VIVO
Expeditions
Costa Rica · Ecuador · Brazil · Africa
VIVO — to live, fully. The same local team that ran Elias Nature Tours for 15+ years, with a name that finally captures what we do: design private, unhurried journeys through Costa Rica's wild heart.
15+ years operating in ArenalReply within 24hA new chapter
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 you trusted in Elias Nature Tours is still here. VIVO Expeditions is not a new company. It's the same people, ready for the next chapter.
VIVO Expeditions is led by Elías Peña Ramírez — founder, lead naturalist guide, and wildlife photographer based in La Fortuna. With 15+ years in the field, Elías personally curates every tour in the catalog, leads wildlife and birding expeditions, and coordinates all logistics. For international photography workshops in Brazil, Colombia and Africa, Elías partners with internationally recognized wildlife photographer Yehudi Hernández — ensuring the same standard of quality and local expertise, extended to the world's most extraordinary habitats.
Our team of certified local guides, photographers and professional drivers operates with fully insured vehicles and every license required for tourism in Costa Rica — bringing specialized knowledge in ecology, macro photography, and species ID that bigger companies cannot match.
Today we organize personalized experiences across La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Bijagua and Boca Tapada — plus international photo expeditions through our strategic partnership — offering seamless logistics, private transport and a genuine local connection. Whether you need a single tour or a complete multi-country itinerary, we handle every detail.
Whether you need one airport transfer or a two-week birding journey across Costa Rica, we help build the right plan for your trip. Our team brings real local energy, flexibility and Pura Vida spirit to every experience.
Operated directly by a local team based in La Fortuna — with deep coverage across Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Bijagua & Boca Tapada.
Trusted Local Operation
Registered in Costa Rica. All vehicles, guides and operations are fully insured and licensed.
The people behind every expedition
15+ yrsElías Peña
Founder · Lead Naturalist
Wildlife · Birding · Arenal specialist
20+ yrsYehudi Hernández
Co-owner · Wildlife Photographer
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
Every guide is certified, bilingual, and fully insured — vetted personally by Elías. You'll know who's picking you up before the day begins.
← 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
Read all reviews on
Have you toured with us? We'd love to hear about your experience.
Leave a Google reviewWe'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.
Our own tours, partner venue access, adventure activities and transfers — all bookable through one team. No juggling multiple operators or repeated paperwork.
Full coverageEvery experience is exclusively yours. No shared shuttles, no strangers, no fixed schedule. We adapt completely to your group's pace and interests.
Private-onlyBorn-here guides with 15+ years of local experience. The best sighting spots, real seasonal timing, hidden trails — knowledge no booking platform can replicate.
Born localYou communicate directly with the team — not a call center. Custom adjustments, last-minute changes, real answers. WhatsApp or email, always fast.
PersonalizedProper fieldcraft for birding. Macro in natural environments. Multi-flash and expedition-grade photography experiences co-led by wildlife photographer Yehudi Hernández.
Birding · Macro · ExpeditionDoor-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-wide"Book any activity in the Arenal region through us — from our own private wildlife tours to partner venues like Mistico, Ecocentro Danaus and Baldi Hot Springs. One local team, full coordination."
Our long-term relationships with local venues and providers mean honest recommendations and a single trusted contact — no need to coordinate with multiple operators for your entire trip.
Where we operate
Hand-picked from over 5 years guiding visitors around Arenal — these are the tours that consistently top reviews.
Most popular spots in one day: Hanging Bridges + Arenal 1968 + La Fortuna Waterfall
Volcano trail walk with lava fields, forest edges and classic Arenal viewpoints
Self-guided park entrance to the iconic La Fortuna Waterfall — explore at your own pace, swim and take photos.
16 hanging bridges through pristine primary rainforest — Arenal Volcano views, toucans overhead and sloths in the canopy.
Almost-guaranteed sloth sightings, trogons and easy wildlife photography on La Fortuna's most beloved trail.
A silent river float where sloths, spider monkeys and Agami Herons come to you — no effort, pure wildlife.
Hand-picked experiences loved by travelers visiting Arenal and La Fortuna.
Share dates, group size and interests via WhatsApp or our form. We reply within 12 hours with a personalized, itemized quote.
Tours, transfers, timing — one itinerary, one team. We coordinate everything with venues, guides and drivers on your behalf.
Secure payment by card or PayPal. You instantly receive full confirmation with pickup times, guide contacts and your complete itinerary.
Founder · Lead Naturalist & Wildlife Photographer · La Fortuna
Certified naturalist guide with 15+ years in the field. Former Operations Manager at Ecocentro Danaus. Born and raised in La Fortuna — knows every trail, species and season firsthand.
Strategic Partner · International Photography Expeditions
Internationally recognized wildlife photographer. Leads private photo expeditions across Costa Rica, Brazil's Pantanal and Ecuador. Specialist in macro, multi-flash and natural-environment hides.
Behind Elías is a full team of certified local guides, drivers and operations staff — all vetted, bilingual and fully insured. Every tour is coordinated directly by people who live here. For international photography workshops, Elías collaborates with strategic partner Yehudi Hernández.
From private tours and photography expeditions to transfers and full multi-day packages — we curate experiences with care, not just sell activities. Your trip, your pace, our local expertise.
Expert-led wildlife encounters across Arenal, Manuel Antonio and beyond.
Specialized trips for photographers and birders — from day tours to multi-day expeditions across Costa Rica.
Private transfers, multi-day packages, and full trip coordination across Costa Rica.
Send us your dates, group size, and interests — we'll get back to you with availability and a personalized recommendation.
La Fortuna, Alajuela, CR
Mon–Sun: 7 am – 9 pm
Last-Minute Request?
Subject to availability. Contact us on WhatsApp for the fastest response.
Contact via WhatsApp
