Daniel was born in the United States and raised in Panama and Mexico by Swiss parents. His international background and varied interests enrich his expertise as a guide, fusing his multiple languages with his cultural, social, political and natural knowledge. He has a deep passion for nature and believes in the benefits of reconnecting with the natural world. Daniel’s education has focused on sociology, international relations, environmental education and deep ecology—and he loves to share!

In addition to his work as a naturalist guide, Daniel regularly leads sweat lodge ceremonies aimed at exploring relationships with nature. These ceremonies are a fusion of rituals from different cultures, designed to create a highly emotional and committing experience.

As an Expedition Leader for Nat Hab’s monarch butterfly trips to the highlands of central Mexico, Daniel finds the monarch migration an awe-inspiring phenomenon. For him, the migration has a very personal, emotional relevance. He has been living and working near the monarch reserve since 2004, sharing in cultural events, scientific research and conservation efforts surrounding the butterflies.

Upcoming Adventures with Daniel:
Kingdom of the Monarchs
Swimming with Mexico's Whale Sharks

Praise from Nat Hab travlers:

R. Schultz
"I have been on many tours with other companies. Both Daniel and Fernando are the best we have ever encountered. They contributed a great deal to making this trip memorable."

W. Hartschuh
"Daniel was compassionate to guests needs, a lover of the environment and possessed a wealth of knowledge. Daniel and Fernando made each and every one of the travelers feel like an important guest, and at the same time, like a friend. They were very attuned to travelers needs, slowing down when they saw someone breathing a bit heavy or dividing the group when they saw others wanting to plow ahead. They were extremely knowledgeable, sharing their knowledge and expertise. These two Expedition Leaders were a GREAT duo, and each personality complemented the other. They truly are a 'Dynamic Duo.' We have already looked to see if they are guiding any other Nat Hab trips."

P. Fisk
"Daniel was very friendly and very knowledgeable about monarchs. He was also humorous, and we all felt like a family."

P. Chute
"Daniel and Fernando complemented each other wonderfully and made the experience extraordinary. Their kindness, humor, knowledge and leadership made the entire trip a pleasure. Everything was so well planned out, and they showed us parts of Mexico I'd never seen before. I felt very blessed to have had Daniel and Fernando as our guides. They are two of the most caring men I've ever met."

K. Tietjens
"Daniel's kindness and soft-spoken voice made the butterfly experience very spiritual for me. He embraced Mexican culture and showed us all it has to offer. He even got up and ran in the morning with my husband and me."