Arvin coc

Protected Areas Manager

Arvin joined Monkey Bay in February 2023.  Arvin is a seasoned conservationist with over 14 years of experience in protected areas management.  He holds a degree in Tourism Management with a focus on sustainable tourism within protected areas.  Throughout his career, he has managed some of Belize’s pristine and biologically important protected areas.  In addition to protected areas management, he has also mastered various skillsets such as proposal writing, project management, and project implementation.  Arvin’s portfolio at Monkey Bay includes the management of Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Bay National Park, while supporting our environmental education, community outreach, and tourism programs.

Fun Fact: Arvin enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and spelunking.  He enjoys sporting activities such as football and basketball. 

Efrain Perez

Administrative Officer

Efrain joined our team in 2015 as Service Learning Groups Program Manager. Since then, Efrain has grown into his key role of building programs for the many service learning and academic study abroad groups hosted by Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Simultaneously, he has also thrived in other areas of his professional career, such as becoming a certified Tour Guide, Lifeguard, First Aid Responder and Bus Driver. In early 2020, Efrain assumed the role of Assistant General Manager, then in August 2021 he became the General Manager of Monkey Bay, working in that capacity until October 2022. Efrain now works as the Administrative Manager.

Ruby Enriquez

Senior Academic Program Manager

Ruby joined Monkey Bay in September 2015. She is likely the first point of contact for many teachers and guests when inquiring about Belize Study Abroad programs. Ruby plans, designs, and reserves program itineraries and budgets, and ensures all logistics run smoothly. The Programming Department mission aspires to develop and execute Belize Study Abroad programs with highest quality experiential learning components. Ruby also serves as Monkey Bay’s Human Resource Manager, and ensures that the staff of Monkey Bay are happy and healthy!

Fun Fact: Ruby enjoys collecting the rare $2 US dollar bill, and hopes to cross off “Hike Victoria’s Peak” from her bucket list one day.

Michelle Guzman

Accounts/HR Manager

Michelle Guzman is the head of Accounts at Monkey Bay. She has a passion for what she does at Monkey Bay; that is working with numbers almost all day, every day. "Life for her at Monkey Bay is about balancing numbers". Michelle now also works as the HR Manager.

Fun Fact: Michelle enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, snorkeling, nature walks, paddling on the beautiful rivers, horseback riding during her free time.

Rodney Esquivel

Tour Operations Coordinator

As chief of facilities maintenance, Rodney is the person behind the neatness and cleanliness that's ever-present on Monkey Bay campus. You will notice that Rodney and his team carry out their job with enthusiasm, always keeping in mind the needs and experiences of our visitors. Throughout his career, Rodney has gained experience across multiple disciplines and there's hardly a technical challenge on which he cannot offer good advice. 

Rodney is an experienced Tour Guide, Life Guard and First Aid Responder. He is an accomplished birder and a licensed bus driver.

Rosita Zuleta

Housekeeping Manager

Our housekeeping department warmly welcomes our guests with a comfortable accommodation. Our staff is always on standby for any necessity.

Philip Balderamos holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Air Transport Engineering from The City University, London (1981). In 2016 became a Licensed Tour Guide and works as a contract guide with Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Philip has also successfully completed many certified training activities such as: Certificate Program in Bird Ecology (Massachusetts Audubon Society 2008); Training of Trainers - Bird Guide Curriculum (University of Belize – Environmental Research Institute 2016); Instructor Techniques - Train the Trainer (Fire Management Consultant/Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary 2018); Raptor Certification Program (Belize Bird Conservancy 2019); Belize Archaeology Symposium (National Institute of Culture and History 2019); First Aid/CPR Instructor Trainer (Belize Red Cross 2019); and National Tour Guide Training Professional Core Module (Belize Tourism Board 2019). 

Philip is an expert birding guide with 40 years birding experience in Belize and is also a First Aid Instructor Trainer with the Belize Red Cross Society. Philip speaks English and Spanish.

Chester hails from Southern Belize where he was born in San Jose Village, a remote indigenous community situated within Toledo District’s Maya Homeland. Chester is Belizean Maya and his first language is Kekchi Maya, followed by Mopan Maya, Belizean Creole, English, and Spanish. Chester brings a world of traditional knowledge to his guided tours and can call out the names of birds and trees seen on the route in multiple languages. He even performs rap music in his Kekchi Maya native tongue.

