Meet the Owner of Balaam Eco Adventures
Oscar Castaneda
Upon completing College I earned an Associates Degree in Arts and Science with majors in Biology and Chemistry with the intentions of becoming a Pedriatician. The eldest of 4 in my family I was born and raised in "Sugar City" known as Orange Walk, Northern Belize and eventually moved to San Ignacio in search of more experience and exposure as a Naturalist Guide. I am now an Envirionmentalist, Serious Adventurer, Explorer, Naturalist, Educator, Wildlife Biologist, Caver, and advocate for the Conservation of the Archaeological & Cultural Heritage of Belize, Eco-Tourism, Sustainable Development, and Selective Extraction of our Natural Resources.
Janaury 1995 marks the start of my Adventureous life and the exciting turn of events leading to this day. Working for the leading NGO Conservation Organization, Programme For Belize as a Research Biologist & Naturalist Guide gave me the opportunity to be a tourist in my country while learning about Nature, Wildlife, Flora & Fauna, Protected Areas, Conservation and its importance to the entire Globe, Eco-Tourism and how its up to us to individually make a difference. Think Globally and act locally was inculcated in my being and existence. Some duties included: Community Outreach Programs, Scientific Research on Birds, Wildlife, Insects, Plants, Trees, assisting with Archaeological Excavations, Guiding tours, Developing Nature trails and Lectures on Environmental topics, Marine Ecology, Tropical Forest Ecology among other topics.
Over the next thirteen years after leaving Programme For Belize I worked as a Professional Naturalist Guide for several Tour Companies, High End Resorts and for Thompson Family Adventures. Everyday was a new Adventure in my many offices Leading Day Tours and 7-10 Day Tour Itineraries and being the Private Guide for my guests. As an Adventure Guide I would meet my guests upon arrival to Belize and be with them throughout their vacations to the Mainland and Island Tours. I am a now a Specialist in High Adrenaline Adventures and developed four new tours for Hidden Valley Inn & Reserve. The new Tours are Rock Climbing, Canyoneering, Waterfall Rappelling and Jungle Overnight Expeditions.
As a Naturalist Guide, Natural Leader, Ambassador for my country & descendant of the Ancient Maya I strongly believe in Responsible Tourism, Travel that supports the local Economy, Conservation of Wild Areas and Cultural Tourism. I have learnt and educated others on how to create balance between the Environment and Sustainable Tourism. I continue to introduce guests to the beauty of Belize while helping to shape and direct best practices and policies for developing Belize into a Sustainable Destination.
I am very passionate about the Tours & Excursions I lead, Natural wonders of Belize, the Diversity in Belize Cultures, Flora and Fauna and the Mayan sites as I am a descendant of the Ancient Maya that once thrived in the Rainforests of Belize. Having lots of experience Guiding, I love working with Private Tours, Customized itineraries and Family groups.
With my passion for Guiding, Eco-Tourism & Sustainable Development, Creating Employment, Contributing to the Communities, Diverse Cultures and after working for several companies came the birth of Balaam Eco Adventures. Balaam is the Maya word for Jaguar, revered by the Ancient Maya and my favourite animal that I have seen many times in the wild. The vision with Creating Balaam Eco Adventures as a Company is to Promote the diverse and rich Cultures of Belize, Eco-Adventure Tours, its Natural Wonders, Mayan Sites, Practice Eco-Tourism by involving the local communities, Adopting schools to work with, Creating Economic Incentives and Ideas for the people of Belize, Incorporate other community Outreach Programs, stimulate the Belize Economy by sharing our country with Tourists and everyone wins at the end of the day. This creates better working and living conditions for the local people thus Eco-Tourism and changing people's lives, both local and tourists alike. Balaam Eco Adventures is indeed here to make a difference and positively touch everyone's life ours and everyone we come in contact with for a better world in any small way we can.
At Balaam Eco Adventures we practice Eco-Tourism therefore all our Tours are Private and we have small groups causing minimal impact to our Fragile Environments. All our Tours are based on a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 persons. Balaam-Eco Adventures is your Belize Adventure Specialist. Our Tours are Educational & Adventurous with our hand picked Mayan Naturalist Guides. We offer Daily Tours, Customized Packages & Itineraries and Complete Vacation Planning throughout Belize to both Mainland and Islands. We take care of every detail of your Vacation so that you can have an Unbelizeable Vacation enjoying Nature with our Expert hand picked Mayan Naturalist Guides.
Allow us to plan your next Unbelizeable Vacations. Creating Lifetime memories one vacation at a time. "Exploring Nature With Expert Naturalist."
We are a local 100% Belizean Family owned business. Let us customize your Belize Adventures.
Creating lifetime memories one vacation at a time.
"Exploring Nature With Expert Naturalist"
Balaam Eco Adventures
Office: (501)620-1811
