Costa Rica Bird Photography Tours

Costa Rica offers extraordinary opportunities for bird photographers, from colorful hummingbirds to the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal. Our firsthand knowledge and experienced local guides connect photographers with the right locations, birds and conditions to capture unforgettable images. Start here to find the bird photography experience that fits you best.

Discover Costa Rica’s Extraordinary Bird Photography Opportunities

Costa Rica stands as a premier destination for bird photographers, offering an incredible concentration of species in a compact country. Its diverse habitats create opportunities to photograph hundreds of bird species in different settings within a single trip.

What makes Costa Rica special for bird photographers:

• Extraordinary biodiversity: Its location between North and South America supports an exceptional variety of resident and migratory birds.
• Diverse habitats: Rainforests, cloud forests, highlands, wetlands, dry forests and coastal habitats offer different photography opportunities.
• Photography-friendly locations: Feeding stations, gardens, platforms and blinds provide opportunities for focused photography.
• Experienced local guides: Guides understand bird behavior, positioning, light and the needs of photographers.
• Year-round photography: Seasonal changes in weather, light, migration and bird activity create opportunities throughout the year.
• Remarkable variety: Photograph hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, trogons, macaws, raptors and much more.
• Protected habitats: Private reserves, national parks and conservation-focused lodges protect important bird habitat.

Choose Your Bird Photography Experience

Costa Rica Focus offers three ways to plan a bird photography trip. Choose the travel style that best fits the level of guidance, independence and flexibility you want.

Privately Guided Photography Tours

A Privately Guided bird photography tour offers the most personalized experience, with your own private guide and driver. Your trip plan is built around your photography interests, target species and preferred pace. More time in the field creates opportunities to photograph a greater diversity of bird species.

Includes: Private guide and transportation, accommodations, meals, admissions, stops between destinations and 24/7 in-country support.

Private Independent Photography Trips

Our Private Independent option combines a planned itinerary with the freedom to travel without a full-time guide. We arrange accommodations, private transportation and photography sessions with local guides. You also have time to photograph independently at lodge feeding stations, gardens and trails.

Includes: Private transportation, accommodations, scheduled photography sessions, daily breakfast, planned activities and 24/7 in-country support.

Small Group Bird Photography Tours

Our Small Group bird photography tours have fixed itineraries and departure dates. A maximum of eight participants allows time and space to photograph at carefully selected locations. These trips suit solo travelers, couples and photographers who enjoy traveling with others.

Includes: Bird photography guide, transportation within Costa Rica, accommodations, photography sessions, activities, meals and in-country support. View upcoming dates.

Wondering what a trip costs? See what a Costa Rica birding tour includes and what it costs.

Where We Take Bird Photographers

The best location depends on which species you want to photograph and how you want to photograph them. Our Costa Rica photography tours combine feeding stations, specialized setups, forest trails, wetlands and waterways.

Gardens and Feeding Stations

Gardens and feeding stations provide productive bird photography with good visibility and opportunities to work with light, backgrounds and composition. Locations include Rancho Naturalista, Quelitales Lodge, Paraíso Quetzal Lodge, Savegre, Selva Verde Lodge, Tranki Gardens, Pierella Gardens and Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Photography Setups, Blinds, Platforms and Specialized Photography

Specialized setups and blinds provide favorable positions, clean backgrounds and close views. Batsú Gardens, Tranki Gardens and Laguna del Lagarto are among the locations we use. Opportunities range from a multi-flash setup for hummingbird photography to dedicated King Vulture photography.

Forest Trails and Natural Habitat Photography

Forest trails provide opportunities to photograph birds in their natural habitat. Experienced guides use their knowledge of bird behavior, calls and favored locations to find subjects away from feeding stations. Sarapiquí, Arenal, Monteverde and the Osa Peninsula are excellent areas for this type of photography.

Wetlands, Rivers and Boat Photography

Caño Negro and Medio Queso offer boat-based photography through wetlands and waterways. The Tárcoles River Estuary provides access to mangroves, mudflats and river habitats. These outings are excellent for flight shots, waterbirds, waders, raptors and other wildlife in Costa Rica.

