COSTA RICA PHOTOGRAPHY EXPEDITION
January 16th - 29th
2024
Despite being only 52.000km², Costa Rica is well known for its unparalleled wildlife and exclusive birds. As the only country in the world without an army, and a stable democratic government since it’s foundation, Costa Rica is regarded as one of the safest and most peaceful countries in Latin America.
Its small territory plays in our favor to drive around relatively quickly, from one destination to the next. We will explore the tropical humid lowlands of the Caribbean slope in search of toucans and colorful tanagers. Visit the charming cloud forests in the highlands, patiently looking for the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal. We will also enjoy the warm tropical weather of the Pacific Coastline where Scarlet Macaws cruise the skies. With over 900 species of birds and a high number of endemics, Costa Rica is one of the most popular birding destinations in the world.
We have designed a route for you to enjoy the best possibilities at finding and photographing emblematic species, like Resplendent Quetzal, Keel-billed Toucan, White-collared manakin, Long Tailed Manakin, Turquoise-Browed Motmot, Yellow-throated Toucan, Talamanca Hummingbird, Fiery-throated Hummingbird and Scarlet Macaws, among many other species, in the company of professional birders and experienced photographers on the field.
Macro and Multi-flash photography sessions.
Learn about the secrets of macro and multiflash photography in the wild, our crew carries all the equipment necessary and tons of knowledge about assisted light and setups to capture stunning images of small colorful frogs, venomous snakes and fast erratic hummingbirds and bats!
DAY BY DAY
DAY 1
January 16th
Arrival in San José CR, transfer to El Robledal Hotel only 15 minutes away from the airport. The hotel has some green areas to start photographing some new birds as soon as you arrive.
Overnight: El Robledal
DAY 2
January 17th
We depart after breakfast looking for birds along the way, chances of Crimson Collared Tanager, Blue-Gray Tanager, Emerald Toucanet, among many others. We arrive at Bosque de Paz to spend the afternoon shooting in the premises of the lodge. Green-crowned Brilliant, Black-bellied Hummingbird, Spangle-cheeked Tanager.
Overnight: Bosque de Paz
DAY 3
January 18th
We drive shortly to reach Blue Falls, our first Hummingbird multi-flash location. Green-Hermit, Violet Sabrewing, Coppery Headed Emerald are possible. Some other birds approach the gardens like Bananaquit and Black-chested Wood Quail.
Overnight: Bosque de Paz
DAY 4
January 19th
We depart to the Northern Wetlands of Costa Rica, we have time to set up at the photography deck and start shooting right away. Best lodge in Costa Rica for photographing birds coming in to fruit feeders. Keel-billed Toucan, Golden Hooded Tanager, Brown Hooded Parrot, Montezuma Oropendula, Yellow-Throated Toucan, Collared Aracari are just some of the species that regularly show up.
Overnight: Laguna Lagarto Lodge
DAY 5
January 20th
We will spend our day photographing at Laguna Lagarto. Mid-morning we will set up at the best King Vulture Hide in Costa Rica, where they sometimes show up in great numbers. We use the afternoon to keep shooting at the deck or enjoy the gardens and trails from the lodge.
King Vulture, Great Green Macaws, Great Curassow.
Overnight: Laguna Lagarto Lodge
DAY 6
January 21th
We continue to photograph at the deck and gardens, in the evening we set up for our Bat Photography session. Learn the techniques to capture nectar feeding bats at night using a multi-flash setup. The Pallas’s Long-tongued Bat is the most common species seen and captured at our setup.
Overnight: Laguna Lagarto Lodge
DAY 7
January 22th
We will leave the lodge early and spend the morning at a location in the lowlands where we will visit roosting sites of owls, potoos and Honduran White Bats. At this spot there are also fruit feeders which attract some different birds, such as Chestnut-headed Oropendula and Orange-chinned Parakeets. In the evening we will arrive at our new lodge, which will work as our base camp for the upcoming activities.
Overnight: Bambu Lodge
DAY 8
January 23th
We will spend the morning photographing at a small reserve looking for Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Red-legged Honeycreeper, White-collared Manakin and occasionally, sloths! After lunch we drive shortly to the spot of our snakes and frogs macro session. We will shoot the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog, Green and Black Poison Dart Frog, Red-eyed Leaf Frog, White-sided Palm Pit Viper, among others. Macro lens recommended, but not required.
Overnight: Bambu Lodge
DAY 9
January 24th
We depart in the morning making a stop where we can photograph Broad-billed Motmot, Long-tailed Tyrant, Crimson Collared Tanager and other nice species. We continue our way and arrive late afternoon at the cloudforest of the Talamanca mountain range. The southmost cordillera of the country is home of the largest Quetzal population in the world!
Overnight: Paraiso Quetzal Lodge
DAY 10
January 25th
We will spend a whole day looking for the Resplendent Quetzal split in two halves, sometimes working on a tree trunk for the upcoming nesting season, or simply visiting wild avocado trees to feed; the Quetzal is always the star of the tour! We have set up perches near the trees they frequently visit to have great photography opportunities!
Overnight: Paraiso Quetzal Lodge
DAY 11
January 26th
We will set up a multi-flash in the premises of the lodge, the best place to photograph the endemics Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Lesser Violet-ear, Talamanca Hummingbird and Volcano Hummingbird. As we take turns to use the multi-flash, we will take advantage of the lodge gardens. Peg-billed Finch, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher and Golden-browed Chlorophonia are common visitors.
Overnight: Paraiso Quetzal Lodge
DAY 12
January 27th
We make our way to the Central Pacific; in the afternoon we will take a boat safari upstreams Tárcoles river and then back towards river delta and the mangroves looking for big crocodiles, Scarlet Macaws, frigate birds, pelicans and more!
Overnight: Cerro Lodge
DAY 13
January 28th
We spend the whole day with a local expert at Orotina’s dry forest. We will be able to photograph species like the Turquoise-Browed Motmot, Pacific Screech Owl, Black-headed Trogon and many more. We drive less than 2 hours to our hotel near the airport for our last night in the tropics.
Overnight: El Robledal
DAY 14
January 29th
Transfer to the airport and fly back home. Time to enjoy the post processing!
INCLUDES:
- Lodging
- All meals & water
- Tours & Activities
- All transportation (vehicle and driving services within Costa Rica)
- Birding & Photography Guides
It does not include airfare to get to Costa Rica, alcoholic drinks or beverages other than water, tips or any expenses of personal nature, such as phone calls or laundry.
The total cost is $6,150 per photographer for a shared room (double occupancy).
Additional $700 for single supplement.
$5,400 for a non photographer spouse.
A $1,400 deposit is required to book your place on the tour.
- Contact Us
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Tours in:
German
English
Spanish
