jimmy is fluent in English, Italian and French. He obtained his guide license 18 years ago from the National Institute of Learning. With an exceptional sense of humor, he excels in sharing his knowledge on Costa Rican culture and nature in a refined and unique manner. Jimmy has lead groups of all different nationalities, making him an expert in the Costa Rican guiding field.

Jimmy’s extensive travel throughout Europe and Latin America, have helped him to acquire a strong understanding of other cultures. Besides being fluent in English, Italian, and French, he is also fluent in his native Spanish. Jimmy is a perfectionist and always “two steps” ahead during his travels with guests. He has an exceptional sense of humor and an excellent and cultured manner of explaining interesting information to his guests. He has led guests of many different nationalities and is truly one of the top Costa Rican tour leaders. Guests traveling with Jimmy have often stated that their tours with him end too soon!

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