Birds People Come to Costa Rica to Photograph

Some of the most requested bird species include:

• Resplendent Quetzal: San Gerardo de Dota and Monteverde; year-round, with increased activity January through May.
• Scarlet Macaw: Central and Southern Pacific, including Tárcoles and the Osa Peninsula; year-round.
• Great Green Macaw: Caribbean lowlands, particularly Sarapiquí; opportunities vary with feeding and nesting activity.
• Hummingbirds: Throughout Costa Rica, with species changing by elevation and region.
• Toucans: Caribbean and Pacific lowlands and foothills; the Keel-billed Toucan and other species can be photographed year-round.
• Sunbittern: Rivers and forest streams in the Caribbean foothills and lowlands; year-round.
• Cotingas: Different species occur in specific habitats and regions.
• Three-wattled Bellbird: Monteverde; March through July.
• Jabiru: Palo Verde and Caño Negro; January through April.

Resplendent Quetzal

With shimmering green plumage and trailing tail feathers, the Resplendent Quetzal is one of the most sought-after birds in all of Latin America. This highland species is best photographed in the cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota, where local guides track nesting and feeding activity to maximize your chances of a clean, well-lit shot.

Hummingbirds

Costa Rica is home to more than 50 species of hummingbirds, each offering a chance to capture dazzling color and motion. From the tiny Snowcap to the striking Violet Sabrewing, these birds vary dramatically by region and elevation. Well-placed feeders and flowering gardens at select lodges make it possible to photograph them both in flight and at rest, often just feet away.

Toucans and Aracaris

These iconic birds are bold, colorful, and unmistakable through the lens. With oversized bills and striking plumage, toucans and their smaller cousins, the aracaris, are frequent visitors to fruit feeders, especially in the Caribbean lowlands. Photographers often find them perched in good light, offering ideal compositions for both portraits and behavior shots.

Tanagers

Tanagers are some of the most colorful birds in the tropics, and Costa Rica hosts an incredible variety. From the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager to the intricately marked Spangle-cheeked Tanager, these birds are regulars at fruiting trees and lodge feeders in the foothills and highlands. Their bold colors and cooperative behavior make them favorite subjects among visiting photographers.

King Vulture

Strikingly patterned and surprisingly photogenic, the King Vulture is a true standout. These large birds are often shy, but specially designed photo blinds in the northern lowlands provide unique opportunities to photograph them up close, whether perched, in flight, or interacting with other species.

Motmots

With long racquet-tipped tails and rich earthy colors, motmots are some of the most photogenic birds in Costa Rica. They often sit still for long periods in shaded forest edges or garden clearings, making them surprisingly cooperative subjects. Several species can be found across elevations, including the Tody Motmot, Rufous Motmot and the Lesson’s Motmot, with good chances for clean, eye-level portraits.

Manakins

Small but striking, manakins are a favorite among photographers for their vibrant plumage and energetic courtship displays. While they can be tricky to spot at times, experienced guides know active leks where males perform their acrobatic jumps and wing snaps. The White-collared, Red-capped, and Orange-collared Manakins are among the more commonly photographed species, often in dim forest light that rewards patience and preparation.

Jabiru

As the tallest flying bird in Central America, the Jabiru is a standout both in size and rarity. Found in the northern wetlands, this endangered stork is best photographed during the dry season when receding water levels concentrate fish and bring Jabirus into more accessible areas. With their stark black-and-white plumage and massive bills, they make powerful subjects, especially in flight or at nest sites.

Best Time of Year for Bird Photography

Bird photography in Costa Rica is productive year-round. The best time depends on the regions and species you want to photograph. For month-by-month detail, see our guide to the best time for birding in Costa Rica.

December to April: The Pacific is generally drier, with more clear skies and good light. This is also peak travel season.

May to August: Rain increases on the Pacific, bringing lush vegetation, flowering gardens and rich backgrounds. The Caribbean also offers productive photography.

September to November: Rain is typically heavier on the Central and Southern Pacific, while the Caribbean remains productive. Migratory birds begin returning during this period.

Light varies by region, elevation, habitat and weather. We plan itineraries to make the most of morning and afternoon photography at each location.

