Rocio Nicolalde

Rocío was born and raised in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After she graduated from high school she moved to the U.K. to study education with her sister, spending four years in Sussex while she got her teaching certificate. From there Rocío returned to Ecuador where she worked as a Waldorf teacher. 

The youngest in a large family of five sisters and one brother, Rocío always loved nature and from a young age her parents would take her for hikes in the Andean mountains, visiting (active!) volcanoes such as Cotopaxi, Ilinizas and Pichincha. She also spent time in the Ecuadorian Amazon where she learned even more about the local wildlife.

In 1986, Rocío decided she wanted to become a naturalist guide for the Galápagos. She passed the training and has been working across various companies, guiding for over 30 years. Having worked in Galápagos for such a long time, Rocío has a deep understanding of the interrelationships between the different species found on each of the islands and the harmony and balance that maintains their presence there. 

Rocío speaks German, often giving presentations and leading trips in the language. She also studied astronomy at the Polytechnic University of Quito and it’s one of her favorite pastimes to share with guests. She invites you to join her on the sundeck on any clear night to discuss and view the constellations. 

Rocío has passed her passion down to her son who is following in her footsteps and currently training to become a naturalist guide.