About Us

Maria Elena’s mother, Marlene Aguirre, is a descendent of the earliest settlers in Santa Cruz; Her maternal grandmother was the first woman fisherman in Galápagos.

Maria Elena’s father, Carlos Ricaurte, is a fisherman in San Cristóbal. Carlos founded the first fishing cooperative in the islands and was the primary architect in the creation of the sustainable tourist-fishing activity: Vivencial Fishing. Maria Elena’s fishing ancestry entitles her and her children to fish in the Marine Reserve.

Maria Elena schooled in Quito and returned to Galápagos for holidays. After attending university in Quito, Maria Elena worked as a tourist guide before emigrating to Canada where she continued her technical studies, at the same time serving in the Canadian Forces Reserves.

In 1996, Maria Elena secured a two-year contract to work in the computer department of one of the premier banks in Bermuda. On returning to Canada, Maria Elena established her own technology company and took further diplomas in Business Administration, Travel & Tourism.

Daniel & Leonardo at Carola

The Keegan-Ricaurte Family had been returning to Galápagos every summer since 1996. In 2008, although Sean’s consulting business was thriving, Sean and Maria Elena decided that they would rather live and raise their young family in the Galápagos. The Keegans founded Galeodanturis Cia. Ltda (Galeodan) and moved permanently to San Cristóbal in January of 2009.

In the years before moving to Galápagos, Sean and Maria Elena purchased the 5 lots which comprise Helena’s Garden. On arrival, they first built their home and started construction of the Galeodan Suites.