COSTA RICA - WILDLIFE PHOTO TOUR
Toucans, Frogs, Sloths, Resplendent Quetzals, Hummingbirds, Monkeys & Much More
Dates: 10th to 25th March 2028
Group size: Min. 4, Max. 6
Meals: Full Board
Cost: £6,395 Per Person (Single Supp. £950)
Deposit: A non-refundable £1,250 deposit required at time of booking.
Costa Rica is famous for its incredible biodiversity, but capturing it cleanly is a different story. The rainforest environments are dense, the canopy light can be tough to manage, and you have to be ready for fast-moving subjects.
On this tour, we’ll head through some of the country’s best wildlife areas. We’ll start with macro photography for frogs and reptiles in Sarapiquí, before moving through the northern canopies of Boca Tapada and the remote waterways of Caño Negro. From there, we climb into the misty cloud forests of Monteverde for hummingbirds, head to Tarcoles for American Crocodiles and Scarlet Macaws, and finish up in San Gerardo de Dota in search of the Resplendent Quetzal. Because we keep the group size strictly limited, you’ll get dedicated, 1-on-1 support throughout the trip on everything from technical macro lighting to bird tracking.
Itinerary:
Note: This is a summary of our route. Our exact daily schedule remains flexible so we can adapt to the weather and wildlife behaviour on the ground to get the best shots. The full, detailed itinerary is provided below.
Day 1: Arrival in San José – Transfer to the hotel, with evening and morning photography sessions within the natural hotel grounds.
Days 2–4: Sarapiquí – Afternoon and full-day guided rainforest tours, followed by a morning at a specialised bird photography garden.
Days 4–7: Boca Tapada – Full-day access to photography platforms and gardens, a dedicated session in a King Vulture hide, a hummingbird photography session, and a guided rainforest tour.
Days 7–10: Caño Negro – Two dawn and two dusk boat tours specifically targeting kingfishers and other wetland wildlife.
Days 10–13: Monteverde – Guided tours through two different forest reserves and a dedicated hummingbird photography session.
Days 13–14: Tárcoles – An evening boat tour for American crocodiles, and a morning spent photographing scarlet macaws.
Days 14–16: San Gerardo de Dota – Resplendent Quetzal tracking, photography platform sessions, and natural garden work before departing for the UK.
What’s Included:
Accommodation – Handpicked hotels and lodges, chosen specifically because they feature natural gardens or dedicated photography areas right on the grounds.
Local Transport – All in-country travel throughout the trip in a comfortable, spacious van or minibus.
Local Specialist – A brilliant Costa Rican nature guide to work alongside us for expert spotting and tracking.
Meals – Full board coverage (breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day).
Field Tuition – Full 1-on-1 camera support whenever we are out with the gear.
Image Reviews – Informal photo reviews and editing feedback back at base, as and when time and energy allow.
Pre-Trip Prep – A group video call one month before the tour to run through gear, packing, and any final questions.
What’s Not Included:
Flights – International flights to and from San José airport.
Drinks – Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Gratuities – Tips for the local guides, drivers, and lodge staff.
Insurance – Personal travel and equipment insurance (mandatory).
Gear – Personal camera equipment and clothing.
What You Will Need:
Camera Gear:
Camera Body – Your preferred DSLR or mirrorless camera body. While a bridge camera can work for static subjects, you will likely struggle with fast-moving action under the dark forest canopies.
Telephoto Lens – A lens with a focal length of 500mm or above is highly recommended for capturing clear frames of birds and mammals in the high canopy.
Macro Lens – A dedicated macro lens is essential for close-up work with the diverse frogs and reptiles we will encounter.
Flash & Diffuser – A flash gun and a compact diffuser are incredibly useful for introducing clean light under the dark, dense forest canopies.
Media & Power – Plenty of spare batteries and fast memory cards to keep you shooting through multi-day field sessions.
Storage (Optional) – A laptop and external hard drives for backing up your files daily and participating in our informal image reviews.
Field Clothing
Versatile Layers – Outdoor clothing that you can easily layer up or down. Temperatures will fluctuate significantly, from hot and humid lowlands to around 7°C at night in the cloud forest highlands.
Waterproofs – A reliable, lightweight waterproof jacket, as heavy tropical downpours are highly likely during our stay.
Footwear – Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots with good grip for navigating the forest trails.
Fitness & Suitability
Physical Terrain – There is no strenuous mountain trekking on this itinerary, but you will need a reasonable level of mobility. You must be comfortable and steady on your feet while walking along uneven, potentially muddy forest trails during our daily excursions.
Climate & Conditions – We will be working in tropical environments. Please be prepared for high humidity in the lowlands and sudden shifts in temperature as we move into the higher altitudes of the cloud forests.
Carrying Your Gear – You will be responsible for carrying your own camera bag and equipment during our walks and tracking sessions, so please factor the weight of your chosen lenses into your physical preparation.
Book Here:
Financial Protection & ABTOT Booking Terms
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Wild Ethos Photography Tours Ltd (Member Number: 5710), and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:
· Non-flight packages
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package.
Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Wild Ethos Photography Tours Ltd.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/