Guiding

Harry, born in England, has been a birder for virtually his entire life, having grown up in a birding family. While birds are his primary passion, he is enthusiastic about all aspects of nature. He first visited Costa Rica at the age of 14 and has returned annually since 2007; he now proudly calls Costa Rica home.

With 15 years of guiding experience and a particular focus on the Neotropics, Harry greatly enjoys sharing the birds and wildlife of the region with visitors and helping them find their most sought-after species. When not guiding, his greatest passion is exploring the local area in search of rare species and discovering new birding sites throughout the region.

Mercedes grew up in the Turrialba area, where her passion for wildlife and love of nature began at an early age. She holds a degree in Ecological Tourism and studied English at the University of Costa Rica in 2012. Mercedes began guiding at Rancho Naturalista in 2016.

In 2017, she undertook a Big Year in Costa Rica, recording an impressive 707 bird species and earning the Costa Rica Birding Hotspots “Birder of the Year” award. She currently guides full-time at Rancho Naturalista and also leads her nonprofit organization, Proyecto Niños y Aves, which develops environmental education workshops for children in rural schools throughout the country.

Growing up on a farm in Turrialba, Steven has been closely connected to nature and wildlife throughout his life. However, it was 12 years ago, when a friend introduced him to birdwatching, that this connection evolved into a true passion and way of life.

In addition to years of birding experience, Steven has worked in research, including bird banding and monitoring programs. During his university years, he and several friends founded EUPHONIA, a group dedicated to promoting birding tourism and environmental education through work with students and local communities. After graduating with a degree in Ecological Tourism, Steven has been guiding for the past 6 years.

Fabián discovered his passion for birdwatching at the age of 15 and has been dedicated to it ever since. While studying Ecotourism at university, he combines this passion with his work as a guide at Rancho Naturalista. He enjoys leading guests in the field, introducing them to new bird species, and sharing his knowledge and love of his home country.

Teylor grew up in the Cachí area and has always had a strong interest in nature. His passion for birdwatching truly began during his college tourism internship, when he was introduced to the world of birds and guiding. He went on to guide for Hotel Quelitales for four years and also led local tours for several tour operators, including Aratinga Tours. Today, Teylor is happy to be guiding at Rancho, where he thoroughly enjoys observing, listening to, searching for, and sharing birds with our guests. He is known for his patience, attentiveness, and ability to focus on each guest’s interests and needs.

Saul’s interest in birdwatching began during his school years, a passion that has since allowed him to connect deeply with nature and meet people from all over the world. He has participated in a variety of research and conservation projects involving different species, gaining valuable field experience and a strong appreciation for the role birds play in their ecosystems. Through birding, he has explored diverse habitats across Costa Rica, developing a broad understanding of the country’s avifauna and natural landscapes. As a guide, he takes great pleasure in sharing this passion with birders and photographers of all levels, always striving to create outings that are authentic, educational, and truly memorable.