Paulo Gomez Aldana

Paulo’s lifelong connection to nature began in the tropical village of Comala in western Mexico. Growing up on an organic orchard, he spent his childhood exploring native trees and observing local wildlife. He entered university intending to pursue engineering, but his passion for nature convinced him to switch paths and study biology. He earned his SCUBA diving certification in 2016, and the experience of exploring the underwater world propelled his move to La Paz, Baja California Sur. There, an internship in shark research proved pivotal, launching his career as a naturalist guide.

Since 2017, Paulo has been guiding adventures that include swimming with whale sharks and sea lions, whale watching, and hiking through diverse landscapes—from the desert sierras of Baja to the jungles of Puerto Vallarta and the volcanic mountains of Central Mexico. His guiding is driven by a desire to help travelers connect with nature and gain a deeper understanding of wildlife and their habitats.

In 2024, inspired by a fellow Nat Hab guide, Paulo took up birding, which reignited his passion for photography. Since then, he has traveled to top birding destinations across Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay, capturing vivid moments in diverse ecosystems. His photography style blends technical skill with a creative eye for wildlife and landscapes, and he is always eager to share insights with guests, helping them capture their own inspiring images.

As a Photo Expedition Leader with Nat Hab, Paulo brings enthusiasm, knowledge and a strong commitment to conservation. He is currently training as a sailing instructor, further expanding his connection to the ocean. His goal is to create meaningful, memorable experiences that foster a love for the natural world, both above and below the water.

What Our Guests Say

"Paulo was particularly kind to me, so I have to single him out. I had serious flares of arthritis during the trip which I was not expecting. As a result, I was a crappy walker and was always bringing up the rear of our group as we walked either through the forest or a town. Paulo was unflinchingly willing to keep an eye on me; despite my own disappointing performance (as a trekker), he lessened my feeling that I was holding up everyone else. He was reliable, steadfast, and easy to talk to. I owe much of my pleasure on this trip to his willingness to give me and my situation a little attention above and beyond."

Jonathan K.

"Paulo was always energetic and ready to answer questions. He knew so much about the landscapes and the cities. He was also very patient and always hung back to help make sure the slower members in the group had the help they needed on the hikes. He was also very knowledgeable about the wildlife and the habitats that we were seeing and, like Melissa, always had really thorough answers to our questions."

Jordan H.

"Paulo was so incredibly knowledgeable and shared his information in an engaging way. He always had time for questions and if he didn't know the answers, he'd look it up and get back to us. I'm amazed at his incredible memory for details. He and Daniel made an incredible team. He is also just a wonderful person. He really made the experience fun as well as educational."

Emily W.