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Photography Hot Spots Costa Rica

10-Night, 11-Day Trip

About This Bird Photography Group Tour

Focus: Bird Photography

Tour Highlights

Dawn and dusk shooting sessions in prime lighting conditions
Professional bird photography guide
Small group size ensuring individual attention
Mix of feeder and natural habitat photography
Access to private reserves and gardens

Trip Overview

Day 1:

Arrive San Jose

Days 2-3:

Arenal - Caribbean Foothills

Days 4-5:

Caribbean Lowlands

Days 6-7:

Turrialba - Mid-elevation

Days 8-9:

Talamanca Highlands

Days 10:

Central Valley

Days 11:

Return to the SJO Airport

Overview
What's Included
Itinerary
Additional Info
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Embark on an unforgettable bird photography adventure through Costa Rica's bird photography hot spots. This carefully crafted tour takes you from the biodiversity-rich Caribbean Lowlands through the dramatic Arenal Volcano region, into the lush Turrialba Valley, and finally to the pristine Talamanca Highlands. Each location offers unique photographic opportunities - from intimate garden settings with feeders to untouched rainforests and misty mountain vistas. Moving at a photographer's pace, you'll have optimal time to capture Costa Rica's vibrant birdlife in perfect morning and afternoon light.
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What's Included in Your 10-Night, 11-Day Photography Hot Spots Costa Rica Tour?

  • Small Group Tour – Birdwatching

    On a group tour with a private guide, the guide is with you from your arrival to your departure. You not only bird at the hotels, parks, and reserves on your itinerary, you also have the flexibility to stop with the guide at local spots, and places that only the guides know. You have an expert with you every step of the way. Guests with a Private Guide can expect to see at least 50% more species than guests using local guides.

    Pros and Cons of a Scheduled Group Trip

    Continuous expert guidance throughout the entire trip

    50% more species typically observed

    Access to off-the-beaten-track locations

    Flexibility for impromptu stops

    Daily species recap with guide

    Species identification from your guide during and after your trip.

    Fixed travel dates

    Less individual flexibility

      Ideal for

    • Serious birders aiming to maximize species sightings

    • First-time visitors wanting constant expert guidance

    • Birders interested in off-the-beaten-path locations

    • Travelers who value having all meals and services included

    • Birders who enjoy shared experiences with like-minded travelers

    • Travelers looking for easy, seamless experience

      • Photography Hot Spots Costa Rica Itinearary Details

      Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica

      Upon arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, you will be greeted by your private driver and transferred to your hotel.  Enjoy the hotel gardens and later this evening meet your fellow travelers and your private guide for a welcome dinner and introduction to your tour. This evening, your guide will provide an overview of the exciting journey ahead. Overnight in San José.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Hotel Bougainvillea Gardens

    • Day 2: Arenal & San Luis Tanager watch

      Journey with your photography guide through the scenic Costa Rican countryside to the Arenal Volcano. En route, stop at the San Luis Tanager Watch, a specialized photography location where colorful tanagers frequent the feeders. After, continue to Arenal where the iconic volcano provides a dramatic backdrop for your next photography destination.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      San Luis Tanagers

    • Explore

      Arenal Volcano National Park

    • Day 3: Arenal Observatory Lodge

      The lodge is located in the unique Caribbean foothills at the base of the Arenal Volcano. This area has become one of the most diverse life zones for avifauna because both mid-elevation and lowlands birds inhabit the area. Even some highland species will occasionally pass through the reserve. The Observatory Lodge has recorded more than 400 different bird species on its property. 

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Arenal Observatory Lodge Reserve

    • Day 4: Sarapiqui and Cinchona

      Depart Arenal for Sarapiqui with a fantastic stop at the Cinchona Feeders, a photographer’s paradise. Hummingbirds, tanagers, barbets and toucans frequent multiple feeding stations. The covered viewing area provides shelter for equipment while offering clear shots of birds against the lush valley backdrop. After that, continue on to your lodge. 

