our story

I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, but from a young age, I felt pulled toward something bigger. I was fascinated by the natural world—especially the Amazon rainforest. I remember flipping through a huge coffee table book filled with images of dense, vibrant green, trying to wrap my mind around a place so alive and different from anything I knew.  At the same time, I grew up in the 90s, shaped by stories like FernGully and Captain Planet—reminders that the world is something we’re meant to care for and protect.  That perspective stayed with me.  In college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica, and everything shifted. I fell in love with the country, the culture, and the way travel can open your eyes—not just to new places, but to your own impact within them. I began to understand that wherever we go, our presence matters. Travel isn’t neutral—it can either give back or take away.  After college, I spent several years working in corporate travel, where I saw both sides of the industry—the incredible potential for connection, and also the ways travel can negatively impact communities and environments when it’s not done thoughtfully.  In 2012, I moved to Costa Rica and began working closely with local nonprofits. Through those relationships, I started to understand what meaningful, responsible travel could actually look like—what communities truly need, and how travelers can be part of something positive and respectful.  Over time, through connection after connection, Alma Travel was born in 2019.  Shortly after, the pandemic hit. Like many in travel, we faced uncertainty—but our vision never changed. Our love for this work, for the places we share, and for the people we meet along the way only grew stronger.  As we continued, something else became clear—we weren’t just building trips, we were building a community. We wanted to keep traveling with the same people, deepening connections, and expanding into new countries in a way that felt just as intentional. Every destination we offer today comes from real relationships, real experience, and a genuine connection to place.  My background in Latin American studies, along with a lifelong connection to the region (and a mom who was a Spanish teacher), has always made this part of the world feel like home.  Alma is a reflection of all of that— a love for travel, a respect for place, and a belief that when done thoughtfully, travel can be a force for good. Alma means “soul” in Spanish—and that’s exactly what we hope to bring into every journey. Travel that feels personal, connected, and rooted in something deeper.  Whether you’re joining a tour, traveling with a group, or creating something custom, we invite you to be part of a community that values connection, curiosity, and care for the places we explore.