Costa Rica Photo Tour
February 22 – March 4, 2023
SOLD OUT – Sign-up For 2024
Diverse Wildlife
The wildlife diversity of Costa Rica is well-known and stunning to behold. In a very small country (about the size of West Virginia) Costa Rica contains over 500,000 species of plant and animal.
Immersive Experience
The photo opportunities we’ll have in Costa Rica will be unparalleled! We’ll photograph colorful birds of all sizes, unique mammals, reptiles, endemic frogs, insects, flowers and more.
February 22, 2023
Fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica arriving sometime during late afternoon or early evening. Our driver will be waiting for you with a sign so you know who to go with for your transfer to the hotel. We meet at 6pm in the evening at the designated hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica.
February 23-24, 2023
Drive to our first lodge in a central highlands area where we’ll try to find the amazing Resplendent Quetzal – one of the most sought-after birds in the world. In this area we stay in an amazing cloud-forest mountain lodge in order to maximize our chances to see and photograph Quetzals. We’ll also have access to special feeders, a jungle waterfall and more.
February 25-26, 2023
Drive to our second lodge in the Sarapiqui area. Overnight at Sarapiqui each night. At least 2 wildlife photo sessions scheduled each day. Highlights include a special tropical frog photo session of colorful tree frogs and poison dart frogs, handled by professional wildlife guides. We’ll also have access to special bird feeding platforms where the action of dozens of species is non-stop. Also included is a special photo day with a true jungle guide who will lead us to some nearly impossible-to-find species.
February 27-28, 2023
Drive to our third lodge located in the Cano Negro area. We’re after 6 species of Kingfishers here and we’ll likely photograph them all – perched, diving, with fish, etc. Amazing opportunities of these usually difficult birds. Plenty of other birds and unique wildlife as well.
March 1-3, 2023
Drive to our fourth lodge located in the Caribbean lowlands area. Access to amazing feeding platforms, jungle canoes, and a special ground-level blind for photographing the gorgeous King Vulture. Also a special offering of a night photography session with nectar bats in flight.
March 4, 2023
A final breakfast together and then flights home today from San Jose to your hometown.
- Tour begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica (airport code SJO).
- You should arrive into San Jose as early as possible on Feb. 22 in order to attend the initial meet/greet at 6pm that evening.
- A professional driver with a tour sign will meet you just outside the San Jose airport. He/She will take you to the first hotel.
- A travel Visa in not currently required for citizens of the US or Canada to visit Costa Rica as a tourist.
- Outbound flights should be booked for March 4th after 9am.
- Low- mid.
- Most photo locations are within 1/2 mile of our lodging.
- Jungle trails can be wet and slippery – bring proper hiking boots.
- Tropical heat can be tiring for those not acclimitized.
- Drinking plenty of water or energy drinks helps. – Bring a refillable water bottle.
- 1 Lodging location is located at high altitude (8960 feet). High altitude can be tiring for those not acclimitized.
- Variable skies, some sunny, some cloudy, some rainy with daytime temperatures in the 80’s Fahrenheit.
- Early morning/nighttime temperatures generally in the 50’s – 70’s Fahrenheit.
- Rainstorms can (and will) hit anytime in the tropics, and this means wet, slippery trails, boardwalks and walkways.
- Digital camera body or 2 in order to have a backup
- Wildlife zoom lens such as a 200-600mm, 100-400mm or similar
- Wide angle scenic lens such as a full frame equivalent of 17-40mm
- Close-up or macro lens (extension tubes or a proper diopter filter can be substituted for macro lens)
- Flash unit that attaches to the hotshoe of your camera
- Sturdy tripod
- Polarizing filter for your wide angle lens
- Extra batteries and battery charger
- Plenty of memory cards – you might shoot up to 10,000 images/day
Includes
- 10 nights accommodations.*
- Airport pick-up and drop off.
- All ground transportation with professional driver throughout the tour.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from dinner on Feb. 22 to breakfast on March 4th.
- Entry fees into all photography sites.
- Time with local guides and wildlife handlers/experts who will lead us to the best wildlife photo opportunities.
- Guided photo sessions including a King Vulture session, endemic frog session and numerous bird sessions.
- Group and/or one-on-one critique and photo sharing sessions.
- In-depth wildlife photo instruction and leadership from a professional photographer.
- Tons of fun and a true small group tour with a maximum of 7 participants.
*Accommodations/tour prices are based on double occupancy. For those not traveling as a couple or with a friend, the single supplement will apply.
Not Included
- Air fare from your hometown to San Jose, Costa Rica and return (airport code SJO).
- Alcoholic or soda-based drinks.
- Tips to local guides and drivers.
- Optional extra photo sessions such as close-up with snakes, additional frog session, bat photo session, Manikin session, etc.
- Passport or visa fees (visas are not required for citizens of USA or Canada).
- Travel insurance.
- Gifts and items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.
