#1 Most BookedFrom $115
taxes & processing included
Welcome toVIVOEXPEDITIONSPrivate Tours & Wildlife Expeditions in Costa Rica · Your Costa Rican Partner
VIVO — to live, fully. A local team with 15+ years designing private, unhurried journeys through Costa Rica's wild heart.
Just your groupEvery activity in one placeLocal team · 15+ years
Field dispatches from our regions
Featured RegionArenal · La Fortuna
Real guests
Instant
From$115Danaus Night Walk
Red-eyed tree frogs, eyelash pit vipers and nocturnal insects — a guided night walk through one of La Fortuna's richest rainforest reserves.
2 hoursEcocentro Danaus – La Fortuna
4.9· 340+ reviews
36h free cancellationBook
Instant
From$115Bogarín Sloths & Birds
Almost-guaranteed sloth sightings, trogons and easy wildlife photography on La Fortuna's most beloved trail.
2 hoursBogarín Trail / Sloth Paradise
4.9· 340+ reviews
36h free cancellationBook
Instant
From$135Mistico Hanging Bridges
16 hanging bridges through pristine primary rainforest — Arenal Volcano views, toucans overhead and sloths in the canopy.
2.5–3 hoursMistico Hanging Bridges
4.9· 340+ reviews
36h free cancellationBook
Instant
From$34La Fortuna Waterfall
Self-guided park entrance to the iconic La Fortuna Waterfall — explore at your own pace, swim and take photos.
2–3 hoursLa Fortuna Waterfall
4.9· 340+ reviews
36h free cancellationBook
Instant
From$122Arenal 1968 Volcano
Volcano trail walk with lava fields, forest edges and classic Arenal viewpoints
2.5–3 hoursArenal 1968 Volcano Trails
4.9· 340+ reviews
36h free cancellationBook
Instant
From$135Peñas Blancas Safari Float
A silent river float where sloths, spider monkeys and Agami Herons come to you — no effort, pure wildlife.
2–2.5 hoursPeñas Blancas River
4.9· 340+ reviews
36h free cancellationBook
Instant
From$115Mariolas Sloth Trail
Guided walk focused on sloths, birds and easy wildlife photography
2 hoursMariolas Sloth Trail
4.9· 340+ reviews
36h free cancellationBook
Instant
From$115Papa's Place Night Tour
Night walk specialized in frogs, reptiles, insects and nocturnal wildlife
2 hoursPapa's Place – La Fortuna
4.9· 340+ reviews
36h free cancellationBook
Not sure where to start?
Tell us your dates and interests — we'll design a free custom itinerary.
15+ years operating in ArenalReply within 24hBook directly — most popular
#1 Most BookedFamily FavoriteFrom $135
taxes & processing included
Best Night TourFrom $115
taxes & processing included
Night TourFrom $115
taxes & processing included
Sloth SanctuaryFrom $115
taxes & processing included
Safari FloatFrom $135
taxes & processing included
For BirdersFrom $129
taxes & processing included
Free cancellation 48h+Hotel pickup includedNo payment today
900+
Bird species in Arenal
Photo
Photography-first private tours
Local
Born-and-raised bilingual guides
What Our Guests Say
5/ 5
Trusted by Travelers from Around the World
← Swipe to read more →
Rebeca T.
April 2026
Elias was wonderful in helping us plan out our trip, excursions, hikes, restaurants, drive times and routes. Our guide Miller at Místico Hanging Bridges was knowledgeable about the local wildlife and gave us a much deepe…
Mistico Hanging Bridges · Guide Miller
Robert
March 2026
I had an incredible experience on a bird photography tour with Elias at Ecocentro Danaus. We spotted around 40 different bird species, and Elias identified each one effortlessly, sharing details about behavior and habita…
Ecocentro Danaus Bird Photography · Guide Elias
Nadine J.
Toronto, Canada · March 2026
We had an incredible experience with Miller at the Mistico Hanging Bridges. He found us so much wildlife we hadn't seen before, and was really focused on finding us a yellow-throated toucan — which he finally did! I'd hi…
Mistico Hanging Bridges · Guide Miller
Sue B.
November 2025
Our early morning nature tour at the Mistico hanging bridges with Raul was the very best start to our trip we could have hoped for. Raul is a qualified naturalist and made the rainforest come alive with his knowledge of…
Mistico Hanging Bridges · Guide Raul
Erin P.
July 2025
Luis was an amazing guide and we had a wonderful day birdwatching in La Fortuna and Arenal. We identified nearly 100 species. We would absolutely recommend Luis and the whole team — knowledgeable and helpful in identifyi…
Birdwatching La Fortuna / Arenal · Guide Luis
C. W.
February 2026
Elias arranged two half-days of private birding around La Fortuna, taking into account our goals and some physical limitations. We had a different guide each day, Ignacio and Luis, both terrific — super knowledgeable, en…
Private Birding · Guide Ignacio & Luis
Stephanie S.
February 2026
Loved our tour of Mistico Hanging Bridges! Luis was a fantastic guide. We have an almost three year old and Luis was very patient and engaging with him. Very knowledgeable about the birds, animals and Costa Rica as a who…
Mistico Hanging Bridges · Guide Luis
Laura W.
