Explore Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity through an intimate small-group photography journey designed for nature and wildlife photographers.

This 11-day / 10-night expedition will take you through some of the country’s most rewarding photography destinations, including Sarapiquí, Boca Tapada de San Carlos, Caño Negro, and San Gerardo de Dota.

From tropical lowland rainforests and wetlands to cloud forests and highland habitats, each location has been carefully selected to offer exceptional opportunities to photograph birds, wildlife, landscapes, and the unforgettable natural moments that make Costa Rica one of the world’s premier destinations for nature photography.

Throughout the journey, we will focus on field techniques, composition, natural light, animal behavior, and how to create stronger images in real wildlife conditions. With a small group setting, personalized guidance, and access to diverse ecosystems, this experience is ideal for photographers who want to improve their skills while exploring the heart of Costa Rica’s biodiversity.

11 Days / 10 Nights
Starting at $4,499 per person

ITINERARY

Photography Journey in the Land of Biodiversity

11 Days / 10 Nights — Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour

Day 1 — Arrival in San José
Arrival at San José International Airport and private transfer to the hotel. Welcome to Costa Rica and preparation for the photography journey ahead.

Day 2 — San José to Caño Negro via Soda Cinchona
We begin our overland journey toward Caño Negro, stopping at Soda Cinchona for lunch and a cloud forest bird photography session. This location offers excellent opportunities to photograph colorful mountain species in a beautiful natural setting.
Approximate driving time: 5 hours, plus lunch and photography stop.

Day 3 — Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve
Morning and afternoon boat safaris through the wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve, one of Costa Rica’s most important wetland ecosystems. Photography opportunities may include aquatic birds, herons, kingfishers, jacanas, cormorants, anhingas, caimans, turtles, monkeys, reptiles, and other wetland wildlife.

Day 4 — Caño Negro to Boca Tapada via The Bird Nest
After breakfast, we travel toward Boca Tapada with an extended photography stop at The Bird Nest, located in Aguas Zarcas de San Carlos. This family reforestation project attracts a great variety of birds, including toucans, oropendolas, tanagers, manakins, honeycreepers, and other colorful tropical species. Later, we continue toward Laguna Lagarto Lodge in Boca Tapada, with possible wildlife and bird photography along the way. In the evening, we photograph nectar-feeding bats.
Approximate driving time: 3 to 4 hours total, plus photography stops.

Day 5 — King Vulture Hideout, Rainforest Birds & Macro Photography
Morning photography session at the King Vulture Hideout, one of the best opportunities in Costa Rica to photograph this impressive species from a specialized blind. Later, we photograph from the hotel platform, where toucans, aracaris, oropendolas, tanagers, honeycreepers, and other rainforest birds may visit. In the afternoon, we focus on macro photography with frogs and reptiles, followed by hummingbird photography using multi-flash techniques.

Day 6 — Henry’s Garden & Macaws in Flight
Morning visit to Henry’s Garden, located in Boca Tapada de San Carlos near Laguna Lagarto Lodge. This private garden offers eye-level rainforest bird photography and opportunities to photograph the three toucan species found in the area, along with flycatchers, tanagers, honeycreepers, and other lowland birds. Later, we travel toward the Sarapiquí region, stopping at a macaw farm to photograph macaws in flight before arriving at the hotel.
Approximate driving time: 2 to 3 hours total, plus photography sessions.

Day 7 — Pierella Garden
Full day at Pierella Garden, a private ecological garden in the Sarapiquí region. This location offers excellent opportunities for birds, butterflies, frogs, macro subjects, and rainforest wildlife photography. Lunch will be included on site, allowing us to spend the day working slowly and carefully with different natural subjects.

Day 8 — Donde Cope & Overland to San Gerardo de Dota
Morning visit to Donde Cope, a well-known private photography location in the Caribbean lowlands, famous for close wildlife and bird photography opportunities. After the session, we continue overland toward the highlands of San Gerardo de Dota, with lunch along the way.
Approximate driving time: 5 to 6 hours total, plus photography and lunch stops.

Day 9 — Quetzal Quest, Hummingbirds & Miriam’s Quetzales
Early morning search for the Resplendent Quetzal in the cloud forest of San Gerardo de Dota. We will also dedicate time to hummingbird photography in the highlands. Lunch will be at Miriam’s Quetzales, where we will enjoy local food and additional opportunities to photograph highland birds from the gardens and feeders.

Day 10 — Quetzal Quest, Batsu Garden & Return to San José
A second morning opportunity to photograph the Resplendent Quetzal, followed by a visit to Batsu Garden, one of the best photography decks in the San Gerardo de Dota area for highland birds. After lunch, we return to San José for our farewell dinner.
Approximate driving time: 3 to 4 hours to San José, plus photography stop.

Day 11 — Departure
Private transfer to San José International Airport for flights back to the USA.