Latin America, Galapagos Trip Leader

Bitinia Espinoza

Languages Spoken: English & Spanish

Guide Since: 1991

Bitinia Espinoza, better known as Biti, is a native of the Galápagos whose family has lived in the islands since the 1930s. She graduated from the University of Guayaquil with studies in natural history and has been guiding groups in the Galápagos and throughout Ecuador since 1991. Her travels on the lecture circuit on behalf of the Galápagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station have taken her to the US and other regions. She loves training young naturalists and applying her knowledge for the benefit of the future of the Galápagos. Biti enjoys kayaking, snorkeling, and professional photography (she has led photo safari trips several times), and lives in Quito with her two daughters and three grandchildren. 

Our Team

Upcoming Trips with Bitinia

Galapagos Private Journey

Dec 28 - Jan 4, 2025

View Trip

Ultimate Galapagos aboard the Passion

Feb 20 - Mar 8, 2025

View Trip

Client Testimonials

There are really no words to say how wonderful Biti was/is. She had such extensive knowledge of the land; she could answer any question that came her way. Her passion and love of the land came through without her ever directly saying how much she cared for the land; you could just see it/feel it. Best naturalist I could've asked for.

Allison P.

Penfield, NY
Ultimate Galapagos aboard the Mary Anne

There are not enough superlatives to describe Bitinia as a guide!

Amy R.

Tempe, AZ
Ultimate Galapagos

Bitinia is a superb trip leader.

Barbara K.

Albany OR

Biti was extremely knowledgeable. She knew the answer to every question! She and the ship’s crew were very flexible. Very refreshing.

Bill W.

Palo Alto, CA

REALLY SMART! And lots of fun as well

Bonnie C.

Oakland, CA
Enchanted Isles

Best guide I think there could have possibly been. She was informative and attentive when she needed to be but quiet and unobtrusive when she needed to be. She was the perfect guide for our family of 16. Extremely knowledgeable, patient, kind, and observant.

Caitlin H.

Windermere, FL
Enchanted Isles

Best guide I think there could have possibly been. She was informative and attentive when she needed to be but quiet and unobtrusive when she needed to be. She was the perfect guide for our family of 16. Extremely knowledgeable, patient, kind, and observant.

Caitlin H.

Windermere, FL
Enchanted Isles

Bitinia is the most personable and knowledgeable person I have ever met!

Ela S.

New York, NY
Enchanted Isles aboard the Mary Anne

I cannot imagine there is a person with more knowledge of the Galapagos.

Eric W.

Hobe Sound, FL
Darwin Cruise

Biti Espinoza is a delightful person with an excellent knowledge of the Galapagos and a concern for the environment. We all fell in love with her.

Essie H.

Santa Monica, CA

Biti is an incredible naturalist. There wasn't a question about animals, plants, or geology she couldn't answer.

Gary G.

Grand Junction, CO
Ultimate Galapagos

Bitinia was a superb guide. Her concern for her islands was evident and shared in a professional but personal way.

Gay T.

Fort Myers, FL
Galapagos Adventure

Bitinia Espinoza was amazing. Her passion for nature was contagious and she communicated well with everyone.

Jeffrey L.

San Carlos, CA

Bitinia was a walking encyclopedia! Her knowledge of the area was above and beyond.

Julie G.

Medina, WA
Ultimate Galapagos

Biti was an absolutely incredible guide. Her depth of knowledge and local experience made this trip unforgettable. Being from the Galápagos, her desire to share her home and preserve its integrity comes through in every excursion. I cannot imagine a better experience.

Katie L.

Rockville, MD
Galapagos Adventure

Bitina was amazing. She was a major reason our trip was absolutely wonderful. She seemed to enjoy it as much as we did.

Kelsie S.

Salem, OR
Enchanted Isles aboard the Mary Anne

Bitinia is a passionate advocate for the islands. She made the trip.

Lynn B.

Portland OR

Bitinia is one of the most remarkable women I've ever met. Her knowledge and skill are unfathomable. Her passion and dedication to the Galapagos are inspiring. This was my second Galapagos trip and if I'm ever fortunate enough to take another, I would insist on Bitinia. She is the best, period.

Mark T.

San Anselmo CA

Bitinia was fantastic and certainly helped to make this a truly enjoyable and memorable trip. She is the best!

Nena T.

Saint Helena, CA
Ultimate Galapagos

Bitinia IS this trip, in her own right a Galapagos treasure. It would not be the value it is without her.

Rae Ann W.

Fort Myers, FL
Galapagos Adventure

Much of what I loved about the trip was due to our exceptional guide, Bitinia. Her knowledge of the flora and fauna and people management skills were superb. She made the trip.

Roz S.

Salem, OR
Galapagos Adventure aboard the Mary Anne: Western Islands

Bitinia was a superb guide. I was extremely impressed with both her knowledge, her warmth as a human being, and her dedication to environmental protection.

Ruth M.