    • Lodging

      Selva Verde Lodge

    • Explore

      Cinchona Feeders & Trails

    • Explore

      Selva Verde Lodge Trails

    • Day 5: Cope’s Gardens & Pierella Garden

      Begin your day at Cope’s Gardens, where you’ll explore the private gardens and trails searching for the Sickle-bill Hummingbird, and possibly the Crested Owl. The afternoon shifts to Pierella Gardens, a site renowned for its hummingbird and tanager photography opportunities. . These complementary locations offer diverse species and habitats. 

    • Lodging

      Selva Verde Lodge

    • Explore

      Pierella Gardens

    • Explore

      Cope’s Gardens

    • Day 6: Turrialba

      Today you leave the sultry Caribbean for the mid-elevation foothills of Turrialba. Arrive at your lodge and head to the veranda with your guide to visit the very productive fruit stations.  Expect Hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans and much more for this afternoon of photography.  

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Rancho Naturalista Gardens, Feeders & Trails

      costa rica Birding Lodges Rancho Naturalista

    • Day 7: Rancho Naturalista and surrounding areas

      Rancho Naturalista offers photographers multiple specialized shooting locations, from the main terrace’s feeders to forest trails and lush gardens.  The property’s diverse habitats attract both common and rare species, while dedicated photography stations are positioned to take advantage of natural light. You’ll visit the hummingbird pools, where birds gather for their dawn bathing rituals.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Rancho Naturalista Gardens, Feeders & Trails

      costa rica Birding Lodges Rancho Naturalista

    • Day 8: Journey to the Highlands

      Today you head to the highest elevation of your trip, the Talamanca Mountains and San Gerardo de Dota.  This is Quetzal country!  You’ll spend the afternoon enjoying photographing the highland species including hummingbirds and hopefully the Resplendent Quetzal. 

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      San Gerardo de Dota

    • Day 9: Quetzal area & Batsu Gardens

      Enjoy two prime photography locations today. The first is a highly populated Quetzal area that highlights the Quetzal in its natural habitat in the lush cloud forest.  The second is a fantastic photography spot, Batsu Gardens. Batsu provides a mix of feeding stations, platforms, and forest trails. Your private guide will help you spot the top species of the highlands. 

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Quetzal Paradise Lodge Trails

    • Explore

      Batsu Gardens

    • Day 10: Return to the Central Valley

      Spend the morning looking for the highland endemics, and perhaps a few more shots of the Quetzal before heading back to San Jose.   Your guide will be with you this afternoon to explore the gardens of your hotel as well. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner and reflect on your memories and all the great photographs from your adventure. 

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Villa San Ignacio Trails

    • Day 11: Departure

       Today your private transfer takes you back to the SJO Airport, concluding your Costa Rican bird photography adventure.

        "A dream come true … Saw and photo memory of A Resplendent Quetzal"

        In pursuit of the Resplendent Quetzal, snow capped hummingbird, sunbittern, and turquoise browed motmot and many other endemics. By luck I had connected with Costa Rica focus and together with our representative Sven Watson he formulated a 12 day independent tour catering to our wishes and my friends walking limitations. I desired to spend time at Hotel Bougainvillea, Rancho Naturalista, Trogan Lodge, Cerro lodge, and Villa San Ignacio. It was a seamless well organized itinerary. We explored each lodge and were captivated by all its beauty not to mention the magnitude of birds we stumbled across. We had no worries. We were communicating via WhatsApp and had a new representative Adriana, who ensured we were completely satisfied with our lodging and tour at all times.

        It was incredible to have a wonderful contact available 24/7. A testament to the company’s customer service. Navigating the country was all pre-arranged with drivers scheduled to pick us up and transport us to the next lodge. All drivers were early friendly and most accommodating. We had scheduled guides special mention to Mercedes, Raul and Wilky who were personable and a wealth of knowledge and each found us our target birds. It was a most memorable trip, I was able to share with my friend Marilyn on her very first trip to Costa Rica my third. Costa Rica’s focus exceeded our expectations and we felt completely well taken care of. Costa Rica is a bird watcher’s dream destination. In future I wouldn’t hesitate to schedule a tour with this company they excel in delivering an amazing itinerary

        Jane K

        Lindsay, Canada

        "I would recommend this company to all"

        This company designed a fabulous Costa Rica bird trip. There were a variety of habitats to maximize the types of birds we saw. The accommodations were first rate. The hired drivers and bird guides were dependable and first rate. We enjoyed the food everywhere we went. The company stayed in touch and were able to make minor adjustments if necessary. We were very pleased with the trip.

