We lead you into Costa Rica’s wildest moments with experience, patience, and precision. Every journey is designed to create powerful images, meaningful encounters, and lasting confidence behind the camera.
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
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.
Explore Costa Rica’s South Pacific on a carefully designed photography journey focused on whales, dolphins, tropical birds, rainforest wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and the powerful beauty of the ocean meeting the jungle.
This September 2027 expedition will take us through some of the most spectacular regions of southern Costa Rica, beginning near Manuel Antonio National Park and continuing toward the rich waters of Golfo Dulce. This area offers exceptional opportunities to photograph humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, coastal wildlife, and the wild Pacific scenery that makes this region so unique.
From the coast, our journey continues into the mountains, forests, and highland habitats of southern Costa Rica, including San Vito de Coto Brus, San Gerardo de Rivas, and the beautiful Valle de Cachí. Along the way, we will focus on tropical birds, rainforest species, cloud forest landscapes, lush valleys, waterfalls, and the incredible biodiversity that makes Costa Rica one of the world’s most rewarding destinations for nature and wildlife photographers.
Designed for a small group, this journey combines outstanding photographic opportunities, personalized guidance in the field, and unforgettable encounters with Costa Rica’s wild South Pacific.
September 2027
11 Days / 10 Nights
Starting at $4,399 per person
Day 1 — Arrival in San José
Arrival from the USA to San José International Airport and private transfer to the hotel. Welcome to Costa Rica and preparation for the photography expedition ahead.
Day 2 — Tárcoles River & Overland to Manuel Antonio Area
Travel toward the Central Pacific with a boat safari on the Tárcoles River, focused on American crocodiles, mangroves, shorebirds, water birds, reptiles, and coastal wildlife. Continue to the Manuel Antonio area for overnight.
Approximate driving time: 3 to 4 hours total, plus boat safari.
Day 3 — Manuel Antonio National Park & Night Photography
Morning visit to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic protected areas. Photography opportunities may include monkeys, sloths, iguanas, birds, tropical forest, and beautiful coastal scenery. In the evening, we focus on nocturnal photography of amphibians, reptiles, insects, and other rainforest subjects.
Approximate driving time: Local transfers only.
Day 4 — Marino Ballena National Park & Overland to Esquinas Lodge
Morning visit to Marino Ballena National Park for our first whale and dolphin photography session along Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast. This marine park is known for humpback whales, dolphins, marine life, beaches, and the famous whale-tail-shaped sandbar. After the boat session, we continue south toward Esquinas Lodge, near Piedras Blancas National Park.
Approximate driving time: 4 to 5 hours total, plus marine photography session.
Day 5 — Golfo Dulce Whale, Dolphin & Coastal Bird Safari
Boat safari in Golfo Dulce, focused on whales, dolphins, coastal birds, mangroves, rainforest-covered shorelines, and marine wildlife. Lunch at Dolphin Quest before returning to the hotel. Golfo Dulce is an exceptional marine and rainforest region where the ocean meets one of Costa Rica’s wildest southern landscapes.
Approximate driving time: Local road and boat transfers only.
Day 6 — Overland to San Vito de Coto Brus & Wilson Botanical Garden
Travel from the South Pacific lowlands toward San Vito de Coto Brus, with birding and photography stops along the way. In the afternoon, we photograph at Wilson Botanical Garden, part of Las Cruces Research Station, known for its remarkable tropical plant collection, gardens, and excellent birding opportunities. Overnight at Wilson Botanical Garden.
Approximate driving time: 3 to 4 hours, plus photography stops.
Day 7 — Wilson Botanical Garden & Las Cruces Reserve
Full day of photography in the reserve and gardens. This area offers opportunities for tropical birds, forest edges, gardens, flowers, macro subjects, and natural history photography in one of southern Costa Rica’s most important botanical and research locations.
Approximate driving time: Local walking and photography on site.
Day 8 — Aviva Organic Garden & Overland to San Gerardo de Rivas
Visit Aviva Organic Garden, a family sustainability project in Coto Brus, where we search for local birds and photograph the natural surroundings. Later, begin the journey toward San Gerardo de Rivas, located in the mountains near Chirripó National Park.
Approximate driving time: 3 to 4 hours, plus photography stop.
Day 9 — San Gerardo Birds & Aracari Bird Deck
Morning bird photography in the San Gerardo de Rivas area, a mountain region with excellent opportunities for mixed flocks, toucanets, tanagers, wrens, and other highland species. In the late morning, visit Aracari Bird Deck for close bird photography opportunities.
