Jungle Calling: A guides story

We sit down with Professional Jungle Guide César Augusto González (César) of Panama to explore the path that led him deep into the heart of one of the world’s most biodiverse environments. From his early roots in the highland town of Boquete to his work with Indigenous communities and navigating the thick rainforests of Panama, César shares his story of adventure, leadership, and connection to nature. In this conversation, he opens up about what it truly means to be a jungle guide — the challenges, the magic, and the lessons that continue to shape his journey.

Deep in the highlands of Panama, in the small town of Boquete, begins the story of César Augusto González — a dedicated and passionate jungle guide whose journey into the wild was as unexpected as it was life-changing.

“I was on a trip to Volcan Barú (Panama’s highest mountain) with a friend, Alvaro Pérez, when we came across a man with a fractured ankle,” César recalls. “I splinted his leg with my first aid kit, and afterward, Alvaro asked me if I was interested in working in the jungle. He recommended me to Rick Morales, the owner of Jungle Treks.” That chance encounter set César on a path that would lead him deep into Panama’s pristine rainforests.

A Dream Fulfilled in the Wild

César’s love for the jungle was rooted in childhood stories — tales from his father that sparked a lifelong curiosity. His first jungle expedition didn’t disappoint.

Among his many memories, one moment stands out: discovering the Mongará Yarré, a sacred petroglyph known as the Monkey Rock. “The Jungle Treks logo always caught my attention. Rick told me it was a real rock in the jungle. Finally, I was assigned to an expedition with a great team and Embera porters. After three days, we cut through a thick bamboo branch—and there it was. The Mongará Yarré. It was a magical moment.”

Skills, Safety, and Certification

César emphasizes that being a jungle guide is about far more than just knowing the trail — it requires a deep, working knowledge of survival, leadership, and environmental awareness. His formal training, particularly through the Jungle Guide Certification course, played a key role in shaping the professional he is today.

“The knowledge from the certification has been valuable, especially when important decisions need to be made in the field,” he explains. “There are moments when you’re days from any kind of help. You need to act with confidence and clarity — and that comes from preparation.”

Among the many skills he learned, navigation stands out as one of the most essential. Whether retracing historic routes or exploring new ones, César relies on his map and compass, local knowledge, and situational awareness to safely lead his teams through some of the most remote parts of Panama.

“Navigating has been one of the most useful skills. It’s been critical when we’re establishing new routes through the jungle — when there are no trails, only instincts, maps, and understanding how the land flows.”

But for César, technical skills are only part of the equation. He’s a firm believer that safety must be woven into every decision, from pre-trip planning to the final day of the expedition.

“It starts with understanding the environment — reading the terrain, tracking weather changes, maintaining hygiene, and having solid first aid skills for remote areas,” he says. “It’s also important to stay aware of how your team is doing physically and mentally, and to be proactive rather than reactive.”

One of the cornerstones of his approach is working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and local authorities. Their insights into the land, weather patterns, and potential hazards are invaluable, he says — and their involvement enhances not only the safety but also the cultural richness of the journey.

In César’s view, professional certification isn’t just about a piece of paper — it’s about having the tools and mindset to lead with responsibility, especially when conditions become unpredictable. “A guide should always be ready to adapt. You can’t control the jungle, but you can prepare for it.”

Guiding with Purpose

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring guides, César’s words speak to leadership, empathy, and a deep connection with nature:

He believes the most important quality in a jungle guide is the ability to balance leadership with empathy. “You must understand your team’s needs, make decisions without self-judgment, and set limits to maintain harmony. Respect for nature and local cultures is essential.”

Honoring Culture and Community

For César, guiding is not just about navigating landscapes — it’s about honoring the people who have lived in harmony with the jungle for generations. His work often brings him into close collaboration with Panama’s Indigenous communities, especially the Emberá, whose knowledge, resilience, and connection to the land have left a lasting impression on him.

“Local culture is a priceless treasure,” he says. “Understanding it creates an organic connection between visitors and communities. It becomes a true cultural exchange.”

César believes that truly meaningful expeditions go beyond the trail — they foster respect, listening, and shared experience. His partnerships with local guides and porters are built on trust and mutual learning, where ancestral skills are not just helpful, but essential.

“One of the most valuable things I’ve learned,” he shares, “is how the Emberá can find old tracks hidden deep in the jungle — trails you’d never think were there. And their dialects carry so much history. Even just a word or phrase can root you in something much bigger.”

In his eyes, cultural awareness isn’t an optional extra for guides — it’s a foundational skill. Respecting Indigenous knowledge, understanding local customs, and ensuring that communities benefit from the presence of visitors are all part of the responsibility that comes with leading in the jungle.

A Life in the Jungle

Of course, jungle life isn’t without its surprises. César recalls one unforgettable moment with a laugh: “We were on the Camino Real trek with my colleague Kandy Valle when a huge tapir came barreling out of the forest like a rolling boulder. The jungle shook!”

Despite the challenges, César always brings along one essential item: his son’s old green coffee mug and fork. “All the teams and Segundo (a fellow guide) call it the ‘baby coffee mug’ — I never go on an expedition without it.”

As for food? “Embera red rice with fresh water fish, fried plantains, and habanero sauce. We call it the Jungle Sauce.”

César continues to guide expeditions across Panama with Jungle Treks Panama, and his own company Boquete Hiking Tours. His story is a reminder of how a single moment — an ankle splint on a volcano — can open the door to a lifetime of adventure, connection, and leadership in the wild.

To learn more or book an expedition with César and his Jungle Treks team, visit www.jungletreks.com, his personal website www.boquetehikingtours.com, or reach out on Instagram @cesargonzlz

To learn more about training and certification chat with César, any Certified Guide, or talk to us here at Jungle Guides International. Our growing community is always happy to help!

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Next time, we speak to Max Kölbl, a wildlife cameraman from Germany who has spent years working alongside jungle guides and Indigenous communities in some of the world’s most remote environments. We talk about what it takes to safely film in the jungle, how he builds trust with local teams, and why working with certified guides is essential to his success. Max shares stories from behind the camera, insights on managing risk in unpredictable terrain, and the deep respect he has for the knowledge and cultural insight of Indigenous peoples who help bring the jungle to life on film.