OUR STAFF consists of a group of professionals (Certified Tour Guides, Certified Interpretive Guides, Certified Interpreters for the Hearing
Impaired, Wildlife Biologists, Naturalists, and community groups) that will make your dream vacation a real and unforgettable experience.
Impaired, Wildlife Biologists, Naturalists, and community groups) that will make your dream vacation a real and unforgettable experience.
Not only she is the owner of AdvenTours, but one of the few Certified Interpretive Tour Guide and Trainer in Puerto Rico.
She has been working as a Tour Guide since 1992, and opened the first receptive ecotour company endorsed by the
Puerto Rico Tourism Company in the west of Puerto Rico, now known as Porta del Sol.
She has been working as a Tour Guide since 1992, and opened the first receptive ecotour company endorsed by the
Puerto Rico Tourism Company in the west of Puerto Rico, now known as Porta del Sol.
- Certified Tour Guide by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, 1992.
- Author of Manual of Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism, 2006; Outdoor Recreation, 2007; Certification on
Heritage Interpretation Techniques for Outdoor Adventure Kayak Guides, Student´s Manual, 2008. - Trainer - Certification for Occupational Standard for Outdoor Adventure Kayak Guides, 2007.
- Trainer - Certification on Heritage Interpretive Techniques for Outdoor Adventure Kayak Guides, 2008.
- Nominee for the 2006 CTO Ecotourism Award.
- Interpretive Tour Guide Trainer since 1999 through a collaborative agreement with the University of Puerto Rico
in Mayagüez. - Certified Interpretive Guide (NAI), 2003.
- Green Globe Certificate of Proficiency, 2005 (Ecotourism Standards).
- Green Globe Company Standards Training, 2006.
- President/Founder of APIE (Puerto Rican Association of Interpretation and Education) since 2002.
- President of the Tourism Educator Committee (APIE) since 2004.
- Founder of ORO (Receptive Tour Operators of the West), 2002.
- Member of the Municipality of Mayagüez Community Board, since 1997
- Member of the Transportation Committee of the Puerto Rico Tourism Board,since 2004.
- Member/Secretary of the Hotel School of Guaynabo Assesor Board, 2005 - 2007.
- Member of Porta del Sol Board - Education and Promotion Committee, 2006 - 2007.
- Member of USDA Forest Southern Region´s Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (2007 - 2009).
- Member of the Puerto Rico Tourism Board Council of Tour Guides since July, 2008.
- Coordinator of the Endemic Bird of Puerto Rico Festival, Christmas Bird Census (Maricao-Susúa, Vieques), and
National Trails Day in Maricao, since 2002. - Volunteer of El Yunque CBC since 2000.
- Volunteer/Member of the Museum of Natural History of Puerto Rico Foundation since 2003.
- Coordinator of the National Congress of Tour Guides of Puerto Rico, 2006 - 2007.
- Active participation in the development of laws related to the tour guide profession, ecotourism, sustainable
tourism, and touristic transportation. - Hobbies: photography, Yoga, reading.
| Website by Producciones Bananín. |
| 1992 - 2008 Copyrights, AdvenTours/Excursiones Guariquén · Puerto Rico. |
| Photographic material on this website is protected by Law. If you wish to use one of our photos, please contact us. |
JAVIER MERCADO
Official Wildlife Biologist and Birder
Official Wildlife Biologist and Birder
MARTÍN VEGUILLA
Taíno Consultant
Taíno Consultant
| "A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." Walter Gagehot |
| o u r · s t a f f |
Javier joined AdvenTours as a part-time birder
in 2001. Since then, he has been involved as a
volunteer of the CBC´s coordinated by APIE.
For many years, Javier has been working as a
volunteer of the Fajardo CBC.
Javier will move with his lovely family to
Colorado in August, 2008, to pursue a Master
Degree in entomology. Good luck, Javier!
in 2001. Since then, he has been involved as a
volunteer of the CBC´s coordinated by APIE.
For many years, Javier has been working as a
volunteer of the Fajardo CBC.
- Wildlife Biologist and birder.
