Spotlight on Alejandro Hernández

Alejandro is head guide of the Lost Canyon Adventures canyoneering team for Desafío Adventure Company.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be an adventure guide with Desafío Adventure Company?
A: I was studying to be general tourist guide at the government- sponsored I.N.A. and I did my final internship with Desafio to get my degree. When I finished, a couple months later a Desafio manager called me and said “Hey, Alejandro! Why don’t you come and work with us in The Lost Canyon as a canyoneering guide?” and I said “Yeah! I was waiting for your call…” It was a great day! I was very happy they called.

Q: So, how long have you worked for Desafío?
A: I have worked here nearly two years and have been happy to take on more responsibility along the way. I first I started as a belay guide, three months later I was the Lead Guide, and six months later I was the Head Guide. I was recently promoted as the canyoneering manager.

Q: Where do you live?
A: I live in Aguas Zarcas. It’s a mediumsized town 50 km east of La Fortuna. It’s far away from here especially if you are driving like I do every day. I spend about 35 minutes on my motorcycle per day. I do enjoy the feel of the wind on my face when I drive it.

Q: What’s the most important thing in your life right now?
A: The most important thing for me right now is my baby. His name is Alejandro Jr. He just turned one: he’s my son, he’s my friend, he’s my life!

Q: How do you start your day?
A: Well… my day starts at 4:45am. I take a quick shower. I consider myself a fairly religious person so I pray every morning and put my life in God’s hands. Then I eat breakfast (gallo pinto and eggs – the breakfast of Tico champions!) and I’m on way out the door to go work by 5:45am. I get to Desafio at 6:20am because I like to be sure that everything is ready in my department.

Q: What happens when you get to work?
A: There’s a lot to think about when you’re putting an adventure tour together. So the first thing is I greet everyone in the office (we have a great group of people we work with) and I double check if I have all my staff at the office on time. I then check on what kind of day we have ahead of us – how many people on each trip – we run three to four canyoneering trips per day which means a lot or coordination with my cook staff, drivers, guides and maintenance workers in the canyon.

Q: What kind of clients go on your canyoneering tours?
A: We have all kinds – everything from young kids to older people. Some are pretty inexperienced and others are long-time canyoneering enthusiasts. It’s a funny combination because if they don’t have experience I show them how to do it, and if they have more experience than I do, I find I sometimes learn new things from them. It’s exciting to see how popular canyoneering is getting – some people have amazing stories of the places they have been canyoneering. And when we have kids on our trips, I enjoy that a lot because it’s fun to watch them undergo a whole new experience in what is usually a completely new environment for them – we get them extra wet – it’s so cute -- I love the kids!

Q: Tell us about a typical end of the day for you? A: My day finishes when I’m sure that everything went ok. We undergo an inspection of the gear and my guide staff to see how the operation went. I then review all of the client comment forms. I then take my motorcycle and go back home. When I get there, Alejandro Jr. is waiting for me! Q: What do you do when you’re not working??
A: Actually, I have my own business (video games for local kids in my community – it keeps them out of trouble.) So, when I’m not working in Desafio, I check on how my business is doing – and even play a few video games as a stress reliever!

Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: I want to become one of the best adventure guides in Costa Rica and use my skills to go explore many places around the world. Also help Desafio strive to be the best adventure company in Costa Rica! And maybe to have my own canyon…