Edwin Arce is a long-serving Costa Rican tour guide who has worked across Costa Rica’s many alternating terrains. He talks to us about his love of good coffee and his experiences witnessing whale calves, glowing lava flows, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, all while guiding tourists and photographers around this fantastic destination.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Edwin Gerardo Arce Salazar. Most of my experiences are related to guiding group trips, tours, and events programs for the last twenty years in and out of Costa Rica.
How does a typical day start for you?
A day in paradise starts with a cup of good hot coffee, a cold shower and a panoramic view of the sky and the surroundings just to have an idea about what to expect of the day, about the weather to take advantage of the already programmed activities to achieve my best performance.
Favourite thing about where you work?
It is definitely nature: its greenery, density, and biodiversity are wrapped in a tropical climate on a platform of mountainous reliefs with rivers, streams, and waterfalls in a range of microclimates with pleasant temperatures from a bright sunrise to the mesmerising colourful sunset.
What’s the most unusual/memorable moment you’ve experienced guiding visitors?
OMG! There are many memorable memories…I cannot refer to just one! I remember the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica playing on a beach in Guanacaste, under a starry sky, at a dinner for important guests.
The roar of Arenal volcano in a state of activity during a hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park prior to an eruption in the company of students, a mesmerising moment and, of course, to see at night how it covered its summit with iridescent colours of lava.
On a catamaran trip to observe the sunset and water activities, we noticed the presence of two humpback whales and a baby whale very close to us, which provoked a lot of enthusiasm in tourists.
Biggest challenges you face in your role?
The biggest challenge is having to cancel an outdoor activity due to possible risks from extreme weather conditions. In this case, students had great expectations of a River Rafting adventure, but the river was very high, and I cancelled it for their safety. I then proposed another activity instead and told them we could try to raft in the following days if the conditions allowed it.
What advice would you give travellers coming to explore your holidaying experience?
It is a country with a humid tropical climate located on an isthmian strip surrounded by two oceans. Its somewhat irregular rainfall produces many micro climates and a variety of rain forests, so it makes sense to pack your rain jacket. It is a peaceful country without an army with friendly and educated people. Costa Rica offers much emphasis on the protection, conservation and proper use of its natural resources. It is a country that specialises in adventure, with a large dose of adrenaline and recreation.
Favourite time of year and any tips for when to go there?
During the high season, there are more tourists, and it extends from November to May. This is because the main tourist markets in my homeland are North America and Europe. The green season (rainy season) from April to October has less tourist presence, and the prices of services are more affordable. During June and July, the country goes through the solstice. Therefore, we experience a temporary dry season, which coincides with the summer break visited by families and students.
Any funny stories you would like to share?
On a hike with photographers into a private reserve, we came across a row of leaf cutter ants. I told them about their natural history and interesting symbiosis. I continued walking, but when I looked back at the group, I realised they were all prostrate on the ground, taking pictures and making videos!
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