Onik’s love for nature started on her family’s farm in the foothills of Costa Rica’s Central Valley. Growing up surrounded by lush forests, her earliest wildlife encounters were with sloths, toucans and snakes. As the daughter of an explorer, adventure was in her DNA. She spent her childhood traveling across Costa Rica’s national parks and has since traveled to nearly 40 countries.

Onik studied environmental education and interpretation at the Universidad de Costa Rica, blending her love for biodiversity with a talent for storytelling. Teaching people about nature wasn’t just a career path—it was her calling.

For nearly two decades, she has led nature adventures across Costa Rica, sharing her deep knowledge and enthusiasm with travelers from around the world. As one of the few women guides in the country, she’s breaking barriers and inspiring others to follow. She’s also worked with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on a program that connects local schoolkids with bird science. As a Nat Hab Expedition Leader since 2024, Onik is proud to have the chance to improve the world through the influence of conservation travel.