Rosie Herrera Woodward graduated in Costa Rica from the Universidad Internacional de Las Americas with a degree in Administration of Tourist Enterprises. In addition to her native Spanish language, Rosie is fluent in French and Italian. Rosie started organizing trips in Costa Rica in 1988 and started Costa Rican Specialties in 1991 when she moved to U.S.  Rosie has helped organize customized vacations for hundreds of individuals and many specialized groups from Arboretums, Botanical Gardens, Biology classes, Spanish classes, Agriculture organizations, Church Choirs and more. 
 
 

  Yami Herrera Hill graduated in Costa Rica from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica with a degree in Biology with emphasis in Ecology and Sustainable Development. Yami worked for five years at the Tropical Science Center (the owners and administrators of Monteverde Cloud Forest), where she was the assistant in the "AMISCONDE Project" which promotes the development of the buffer zone of Chirripo National Park. Yami started working for Viajes Colibri in 1995 and since then has organized and guided many groups. Some of the groups she has led include the Friends of the Arboretum from Madison, Wisconsin, Pacelly High School, Port Washington School Choir and for six consecutive years Yami has led the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Tropical Ecology class. Yami is currently working on establishing a Costa Rican Specialties office in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where she recently moved with her family.
 
 

  Marcela Herrera Woodward graduated from the University of Cartago, Costa Rica in Tourism with Emphasis on Tourism Planning. Marcela first became involved in the tourism industry when she organized the trips of several French Canadian groups in 1990. In 1992 Marcela and Rosie received an official Operation License from the Costa Rican Tourist Bureau for their tour Operator Viajes Colibri.  Marcela managed the operation in Costa Rica from 1991 to 1995 while Rosie managed the USA office.  Having moved to USA in 1999 Marcela now represents Costa Rican Specialties in Boulder, Colorado.  Marcela has led many groups within Costa Rica.  She has very good experience with Agriculture-oriented excursions.  Among others she has led the Indiana Soy Bean Association and the Rural/Agriculture Leadership Alumni from different parts of the country. Having grown up on a farm and having a father that is still farming, all of the Herrera sisters can certainly offer insight into the role of agriculture in Costa Rica.
 
 

  Fernando Herrera Viajes Colibri General Manager.  Fernando studied Computer Science at Universidad Estatal a Distancia in Costa Rica.  Fernando has been working with Viajes Colibri since 1999 helping with the logistics of our groups from the Costa Rica-based office, Viajes Colibri.  He also manages his own business in Venecia de San Carlos and owns the town's tallest building, three stories tall. Fernando's enthusiasm for good service and quality work is a great asset to our tour Operator Viajes Colibri.  Did we mention that he is the youngest brother in the Herrera family?
 
 

  Juan Carlos Ramos- Naturalist Guide Juan Carlos has taken courses at the University of Costa Rica, and some private schools, about birding, general ecology, plants and natural history. Traveling with Juan Carlos is not only a rewarding learning experience, he also makes it fun and enjoyable. His sensitive perception of the surroundings let him use his sense of vision and intuition to successfully track animals. His perfect orientation allows him to do a great job of nature interpretation while walking through the wildest areas of Costa Rica. When we asked him what he likes about his job, he said "I love my job because I love my country, and this way I have the opportunity to share it with our visitors". His tireless enthusiasm on the job has made Juan Carlos one of our most requested bilingual guides. 
 
 

  Lloyd A. Martinez -  Naturalist guide Lloyd Martinez has taken courses at the National University of Costa Rica in marine biology and tropical biology.   He also has taken courses at Lankester Gardens on dendrology, birds of Costa Rica, and Costa Rica’s trees.  He received his official permit as a tour guide after training at the National Institute of Learning, where he completed courses about the serpents of Costa Rica, natural history, geography and hotel management.  His other training includes Costa Rican literature, general tourism, touristic legislation and RPC.  He completed Tam Travel Agency’s training to work with cruise tourism.  A self learner, Lloyd paid attention as a child to birds and their singing and to the large iguanas sunbathing at his grandfather’s farm.  Nowadays, he enjoys learning more about natural history and keeps updated through publications about Costa Rica’s biology and other subjects.  Lloyds feels very fortunate to share the beauty of his country with all visitors.  Our tourists are very pleased to have Lloyd as their guide -- not only because his excellent knowledge, but also because of his wonderful humor.
 

Rosie@costaricanspecialties.com 1-888-336-7578 1001 Pershing Dr. College Station, TX 77840