- Volunteer of the Year, 2006 (APIE).
- Volunteer APIE (Puerto Rican
Association of Interpretation and
Education) since 2002. - Logistics Coordinator and volunteer for
the CBC at Vieques Island since 2004). - Logistics Coordinator and volunteer for
the CBC at Susúa Forest since 2004. - Hobby: photography.
Javier will move with his lovely family to
Colorado in August, 2008, to pursue a Master
Degree in entomology. Good luck, Javier!
Martín Veguilla is the Director of Concilio
Taíno Guatú-Ma-Cu a Borikén, he is our
consultant in Taíno culture and is in charge of
Taíno Ceremonies, re-enactments, and talks.
The results of his test for Mitochondrial DNA
with Dr. Juan Carlos Martínez Cruzado study
revealed Martin´s native origins belonging to
Type C (haplogroup). This Type C covers
35.7% of all Mitochondrial DNA of native origin
in Borikén (Puerto Rico).
Taíno women are the ones that elect the
Cacike. Due to the results of this DNA test,
the women of the Concilio elected Martín as
their Cacike, Ca Ciba Opil, Chief Sacred Rock
of the Spirit.
Martín is also an artisan and was recognized
as the Artisan of the Year by the Puerto Rico
Tourism Board in 2005.
We are honored to have Martín as part of our
staff.
Taíno Guatú-Ma-Cu a Borikén, he is our
consultant in Taíno culture and is in charge of
Taíno Ceremonies, re-enactments, and talks.
The results of his test for Mitochondrial DNA
with Dr. Juan Carlos Martínez Cruzado study
revealed Martin´s native origins belonging to
Type C (haplogroup). This Type C covers
35.7% of all Mitochondrial DNA of native origin
in Borikén (Puerto Rico).
Taíno women are the ones that elect the
Cacike. Due to the results of this DNA test,
the women of the Concilio elected Martín as
their Cacike, Ca Ciba Opil, Chief Sacred Rock
of the Spirit.
Martín is also an artisan and was recognized
as the Artisan of the Year by the Puerto Rico
Tourism Board in 2005.
We are honored to have Martín as part of our
staff.
| HILDA G. MORALES Owner (CITG, Birder, Master Naturalist Guide) |
SERGIO COLÓN
Birder
Birder
Sergio joined AdvenTours as a part-time
birder in 2008.
birder in 2008.
- Volunteer of the Year, 2006 (APIE).
- Volunteer APIE (Puerto Rican
Association of Interpretation and
Education) since 2002. - Logistics Coordinator and volunteer
for the CBC at Vieques Island since
2004). - Coordinator of Caño Tiburones
CBC and other CBC around the
island.
JUAN "ANDY" SOUCHET
Certified Tour Guide, Biologist, Caving Guide
Certified Tour Guide, Biologist, Caving Guide
177 26mayo
196 13julio
196 13julio
| Updated July 13, 2008. |
Andy is a Certified Tour Guide since 2001.
He is in charge of our caving and camping
adventures.
He was appointed as Secretary for APIE
(Puerto Rican Association of Interpretation
and Education) in 2008. He has been
involved as a Trainer in the Occupational
Standards Training for Outdoor Adventure
Kayak Guides.
He is in charge of our caving and camping
adventures.
He was appointed as Secretary for APIE
(Puerto Rican Association of Interpretation
and Education) in 2008. He has been
involved as a Trainer in the Occupational
Standards Training for Outdoor Adventure
Kayak Guides.
CHEF NORA
Executive Chef
Chef Nora is an experienced Culinary Institute of America graduate and consultant for many years in the tourism scenario, plus has worked on related food business
events for 20 years. Welcome aboard!
Executive Chef
Chef Nora is an experienced Culinary Institute of America graduate and consultant for many years in the tourism scenario, plus has worked on related food business
events for 20 years. Welcome aboard!
| We are who we are because of our partners. ¡Gracias! |
| Dalberto |
| Percy |
| Abraham |
| Danny |
| Angelina |
| Angie |
| Javier & Cynthia |
| Andy |
| Eneida |
| Carlos |