Our Team
Our Guides and Team Members
Our team is made up of amazing people in both Costa Rica and the United States. We feel we have the best group of Costa Rica vacation experts and support staff to help you have the best vacation possible. Whether you are working with our U.S. based team to plan and schedule your trip, or with our Costa Rica team to make sure everyone in your group is enjoying the trip, we are here to help you.
Our goal is simple: make sure you have the most enjoyable, hassle free Costa Rica vacation.
Meet our team below.
The Costa Rican Dream Team
Walter is one of the co-founders and owners of Amazing Vacations Costa Rica. He’s the boss and guy who is in charge but he’s always pitching in and doing things to help others. He’s our boots on the ground, Native Costa Rican + Rock Star Guide and Operations Director. He’s spent more than 14 years working in the Costa Rica travel industry and seems to know everyone. He has worked as a guide and operations manager learning from three of the most well respected travel companies in the country.
He always had dreams of taking everything that he had learned over the years to create the best travel/tour company in Costa Rica. One that would focus on using innovative technology to create an amazing experience for its guests. His goals are to 1) provide family friendly jobs and a better life to the families of Costa Rica, 2) Give back to our local communities and 3) Share amazing experiences with travelers who visit Costa Rica.
But most people know him as a lovable guide and amazing cook!
Arnaldo Céspedes “Pelon”
Co-Founder /
Trip Leader & Kayak Instructor /
Director of Costa Rica Kayak School
Certifications:
- ACA Swiftwater Rescue
Arnaldo is a native of Turrialba, Costa Rica and one of our co-founders. His favorite thing to do is teach people to learn to kayak and safely run a river. He is an incredible teacher and guide.
He is also one of the top kayakers in Costa Rica and has competed in the World Freestyle Championships in North Carolina and Costa Rica. He’s had many amazing opportunities to paddle around the world but he’s also one of the most humble people you will meet.
He has so many funny stories about his experiences paddling rivers that he can keep you entertained for hours. If you have a chance to spend time with him, be sure to ask him about being chased by killer bees, getting lost in the jungle after losing his boat or having to hike out of the jungle because the water was too high to safely run.
He has an amazing family and three young boys who are full of energy and you’ll always find a smile on his face. He’s also the genius behind many of our videos and is excellent at spotting sloths.
He knows the rivers of Costa Rica as well as anyone in the country and has guided hundreds of trips along the rivers of Costa Rica. He is an incredible teacher and loves working with newer kayakers to help them gain confidence on the river. He has provided instruction and classes to hundreds of people in both Costa Rica and the United States and has taught kayak classes at area universities to promote recreational kayaking and river conservation.
Deivis Montenegro
Trip Leader, Guide and Kayak Instructor
Deivis grew up on the outskirts of Turrialba and has been a top competitor in many national Triathlons including TicoMan. He loves the outdoors and also serves as a volunteer in the local fire department. He is an exceptional kayaker and river guide and has represented Costa Rica multiple times in the World Rafting Championships. He has completed ACA’s Swiftwater training and loves helping others learn to be more confident and safe on the river.
If you are kayaking behind Deivis, he will show you the best lines down difficult stretches of a river and is exactly the type of person you want to paddle with if you are looking to improve your skills and he’s a great cook!
And… he has great rescue skills. His favorite rescue happened when he was paddling on a Class V section of river and he saw a sloth that accidentally swam through an entire Class V rapid. It was stuck clinging to a rock in the rapids. Yes, that is a picture of the sloth that Deivis was able to save.
Unfortunately we aren’t aware of any life jackets made for sloths, but luckily after he helped paddle the sloth to safety, the sloth gave him a smile and slowly headed on its way, grateful to be back on dry land.
Daniel Bustos “Pelos”
Rock Star Kayak Guide and Kayak Instructor
Daniel is a Turrialba native and comes from a large family that works mostly in agricultural activities. He loves working with our guests on tours and helping them experience the rivers and amazing places in Costa Rica and cooking them great food!
