Mariuxi Prieto

My husband and I have just returned from an incredible vacation to Machu Picchu, Peru and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. We scheduled the trip at the end of the rainy season because the sea was supposed to be calmer and the crowds smaller. Luckily, we had only one day of rain in Peru and no rain in Ecuador! But we have learned over the years that what makes or breaks a trip like this is the guides that share their knowledge and love of the location with you. And in the Galapagos, this is even more important because every excursion must be led by a naturalist, since you can not explore the islands on your own. 

For the Galapagos, we couldn't have had a better experience than the one we enjoyed on the 48 passenger Xperience. The crew and guests were so much fun to be with, but more importantly, the naturalists were outstanding....especially, Mari!

Mari was so knowledeable about everything: the islands and their history and topography; the animals and why they are unique; the plants and how they support the wildlife. Her enthusiasm was contagious! Prior to the trip, we never had much interest in birds, but Mari changed that. She spent hours teaching us about how they evolved, about their habits and habitats. She made each island come alive, and told us fascinating stories about how the islands were formed and even the historical significance of some of the grafitti on the islands. She was very easy to understand and careful to speak slowly. She often spelled the names of animals or plants we encountered, which was helpful for us because we always take notes so that we will remember the details of the trip.

Although each of the naturalists was wonderful, we found ourselves trying to time our disembarkation so that we could board Mari's zodiac, which would guarantee us the best possible experience. Her stories and explanations were fascinating. She is kind, conscientious and passionate about her job. If you have the good fortune to spend time with Mari, your tours will be unforgettable.