Ricardo Romero
Costa Rica Country Director
Ricardo joined Rustic Pathways in 2005 after working in Costa Rica’s rafting industry for a decade. Ricardo has worn many hats on our team, from community service coordinator to sales representative and everything in between. An avid outdoorsman with extensive experience as a river guide, his commitment to safety in the tourism sector and degree in business from the University of Costa Rica make him the ideal director of our Costa Rica operations.
Wainer Ocampo
Costa Rica Country Manager
Since he joined Rustic Pathways in 2008, Wainer’s patience and constant smile have won him a special place in the hearts of our students. A Costa Rica native, Wainer has also spent time in the U.S., where he completed a cultural exchange at Hiram College in Ohio. Always the first person on the dance floor, he can often be found teaching salsa to our students. the Costa Rica team.
Felipe Hernandez
Program Manager
Felipe has a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Tourism Management. He joined RP in 2017 as a program leader, but his experience as vice president of a non-governmental environmental organization in Costa Rica made him a great fit to manage our Turtle Conservation programs. He has worked on projects with protected wild refuges and in rural areas in different parts of Costa Rica. In addition to that, he has been part of different wildlife issues commissions and projects. If not working he can be found enjoying his two main passions nature and wildlife.
Marianela Garcia
Costa Rica Office Administrator
A native of the small coastal town of Pérez Zeledón, Nela brings her calming presence and kindness to our administrative team. After receiving her MBA from the University of Costa Rica, Nela’s bilingual skills and sense of organization keep our Costa Rica office running smoothly. Nela has been ensuring successful operations within our team since 2012.