Our Story & Your Host
Christoph and I met by chance on Christmas Day, 1999, while exploring the Mayan ruins of Tikal in northern Guatemala. More than 25 years later, that unexpected meeting has grown into a life shaped by family, land, and adventure. We both have Swiss roots and were raised on small dairy farms, where hard work, responsibility, and independence were simply part of daily life. Christoph immigrated to Canada at the age of four with his parents and grew up there, while I was raised in Switzerland before a deep yearning for travel began to pull me outward into the world.
Travel has always been part of who I am. At fourteen, my first backpacking adventure took me to the south of France. Later, I traveled throughout South America, learning Spanish on the fly and developing a deep appreciation for culture, language, and connection. Christoph’s path was firmly rooted in agriculture — studying agriculture, grazing management, and regenerative systems that would later shape our ranching life. In many ways, it was a perfect balance.
Today, our four children are nearly all adults and stepping into leadership roles within our ranch operations in Hudson’s Hope, northern British Columbia — on the edge of an immense wilderness. There, we raise grass-fed, grass-finished bison and beef, operate our own packing plant, and run a direct-to-consumer meat company grounded in stewardship, independence, and long-term thinking.
The ranch is not separate from Tres Vivas. It is the foundation. Three properties. Two countries. One way of living. We value nature. We value privacy. We value building things properly and keeping them personal.
Viva is not just a word — it is a philosophy. It speaks to life lived with intention, health rooted in the land, and the kind of presence that defines pura vida in Costa Rica. Finca Viva and Hacienda Viva represent that spirit — places where nature, privacy, and experience come together in a way that feels grounded and alive.
Costa Rica became a natural extension of that philosophy. The forests, mountains, and wildlife share the same rhythm — biodiversity, space, and connection to land. We’ve built strong local relationships and a trusted network. I speak English, German, French, and Spanish, and I am passionate about helping guests shape their time here — whether that means days in the highlands, along the coast, or a thoughtful combination of both.
Travel, at its best, is about making memories that stay with you long after you return home. The most meaningful journeys are not consumed; they are experienced, felt, and remembered.
If you’re looking for more than simply a place to stay — if you’re seeking an adventure shaped with care, connection, and intention — I am here to ensure your time in Costa Rica is everything you hoped for and more
info@venatorranches.com / +1 (250) 783-0879 (WhatsApp)