Guides

Panama [2]

Ivan Hoyos

Search for the definition of a worldly citizen and you’ll find Ivan Hoyos! Born and raised in Panama’s Canal Zone, Ivan attended high school in New York City, college in Germany and graduate school in Seattle, Washington. While one of Panama’s most recognized naturalists, when not leading IE’s Panama expedition, Ivan’s interests include urban planning, photography and mountain biking.

Hernan Arauz

Panama travel guide Hernan comes from a family of explorers and field scientists as the son of one of Panama’s leading anthropologists and a legendary explorer of the Darien. He has guided over 350 tours to Barro Colorado Nature Monument, and has extensive experience in all of Panama´s life zones. An avid birder and naturalist with a Panama bird list closing on 750 species, Hernan has designed and led specialized natural history programs and Panama tours, and knows that the secret to great guiding is to transmit both knowledge and enthusiasm with high intensity every time.

Rick Morales

Panama travel guide Rick Morales developed a love for nature and wildlife while growing up in the highlands of Western Panama. By age 13, he had already hiked and explored Chiriquí’s major parks and climbed Panama's highest peak, the Barú Volcano. In high school Rick showed interest in different fields of study such as science, mathematics, and arts, but never seriously thought of leading Panama tours as a career. Eventually, he chose Spanish Linguistics and Literature and obtained his degree at the University of Panama, but never lost contact with the natural world, and was known by his friends and colleagues for his frequent sallies into the outdoors, exploring the rich rainforests and driving and hiking hundreds of miles to watch a one-minute-long total solar eclipse.