Approximate driving time: Local transfers only.
Day 10 — Quetzal Quest, Highland Hummingbirds & Return to San José
Early morning Quetzal Quest at Paraíso de Quetzal, focused on photographing the Resplendent Quetzal and highland cloud forest birds. We also photograph highland hummingbirds before traveling back to San José for our farewell dinner.
Approximate driving time: 4 to 5 hours total, plus photography stop.
Day 11 — Departure
Private transfer to San José International Airport for international flights back to the USA.
Discover Costa Rica’s wild Caribbean region through a carefully designed photography journey focused on birds, wildlife, rainforests, coastal beauty, and unforgettable moments in nature.
This 10-day / 9-night photography expedition will take you through some of Costa Rica’s most diverse and rewarding natural areas, including the scenic Turrialba and Cachí Valleys, the lush lowland rainforests of the Sarapiquí region, and the remote waterways of Tortuguero National Park.
From misty mountain landscapes and tropical gardens to Caribbean canals, rivers, wetlands, and primary rainforest, this journey offers exceptional opportunities to photograph tropical birds, monkeys, sloths, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, landscapes, and the rich biodiversity that makes Costa Rica one of the world’s premier nature photography destinations.
Each location has been selected to provide a balance of photographic opportunities, natural history, comfort, and authentic Costa Rican experiences. With a small group setting and personalized guidance in the field, this tour is ideal for photographers who want to improve their skills while exploring one of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich regions of the country.
10 Days / 9 Nights
Starting at $4,299 per person
ITINERARY
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 — Ujarrás Valley & Quelitales Hotel
Morning photography in the Ujarrás Valley, focusing on local bird species, landscapes, and the cultural beauty of one of Costa Rica’s historic valleys. Lunch will be served near the Ruins of Ujarrás before continuing to Hotel Quelitales for afternoon bird photography and overnight.
Approximate driving time: 2 to 3 hours total, plus photography stops.
Day 3 — Turrialba Bird Photography Garden & Quelitales
Morning visit to a bird photography garden in the Turrialba region, an excellent area for tropical birds, feeders, gardens, and mid-elevation species. In the afternoon, we return toward Hotel Quelitales with birding and photography from the vehicle along the way.
Approximate driving time: 2 to 3 hours total, plus photography sessions.
Day 4 — Overland to Caño Blanco & Tortuguero National Park
Travel overland to Caño Blanco, where we board a boat to reach Tortuguero National Park. In the afternoon, we enjoy our first boat safari through the canals, searching for birds, monkeys, reptiles, caimans, and wildlife along the rainforest waterways.
Approximate driving and boat time: 5 to 6 hours total, depending on road and river conditions.
Day 5 — Tortuguero National Park Boat Safaris
Morning and afternoon boat safaris through the canals of Tortuguero National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic Caribbean rainforest ecosystems. Photography opportunities may include aquatic birds, herons, kingfishers, toucans, monkeys, iguanas, caimans, and lush rainforest scenery.
Approximate transfer time: Local boat safaris only.
Day 6 — Tortuguero to Sarapiquí via La Pavona & Donde Cope
Travel by boat to La Pavona and continue overland to Donde Cope Garden, a special private photography location known for close opportunities with birds and rainforest wildlife. After the session, continue toward the Sarapiquí region for overnight.
Approximate travel time: 4 to 5 hours total, plus photography stop.
Day 7 — Pierella Garden
Full day at Pierella Garden, a private ecological garden in Sarapiquí. This location offers excellent opportunities for bird photography, butterflies, frogs, macro subjects, and rainforest wildlife. Lunch will be included on site, allowing time to work carefully with different natural subjects.
Approximate transfer time: Local transfers only.
Day 8 — Plumas y Picos Garden & Frogs Heaven
Morning bird photography at Plumas y Picos Garden, focused on colorful rainforest birds, hummingbirds, tanagers, and tropical species. In the afternoon, we visit Frogs Heaven for macro photography of frogs, reptiles, and other small rainforest subjects.
Approximate driving time: Local Sarapiquí transfers, depending on hotel location.
Day 9 — Macaw Farm, Soda Cinchona & Return to San José
Morning visit to a macaw farm for photography of macaws, including opportunities for flight images. Later, travel back toward San José with a stop at Soda Cinchona for cloud forest bird photography. Farewell dinner in San José.
Approximate driving time: 4 to 5 hours total, plus photography stops.
Day 10 — Departure
Private transfer to San José International Airport for international flights back to the USA.
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