Daniel is not only an incredible kayak guide and support on our trips, but he loves Martial Arts and runs D.B.A. Martial Arts and Fitness Center and MMA training academy.
He has had a successful career as a professional MMA fighter and has participated in fights in Panama, Nicaragua and other locations in Central America.
He is one of the most friendly and welcoming people you will ever meet but when he steps into the MMA Octagon he can be incredibly focused and competitive. He’s exactly the type of person you want watching your back as you paddle through a difficult rapid on a river.
Diego Solano “Pina”
River, Jungle and Adventure Guide
Diego is a native of Turrialba, but spent numerous years working as a river guide up in La Fortuna – which is home to Costa Rica’s most famous volcano, Arenal.
Diego met his wife while working on a rafting trip in La Fortuna – she and some friends were on a trip from England and she never went back home. They have a beautiful daughter and son and are so excited to now be living back in Turrialba near Diego’s family and friends.
Not only is Diego a great rafting guide, kayaker, and instructor, he also is an exceptional photographer. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to have him take some pictures while you are on your trip – so if you see him with a camera on the river, be sure to flash a smile his way.
Due to growing up in Turrialba, Diego’s favorite river is the Pacuare and he’s had experience boating it at all stages of water levels – from rocky low waters up to an unexpected scary day at flood stage. Everyone finished unscathed, but it certainly is a fun story to ask him about!
Jefrey Perez
River, Jungle, Birding, Wilderness and Adventure Guide
Jefrey is originally an organic products framer from a small community in the middle of a tropical rainforest. There were many rivers that flowed through that community and he was able to start learning to paddle at the young age of 12. He loves to paddle and has represented Costa Rica in the world rafting championships in Japan and Australia. He is also an excellent kayaker and the river is his favorite place. He loves guiding and meeting new people and he’s a lot of fun on the river.
However, rivers aren’t the only passion for Jefrey. He loves to guide birdwatching expeditions and sharing his love of wildlife. If he’s your guide, be sure to tap his resources on the birds you will hear and see around you.
He is also a Wilderness First Responder after taking the 10 days certification course in North Carolina in the United States. So he is prepared to keep you safe and you’re in good hands when he is your guide! He is also kept busy with his family and adorable daughter. He works hard to provide for them and is one of the kindest people you’ll meet!
Manuel Fallas Calvo “Maleku”
River, Jungle and Adventure Guide
Manuel is a certified wilderness first responder and grew up in downtown Turrialba. From an early age he learned to love the outdoors. After finishing a tourism diploma at the university, he started as a rafting guide and kayaker. He loves to be on the river or any other body of water and to share all the good energy that is created by being in the outdoors.
In addition to running trips for all ages, he has spent three seasons working as a head guide, leading humanitarian service and adventure trips for thousands of youth ages 14-18.
His favorite thing to do is paddle Class IV and Class V rivers. He also loves mountain biking and rappelling. His experience as a guide includes cycling, rafting, kayaking and trekking trips in all parts of Costa Rica and the surrounding countries.
Julio Garro
River Guide
Julio is a native of Turrialba and so it’s no suprised that he has been kayaking from a young age. He had a good group of kayaking friends growing up and he developed into being able to work as a safety kayaker. This skill was able to put him through college. He now looks for any and every excuse to be on the river and loves getting to know new rivers. They are like his children so he can’t pick a favorite.
Julio doesn’t only love rivers in Costa Rica. He lived and guided in Chile on the Futaleufu River for a couple of hears and loved his time there with the rivers, people and culture. But Costa Rica is home and he is happy to be paddling here and raising his family. His son is already learning to kayak and loves to be on the river with him as well.
When he’s not paddling, you can find him working hard as a civil engineer, involved with his family farm helping with the cows and agriculture and hanging out with his family. But the rivers have his heart and he looks for any and every excuse to be out on the river and paddling for as long as he can!
Mauricio Ovares
River Guide
Mauricio grew up in Turrialba and now lives there with his wife and two children. He feels it is the most beautiful town in all of Costa Rica. You’ll have to come see if he is right!
He has been river guiding since 2004 and loves taking people down the river. He loves meeting and getting to know the people – and they love getting to know him too! Growing up in Turrialba it’s no surprise that his favorite river is the Pacuare. Most people he paddles with would agree. In the US his favorite river is the Tuolumne River in California where he was a guide for three years.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get Mauricio to cook for you. He knows food and when he’s not paddling the rivers he is helping in his family’s restaurant. Their speciality is fast food and pizza. They enjoy cooking for festivals and private parties with their food truck. Join the Mauricio part and if he’s not able to cook for you, try out their restaurant in Turrialba!
Juan Daniel Molina "Juancito" Little Juan
River Guide
Juan represents the next generation of up and coming river guides with Amazing Vacations. Juan may be the youngest of our guiding team, but he doesn’t lack in experience on the rivers. Juan has been kayaking since he was 12 years old and loves spending time on any river.
Juan spent some time in Quepos, enjoying the Pacific rivers before moving to Turrialba and becoming an expert on the Pejibaye and Pacuare rivers as well. Juan is competitive and enjoys kayak races across the country including our very own El Cacique del Reventazon race held every year. In his free time Juan loves working with animals—especially cows and horses.
He has plans to go to university to become a large animal veterinarian and is a good student in all of his current studies. Juan can be quite shy when you meet him because speaking English makes him nervous. But he enjoys practicing so seek him out and give him a chance to talk with you while you’re in Costa Rica as he wants to improve!
Mayra "Franci" Centeno
Logistics, Administration
Franci keeps everyone in Costa Rica organized. She is almost always working behind the scenes to make sure everything is taken care of, hotels are reserved, transportation has been finalized, payments have been sent and people have been followed up with. You may not see her on your trip – but if it goes smoothly, she is the reason!
Franci is from the Turrialba area, so it’s no surprise the Pacuare is her favorite river. She loves to spend her free time with her family and is especially close with her niece and nephew. She has worked as a volunteer for the Costa Rican Red Cross and is currently working on learning English.
She always has great recommendations for what you might enjoy while you are here and she gets things done and keeps us running smoothly down here in Costa Rica. She is an office administrator extraordinaire!
Paola Sánchez Solano
Spanish Lessons & Office Logistics
Paola is a native of Turrialba, born and raised in a family of five. She graduated with a bachelor degree in sustainable tourism management and is a certified tour guide. Paola has studied English for many years and is an excellent teacher – maybe she’ll be your instructor if you sign up for Spanish classes.
Paola assists in the office with logistics, working hard to make your trip smooth and memorable. If you’re lucky, she just might be your tour guide. She loves nature being out in the different areas and environments of Costa Rica. It brings her great joy to be able to share the love of the outdoors and point out things you might miss on your own.
She loves her family and two siblings and is excited to welcome you into her growing family of travel friends!
Wilberth Sánchez Ramírez
Office Logistics
Wilberth’s skill with technology makes him an asset to the Amazing Vacations Costa Rica office team. A native of Turrialba, Wilberth studied information engineering at university before taking his skill set to the tourism industry.
He makes sure that your tours are booked and paid for and helps make your trip run smoothly. In his free time Wilberth likes technology and hiking through the forest. “Sometimes I close my eyes and listen to the sound of nature, listen to how the wind blows the trees leaves and the birds sing, it sounds incredible. For that reason I love Costa Rica, because in each corner I can hear nature calling for me.”
