The Team
We work with joy and pride to make sure our guests have a wonderful experience at Capitán Suizo. We are 80 staff members, most of us (95%) are Costa Rican and the majority from the region of Guanacaste.
The Management
Urs Schmid / Owner
I am part of the owner family and in charge of the well-being of the hotel. My goal is that our customers enjoy their time at Capitan Suizo to its fullest and hopefully return to Costa Rica and come visit us again. I am Swiss and came to Costa Rica with my parents when I was seven years old. After living here for several years I returned to Switzerland when I was 13 years old to attend Swiss High School. In Switzerland I also served in the Swiss military for 1 year, studied economics in Zürich for another year and hospitality for three years in the École hôtelière de Lausanne, before moving back to Costa Rica in 2014 to take over my parent’s business. I feel highly fortunate that I was able to grow up with two different cultures and learn from both. I am very thankful that I was able to take over Hotel Capitán Suizo, the lifework of my parents. I am also very much involved in the development of Tamarindo, having been elected twice by the local community to represent Tamarindo’s needs to the government through the ADIT (Integral development association of Tamarindo). The ADIT is involved in many projects and services, if you would like to learn more, please visit the website: http://playatamarindo.org. In my time off I enjoy playing sports and exercising. I often go running, swimming, surfing, kayaking, salsa dancing and play beach volleyball. I also love to travel, to read and to watch a good movie.
Helen Soto / General manager / helen@hotelcapitansuizo.com
I am from Escazú a town in the province of San José in the center of the country, but I moved to Guanacaste 13 years ago to study Ecotourism at college. I fell in love with the relaxed lifestyle here that is so far removed from that of the city, so I decided to stay in Guanacaste. Today I work as assistant manager but I also spend my time with social and environmental programs as a volunteer in Tamarindo town. I have spent 7 years working at Capitán Suizo. As part of my tasks and responsabilities, I am manager on duty twice a week. In my time off I like to read a good book or walk along the beach with Coco, my dog.
Jairo Araya / Manager / jaraya@hotelcapitansuizo.com
I am from San Ramón a town of Alajuela. I am the one responsible for the lush, 100% organic garden. I am also in charge of fauna, security, pool maintenance and I manage the farm of the family who own the hotel, where we have horses and other animals, as well as many kinds of trees and where we are dedicated to reforestation projects. I have been working at Capitán Suizo for over 12 years and feel as if I am part of one big family. As an assistant manager I am manager on duty during the night shift twice a week. During my spare time I love spending time with my family.
Diego Araya / Financial advisor / daraya@hotelcapitansuizo.com
In 1994 I decided to move from my rural hometown where I grew up, San Ramón (near the Central Valley) to Liberia, Guanacaste in order to study Ecotourism at the University of Costa Rica. Just before graduating from university, I had the opportunity to join the front desk team at Hotel Capitán Suizo which immediately captivated me through its warm and friendly management style and also through its sustainable operations commitment.
It did not take long for me to feel Capitan Suizo’s soul, and have it become a second home during the last 20 years. My experience at Capitán Suizo not only let me grow as a professional in the hospitality industry, but also as a person with my own challenges and goals to maintain a happy, motivated and active lifestyle!
Besides working, I have been able to continue my university studies in business administration (2005) and project management (2014). I also teach management and ecotourism at the university during my time off. I am a nature lover and as most Costa Ricans, soccer is in my blood! I also enjoy travelling, hiking, swimming, and most outdoor sports.
As a proud Costa Rican, I can always expect to offer our guests a once in a lifetime experience during their visit to our beautiful country, and of course during their stay at Capitán Suizo, so much so that they are tempted to keep coming back!!
Raúl Esquivel / Front office & sales manager / resquivel@hotelcapitansuizo.com
I am from Nicoya, but I live in a little town near Tamarindo. I have been working at Capitán Suizo for over 10 years. For 5 years I have been chief of the reception and the reservations department. Together with the reception and reservations team I help our future guests find the most suitable accommodation we can offer and wholeheartedly welcome every guest. We also assist guests with anything they may need to have a pleasant stay. Since I have been working at the hotel for many years and because of my position, the management designates me as “manager on duty” a few times during the week.
Heads of Departments
Rosa Villarreal / Concierge / concierge@hotelcapitansuizo.com
I am from Santa Rosa, a little town near Tamarindo. I have been working at Capitán Suizo for over 16 years at the tour desk. I am always happy to help our guests, with many years of experience to provide excellent suggestions for entertainment, activities and various services within the area. It is with great pleasure that I will help you make your stay as fun, adventurous or relaxing as you wish.
Marisella Rocha / Chef de Service / restauranteam@hotelcapitansuizo.com
I am in charge of the restaurant service during the mornings. I feel that I am very helpful and approachable. I love talking to people. I really appreciate that our guests get enough information about my country and the things that they can do here.
Ademar Rosales “Cucho” / Pool maintenance
Hi, mi name is Cucho. I am from Villarreal, the closest town to Tamarindo. I oversee the maintenance of the pool area and that is why I’m always around trying to make the area look perfect. I’m also always taking care of the green iguanas as they live on the trees around the pool. I have been working here since the construction and know this hotel from its foundations
Angélica Barrantes / Administrative assistant
My name is Angelica Barrantes Mora, I was born in San Ramón de Alajuela. I am the third of five sisters. With the grace of God, I was born in a very close family. I studied at the Gerardo Bastilla Mora elementary school and at Julia Voldere Llorente high school, both are located in San Ramón.
I have been living here since April 2016, starting an important stage in my life together with my husband and my daughter. I feel that I made a good decision when I moved to Guanacaste as it gave me the opportunity to work at Capitán Suizo. I enjoy meeting new people and collaborating so that your stay is the best, which really makes me happy!
I like to spend time with my family and my loved ones in my free time, in which I include my three dogs: Zeus, Gypsy and Pinty.