February 2026
This was just the most incredible experience! We all had the most magical time and core memories that will last a lifetime. Our guide Luis was wonderful and so free with knowledge. We saw wonderful birds and agoutis, and…
Wildlife Walk · Guide Luis
cgrenwick
Leeds, United Kingdom · April 2026
Fantastic experience with Elias Nature Tours, right from booking with responsive, helpful communication, to the tour itself. We did the private night tour in La Fortuna with José as our guide — SO many frog species (incl…
La Fortuna Night Tour · Guide José
Wei P.
March 2026
I had two private night tours with José — very professional and helpful. He worked hard to find my target animals and perfect photography angles. I learned a lot about the creatures here. I told him I wanted to see more…
Private Night Tours · Guide José
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Have you toured with us? We'd love to hear about your experience.
Leave a Google reviewA new chapter
Why VIVO?
VIVO — alive in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. After 15 years guiding travelers through the rainforests of La Fortuna, we chose a name that captures what we do: we bring nature to life, one expedition at a time.
The team, the guides, the expertise — everything built over 15 years as Elias Nature Tours lives on in VIVO Expeditions. Same people, same passion, new name.
2009·Elias Nature ToursVIVO Expeditions·2025
The people behind every expedition
Your guides. Born local.
15+ yrsElías Peña
Founder · Lead Naturalist
Wildlife · Birding · Arenal specialist
20+ yrsYehudi Hernández
Photography Expedition Partner
Macro · Multi-flash · Expeditions
10+ yrsJosé "Chino"
Night Macro Specialist
Macro · Frogs · Night fauna
20+ yrsGabriel
Birder · Frog & Reptile Specialist
Birding · Herps · Expeditions
8+ yrsJohander
Naturalist Guide
Wildlife · Birding · Arenal
10+ yrsLuis Fallas
Naturalist Guide
Wildlife · Hiking · Volcano
1+ yrsIsa
Social Media · Spanish
Content · Community · Bilingual
10+ yrsFabián
Driver
Transfers · Logistics · Bilingual
8+ yrsNacho
Naturalist Guide
Wildlife · Birding · Photography
6+ yrsMiller Josué
Naturalist Guide
Wildlife · Hiking · Arenal
5+ yrsAndrew
Local Partner · Manuel Antonio
Operations · Wildlife · Bilingual
15+ yrsDenis Fernández
Partner · Photographer · Birder
Multi-day TL · Monteverde specialist
15+ yrsLeonardo R.
Driver Partner · Tour Guide
General TL · Safari Peñas Blancas · Birder
Every guide is certified, bilingual, and fully insured — vetted personally by Elías. You'll know who's picking you up before the day begins.
Why book with usEverything your trip needs.
Everything your trip needs.
One trusted local operator.
We've been operating in Arenal for 15+ years with deep venue relationships, local expertise and a full team — so your entire trip is handled by people who know this region inside out.
Every activity in one place
Our own tours, partner venue access, adventure activities and transfers — all bookable through one team. No juggling multiple operators or repeated paperwork.
Full coverage100% private groups
Every experience is exclusively yours. No shared shuttles, no strangers, no fixed schedule. We adapt completely to your group's pace and interests.
Private-onlyExpert local knowledge
Born-here guides with 15+ years of local experience. The best sighting spots, real seasonal timing, hidden trails — knowledge no booking platform can replicate.
Born localDirect, personal coordination
You communicate directly with the team — not a call center. Custom adjustments, last-minute changes, real answers. WhatsApp or email, always fast.
PersonalizedPhotography & birding specialists
Proper fieldcraft for birding. Macro in natural environments. Multi-flash and expedition-grade photography experiences co-led by wildlife photographer Yehudi Hernández.
Birding · Macro · ExpeditionPrivate transport included
Door-to-door pickup from your hotel in fully insured private vehicles with professional drivers. Extend to airport transfers and inter-city routes across Costa Rica.
Country-wideWhere we operate
One local team.
Four wild frontiers.
From volcanic lowlands to Pacific canopy — every region operated by naturalist guides who grew up on these trails.
Cloud ForestComing soon
Monteverde
Misty highlands, Resplendent Quetzal and hanging bridges above the canopy.
Simple Process
How Booking Works
1
Tell us what you want
Share dates, group size and interests via WhatsApp or our form. We reply within 12 hours with a personalized, itemized quote.
2
We build your plan
Tours, transfers, timing — one itinerary, one team. We coordinate everything with venues, guides and drivers on your behalf.
3
Pay and enjoy
Secure payment by card or PayPal. You instantly receive full confirmation with pickup times, guide contacts and your complete itinerary.
Get in Touch
Let's Plan Your Experience
Send us your dates, group size, and interests — we'll get back to you with availability and a personalized recommendation.
Location
La Fortuna, Alajuela, CR
Office Hours
Mon–Sun: 7 am – 9 pm
Last-Minute Request?
Subject to availability. Contact us on WhatsApp for the fastest response.
Contact via WhatsAppFAQs