Costa Rica Photography Tour
January 22 – February 1, 2027
$5995 Double Occupancy $6900 Single Occupancy
Watch my helpful Costa Rica trip planning video here!
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. On my guided photography tour we’ll see and photograph as many species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals as possible. We’ll enlist the help of local guides and wildlife experts who will either bring us to the wildlife or bring the wildlife to us. This is truly an amazing place to be a wildlife photographer. All skill levels welcome.
Immersive Experience
The photo opportunities we’ll have in Costa Rica will be unparalleled! We’ll stay in 4 diverse and wonderful eco-lodges, each located in the thick of the wildlife action. Each lodge is located in a different habitat area and each offers it’s own unique species that are all but guaranteed. The diverse habitats we’ll experience range from a sea-level lodge in the Cano Negro area to another lodge near Los Quetzalas National Park, high in the Costa Rican cloud forest at 8600 feet in elevation. All participants will learn the best techniques for photographing colorful birds of all sizes, unique mammals, reptiles, endemic frogs, insects, flowers and more.
January 22, 2027
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.
January 23-24, 2027
Drive to our first lodge located in the high mountain cloud forest at an elevation of 8600 feet. Here, the main target bird is the Resplendent Quetzal – an incredible bird to see and photograph. Other high altitude species include tons of hummingbirds, Chlorophonia, colorful tanagers, flowerpiercer’s, flycatchers and more. The lodge where we stay has flower-filled gardens full of birds.
January 25-27, 2027
Drive to our second lodge located 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, plus a visit to a sloth rescue area where close-up views of 2 and 3-toed sloths are all but guaranteed. 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 at a true jungle location with an expert guide who will lead us to some nearly impossible-to-find species of birds, insects and mammals.
January 28-29, 2027
Drive to our third lodge located in the Cano Negro area, far to the north in Costa Rica. Here we have 3 exclusive, private boat tours on 2 different wetlands areas. Water birds will be our focus here with the possibility of seeing and photographing 6 species of Kingfisher, Snail Kites, herons, egrets, monkeys and tons more. Our guide is a true wildlife ‘whisperer’ who will find and get us close to lots of incredible animals.
January 30-31, 2027
Drive to our fourth lodge located in a Caribbean lowlands area. Access to amazing feeding platforms, jungle canoes, and a special ground-level blind for photographing the gorgeous King Vulture and Crested Caracaras. Also a special offering of a night photography session with nectar bats in flight. This eco-lodge teems with colorful birds such as toucans, tanagers, honeycreepers, thrushes, euphonias, saltators, parrots, woodpeckers and more. You’ll never want to leave.
February 1, 2027
Drive to San Jose, which takes about 3 hours or so. Arrive early afternoon at the airport. book your return flight back to your hometown anytime after 3pm today.
- Tour begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica (airport code SJO).
- You should arrive into San Jose as early as possible on January 22nd 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 February 1 after 3pm.
- 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 (8700 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 4,000 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 January 22nd to lunch on February 1st.
- Entry fees into all photography sites.
- Time with local guides and wildlife handlers/experts who will lead us to the best wildlife photo opportunities.
- 3 private, guided boat tours with a wildlife expert on wetland areas located in the Cano Negro area.
- Guided photo sessions including a King Vulture session, endemic frog session, a nectar bat session, and numerous bird photo 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, 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.
