The management philosophy of Fincas Naturales Wildlife Refuge is based upon the logic that well-treated employees equate to well-treated guests. The key to Fincas Naturales is maintaining a harmonious workplace with consistent training programs to create positive experiences for both the Refuge’s guests, students, and our staff. With years of guest surveys averaging 97% "good" to "excellent", we believe our successful brand of "Good Natured Hospitality" enables Fincas Naturales to assure the added value choice for a unique Costa Rican nature experience that will enlighten the visitor without compromising the natural habitat that attracts our clientele.
Fincas Naturales is part of Green Hotels of Costa Rica, which participates in many conservation programs and are members of C.S.T. (Certification for Sustainable Tourism) and INBIO, an NGO in research and education. The Butterfly and Aquatic Tropical Gardens and most recently reptile (crocodiles) lagoons, represented by Green Hotels of Costa Rica, also include a research laboratory, with its full time biologist, student dormitory and workshops, are all an active part of the Wildlife Refuge infrastructure.
REFUGES EMPLOYEES
Jimmy Mata
Biologist and Operations Manager
He is a graduate from the University Latina in Herpetology. He has been working with the refuge since 2003, and has directed the construction of the amphibian and reptile garden exhibits.
Better known as "Tio" he is also a very experienced and efficiant gardener; having work with the butterflies and the plants for the butterfly.
"Tio" has been working with the refuge from the beginning since the 2000.
Roy Morales
Nature Guide / Interpreter
He was born and raised in Manuel Antonio-Quepos region, so he knows the region quite well. He studied in Puntarenas to become a certified nature guide with the CUP (Colegio Universitario de Puntarenas). So far, he has done very well, becoming a qualified nature interpreter who will make your visit a wonderful and informative experience. He has been in the Nature Farm Wildlife Refuge since 2004.
Roy is a Nature Interpreter and Artist that has been studying the nature of the tropics for the last 9 years. He came to Manuel Antonio in 1998, from the northeast part of Costa Rica, and since has been cataloguing the flora and fauna of the area.
Kenneth studied in the ECG (Escuela Centroamericana de Ganaderia) is certified by the ICT (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo).
Leonardo Salinas
Maintenace
He works in maintenance but mainly in the Aquatic Gardens, he knows a lot about the amphibians and reptiles. We wish there were more workers as efficient as Leonardo, “he does very good” specially supervising the reptiles feeds the big crocs is quite a show.
Biologist and Operations Manager
Receptionist
Butterfly Gardener / Cane-taker
Nature Guide / Interpreter
Nature Guide and Artist
Nature Guide / Interpreter
Maintenace
