Costa Rica Rainforest Photo Tour
May 13-21, 2026
$5695/person Double Occupancy, $6590 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 this guided photo tour we’ll stay in one central location and take day trips from there to find and photograph as much wildlife as possible. Our targets will be birds of all sizes, monkeys, sloths, colorful frogs, reptiles and more. We never know what we might see during this tour. You’ll have a professional photographer with you at all times to help you get the best photos possible.
Immersive Experience
The photo opportunities we’ll have in Costa Rica will be unparalleled! We’ll stay in just one wonderful eco-lodge, so no unpacking luggage once you get settled in. Every day we’ll take fun day trips via boat, van, or on foot to see and photograph the wildlife action. All participants will learn the best techniques for photographing colorful birds of all sizes, unique mammals, reptiles, endemic frogs, insects, flowers and more.
May 13, 2026
Fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica arriving sometime during late afternoon or early evening. A driver from our San Jose hotel 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.
May 14, 2026
After breakfast we take a morning flight (about 45 minutes) within Costa Rica to the Osa Peninsula. Check in at Botanika Resort. Welcome lunch and then property walk for orientation. Bring your camera as we never know what we might see.
May 15, 2026
Today we’ll take the van with professional driver for an all day Carate Rainforest photo tour. We should have tons of opportunities for birds, monkeys and more.
May 16, 2026
After breakfast this morning we visit an area specifically for sloths. While no wildlife is ever guaranteed, sloths are prevalent in this area and we should be able to find and photograph them at very close range. During the afternoon there will be time for either group or 1-on-1 critique sessions, then dinner.
May 17, 2026
We have a boat tour today on the Esquinas River where we’ll search for water birds, crocodiles, monkeys and more. The afternoon is open to explore the lodge grounds with me or on your own, then dinner.
May 18, 2026
Today will be amazing! We’ll have professional reptile and amphibian handlers set up close-up shots for us. Expect to photograph a variety of poison dart frogs, tree frogs, colorful snakes, lizards and more. Even if you’ve never photographed macro subjects, you’ll finish the day feeling confident in your close-up abilities and you’ll get tons of nice images of amazing critters – trust me!
May 19, 2026
Today we have another day for exploring the rainforest. This time it will be in a different area called Miramar. We’ll take the van with our professional driver and we’ll keep our eyes and minds open for who-knows-what. Truly an exciting time to have cameras at the ready for any number of birds or mammals we’ll encounter.
May 20, 2026
We have an early morning boat tour today on the Sierpe River where we’ll search for water birds, kingfishers, crocodiles, monkeys and more. In the late afternoon the resort will host a wine and cheese party to celebrate our time in Costa Rica, then our final dinner together.
May 21, 2026
After breakfast we’ll catch a domestic flight from the Osa Peninsula to the international airport in San Jose in order to catch our flights back home today. Book your return flight to your home town for anytime after 1pm today.
- Tour begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica (airport code SJO).
- You should arrive into San Jose as early as possible on May 13th in order to attend the initial meet/greet at 6pm that evening.
- A hotel 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 May 21st after 1pm.
- 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.
- It will be HOT and HUMID, which can be tiring for those not acclimitized.
- Variable skies, some sunny, some cloudy, some rainy with daytime temperatures in the 90’s Fahrenheit.
- Early morning/nighttime temperatures generally in the 70’s – 80’s Fahrenheit.
- Very high humidity in the 60-80% range.
- 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).
- Sturdy tripod.
- Polarizing filter for your wide angle lens.
- Extra batteries and battery charger
- Plenty of memory cards – you might shoot up to 5,000 images/day.
Includes
- 8 nights accommodations.* Accommodations include 1 night in San Jose near the airport and 7 nights at Botanika Resort on the Osa Peninsula.
- Round-trip airfare from San Jose (SJO) to the Osa Peninsula.
- Airport pick-up and drop off.
- All ground transportation with professional driver throughout the tour.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from dinner on May 13 to breakfast on May 21.
- 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 2 private boat tours, 2 different rainforest sessions, a sloth session, endemic frog and reptile 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 8 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.
- 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.
