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Meet Your Guides

Jose Luis, was born on the island of San Cristobal as well and has been working as a Naturalist Guide for over 8 years now.   Jose Luis, or Pepo as most know him, began volunteering at the Charles Darwin Research Station after finishing high school.  During his 2 years as a volunteer, he completed his Dive Master Certification and Galapagos Marine Reserve Dive Guide course.  He went on to work in a dive center and was able to spend 4 years exploring the underwater world of Galapagos.  Most of the incredible underwater shots shown on this website are from Pepo.  Following in his sister's footsteps, he completed the Naturalist Guide Course in 2005 and has worked on boat and land based tours since.  Pepo is always ready to get in the water in search of his favorite sea animal, the manta ray and is known for his sharp eye at spotting underwater wildlife.  On land, his favorite animal is the marine iguana.  Pepo continues to live in San Cristobal with his wife and daughters.

 

"It will be my pleasure to show you around my homeland. Saludos."

 

What our travelers say about Pepo:

 

"Pepo was awesome. He definitely exceeded our expectations of what a guide could offer, and how a guide enriches your experience. Knowledgeable, flexible, patient-we have only glowing things to say." - Laura McCudden, USA

 

"He did a wonderful job because he is Galakiwi-style: professional, efficient, resourceful, smart and funny. I saw him getting excited and taking a lot of pictures in places where I guess he had been hundreds of times before... he is really passionate for the place and he gets that across." - Patricia Roldan, Spain

 

"Pepo was simply great in all respects. I cannot say enough good things about him." - Larry Katz, USA

 

"Not much more to say aside from Pepo being perfect - his knowledge was as deep as his obvious passion and he was just an all around great guy, perfectly suited for a guide. For not having lived in an English speaking country, his English was impeccable. "Superplan" has become a common term in our life :)" - Jamie Jacobs, USA

 

"Pepo is the absolute best. He is so knowledgeable (as a science teacher I was deeply impressed), funny and understanding. We couldn't have asked for better "super plans". He is an epic guide." - Amy Salomone, USA

 

"He was great - patient, cheerful, knowledgeable (when he wasn't he was good at making something up) and he was fun. It was interesting having someone who had grown up on the island as our guide. His English was perfect too." - Dan Chubb, USA

 

"The man with the super plan was perfect. You are very lucky to have Pepo as a guide. He is so knowledgeable and funny and personable. No matter what I asked him, he was very informed. If he didn't happen to know something specifically, he made sure to find it out and let me know. I am sure that all your guides are wonderful. We did meet Pablo and Jessica briefly and really liked them, too.." - Cyndi Crayton, USA

 

"Pepo was awesome! A walking encyclopaedia on the Galápagos Islands, history, wild life, all told with great humour & patience with all our endless questions!" - Annette McGrevy, New Zealand

 

"Our guide Pepo was fabulous! I enjoyed his personal family history of growing up and living in the Galapagos. I admired his deep knowledge of the area and the devotion he showed to protecting the flora and wildlife of the islands." - Leianne O'Brien, New Zealand

Pepo - Galapagos Naturalist Guide
Pepo - Galapagos Naturalist Guide
  • Kath Silvester, New Zealand - 10-day Galapagos Adventure, May 2017
    The x-factor with Galakiwi's tour, being land-based, is the insight you get into real life on the Galapagos. This was what lifted our trip beyond the expected 'trip of a lifetime' to see the natural sights of the Galapagos, to a really meaningful (though short!) experience in another country and culture.
    Kath Silvester, New Zealand
    10-day Galapagos Adventure, May 2017
  • Alison Gray, New Zealand - 6-day Land Galapagos Tour, March 2016
    We had a great land-based trip with Galakiwi -it as fun being ashore at night and wandering among the wildlife and with the locals in the street. And staying on an extra couple of days gave us time by ourselves but with full support from the Galakiwi team when we wanted it. The best of both worlds with a great professional approach. Thanks heaps as they say in NZ!
    Alison Gray, New Zealand
    6-day Land Galapagos Tour, March 2016
  • Jamie Jacobs, November 2015 - 10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour
    While I knew I would enjoy the Galapagos, the trip with Galakiwi became for me the highlight of our South American travels.
    Jamie Jacobs, November 2015
    10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour
  • Chi & Jay, New Zealand - Custom Ecuador & Galapagos Wedding Tour
    We just wanted to write a quick note to say a massive thank you to everyone in Galakiwi who have helped make this trip so memorable for us. Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed it.
    Chi & Jay, New Zealand
    Custom Ecuador & Galapagos Wedding Tour
  • Chris Urquhart, Canada - 10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour, June 2016
    We spent a month in South America and our time in the Galapagos was the highlight. There were new delightful surprises multiple times a day. Our guide, Pablo, shared his enthusiasm with us and kept us entertained with great stories and fascinating information each and every day. The land based tour from Galakiwi was definitely the right choice. We have spoken to others that took ship based tours and we feel that we made a great choice with Galakiwi. It was the trip of a lifetime!
    Chris Urquhart, Canada
    10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour, June 2016
  • Duly Lee, USA - Custom Galapagos Family Tour
    I had been planning a trip with my family for ages, and when the idea to go to Galapagos emerged, I thought what a better place to reunite with family and induce some very needed bonding opportunity. The fantastic natural setting was super conductive to this goal, but if it wasn't for GALAKIWI's immaculate service and attention it wouldn't have happened. So thanks to you guys for everything!
    Duly Lee, USA
    Custom Galapagos Family Tour
  • Larry Katz, USA - 10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour, December 2015
    We are three couples with different interests and abilities, but the trip was great for all of us. The activities were a blast, our guide was top-notch and everything went just as we had hoped. We really loved it and would highly recommend Galakiwi to anyone thinking of a land-based Galapagos trip.
    Larry Katz, USA
    10-day Galapagos Adventure Tour, December 2015
  • Rachel Mundy, New Zealand - Galapagos Biking Tour
    The Galapagos mountain biking adventure trip was an amazing experience. Having to dodge a giant tortoise in the middle of the road is not something that happens every day. A great way to see these beautiful and unique islands in a slightly more detailed way.
    Rachel Mundy, New Zealand
    Galapagos Biking Tour
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