2–2.5 hoursSafari Float – Peñas Blancas River
A silent river float where sloths, spider monkeys and Agami Herons come to you — no effort, pure wildlife.
From$151per personAll fees includedView →
La Fortuna · Arenal · Costa RicaNot simply a tour.
Not simply a tour.
A journey cared for in every detail.
Private and semi-private journeys designed one at a time — wildlife, photography and every logistic handled by a team that lives here.
✓ Local team in La Fortuna✓ Specialist naturalist guides✓ Private & semi-private✓ Coordinated transport
Arenal & La Fortuna in Photographs
Hanging bridges, sloths and cloud forest canopy below Arenal Volcano — private naturalist guiding and photography-first pacing in La Fortuna.
Featured zoneArenal & La Fortuna
Blue-gray Tanager
Birdwatching Tours · © VIVO Expeditions / Elías Peña
Explore Arenal & La FortunaManuel Antonio in Photographs
Coastal rainforest where monkeys meet the beach: Manuel Antonio National Park wildlife walks and tropical Pacific photography with local guides.
Featured zoneManuel Antonio
Three-toed Sloth
Manuel Antonio Wildlife · © VIVO Expeditions / Denis Fernández
Explore Manuel AntonioBoca Tapada in Photographs
Wetlands, river channels, howler monkeys and crocodiles on the San Carlos frontier — hides and blinds built for serious wildlife photography.
Featured zoneBoca Tapada
King Vultures
Boca Tapada — Raptors & Vultures · © VIVO Expeditions / Elías Peña
Explore Boca TapadaBoat & River Tours in Photographs
Slow river cruises at golden hour: Caño Negro, Damas mangroves and Peñas Blancas safari float — nature and wildlife seen from the water.
Featured zoneBoat & River Tours
King Vultures
Boca Tapada — Raptors & Vultures · © VIVO Expeditions / Elías Peña
Explore Boat & River ToursOur manifestoWe are not a tour agency.
We are not a tour agency.
We are your travel companion in Costa Rica.
We live in La Fortuna. We know what hour the forest sings, where the toucan lands at first light, and which road to take when it rains. Every journey we design begins with a conversation — never with a catalogue. Small groups, trusted guides and specialist local partners, time to stop and look. That is how we have travelled with families and photographers for more than fifteen years.
Curated · Personal · Flexible · Private or semi-private
Elías PeñaFounder & travel coordinator, VIVO Expeditions
Verified Tripadvisor reviews
TripadvisorExcellent5.0|71 reviews
Verified Google reviews
GoogleOutstanding5.0
Northern Lowlands
Arenal & La Fortuna
Our home base. A volcano, hot springs, hanging bridges, waterfalls and night walks — all within 30 minutes of your hotel.
- ✓ 25+ experiences
- ✓ Hotel pickup included
- ✓ Year-round
Central Pacific
Manuel Antonio
Rainforest meeting the Pacific. Squirrel monkeys, sloths and scarlet macaws along beaches you can actually swim in.
- ✓ National Park guiding
- ✓ Mangrove boat safaris
- ✓ Family friendly
Remote North
Boca Tapada
Costa Rica off the tourist map. Purpose-built photography hides for King Vultures, Great Green Macaws and Agami Herons.
- ✓ Dedicated hides
- ✓ Small groups only
- ✓ Photographer-led
Beyond the trail
See moreBoats, rivers & mangroves
Meet Elias
The founder who still goes out in the field
Born from a lifelong fascination with Costa Rica's wildlife, VIVO is led by Elias Peña — a La Fortuna naturalist guide and wildlife photographer who still joins guests in the field.
- Local expertise in La Fortuna
- Wildlife photography guidance
- Licensed local tour operator
Plan your trip
Three steps, one local team
Tell us your dates
Dates, group size and what you dream of seeing — wildlife, waterfalls, hot springs or photography.
We design the route
A local coordinator builds a realistic day-by-day plan with transfers, timing and honest trade-offs.