Chester became a Licensed Tour Guide in 2009. Since then Chester has participated in many trainings, like First Aid and CPR(Recertified annually), Life Guard Training (2018), Basic Swift Water Rescue (2016), Wilderness First Aid (2016), and in 2019, he National Tour Guide Training Professional Core. Chester is very knowledgeable, energetic and entertaining. He excels in caving, canoeing, wildlife identification, and ethnobotany. His relationship with his Mayan ancestors shines when on tour at one of the many Ancient Maya Archaeological sites in Belize. He is a humble man and is always ready to meet new guests. Chester’s dream is to become one of the best Maya Tour Guides in Belize.

Efrain joined the Monkey Bay team in August 2015 as the Service Learning Program Manager. He quickly expanded his roles as a bus driver, and a Licensed Tour Guide in 2016. After that, he has participated in many trainings, such as Basic First Aid & CPR (Recertified annually), Wilderness First Aid (2016), Life Guard (2018), Basic Swift Water Rescue (2016), Management & Leadership (2017), Instructor Techniques (2018), and in 2019 he took the National Tour Guide Training Professional Core.

Efrain now serves our guests as a tour guide, bus driver and Administrative Manager. He is all about ensuring maximum satisfaction for all parties involved. Efrain resides in neighboring St. Matthew’s Village with wife Delfina Perez and 4 children, 2 girls and 2 Boys. His interests also include sports, history, culture, travelling, archaeology, playing instruments and family time.

Eli is a native Belizean who grew up at Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. He began bird watching, caving and canoeing at an early age, and today these are some of his guiding specialties. Eli officially joined the Monkey Bay Crew in 2012, and in 2014 he became a licensed Tour Guide. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Geography from Kennesaw State University in Georgia, USA. Eli is passionate about connecting with people and sharing his knowledge about the natural world.

He is a dedicated conservation activist and has gained experience working with The Peregrine Fund since 2021 to protect the endangered Orange-Breasted Falcon population in Belize and Guatemala.

Eli has participated in several training programmes such as Basic First Aid & CPR (Recertified annually), Wilderness First Aid (2016), Life Guard (2018), Swift Water Rescue (2018), Instructor Techniques (2018), National Tour Guide Training Professional Core (2019), Bird Banding (2019), and Advanced Wildland Fire Management (2020). Some of his hobbies include rock climbing, wildlife photography, mountain biking, and cooking. Eli’s versatility, enthusiasm, and attention to detail showcase his desire to go above and beyond to facilitate a positive guest experience.

Jason Miller was born in the beautiful town of Orange Walk and grew up in Crooked Tree Village. Growing up in a Wildlife Sanctuary he always had a passion for bird watching. Jason had worked at one of the most eco friendly and adventure resorts in Belize for 6 years. This is where he participated in many trainings such as: Advanced Cave and Wilderness Technician (2018), Wilderness First Responder (2020), Trauma Management, Fluid Resuscitation, Wound Repair, Tropical medicine and Tropical infectious diseases, International health and disaster/ relief response, healthcare provider CPR/ AED (Adult/ child/ infant - Recertified Annually). Jason has been a proud Tour guide and an ambassador for the tourism industry. He is knowledgeable of the flora and fauna and the biodiversity of our beautiful jewelry.  When he’s not working, he plays the role of being an awesome dad and husband. He enjoys grilling meat on the grill and also is a great cook. 

Rodney has been a certified tour guide since 2016, after having successfully completed the National Tour Guide Course. Since then Rodney has excelled in many areas of his profession, and has been certified as a Life Guard, First Aid Responder, and Basic Swift Water Rescuer. Rodney has a passion for guiding and leading field programs. He also excels as a competent birder and bus driver.

He has led many field programs in multiple destinations in Belize.

Melito is a child of Monkey Bay and has been a tour guide for more than ten years. He is well known among the professors. Melito’s charismatic personality wins the hearts of professors and students alike! He is a humorous individual, whose extrovert personality reaches out to every member of the group.

Melito is an accomplished water guide and bird specialist. His experience allows him to quickly adapt to any group and their learning outcomes.

Melito is also an accomplished bus driver.