As a native Costa Rican growing up on a farm, Carlos “Pika” Viquez brings a wealth of personal experience to his work with Herencia Verde. Pika, as his friends call him, began leading naturalist tours in 1994 at the suggestion of a college friend majoring in tourism. He started taking classes at the National University and working on various research projects related to mammal behavior and bats. In 1997, Pika began guiding for the U.S. company EcoTeach, and in August of 2008, building on more than 10 years as a guide, he moved into a leadership role with Herencia Verde.