Veronica Maruri

Veronica was born in Guayaquil, the largest port in Ecuador. When she was 12 years old she spent a year with her cousins in Massachusetts, an experience she has long considered among the best in her life. After finishing high school at the American School in Guayaquil, she returned to the United States to complete a two year college degree. Upon receiving her degree, Veronica returned to Ecuador.

It was a hot day on the island of Baltra when she fell in love with Galápagos. It was the 1982 El Niño year and strange weather phenomena were occurring daily. The cacti, the land iguanas, the dry landscape, and the pouring rain made her wonder what it would be like to live in such an incredible environment. As a result, Veronica stayed — she has been a Galápagos Naturalist Guide since 1984, and loves to walk the islands, swim the islands, and most of all, discover and contemplate the islands' ever-enchanting landscapes. She has lived on Santa Cruz Island for over twenty years now.

During her time working as a guide, Veronica has met many people with whom she has had the privilege to share the highlights of their lives: like snorkeling for the first time, watching a sea lion on the beach, or admiring an impressive cliff. For her, sharing these experiences is what drives her to show visitors the best of what the Galápagos Islands have to offer.