Elias was born in Panajachel in 1980 and is Kaqchikel Maya. Naturally curious, Elias is always finding new things and loves to take hikes and in his free time go mountain bike riding.

In 2008 he became a General Tourism Guide and since then he has designed tours that include nature and adventure. Since 2010 he has been conducting mountain bike tours around Lake Atitlan.

In the cultural area, he enjoys sharing Kaqchikel community and family traditions, exploring the vibrant local markets, and teach the Kaqchikel language.

In 2012, Elias began birdwatching motivated to see the national bird – Resplendent Quetzal – in the wild. In his quest to see the Quetzal, he saw the huge diversity of birds in Guatemala, and this motivated him to continue to investigate the birds of Guatemala.

Currently he has completed Advanced Birdwatching Guide Course and his favorite species in the Azure-rumped Tanager (tangara cabanisi), particularly for its brilliant color and beauty.

Elias has participated in reforestation projects and is interested in sharing his knowledge through environmental education programs with local youth with the goal to reduce deforestation and environmental degradation in the area.