Estefanie Arroyo Hernandez
Office Logistics
Estefanie has grown up on the outskirts of Turrialba with her family. She helps us in the office planning trips, organizing the logistics, and helping to make sure your trip runs smoothly. She had a great memory and always is on top of everything at office. She also loves to spend time with her family and her son that is 5 years old, she always said her son is the best thing she has in her life, she loves him so much. She always brings joy to our office; she is a very happy person, and she has a laugh that make all the team laugh too. She likes to learn new things every day, she also likes to cook (she brings delicious food to the office team), she likes to sing and listen to music. She loves tourism and loves to learn every day about it, but her dream is to be a lawyer in the future, she is working very hard on it!
Jonathan Alvarez
Driver
Jonathan grew up on the outskirts of Turrialba in San Rafael. He is extremely passionate about cars and loves driving. He previously served as a police officer in Cartago and Turrialba and knows the streets like the back of his hand making sure that you will be on the most direct route to your destination but also safe.
As you drive along in the care of Jonathan he will smile, friendly honk (It’s a Costa Rica thing) and wave at practically everyone who passes his way. We think he knows almost everyone who lives in San Jose and anywhere east of San Jose. He loves to joke and loves challenging you to a game of pool. He has a deep love of soccer, fishing, and making people smile.
Make sure to ask him about the latest photos of his family.
Team USA
Amazing Vacations USA
Our USA team is part of our Travel Agency partner Amazing Vacations USA. While they aren’t officially part of the Costa Rica company, we work together daily and feel like we are part of one big family. If you are booking a trip with us, you’ll work directly with the team in the USA to book your trip and they will work with us to make sure your trip is AMAZING!
The team in the USA also offers trips to anywhere in the world and specializes in Cruises, Disney Trips, Educational and Humanitarian Tours and Family Vacations. You can check out their website at www.AmazingVacationsUSA.com.
Jason leads the team in the United States and manages sales and marketing for Amazing Vacations. He is an Entrepreneur, Piano Musician and Composer, Record Label Owner, Banker, Marketing Executive and Founder of a FINTECH Software Company. He loves starting new businesses and helping them use technology to thrive.
Jason is fluent in both English and Spanish and loves anything to do with adventure sports, whether that be SCUBA diving or snorkeling, kayaking, rafting, surfing, rock climbing, etc. He loves spending time with his wife and four kids and spends hours each week coaching his kids’ soccer teams.
He is also a professional musician who has released 8 piano albums as well as combined albums with amazing people such as the former singers of the Irish group Celtic Woman and Riverdance, Violinist John Knudson, Country Music Singer Brenda Burch, Violinist Ryan Shupe (Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band) and Chuck Myers. You can find out more about this music here.
Julie is our jack of all trades that helps make sure everything gets done. She loves to work with people and make sure everything goes smoothly through the process. She works with clients creating trips but can often be found preparing our Blog posts or filling in wherever she’s needed. She’s constantly working with our team in Costa Rica to make sure everything is set for your trip.
She absolutely loves our team, the people of Costa Rica, the food, the country and pretty much everything Costa Rican. When she’s not working she is busy trying to improve her Spanish skills for her next Costa Rica trip, enjoy her family, and serving in her neighborhood and community.
Paige is here to help plan your individual, family and group vacations. She is here to help create a trip uniquely made for you. She works with families and different types of groups so if you want to plan a business retreat, creative workshop, mastermind retreat, or family vacation, she’s your girl. Not only does she plan trips but Paige also helps capture experiences, places, people, and more through videography and photography. She focuses on adventure and outdoor footage and photos.
Paige loves spending all of her time outdoors in nature creating new experiences. She has a love for travel, learning new cultures, and making friends in new locations around the world. Her love for travel has led her to live in places like Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, and others… more places to come in the future. Come join in on our adventures in Costa Rica!
Gwen is able to jump in and help our team with any task that needs to get done! She is a willing and hard worker who loves to travel and share her love of places with others. She will go the extra mile to make sure your trip is amazing!
