Quetzals of Costa Rica Photo Tour
April 23 – May 4, 2028
$6195 Double Occupancy or $7100 Single Occupancy
Watch my helpful Costa Rica trip planning video here!
Nesting Quetzals
Resplendent Quetzals are cavity nesting birds. Once a nesting cavity is discovered, photographers can easily photograph (from a respectful distance) both parents as they bring food to the chicks. Imagine the flight shot opportunities of this awesome bird we’ll have! While Quetzals who are busy rearing chicks will be the main focus of this tour, we’ll have lots and lots of chances to photograph the diversity of Costa Rica at 2 other lodges that have set-ups specifically for bird photographers. In those places we’ll see a variety of hummingbirds, other Trogon species, Toucans and Toucanets, Tanagers, Barbets and maybe (if lucky) a Thee-wattled Bellbird. This is an all-new tour in Costa Rica. Fun adventures chasing birds guaranteed! Join us and 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! Besides the lodge right near the nesting Quetzals, we’ll stay in 2 other diverse and wonderful eco-lodges, each located in the Costa Rica cloud forest and among the best of the wildlife action. All participants will learn the best techniques for photographing colorful birds of all sizes, how to successfully capture birds in flight, how to get great action photos and more.
April 23, 2028
Fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica arriving sometime during late afternoon or early evening. A driver from our first 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.
April 24, 25, 26, 2028
Drive to our first lodge located in the Cloud forest of Costa Rica. This place is famous for their wonderful bird set-ups including a hummingbird area with tons of varieties of colorful hummers, plus fruit feeders that attract a wide variety of birds. We’ll enlist the help of a local guides who know how to find tons of area wildlife. Target species include trogons, toucans, tanagers honeycreepers, and many more.
April 27, 28, 29, 2028
Drive to our second lodge in the same general area but at a different elevation. Overnight at this lodge each night. At least 2 wildlife photo sessions scheduled each day. Highlights include a special bird platform where some rare birds often make an appearance. The grounds of this lodge are also busy with colorful birds and sometimes mammals such as monkeys, sloths and more.
April 30-May 1-2, 2028
Drive to our third lodge in the central highlands, mountain area at 9000 feet elevation. We are very close to Quetzal National Park now. Here is where the local experts know where the Resplendent Quetzal nesting trees are. We’ll go with them every day to stake out the most active nests. Imagine the flight shots we’ll capture! We’ll also have access to special hummingbird feeders, and we’ll explore the lodge grounds where lots of other amazing bird species live. Trust me, you’ll never want to leave this place!
May 3, 2028
After photographing more Quetzals or other amazing birds all morning we’ll drive towards San Jose. Arrive late afternoon at our designated hotel near the airport.
May 4, 2028
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 April 23rd 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 4th anytime.
- 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.
- All Lodging locations are located at high altitude (7200 – 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
- 11 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 April 23 to breakfast on May 4.
- 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, Quetzal viewing sessions, bird feeding platforms, hummingbird sessions and numerous other bird photo 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, 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.
