Veronica Maruri

Veronica was born and raised in Guayaquil on the coast of Ecuador. When she was 12, she spent a year in Massachusetts, learning English and broadening her view of the world. She completed high school at the InterAmerican Academy in Ecuador, returning to the U.S. to attend college. Her first two-week temporary job was indeed a dream come true when she was hired as a science assistant at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz in the Galapagos. It was a life-changing experience that prompted her to pursue certification as a Galapagos National Park guide. She had told her family she would be going to the islands for two weeks, but she has stayed for 20 years!

In 2002, Veronica and her family moved to the Ecuador mainland to enhance her children's education, but she has since returned to the Galapagos as an Expedition Leader for Nat Hab. Veronica knows it is a privilege to have the Galapagos Islands as her front yard, but that's not enough: every trip gives her the opportunity to delight in sharing with visitors its vast array of animals, plants and geology, which they have never encountered before—and their sense of wonder is a thrill for her. Her favorite part of guiding is taking visitors snorkeling, especially if it is their first time. As someone who loves to travel the world, Veronica likewise appreciates when people take time to visit this wonderful paradise which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as her home.

Upcoming Adventures with Veronica:
Galapagos Discovery: The Nat Hab Experience
Galapagos Hiking & Kayaking Adventure

Praise from Nat Hab travelers:

T. Leibel
"Veronica and Andres are exceptional guides. They have a vast wealth of knowledge which they shared freely and with excitement. They are kind and gracious hosts that imparted their passion for the Galapagos to us. Thanks to them, this trip renewed my sense of wonder and awe with the universe. I also appreciated their commitment to the protection of our fragile planet and inspiring us to do the same."

W. Keating
"It is clear Veronica and Joseline love what they do, and they shared that love with the entire group. Their knowledge, wonderful sense of humor, superb organization, attentiveness to details and openness allowed us to become one happy group."

K. Eckhart
"I could not begin to say enough about her. Veronica was wonderful and incredibly knowledgeable. For her to know the name of the species and genus is amazing. The facts she had at her fingertips were like looking it up on the Internet!"

M. Swenson
"We instantly fell in love with her—she was warm, welcoming, knowledgeable and attentive. I consider her to be new friend."

C. Flis
"Veronica was pleasant, patient and helpful. She answered any questions we had, even if we had asked it before! She was always concerned for our safety. She is a wonderful guide!"

E. Davidson
“As with our Nat Hab experience before, she was great! She was very well informed and helpful.”

F. Gordon
"Veronica and Andres were exceptional guides who worked seamlessly together! They were both very inclusive and friendly, as well as knowledgeable about nature, history and the culture of the area. They had very positive attitudes and were excited about sharing their home with us. They were absolutely stellar!"

E. Stephens
“Veronica is the best guide imaginable.”

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