Explore and photograph three unique ecosystems — Osa Peninsula, cloud forest and rainforest — during this wildlife-packed all-inclusive Costa Rica in Focus Photo Tour 2023.
The variety of habitats in this small tropical country enable it to provide haven to more bird species than the entire continental United States.
And that’s just the birds! Butterflies, frogs, flowers, monkeys, coatis, peccaries, and other life forms all exhibit the exuberance of the tropics, which always makes me exuberant when I’m there!
We begin in the rainforest. Poison dart frogs, hummingbirds, tanagers and aracaris will be among the first subjects for our lenses — plus who-knows what else. (Seriously! So much unexpected wildlife to experience here!)
While in this region, we’ll spend time at a very special photography venue, which is set up for nature photography. There, feeding stations attract Collared Aracaris, Crimson-collared Tanagers, Green Honeycreepers, White-necked Jacobins, and many other species.
Next, we head to cloud forest, high into the Talamanca Mountains. There, we’ll photograph the Resplendent Quetzal, billed as the most beautiful bird in the Americas.
Of course, the quetzal is just one of the birds that live in the cool, misty cloud forest. We will also have a variety of hummingbirds (different species than we saw in the lowland rainforest), trogons, tanagers and more to keep us and our lenses occupied.
And, I bring along the full multi-flash hummingbird photography set-up so you don’t have to.
Our final ecosystem is found in the wild jungles of the Osa Peninsula. Only Peru’s Manu National Park tops the Osa for biodiversity. Your cabana there is perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The grounds of our Osa ocean-front lodge provide habitat for all four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica. The simians provide not only lots of great images, but plenty of great entertainment, too!
The trail cameras often record pumas, tayras and other elusive rainforest mammals. Easier to spot are the coatis, Yellow-throated Toucans, and Scarlet Macaws. Seeing the macaws fly over the blue Pacific is a sight you will not forget. Bring your headlamps as we will venture out after dark and see what else we can find…it’s a whole other world after dark in the tropics!
This Costa Rica Photo Tour 2023 is limited to SIX (6) participants. ~ SOLD OUT ~ Please email me to be on waitlist ~ OR ~ Join me in 2024.
ITINERARY:
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an estimated schedule & we’ll do our best to stick to this itinerary, but certain conditions & weather may necessitate changes. Good photographic experiences & plenty of chances to view wildlife will be our goals at all times.
Tuesday, June 6:
Arrive in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. We’ll have dinner together and get a good night’s sleep at the Hampton Inn.
OVERNIGHT: Hampton Inn
Wednesday, June 7:
After breakfast the real adventure begins. We’ll leave the Central Valley and head down the Caribbean slope through beautiful lowland rainforest. We’ll arrive in time to lunch at our ecolodge.
During the afternoon we’ll explore the photographer-friendly grounds. Poison dart frogs, really cool walking sticks and other macro subjects await discovery.
After dinner we’ll see what other critters come out after dark.
OVERNIGHT: Selva Verde
Thursday, June 8:
After breakfast we’ll photograph a variety of birds at fruit and sugar-water feeders. I’ll have a multi-flash hummingbird set-up that we will take turns using. Bring plenty of memory cards!
We’ll take a rest after lunch. During our breaks I’ll be available to answer your questions, critique shots, and provide instruction as needed.
In the evening we’ll again see what surprises the night time rainforest has for us.
OVERNIGHT: Selva Verde
Friday, June 9:
After breakfast we head to our next destination, which is located in the high, cool cloud forest. Realm of the Resplendent Quetzal!
Often called the most beautiful bird in the Americas, the Resplendent Quetzal will be our main target at this location. But that doesn’t mean it will be our only target!
The cloud forest is home to a different suite of hummingbirds than what we found in the rainforest.
We’ll have plenty of opportunities to photograph them as well as other high-elevation birds.
OVERNIGHT: Savegre Hotel
Saturday, June 10:
Between forays to search for quetzals, we’ll spend some time in a private garden photographing birds coming to fruit and sugar-water feeders. Again, these will be very different species from what we found in the lowlands. There will also be bird photography opportunities on the grounds of our lodge.
OVERNIGHT: Savegre Hotel
Sunday, June 11:
I’ve saved the best for last! Today we travel down the Pacific slope to the Osa Peninsula. This biodiversity hotspot is the wildest region in Costa Rica. All of the animals that were present prior to the arrival of Europeans are still here. Many are not easy to spot, but the forest is full of surprises and you never know what we might see.