San Francisco, CA
Ultimate Galapagos

Book Your Trip Today

Our Area Specialists know every detail about our adventures around the world. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

Talk to an expert
Choose a Trip
{"Guide":[{"GuideID":850793,"First_Name":"Bitinia","Last_Name":"Espinoza","Guide_Profile":"Bitinia Espinoza, better known as Biti, is a native of the Gal&aacute;pagos&nbsp;whose family has lived in the islands since the 1930s. She graduated from the University of Guayaquil with studies in natural history and has been guiding groups in the Gal&aacute;pagos&nbsp;and throughout Ecuador since 1991. Her travels on the lecture circuit on behalf of the Gal&aacute;pagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station have taken her to the US and other regions. She loves training young naturalists and applying her knowledge for the benefit of the future of the Gal&aacute;pagos. Biti enjoys kayaking, snorkeling, and professional photography (she has led photo safari trips several times), and lives in Quito with her two daughters and three grandchildren.&nbsp;","Image_Name":"https:\/\/s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com\/wildernesstravel\/guides\/bitinia-espinoza.jpg","DisplayOnWeb":true}],"CustomFields":{"Custom_Dietary_Preferences":"","Custom_Leader_Region":"Latin America, Galapagos","Custom_Leader_Languages":"English & Spanish","Custom_Leader_Since":"1991","Custom_Leader_Slug":""},"activities":[{}],"destinations":[{}],"reviews":[{"GuestNames":"Allison P.","GuestLocation":"Penfield, NY<br \/>Ultimate Galapagos aboard the Mary Anne","GuestReview":"There are really no words to say how wonderful Biti was\/is. She had such extensive knowledge of the land; she could answer any question that came her way. Her passion and love of the land came through without her ever directly saying how much she cared for the land; you could just see it\/feel it. Best naturalist I could've asked for.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Amy R.","GuestLocation":"Tempe, AZ<br \/>Ultimate Galapagos","GuestReview":"There are not enough superlatives to describe Bitinia as a guide!","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Barbara K.","GuestLocation":"Albany OR","GuestReview":"Bitinia is a superb trip leader.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Bill W.","GuestLocation":"Palo Alto, CA","GuestReview":"Biti was extremely knowledgeable. She knew the answer to every question! She and the ship&#8217;s crew were very flexible. Very refreshing.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Bonnie C.","GuestLocation":"Oakland, CA<br \/>Enchanted Isles","GuestReview":"REALLY SMART! And lots of fun as well","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Caitlin H.","GuestLocation":"Windermere, FL<br \/>Enchanted Isles","GuestReview":"Best guide I think there could have possibly been. She was informative and attentive when she needed to be but quiet and unobtrusive when she needed to be. She was the perfect guide for our family of 16. Extremely knowledgeable, patient, kind, and observant.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Caitlin H.","GuestLocation":"Windermere, FL<br \/>Enchanted Isles","GuestReview":"Best guide I think there could have possibly been. She was informative and attentive when she needed to be but quiet and unobtrusive when she needed to be. She was the perfect guide for our family of 16. Extremely knowledgeable, patient, kind, and observant.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Ela S.","GuestLocation":"New York, NY<br \/>Enchanted Isles aboard the Mary Anne","GuestReview":"Bitinia is the most personable and knowledgeable person I have ever met!","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Eric W.","GuestLocation":"Hobe Sound, FL<br \/>Darwin Cruise","GuestReview":"I cannot imagine there is a person with more knowledge of the Galapagos.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Essie H.","GuestLocation":"Santa Monica, CA","GuestReview":"Biti Espinoza is a delightful person with an excellent knowledge of the Galapagos and a concern for the environment. We all fell in love with her.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Gary G.","GuestLocation":"Grand Junction, CO<br \/>Ultimate Galapagos","GuestReview":"Biti is an incredible naturalist. There wasn't a question about animals, plants, or geology she couldn't answer.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Gay T.","GuestLocation":"Fort Myers, FL<br \/>Galapagos Adventure","GuestReview":"Bitinia was a superb guide. Her concern for her islands was evident and shared in a professional but personal way.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Jeffrey L.","GuestLocation":"San Carlos, CA","GuestReview":"Bitinia Espinoza was amazing. Her passion for nature was contagious and she communicated well with everyone.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Julie G.","GuestLocation":"Medina, WA<br \/>Ultimate Galapagos","GuestReview":"Bitinia was a walking encyclopedia! Her knowledge of the area was above and beyond.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Katie L.","GuestLocation":"Rockville, MD<br \/>Galapagos Adventure","GuestReview":"Biti was an absolutely incredible guide. Her depth of knowledge and local experience made this trip unforgettable. Being from the Gal&#225;pagos, her desire to share her home and preserve its integrity comes through in every excursion. I cannot imagine a better experience.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Kelsie S.","GuestLocation":"Salem, OR<br \/>Enchanted Isles aboard the Mary Anne","GuestReview":"Bitina was amazing. She was a major reason our trip was absolutely wonderful. She seemed to enjoy it as much as we did.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Lynn B.","GuestLocation":"Portland OR","GuestReview":"Bitinia is a passionate advocate for the islands. She made the trip.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Mark T.","GuestLocation":"San Anselmo CA","GuestReview":"Bitinia is one of the most remarkable women I've ever met. Her knowledge and skill are unfathomable. Her passion and dedication to the Galapagos are inspiring. This was my second Galapagos trip and if I'm ever fortunate enough to take another, I would insist on Bitinia. She is the best, period.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Nena T.","GuestLocation":"Saint Helena, CA<br \/>Ultimate Galapagos","GuestReview":"Bitinia was fantastic and certainly helped to make this a truly enjoyable and memorable trip. She is the best!","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Rae Ann W.","GuestLocation":"Fort Myers, FL<br \/>Galapagos Adventure","GuestReview":"Bitinia IS this trip, in her own right a Galapagos treasure. It would not be the value it is without her.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Roz S.","GuestLocation":"Salem, OR<br \/>Galapagos Adventure aboard the Mary Anne: Western Islands","GuestReview":"Much of what I loved about the trip was due to our exceptional guide, Bitinia. Her knowledge of the flora and fauna and people management skills were superb. She made the trip.","TripName":""},{"GuestNames":"Ruth M.","GuestLocation":"San Francisco, CA<br \/>Ultimate Galapagos","GuestReview":"Bitinia was a superb guide. I was extremely impressed with both her knowledge, her warmth as a human being, and her dedication to environmental protection.","TripName":""}]}