Christian Mata

Known for his big smile and easygoing disposition, Christian Mata has been guiding nature and agriculture-based programs in Costa Rica since 1994. Christian is a native of the agricultural community of Turrialba, located in the lush and beautiful Central Valley in Cartago province. Famed for being a white water rafting hotspot and base camp, the community is next door to the pre-Columbian ruins at Guayabo.

Christian holds a degree in forestry science with a specialization in tropical ecology. As a naturalist, he has participated in several specialized tourism workshops, including "Agroecotourism and Sustainable Development" at EARTH College for Tropical Agriculture, and "Managing Tourism Development in Rural Areas" at CATIE’s Center for Tropical Agronomy Research and Learning.

Prior to guiding, he was in charge of Research and Ecotourism Development for the Cocos Island Marine Conservation area, maintaining the ecological integrity of the two stunning bays that ring the island.

Christian has also worked as Assistant Director for Costa Rica’s National Parks service, with a focus on National Marine Parks. In 1992 Christian helped coordinate the First International Conference of Biodiversity Studies, organized by the Parks service. In his free time, Christian can be found either at the library keeping abreast of latest research on conservation, or enjoying the outdoors while playing soccer or participating in adventure sports, or curling up with a good book at home.