william granados
Naturalist Guide
Born in San Ramón de Alajuela, a region renowned for its coffee production, William is the youngest of eight children. His mother was a nurse and his father worked for the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation.
From an early age, he worked alongside his brothers harvesting coffee during the summer months and later at drying and processing mills. It was in these plantations that his deep appreciation for the outdoors and wildlife first took root.
During the school year, William worked at a local bazaar, where he discovered another lifelong passion: photography. The shop owner was a photographer, and William’s curiosity led him to observe, ask questions, and eventually try the craft himself.
He later studied Agricultural Engineering, a path that led him into natural resource management and extensive fieldwork cultivating rice, soybeans, beans, sorghum, and later oil palm on his in-laws’ farm. William has been a licensed guide through INA and ICT since 2003 and continues to update his skills in birdwatching, natural resource interpretation, and photography.
After his father’s passing, William assumed responsibility for caring for his mother. While working at coffee mills, he developed strong mechanical skills, which opened an opportunity to work abroad as a merchant marine.
William joined Costa Rica Expeditions in 1992. A true jack-of-all-trades, he worked in transportation and operations, procurement, and eventually managed a lodge in Corcovado. Living in this remote region solidified his passion for guiding and sharing Costa Rica’s natural wonders with visitors.
Guests value William for his extensive knowledge, warm sense of humor, and ability to provide authentic cultural experiences — from visiting rural homes to exploring local markets. He has documented every stage of his life through photography and is now an enthusiastic mentor and educator. Costa Rica Expeditions has greatly benefited from the remarkable images he and his guests have shared over the years.
William says, “I truly enjoy introducing visitors to my native land and revealing the real Costa Rica. Along the way, I always look for fun and meaningful learning opportunities.”
When he is not guiding or behind the camera, William continues exploring the outdoors. At home, he enjoys reading about environmental topics, preserving traditional Costa Rican cuisine, and going to the movies with his wife, Heidy.
