VIVO Expeditions
Explore at your pace with VIVO local naturalist guides.
Plan wildlife photography tours in Costa Rica around the habitats, light and subjects that interest you most. Arenal offers accessible forest wildlife, Cinchona brings bird photography opportunities and Boca Tapada opens a different lowland rainforest setting. VIVO local photographer-guides help you think about backgrounds, working distance and patient observation rather than simply racing between sightings. A macro night session suits small subjects and deliberate close-up work, while a full-day expedition allows more time for travel and changing light. Tell us your camera equipment, experience level and target subjects before choosing an outing. No particular species or photograph can be guaranteed, and ethical wildlife observation always comes first. Bring rain protection for yourself and your equipment, spare batteries and enough memory for a full session. Read each tour page for its specific duration and arrangements. Transport is priced separately according to your hotel and destination; longer routes need advance coordination.
From$200per personHigh-impact birding and wildlife photography across two of La Fortuna's best sites — privately guided at your own pace.
From$145per personExclusively for your party. A dedicated photography guide follows your pace; no other guests join your rainforest session.
From$350per personFull-day photography excursion to Costa Rica's most famous close-range feeders — hummingbirds, barbets, toucanets and tanagers at point-blank range, with a La Paz Waterfall photo stop.
From$350per personFull-day private excursion from La Fortuna to La Paz de San Ramón to photograph the Resplendent Quetzal in its cloud-forest habitat — plus honeycreepers, hummingbirds and oropendolas at Don Ignacio Arias' private property.
From$450per personSpecialized wildlife photography experience in one of Central America's premier wetlands
From$640per personOne of Costa Rica's best-kept birding secrets — King Vulture hide, toucan platform, hummingbird multi-flash and macro at dawn. Built entirely for photographers.
Boca Tapada · 11 sessions
Six hummingbird species at close range, sugar feeders and native flowering plants.
2–3 hours
Year-round
Price on request
View session
Professional multi-flash setup for wing-frozen hummingbird portraits — a fully configured session.
2 hours
Year-round
From $81.20 · per person
Taxes & processing included
View session
Purpose-built ground hide with baited perch. Costa Rica's most reliable King Vulture site.
2 hours
Year-round · best Dec–Apr
From $69.60 · per person
Taxes & processing included
View session
Slow riverboat along Río San Carlos and Río Tres Amigos, birding at eye level from the water.
2.5 hours
Year-round · Agami active Mar–Jun
Price on request
View session
One of Central America's few accessible Agami Heron nesting colonies. Strictly ethical, low-impact.
4–5 hours
March – June only
From $164.00 · per person
Taxes & processing included
View session
Endangered Great Green Macaws nesting in almendro trees on private conservation land.
3–4 hours
December – April (nesting)
From $100.00 · per person
Taxes & processing included
View session
One of the tropics' most bizarre birds — long dangling pendant nest and hidden crimson crown.
3 hours
April – June only
From $100.00 · per person
Taxes & processing included
View session
Reliable Sunbittern territory on a shaded forest stream — including the famous wing-spread display.
2.5 hours
Year-round
From $91.00 · per person
Taxes & processing included
View session
Professional 3-flash rig captures nectar-feeding bats mid-hover at Abutilon and balsa flowers.
3 hours
Year-round · best dry season
From $91.00 · per person
Taxes & processing included
View session
Photograph the Central American Pygmy-Owl at an active nesting cavity — May & June only.
2.5 hours
May–June only (active nesting cavity)
Price on request
View session
Red-eyed Tree Frog, glass frogs, poison-dart frogs and Eyelash Pit Viper — controlled macro with multiflash or continuous light.
2 hours
Year-round · best May–Nov (rainy)
Price on request
View sessionWhatsApp daily 8:00–20:00 · +506 6005 9862
VIVO local naturalist guides, with private or small-group options depending on the tour.
No. Hotel pickup in La Fortuna can be arranged and is priced separately by hotel and zone. Transport to Monteverde is on request.
Yes. There is a spotting scope on every tour, and your guide helps you photograph through it while keeping a respectful distance from wildlife.
No. Animals live freely and sightings depend on weather and their movements. Bring closed shoes and rain protection.
WhatsApp daily 8:00–20:00: +506 6005 9862.
