After teaching himself to speak fluent English, he transformed his naturally gained knowledge of the rain forest into scientific principles and is now an excellent naturalist. He knows the scientifc names of plants and their medicinal uses among the campesino and Indian cultures. He started as a driver, learning to be a guide from the masters. Luis Torres is young, dynamic, naturally friendly and service oriented. He started as a driver, learning to be a guide from the masters.
Many lodges hire their own expert naturalists who lead guests on local outings.
They may be trained naturalists or local Spanish speaking inhabitants from the region whose knowledge of the area, its natural history and their ability to spot wildlife makes them invaluable. Now that a select number of natural history lodges have hired and trained their own resident guides, it is possible to confidently make custom travel arrangements by combining different sites without a travel escort.