Overnight: Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge
Monday, June 12:
After a Howler Monkey wake-up call, we’ll have all day to take in the ambiance of Bosque del Cabo. Macaws, four species of monkey, coatis, Amazon parrots and toucans are all visitors to the grounds. You can spend every minute looking for photo ops, go for a swim or relax in a hammock.
Whatever you choose to do keep your camera close by as you just never know what might happen. As it gets dark we’ll go for a walk and see what comes out for the night shift.
OVERNIGHT: Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge
Tuesday, June 13:
Today will have the same schedule as yesterday. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for animal activity. There’s always something going on here!
But you can also schedule time to relax in your cabana or on its porch, chilling to the sound of the ocean below.
OVERNIGHT: Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge
Wednesday, June 14:
Alas, all good things must come to an end. Today we’ll say goodbye to the Osa Peninsula and make our way back to San Jose. Don’t worry — we’ll get in a photo shoot before we depart! As we travel back to civilization, we’ll stop along the way for lunch and souvenir shopping. We’ll enjoy one last dinner together as we get ready to head home tomorrow.
OVERNIGHT: Hampton Inn
Thursday, June 15:
If your flight schedule allows, sleep in & enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then head for home, daydreaming as you fly of the great photo ops you had during your Costa Rica in Focus Photo Tour. Jeff would love it if you shared some of your favorite images after you get them processed!
WHAT YOU CAN LEARN ON THIS TOUR:
- How to handle dappled light in a forest environment.
- How to photograph wildlife through understory vegetation.
- Metering tips.
- When and how to use fill flash.
- Fun lighting techniques for macro subjects.
- How much fun multi-flash hummingbird photography is!
A note about instruction on my photo tours:
Since skills levels vary so much on photo tours, I tailor my teaching to individual needs. Please do not be shy about telling me what you need.
During my photo tours we don’t rush from location to location. We remain at each shot location until everyone has had a chance to create the images he/she wants. 
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- 9 nights of accommodations (double-occupancy; single is available – Email for details).
- Meals from arrival in San Jose to breakfast the morning after the tour.
- Private ground transportation.
- Entry to private reserves or gardens.
- Jeff’s services, instruction, critiquing, and assistance.
- An extensive & detailed full-color, bound dossier.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare to San Jose, Costa Rica.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips. (Your dossier packet will include tipping tips.)
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Bottled & canned beverages (e.g., soda, bottled water)
- Medical expenses.
- Laundry service.
- Phone calls.
- Any other personal items.
LOGISTICS, EQUIPMENT & SUCH:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Much of the photography at the first two locations will be done at feeding stations which requires little walking and carrying of gear.
There is no feeding at the last lodge due to the numerous monkeys and coatis. However, there is generally plenty of wildlife activity right around the lodge which requires minimal walking. There are several trails through the forest or down to the Pacific if you feel like going for a walk.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:
You will receive an extensive dossier as your photo tour nears. Among lots of other information, it includes a list of suggested camera gear. If you’d like to peek at the list now, however, click on this link: EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST (PDF).
You do not have to own everything on the checklist. It’s a list of recommended equipment. If you have any questions about the minimum lenses, etc. that will get you through, don’t hesitate to ask!
AIRPORT:
Fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (airport code SJO).
ARRIVAL:
There is a shuttle from the airport to the Hampton Inn. I try to personally meet everyone at the airport when possible. Please plan to arrive by 6:00 p.m. I have tentatively scheduled our Welcome Dinner for 7:00 p.m.
Ground transportation is included in your tour.
MEALS & LODGING:
Meals are included in your tour from the Welcome Dinner on June 6th through breakfast the morning of June 15th.
Lodging (double-occupancy) is also included.
VISA:
U.S. & Canadian citizens do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica.
GENERAL INFO/SIGN UP:
- DURATION: 8 days & 9 nights
- DATE: Tuesday evening, June 6 through Wednesday evening, June 14, 2023 – with checkout on June 15th.
- SPACE FOR: Six (6) < ~ SOLD OUT ~ Email me to be on waitlist ~ OR ~ Join me in 2024!
- PAYMENT DUE DATES: A total of half the cost of the tour due 6-months before departure. Remaining balance due 60-days prior to start date of tour.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please read our Cancellation Policy before purchasing.(Follow the provided link or go to link under “MORE” on sidebar to the right.) Thanks!
LIABILITY WAIVER:
At the start of each event, we’ll ask you to sign this liability waiver. We encourage you to review it before signing up.
