La Paz Staff

Head Guides

Carlos Gajon Bermudez

Carlos is one of the most charismatic, professional and knowledgeable guides you'll ever meet. A La Paz native who grew up fishing with his grandfather on the Sea of Cortez, Carlos began guiding sea kayak trips in Baja in 1998. An avid surfer Carlos became a natural in a kayak and became an ACA certified sea kayak instructor and wilderness first responder soon after assisting on kayak trips. At one time a student of international law at the University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Carlos is now on "sabbatical" from his studies to pursue his love of the outdoors by working as a sea kayak guide and he's a natural. Lucky us! Carlos is our most requested guide ever!

Miguel Angel Martinez

A La Paz native, Miguel began working sea kayaking trips in the mid 1980's. He drove a skiff, learned to cook and ran sea kayak camps in the Sea of Cortez for over 10 years until he changed jobs and began working for an airline. He learned English and returned to working kayak trips, this time as a head guide. Since his return to kayaking trips he has completed an ACA coastal sea kayaking course and was certified as a wilderness first responder. He is our first crew member ever to become a head guide.

Roman Cahero

Born in Mexico City, Roman has traveled extensively through out most of his country especially along Mexico's east coast as well as the US, Canada and Ireland. His time spent around the marine life of the Mexican Caribbean sparked an interest in marine biology so in 2000 Roman moved to La Paz to study marine biology at the University. He is now on "sabbatical" so he can guide for Mar Y Aventuras and experience the rich marine environment of the Sea of Cortez first hand. Roman completed two ACA (American Canoe Association) training courses and became a certified kayaker by the Irish Canoe association in the summer of 2008 while working as a guide for Atlantic Sea Kayaking in West Cork Ireland. Roman also holds Wilderness First Responder certification. He has been guiding sea kayaking trips with Mar Y Aventuras since February 2003. You will find Roman's love of the ocean, his country and wanderlust of travel infectious not to mention his ability to entertain groups with his guitar playing and singing.

Marco Aurelio Martinez de Escobar Martinez

Marco was born and raised in La Paz. Growing up on the shores of the Sea of Cortez and visiting the nearby islands since he was a young boy Marco developed a deep love and appreciation for the natural areas surrounding his home. In 2002 Marco began studying marine biology at the University in La Paz then changed to Alternative Tourism in 2006 because he had a strong desire to adapt his love of the outdoors into sustainable tourist development by combining culture, nature and conservation. Marco has completed two NOLS leadership courses, one in sea kayaking the other in backpacking, the wilderness first responder course and earned a degree from the University in 2008 in Alternative Tourism. He came to work with Mar Y Aventuras in the winter of 2008 and loves to share the passion he has for his "backyard" (especially the night sky) with people from different cultures as he works toward his goal of protecting the area's natural and cultural heritage.

Sergio Antonio Mariscal Contreras

Working for Mar Y Aventuras since 2007, Sergio started out in the office as client services manager and guiding day trips. During that time he earned a degree in alternative tourism and learned how to accommodate our clients' needs. Sergio has recently spent a couple summers in Canada mastering his grasp of the English language and completing a 90-hour course as a Wilderness First Responder and 10 hours in CPR. His enthusiasm to become a guide brought him back to the coast of Baja, where he completed a 14-day NOLS course and completed his level 3 coastal skills American Canoe Association certification in 2011. We are proud to add Sergio's skills and good-natured personality to our esteemed staff of professional head guides.

Crew

Jesus "Chuy" Alvarez Encinas

Born in the small fishing village of Los Burros Chuy knows the Sea of Cortez like the back of his hand. With Mar Y Aventuras since our beginning in 1993 he has become chief cook and camp boss. A father of 2, Chuy's great sense of humor and ability to run a first class camp makes him our most requested crew member for trips from repeat clientele.

Alberto "Jarocho" Tejeda Lile

Jarocho is originally from the state of Vera Cruz, Mexico and is now one of our top chefs. He made his way to La Paz working on yachts as a chef and began working for us in 1996. He has brought some mouth watering recipes to our tables the most note worthy being his fresh fish Vera Cruz style from his hometown.

Martin Amador Leon

Born and raised in Nopolo Martin began working with Mar Y Aventuras in 1998 at just 18 years old. A bright young man he learned quickly the secrets of great tasting outdoor cooking and is now one of our head chefs.

Manolo Bojorquez Vargas

Born and raised in San Carlos on the shores of Magdalena Bay, where we operate our whale watching trips, Manolo knows Mag bay like the back of his hand. A father of 2 Manolo works as a commercial fisherman most of the year catching giant squid, clams and shrimp during their perspective seasons. An experienced skiff driver with an infectious smile and laughter, as well as strong local ties to the area, we employ Manolo during whale watching season to show our guests the beauty and magnificence of the gray whales up close.

Office, Warehouse and Hotel

Ricardo Amador

Owner, operator of Mar Y Aventuras

Ricardo has been fishing and boating on Baja waters since the age of 8. He began working expeditions in Baja in 1979 and has been guiding sea kayaking, bicycling and whale watching trips since 1986. Ricardo is the master of trip logistics and the one behind the scenes who makes sure everything is running smoothly. He speaks excellent English; having worked river rafting trips in Idaho and Costa Rica during the late 80s early 90s. He's often seen busily moving around the office and warehouse, assuring that the food, guides, crew and equipment are all going to the right places at the right times.

Belén Rodríguez

Client Services Coordinator for Mar Y Aventuras

A native of Spain, Belén came to La Paz as a dive master after living in Ireland, the Canary Islands, Cozumel and San Luis Potosi. Belén's love of the ocean was sparked at an early age and fueled while living in the Canary Islands. After discovering cave diving in San Luis Potosi she was drawn back to the sea with her newly acquired profession of dive master/instructor and landed a job in Cabo San Lucas.
On a visit to La Paz she immediately felt at home with her first step on the Malecón. Later she began working as a dive master and has experienced encounters with migrating hammerheads (her second dive in La Paz!), manta rays, dolphins, turtles, sea lions and whales.
Married now with a young child, Belén retired her adventurous life as a dive master for the profession she studied in college of administration. Still passionate about the ocean Belén is content now to work with our clients (other lovers of the ocean) and stay connected to the Sea of Cortez (which she knows very well) through her second favorite activity on the water, sea kayaking.
We are very proud to have this well traveled and educated woman at the helm of client services in our La Paz office.
Her favorite quote is; "If magic exists, it is contained in water".

Marcio Durán Aceves

Client Services Coordinator for Posada LunaSol

A graduate of alternative tourism from the University of Baja California Sur we are proud to have Marcio as our evening hotel receptionist. Having worked weekends and night shifts at Posada LunaSol since 2007 and day trips for Mar Y Aventuras since 2010 Marcio has proven to be a bright, responsible and competent young man for this position. Marcio grew up in Tijuana on the border with San Diego and speaks excellent English. He enjoys the outdoors and meeting new people which makes him a perfect fit for our hotel, The Posada LunaSol, and outdoor adventure company of Mar Y Aventuras specializing in sea kayaking and whale watching excursions.

Miguel Martin Abaroa Hirales & Maribel Burgoin Olachea

Warehouse and Hotel Staff for Mar Y Aventures and Posada LunaSol

Miguel "Mikey" and Maribel are an integral part of our permanent hotel and warehouse staff. Mikey has been with Mar Y Aventuras since our first year in business in 1993. Maribel started with us in 2000 cleaning the office then once we opened our hotel, the Posada LunaSol, in 2001 she became our head housekeeper. Mikey is a certified and licensed chauffeur and jack of all trades from fixing leaky faucets to loading kayaks and driving clients to various destinations. Maribel is often heard singing as she maintains and takes pride in a squeaky clean Posada LunaSol.