Ausun’s staff consists of a variety of amazing local professionals in environmental and outdoor education, travel, and sports. Trip leaders are young, bilingual adults with CPR, First Aid and ICT Guide Certifications. Our shared values, philosophies, and passion for the Costa Rican outdoors is reflected in the success of the trips we lead and operate.
Mélida Barbee
Founder and Director
Mélida Barbee was born in Guatemala in 1972. In 1973 her family moved to Costa Rica where she has established her permanent residency and citizenship. Meli attended Country Day School in San José and graduated from UC, Santa Barbara with a BA in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on tropical regions. Mélida worked as an international adventure guide for over 10 years. She lead international students and adults on surf safaris, mountain biking, cycling, sea kayaking, rafting, and trekking adventures, primarily in Costa Rica and the USA. Over the years, Mélida recognized the need for outdoor programs that inspire greater outdoor appreciation, environmental awareness and conservation for Costa Rican young adults. Soon her passion for the outdoors, lust for adventure and work with national conservation efforts inspired the creation of Adventures Under the Sun.
With years of experience as a professional athlete in Costa Rica, Meli integrated physical activities as a key element to all AUSun programs. She trains and competes heavily in triathlon, marathons, ultra-marathons and adventures races, including the well re-known ECO CHALLENGE Fiji in 2002. The physical challenges and the training it has taken to accomplish these have had a big impact on Meli’s personal life, her values in life, and her health and life style. She hopes to influence younger generations to become more physically active in the technologically and media influenced world we live in today.
Fabiola Vega
Head Office Assistant and Trip Leader
Fabi was born and raised in Costa Rica. She graduated as a certified tourism guide from INA (Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje) and she is currently studying architecture. As Head Office Assistant, Fabiola is in charge of overall office management, reservations, itinerary bookings, and she pretty much helps out with everything! She is one of our star trip leaders and her commitment and creativity reflect in her work and determination to become a successful architect someday.
Edgar “Mané” Badilla
Trip Leader and Surf Instructor
Mané is another “Escazuseño” (from our hometown, Escazu). His family has owned a well-known printing shop in the center of town for years, and it is often possible to walk in and find Mane running things when he is not on tour. Mane has been a tour guide for several of the leading tourism agencies in Costa Rica. He is perfectly bilingual, and is currently studying Physical Education. He is extremely passionate about showing people his country, and loves the outdoors and adventure. He is the coordinator for our OSA expedition.
Diego Campos
Trip Leader, Surf Instructor
Diego comes from the home town of the locally renowned “Saprissa” soccer league, Tibas. His passion for soccer competes with his desire to share Costa Rica with students. Diego is a fantastic trip leader and always manages to connect with everyone on a trip. Diego is also a certified naturalist guide and has a fantastic disposition.
Naima Montejo
Surf Instructor
Naima is our lead local surf instructor on the Carribean coast. Both her parents are Costa Ricans, though she comes from Spanish decent. She was raised on the Caribbean coast and carries that smooth Caribbean way wherever she goes and in everything she does. Even while she surfs! Naima started surfing when she was 13 and today competes in the National Circuit. She has a beautiful daughter called Eva Mar, who is currently learning to surf as well.
Luigi Zuñiga
Sessions Under the Sun Head Coordinator & Surf Intructor
Luis Diego, otherwise known as Luigi, joined the Adventures Under the Sun staff as a Surf Instructor and Sessions Under the Sun Coordinator almost three years ago. Luigi is also from Escazú, and graduated from the ULatina in San José with a degree in Business Administration of Hotel and Restaurants. Luigi helps us out with much of our research and development for Sessions as well as AUSun trips. He spends half his time in the office and half his time in the field. Luigi loves the outdoors and thus is another passionate surfer and skate boarder. He has extensive experience surfing all over the country like any local would. Luigi is a patient teacher and great communicator.