Traveling December to April (Typical Pacific Dry Season)

• Dry season on the Pacific side: This is the most reliable time for sunny, dry conditions on the Pacific side of the country. Ideal for visiting locations with dirt roads and exposed trails.
• Wettest time on the Caribbean side: Rain is more frequent and sometimes heavier in the Caribbean during this period. Mornings are usually productive, with clear skies, but be prepared for afternoon downpours and possibly muddy trails.
• Excellent light for photography: Consistently clear mornings and softer afternoon light make this one of the best times of year for bird photography in open and semi-open habitats.
• Prime season for Resplendent Quetzals: Nesting activity peaks from February through April, giving photographers excellent chances for sightings and courtship behavior in the highland cloud forests.
• Migratory species still present: Many North American migrants are still present until late March.
• Peak tourism season: This is the busiest time for travel in Costa Rica. Early booking is essential to secure top birding lodges and expert guides.

Traveling May to August (Transition into Rainy Season)

• Start of the rainy season across the country: May marks the beginning of more regular rainfall on the Pacific side. This also means lush foliage and vibrant gardens full of flowers.
• Improved conditions on the Caribbean slope: Rainfall begins to ease compared to the heavier months of December to April, making this a more favorable time to visit top bird photography sites in the Caribbean lowlands.
• Dramatic skies and lush backdrops: The return of afternoon showers brings cloud-draped forests and dramatic lighting, ideal for moodier, more textured bird photography.
• Less travel pressure: This is Costa Rica’s low season for tourism, so lodges are quieter, guides are more available, and travel is a bit more affordable.
• Good activity across elevations: Many resident birds are actively feeding or finishing nesting, and forest trails are vibrant with vocalizations and movement.
• Some migratory species have departed: North American migrants are mostly gone by this point, so the focus shifts to resident species and regional endemics.
• Ideal for photographers with flexibility: If you’re comfortable working around weather windows, this can be an incredibly rewarding time to photograph birds in rich, vibrant conditions.

Traveling September to November (Caribbean Clear Skies, Pacific Rainy Season and Transition)

• Typically the driest stretch on the Caribbean slope: This is the best time of year to visit the Caribbean lowlands and foothills, where rainfall is generally low and conditions are more stable.
• Excellent photography season for the Caribbean: Morning light is often excellent, and feeders, trails, and forest edges are active with birds taking advantage of the break in weather.
• Heavy rain continues on the Pacific in September and October: These two months are typically the wettest on the Pacific side, not ideal for photography.
• November marks a shift: By mid to late November, the rains often begin to taper off on the Pacific side, signaling the gradual start of the dry season.
• Lower tourism volume and great access to prime spots: Fewer travelers during this period mean quieter trails, better availability at popular lodges, and more flexible schedules for guided sessions.
• Ideal for rainforest photographers and return visitors: Those focused on photographing rainforest species in lush, vibrant conditions will find this a rewarding time to travel.

Key Timing for Specific Species

• Resplendent Quetzal nesting: February to April
• Scarlet Macaw breeding: December to May
• Three-wattled Bellbird courtship: March to June
• Northern migrant arrival: September to October
• Hummingbirds: year-round, with species variation by elevation
• Jabiru: January to April nesting season
• Agami Heron: nesting season June to July
• Most resident species: nest throughout the year

Our Bird Photography Guides

Our photography guides combine expert knowledge of Costa Rica’s birds with an understanding of photography. Minor Hidalgo, Andrés Zúñiga, Helmut Guth, Andrés Ramírez, Alex Castro and Erick Castro understand bird behavior, light, positioning and photography setups.

A photography tour moves at a different pace than a traditional birding tour. The goal is not simply to see the bird, but to have the time and opportunity to photograph it.

Planning Your Costa Rica Bird Photography Trip

Our bird photography trips include lodges, transportation, photography locations and activities, with guiding based on the travel style you choose. We can also advise you on the camera gear best suited to your Costa Rica photography trip.

For peak season, December through April, plan 9 to 12 months in advance. For the rest of the year, six months is a good guideline. Book as early as possible for the best selection of lodges, photography guides and experiences. Start planning your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions