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Meet Your Guides

Jessica is a true Galapagueño by being born and raised in Galapagos on the island of San Cristobal.  She has said, "Since I was a little girl my dream was to work as a naturalist guide to share and explain to people how the Galapaguetos live here, spending day after day with this unique flora and fauna."  After completing her university training in Cuba, she returned to Galapagos in 2002 to fulfill her dream by completing the Naturalist Guide Course and entering the tourism world.  Jessica's love of the flora, fauna and amazing animals of Galapagos shines when she explains about the behavior of giant breeching whales or the tiny workings of sally light foot crabs.  Jessica lives in San Cristobal with her family. 

 

"Since becoming a Naturalist Guide, I have experienced amazing moments in contact with animals like whales, sharks, dolphins, sea lions, iguanas, giant tortoises, beautiful birds and amazing landscapes.  I invite you to visit us; your vacation will be unforgettable.  See you soon."

 

What our travelers say about Jessica:

 

"Jessica was fabulous - warm, with good personal skills. She was well-informed, knowledgeable, considerate and efficient. She was always courteous and good-humoured and we became a close and trusting group. We had lots of laughs as well as lots of fun." - Alison Gray, New Zealand

 

"Jessica is an outstanding guide, with a great command of the facts and figures and interesting stories about each of the islands. I didn't matter what the question, she knows the answers! Her management of our group was unbelievable. She interested with each of us equally and she made each of us feel special and valued throughout the trip." - Sherry Neuman, USA

 

"Jessica was really great. Very knowledgeable, and very helpful and sweet." - Maureen Terrill, USA

 

"Jessica was very professional, caring, friendly and organized. The assistants were very helpful and take their roles very diligently. They were good and were excited to find things to show us." - Rod & Margaret Fram, Canada

 

"Jessica was amazing. Very knowledgeable about all the flora and fauna. She was put to the test by the biologist in our group and came up trumps every time. She was extremely organised and friendly." - Rachel Mundy, New Zealand

Jessica - Galapagos Naturalist Guide
Jessica - Galapagos Naturalist Guide
  • Krista Whitley - 10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - May 2024
    Pablo (our guide) is the Steve Irwin of Ecuador and Karen at Galakiwi offered 24/7, 365 concierge customer service. Truly an exceptional experience from booking to completion that left our family with new life long friends. I cannot recommend Galakiwi highly enough!
    Krista Whitley
    10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - May 2024
  • Melanie Eustace - 6-day Land Galapagos Tour, January 2024
    A big thank you to the team at Galakiwi for making my holiday in the Galapagos the most incredible experience I could have ever wished for. I thought I had missed out completely when my flight from Miami got canceled but Laura rescheduled everything in Ecuador for me and arranged for me to catch up with my group without missing out at all. Pepo our guide did a superb job and every day was even better than the one before, except the last one when we had to go home ?. From beginning to end every single member of the Galakiwi team was incredible. I couldn't recommend this 6-day Galapagos holiday or Galakiwi highly enough. I will treasure all the wonderful memories of the Galapagos.
    Melanie Eustace
    6-day Land Galapagos Tour, January 2024
  • Murray - Family Tour - 2023
    I would give this trip six stars if I could. This was my second trip with Galakiwi, the first having been with a small group of adults none of whom I knew before the trip. This trip, I requested a custom itinerary for myself, my adult daughter and her husband, and their bright and very active kids aged 7, 10 and 12. The staff did a great job seeking out activities suitable for us, some of which I'd done previously and some I had not. We were even able to book a surfing session. Pablo Valladares was our guide on the first trip and I requested him for this tour because of his outgoing personality, encyclopedic knowledge about the islands, and obvious deep love for the place where he lives. I cannot recommend Galakiwi highly enough. In addition to all the above, Galakiwi offers a land based tour so you sleep in a hotel every night and not on a boat. What could be better?
    Murray
    Family Tour - 2023
  • Michele Lemay - Galapagos Private Customized Tour - Feb 2023
    Galakiwi provided our 7-person group with outstanding, professional services throughout the 13-day customized tour. From the expert advice during the pre-trip planning to the booking experience, the efficient on-site logistics, the exceptional, highly knowledgeable guides, and the excellent family-run quality hotels, everything was perfect. It was the experience of a lifetime that our group had dreamed of. Galakiwi is a superb team all around.
    Michele Lemay
    Galapagos Private Customized Tour - Feb 2023
  • Kurtis Siegle - 10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - May 2023
    I learned so much and had so much fun! It was an adventure I will never forget!
    Kurtis Siegle
    10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - May 2023
  • Alex W - Customized Family Tour 2023
    This was absolutely the trip of a lifetime! We booked a private tour with Galakiwi for our family of 6 - mom, dad, grandma, and three kids ages 7, 10 and 12. From the moment we arrived we were completely taken care of. With three kids we didn't have to worry about getting from one point to another. But more importantly, we were shown the most extraordinary places and wildlife. We hiked a volcano, surfed, and snorkeled with sharks and giant sea turtles and sea lions! Our guide Pablo was so caring and related to everyone in our group so well. He made changes as needed in the itinerary to give us the best experience every day. And he taught us so much. He truly loves these islands and the plants and animals who live there, and his enthusiasm and curiosity were infectious. We felt like we were being let into a secret garden that only Pablo knew about. Our only regret is that we didn't stay longer! There is so much to see and do.
    Alex W
    Customized Family Tour 2023
  • Heidi - 10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - 2023
    Galakiwi is the way to Go-lapagos! Super organized, anticipating every move and connection in a well choreographed professional manner. Great gear was at our disposal, excellent food served by all of their partner restaurants and caterers. Pepo and Paulo were excellent local guides that we all felt lucky to have lead our adventure, They provided clear insight on the fragile ecosystems that are the gems of the Galapagos and explained Ecuador's cautious development of sustainable tourism in the region. Special visits to the Tree House, meeting their moms and Tim's kids on the last day made it a truly special visit.
    Heidi
    10 day Galapagos Adventure Tour - 2023
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