You travel, we handle it
One team, one WhatsApp thread, every pickup confirmed the night before.
Signature experiences
Six ways to begin
2–2.5 hours
2.5–3 hoursRainforest Macro Night Photography Experience
A private photography session paced entirely for your camera — red-eyed frogs, pit vipers and rare nocturnal species in their natural habitat.
From$145per personAll fees includedView →
2 hoursBogarín Trail – Sloths & Wildlife Tour
Almost-guaranteed sloth sightings, trogons and easy wildlife photography on La Fortuna's most beloved trail.
From$129per personAll fees includedView →
2.5–3 hoursMistico Hanging Bridges – Wildlife Walk
16 hanging bridges through pristine primary rainforest — Arenal Volcano views, toucans overhead and sloths in the canopy.
From$135per personAll fees includedView →
~2 hours (boat) + transportCaño Negro Wildlife Tour
Relaxed boat tour through one of Costa Rica's richest wetlands, ideal for families and wildlife lovers
From$446per personAll fees includedView →
2.5–3 hoursArenal 1968 Volcano Walk
Volcano trail walk with lava fields, forest edges and classic Arenal viewpoints
From$137per personAll fees includedView →
How you move
Private door-to-door transfers
Our own drivers, air-conditioned vehicles and optional scenic stops. No shared-shuttle waiting, no transfers between vans.
What you may see
Wildlife You May Encounter
Real photographs from our own outings. Nature is wild — sightings vary with season, time of day and weather.
For photographers
Hides, light and real waiting time
We coordinate each session with specialist guides, photographers and regional partners who understand light, wildlife and field conditions. We plan around light, not around a tour clock: hummingbird multi-flash, night macro, King Vulture hides and bird sessions at real working distances.
- — Purpose-built hides in Boca Tapada
- — Multi-flash & macro night setups
- — Multi-day workshops with editing
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
15+ yrsDenis Fernández
Partner · Photographer · Birder
Multi-day TL · Monteverde specialist
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+ yrsLeonardo R.
Driver Partner · Tour Guide
General TL · Safari Peñas Blancas · Birder
Verified expertise
Credentials are verified individually — guiding certification, languages and insurance are confirmed for each guide and partner assigned to your trip. You'll know who's picking you up before the day begins.
Travel Guides
Plan smarter — read from our local experts
Wildlife hotspots, photography tips, and season-by-season guides written by the VIVO team.
Why VIVOEverything your journey needs.
Everything your journey needs.
One trusted local team.
We've worked in Arenal for over 15 years, with direct venue relationships and a network of specialist guides and partners — so your whole journey is handled by people who truly know this region.
Every activity in one place
Guided experiences, partner venue access, adventure activities and transfers — all coordinated by one team. No juggling operators or repeating your details.
Full coveragePrivate or semi-private
You choose: a departure exclusively yours, or a small semi-private group at a friendlier price. Always small numbers, never a mass shuttle.
Your choiceDeep local knowledge
Guides and partners who live and work in these regions. The right sighting spots, real seasonal timing, quiet trails — knowledge no booking platform can replicate.
Local networkDirect, personal coordination
You talk with the team that runs your trip — not a call center. Custom adjustments, last-minute changes, real answers by WhatsApp or email.
PersonalizedPhotography & birding specialists
Proper fieldcraft for birding. Macro in natural environments. Multi-flash and expedition-grade sessions coordinated with specialist guides and photographers.
Birding · Macro · ExpeditionCoordinated transportation
Door-to-door pickup in insured vehicles with professional drivers. Extend to airport transfers and inter-city routes across Costa Rica.
Country-wideGet 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.
Last-Minute Request?
Subject to availability. Contact us on WhatsApp for the fastest response.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Your journey starts with a conversation
Let's plan something truly yours.
We reply in under 24 hours, in English or Spanish, with a real plan — not a template.
With VIVO, you are not another visitor. You are a travel companion.
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