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Photography Journey Exploring the Caribbean Side November 2027 9 Nights/ 10 Days
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
Photography Journey Exploring the Caribbean Side
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.
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
Photography Journey Exploring the Caribbean Side
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.