Travel Expert

James Alfaro

Hi, I’m James—founder of HapiPais LLC, father of two, adventure seeker, and passionate believer that the best travel memories are made together as a family. My journey into travel began with my own childhood—annual trips to Costa Rica, where my father introduced me to the pristine mountains, quiet beaches, and deep cultural roots of his homeland. Those early experiences shaped my lifelong love for authentic, meaningful travel. It’s no coincidence that I named my agency HapiPais—inspired by Costa Rica, one of the happiest countries in the world. I believe that happiness comes from connection, discovery, and shared experiences, and that’s exactly the kind of travel I help families create. My career took me on the road early—as a touring guitar tech for major bands, and later as an audio engineer in Hollywood. But it wasn’t until I had children of my own that I discovered the true magic of travel: sharing the world with them while they’re still young enough to be wide-eyed at every glacier, city, or castle. Since 2021, my family and I have become Royal Caribbean Diamond members, cruising through Iceland, the Caribbean, and across the South Pacific to Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. We’ve explored the cities of Europe and, most recently, I led a three-generation expedition to Antarctica with my 10-year-old daughter and 80-year-old mother—an experience none of us will ever forget. I specialize in family and multigenerational travel, with a focus on cruises and immersive land tours. Whether you’re planning a magical escape to Disney, a once-in-a-lifetime polar journey, or a cultural tour across Europe, I’ll help you build unforgettable moments that fit your budget, goals, and family’s unique dynamic. Let’s make the most of your family’s precious time together—through travel that inspires, connects, and creates lifelong memories.

My love of travel began early, with yearly trips to Costa Rica where my father showed me the country’s pristine mountains, quiet beaches, and rich cultural traditions. Those experiences opened my eyes to the world beyond my hometown and planted the seeds for a lifetime of exploration. In my early career, I traveled extensively across the United States and Canada while touring as a guitar tech with major bands. Life on the road taught me how to adapt quickly, appreciate different cultures and cities, and find the hidden gems in every destination — skills that continue to shape how I plan travel for others today. Over the years, I’ve traveled with my family across North America, Europe, the South Pacific, and even Antarctica. We've cruised through Iceland, the Caribbean, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific islands, often spending weeks at sea together discovering new places. On land, we’ve explored Rome, Positano, Paris, Lucerne, and Lauterbrunnen, creating lifelong memories with our children at every turn. One of my most unforgettable adventures was leading a three-generation expedition to Antarctica — traveling alongside my 10-year-old daughter and 80-year-old mother to one of the most remote places on Earth. Watching my daughter’s awe at standing among penguins and glaciers was a reminder of why I believe in traveling with family while they're young enough to experience the world with wide eyes. Each journey has strengthened my belief that travel is one of the most powerful ways to connect as a family — and that's the spirit I bring to every trip I help plan for my clients.