Her favorite spot is England and would love to go every year. She loves the Yucatan Peninsula and Yellowstone in the winter but would love to travel anywhere with the right people. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to go down on a trip to Costa Rica with her as she loves to lead groups and take people on the perfect vacation for them!
When she’s not traveling or working we can find Gwen doing her hobies of reading, needlepoint, horseback riding, HEMA (long swords), and Food.
We love having Lisa on our team. A former middle and high school teacher, active raft guide, and a whitewater paddler herself (She kayaks, canoe’s, SUP and rafts).
She loves discussing Costa Rica’s best spots, many of which most travelers don’t ever hear about, as well as the different rivers with clients of all backgrounds. She loves helping people discover the culture and amazing people in Costa Rica.
David Faber
Co-Founder
Amazing Vacations was started because of a trip that David and Jason took to Costa Rica. He is one of the founders and owners of Amazing Vacations. David owns several businesses in Utah and stays actively involved in the important decisions of the company. You’ll also find him visiting Costa Rica a few times a year and if you are on one of the kayak trips, you just might get to paddle with him.
Sara Hansen
Graphic Design & Web Development
If you like the look of our webpage and find it easy to use it’s all thanks to Sara! She keeps everything up and running smooth, and looking it’s best and we are grateful to have her on our team. Branding, User Experience (UI/UX), and marketing materials are her main duties. One of her favorite things about her job is the challenge of constantly improving the visuals, keeping up with technology, and improving the experience of visitors to the website.
Sara is recently married and lives in southern Utah with her husband, The warm temperatures year-round provide lots of time to get out and explore their beautiful desert home with their three dogs. Sara Loves to travel and wishes she could do more. Yellowstone and Mexico have been a couple of her favorite places to see. She hasn’t been to Costa Rica yet- but it is next on her list!
Trip Leaders
Kris & Neleh Nielson
(The "Survivor" Marquesas Corn Dog Family)
When Kris and Neleh aren’t running their Marquesas Corndogs food truck in Northern Utah, you’ll likely find them both talking to people about their next trip to Costa Rica. This family has explored nearly every corner of Costa Rica over the past several years by spending nearly 3 months of every winter visiting the most amazing spots in Costa Rica.
They’ve spent most of that time bringing their kids along with them, but you’ll also find Neleh leading “Mom-Cation” trips, “Mother-Daughter Trips” to Costa Rica and family trips for their friends.
If the name Neleh sounds familiar, you may have seen her on Season 2 of Survivor “Marquesas” as the 2nd place contestant. She has a passion for adventure and loves talking to people about Costa Rica.
If you are thinking of bringing your family to Costa Rica, there is likely no better person to talk to in the world than Neleh and Kris (or their kids if you’d like a kid perspective of the different places.)
Davide Sartoni
The River SUP Guy
Davide, aka “The River SUP Guy”, originally from Florence, Italy, is a professional whitewater SUP athlete paddling for Hala Gear. He promotes the sport of river SUP through his instruction and guiding business operating out of Northern Nevada and California. He was first introduced to a SUP on the crisp, blue waters of Lake Tahoe, CA. Captivated from the very first paddle stroke, he now spends over 100+ days a year SUPing on rivers all over the world. Davide is a certified river SUP instructor with the American Canoe Association and he is also certified in Swift Water Rescue and as a Wilderness First Responder.
