Our Story

© 

Alexander Arias2006

Originally educated as a computer scientist, Alex’s love for the outdoors eventually lured him into his current career as a professional naturalist guide. Since 1995, he has been introducing guests to the natural splendors of his homeland of Costa Rica and has received certifications from the Costa Rica Tourism Institute and the National Institute of Biodiversity. Today, he is one of Nat Hab's top naturalist guides as well as our Costa Rica Photo Expedition Leader.

Alex's passion for nature and desire to share his local knowledge have aligned in his complementary vocation as an accomplished wildlife photographer. For more than a decade,  Alex has been shooting animals and birds in the varied habitats of Costa Rica and beyond. He enjoys sharing his expertise with his guests, to help them get the best possible nature photos during their travel adventures. In his free time, he can be found birding, biking, kayaking, exploring new trails or rappelling down waterfalls. Alex is also involved with various conservation projects in his homeland, improving restorations of natural habitats following unsustainable farming practices.
Admin Note : Slideshow or Grid
Choose the version to show.
Current Version: grid
Set Version
Puma
Puma
Quetzal
Quetzal
Toucan
Toucan
Great green macaw
Great green macaw
Monkeys, Costa Rica
Monkeys, Costa Rica
Quetzal
Quetzal
Costa Rica sunset
Costa Rica sunset
Churchill polar bear
Churchill polar bear
Northern lights, Churchill, Manitoba
Northern lights, Churchill, Manitoba
Admin Note : Show/Hide Camera Bag Section
Choose show or hide.
Current Setting: show
Edit Setting

What's in My Camera Bag

My Packing Philosophy
Camera:
Canon 5D MK IV

Lenses:
Canon 300 mm f/2.8
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II
Canon EF 14-40mm f/4
Canon 24-70mm f/20.8

Other:
Multiflash System YN560 IV x 5
Admin Note : Show/Hide Testimonials Section
Choose show or hide.
Current Setting: show
Edit Setting

What Our Guests Say

Alex is amazing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. He went out of his way to try to find the animals and birds we all wanted to see, including a resplendent quetzal. He understands photography and helped us all take better photos. I didn't think I would ever be on a trip that rivals an African safari, but with Alex, this week in Costa Rica did.
J. McDonough
Alex was extraordinary. I couldn't have asked for better, and he's perhaps the best guide I have had on a trip. Alex is not only very knowledgeable and justifiably proud of his country but is incredibly perceptive and sensitive to the needs of every person in his group. He accommodated the requests and concerns of every traveler in a graceful, effective and efficient way. He was tireless in providing extra walks and adventures, seeking out animals from 6 a.m. until well after dark. He had a lovely personality and was a pleasure to be around. Truly, he is a treasure.
S. Noring
We could not have asked for a better trip leader than Alex. I was incredibly impressed by his knowledge, his patience, his organizational skills and his people management abilities. His enthusiasm was infectious. He was always willing to answer any question or resolve any issue. I felt totally confident in his judgment and safe under his oversight. His warm personality was an added bonus. I noted that Alex was very attuned to mentoring the young men who he chooses to use as his assistants. You could see him working to develop and hone their skills, while treating them with respect as colleagues. I also noted Alex's collegial interaction with guides whose paths we crossed in Monte Verde. Alex is clearly a wonderful and committed mentor and has the respect of his fellow guides and tourism professionals. He gets an A+ in every aspect!
D. Hill
Admin Note : Show/Hide Upcoming Adventures Section
Choose show or hide.
Current Setting: show
Edit Setting
Admin Note : Show/Hide Videos & Travel Stories Section
Choose show or hide.
Current Setting: hide
Choose Setting

Videos & Travel Stories

Get Weekly Updates

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more.

Privacy Policy
We're Proud of the Reputation We’ve Earned
Voted "World's Best Travel Company" by Outside Magazine
Travel & Leisure logo
Voted "Top Tour Operator" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards
Newsweek logo
Voted "Best Adventure Travel Company" in Newsweek Reader's Choice Awards
VIEW MORE AWARDS

Request Your 2025/2026 Catalog

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Nathab 2024 Catalog

Together, Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Fund have teamed up to arrange nearly 100 nature travel experiences around the planet, while helping to protect the magnificent places we visit and their wild inhabitants.

Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Logos
Request Your 2025/26 Catalog
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Continued - Page 2 of 2
To help us customize your catalog request, please tell us more about your travel needs:
Referrers receive rewards if you book!
Thank you for requesting a catalog
We’ve received your request. If you have any questions about our trips, please feel free to contact an Adventure Specialist today by calling 800-543-8917.

Get Weekly Updatess

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Me Travel Emails
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Privacy Policy
Thank you for joining our email list!

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add naturalhabitat@nathab.com to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Send Us a Message

Send Us a Message

Have a question or comment? Use the form to the right to get in touch with us.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Us a Message
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Thank you for your message

We’ll be in touch soon with a response.

Refer a Friend

Refer a Friend,
Get $250 Off
Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Refer a Friend

Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.

Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Thank you for the referral!

We've received your friend's information.

View Our 2025/2026 Digital Catalog

View Our 2025/2026

Digital Catalog

Help us save paper! We offer a digital version of The World's Greatest Nature Journeys. If you'd prefer a mailed copy, please provide your contact details here. To view our digital catalog, please enter your info in the form to the right.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
View Digital Catalog
Text Messaging Policy Message and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe from SMS at any time by texting STOP. Reply HELP for help. 2-4 promotional msgs/month. Informational msg frequency varies.
Happy browsing!

Thanks for requesting access to our digital catalog. Click here to view it now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

African Safaris

Galapagos Tours

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Photo Expeditions

Photo Expeditions

Adventure Cruises

Adventure Cruises

Women's Adventures

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

Contact Us

Have a question or comment?
Click any of the buttons below to get in touch with us.

Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday
  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday
  • Closed on Sunday
Call 800-543-8917
Questions? Click to Chat
Questions? Click to Chat
/our-story/expedition-leader-bios/alexander-arias/