Ben Morton
Kayak Instructor, Guide & Advisory Board
Certifications:
- ACA Level 5 Advanced Whitewater Canoe, Instructor
- ACA Level 5 Advanced Whitewater Kayak, Instructor Trainer
ACA Level 4 Whitewater Kayak, Instructor Trainer Educator - ACA Level 4 Whitewater Canoe, Instructor Trainer
- ACA Level 3 Whitewater SUP, Instructor Trainer
- ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayak, Instructor
- ACA Level 3 River Safety and Rescue, Instructor
- Wilderness First Responder
- Leave No Trace Master Educator
Ben is a native of Orange, Virginia where he grew up paddling the Rapidan, Robinson, and Rappahannock rivers. His passion for the outdoors led him to Garrett College’s Adventure Sports Institute in western Maryland after high school where he pursued a degree in adventure sports and leadership. After graduating Ben took a position at the Virginia Outdoor Center in Fredericksburg, VA as their manager. While in Virginia, Ben would guest instruct and guide for Canoe, Kayak, and Paddle Co.(CKAPCO) in Northern Virginia and for Garrett College’s Adventure Sports Institute. After increasing both his professional and personal outdoor resume Ben began pursuing work opportunities in different regions. Over the past 10 years Ben has worked with the National Outdoor Leadership School, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Jackson Hole Kayak School, Costa Rica, DeRiemer Adventure Kayaking, Otter Bar Lodge Kayak School, New Zealand Kayak School, Wilderness Rescue International and many others.
Ben’s strengths lie in his excitement to share his passion for paddlesports with others, his eagerness to continue to grow and develop as a paddler and instructor, and his positive interpersonal skills. Ben will be excited to work with you whether it’s helping you improve your paddling technique, guiding you down beautiful tropical rivers in Central America, or leading you on your first multi-day river experience.
Who is Anna Levesque? Paddler, yogi, wellness coach, and named one of the Most Inspirational Paddlers Alive by Canoe and Kayak Magazine, she’s incredible! The inspiration, empowerment, and zeal for life that Anna brings to her passions creates an unforgettable Week of Rivers in Costa Rica!
Her paddling journey took her to the Canadian National Freestyle Kayak Team (five-time member), to a podium spot at the Freestyle Kayak World Championships, to paddling and competing in over twelve countries on five continents. She’s been named one of the Most Inspirational Paddlers Alive by Canoe and Kayak Magazine and voted the Most Inspirational Outdoors Person in the Blue Ridge by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.
Teaching, inspiring and empowering women on whitewater became her passion. She has produced instructional DVDs for women and lead women specific trips in Canada, the US, Mexico and Costa Rica.
Combining yoga and paddling has always been a natural fit for Anna and she’s passionate about helping paddlers take care of their bodies so that they can paddle for decades without pain and while reducing the risk of injury.
To read more about Anna’s incredible journey and her empowering organization – check out mindbodypaddle.com.
Glenn Rawson
Story Teller and World Traveler & Advisory Board
Glenn Rawson worked as a teacher for 30 years but has been a storyteller even longer. For the past 20 years his inspirational stories have been shared on radio programs across the United States. He has authored and published dozens of books on history and led groups of travelers to all corners of the world including Israel, Asia, South America, Europe, and the United States.
In a normal travel year Glenn will be on the road leading travel groups as much as 8 months out of the year.
In 2020 (before covid-19) Glenn visited Costa Rica on a scouting trip to build what would be the perfect trip for travelers 55 and older. He had visited all the sites and locked in what would be the perfect trip for one of his travel groups. He is super excited to be able to start running his first Costa Rica trips in early 2021 and looks forward to sharing stories along the way about the people, the culture and may most important of all, the history of chocolate.
Brittany, from Rifle, Colorado, is a professional whitewater SUP paddler and river surfer paddling for Badfish Stand Up Paddle. She’s working to grow river surfing and whitewater SUP through her co-owned instructional business RVR 2 RVR. Her love of SUP and river surfing has taken her all over the world, from Japan to Zimbabwe, where she was part of a team attempting the first descent of the Zambezi on boards.
She co-produced and starred in a film called ‘Can I Surf That’ where she traveled around the country in search of the “perfect” river wave. Her love of writing transcends her paddling career and has been a part of her life as far back as she can remember. She’s been published in several magazines and regularly writes poetry; all of which lives on her website https://www.bpsurfs.com/. She believes nature and the river is life’s greatest teacher and will do everything she can to protect it.