        Douglas B

        "An amazing birding experience in Costa Rica"

        Costa Rica Focus went above & beyond in every way. From the very beginning when I had a few questions before I made my decision to book this trip to the end in traveling home. I felt very safe because we had the ability to be in constant contact with the team if we needed them.

        The trip itself was just amazing! I added over 200 new life birds to my list! The scenery was spectacular! Our guide was so helpful, knowledgeable & personable. Each lodge was unique in it’s own way; from larger to quite small. The staff at each place were super. Food was plentiful & tasty. Different birds and experiences at each location. I don’t think a single thing could be improved upon.
        Thanks again for a most memorable experience!

        Paula M

        "Amazing Experience"

        My wife and I joined a small group, we were 5 in total. Everything was perfectly well organized. Our guide, Minor, was fantastic. He was always ready to help and accomodate us. He also has a fantastic knowledge of wildlife and where to find it. We went to the mountains, Tortuguero in the rain forest and to the slopes of the Arenal volcano. Exotic places, fantastic views and hundreds of species of birds.
        I would recommend Costa Rica focus without hesitation.

        Gil

        Mississauga, Canada

        "Knowledgeable and great local connections"

        Joan and company were excellent by being so responsive, attentive, cooperative with making adjustments and extremely helpful at navigating our way around the country of Costa Rica.
        They had great connections with the locals and we got to know the people as well as the wildlife and the countryside. Our nature guides were top notch as well as our drivers. Very knowledgeable and patient (traffic and roads can be crazy at times).
        We always felt remembered each day as they checked in with us and them with us. The app is fantastic for knowing what was up each day. Highly recommend!

        Freedom442224

        "A Quest for the Agami Heron"

        I went on the A Quest for the Agami Heron in June of 2023 and have meant to write a review since then. I am going with better late than never. My cousin talked me into going with her and insisted I take her camera. I could not get a picture for three days that I could even see but on the third day magic happened and my life changed. From the moment I walked out of the airport to the moment they dropped me back off everything was taken care of. Our guide, Minor, and our driver, Victor, took care of us and were an amazing team to get us to very unique hotels, wonderful restaurants and to birds I never knew existed. Resplendent Quetzels, Sunbitterns, and Agami Herons were some of my favorites. We saw baby turtles released into the sea and all cried together when they made it. We built friendships through our experiences that were real and lead to another one this summer and a reserved one for next year. I highly recommend Costa Rica Focus. 5+ out of 5 stars.

        Susan R

        Joplin, Missouri

        "A fantastic trip to Ecuador"

        I’ve just returned from a fantastic 11 days’ birding in Ecuador organised by Costa Rica Focus and I couldn’t be happier. Having used them last year, I knew what to expect and they didn’t let me down. Their attention to detail is incredible and everything went exactly to plan from the moment I was greeted at Quito airport.

        But what makes them special is their careful choice of guides. Both Daniel and Ivan were outstanding and helped me to see and photograph more than 300 birds, most of them lifers. Their incredible knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm made all the difference. Toucans, hawks, cock of the rock, umbrella bird, oilbird and loads of hummingbirds – they got me up close and personal to them all.

        I have no hesitation in recommending Costa Rica Focus and I look forward to my next adventure with this great company.

        GeoffMid18

        Stafford, United Kingdom

        "“Off the beaten track” excellent trip that lived up to its name."

        3rd trip with this company. Alex was an excellent guide/driver and the itinerary well organized and unique. Some locations family owned with breathtaking views, wonderful accommodation and home cooked meals. Saw 214 species of birds with 90 % “lifers”. Was a fusion of photography and forest birding. Have to admit that as a prairie person my body ached after hiking up and down slippery paths and staircases. CR is beautiful with waterfalls, lush vegetation and mountains!

        We crossed the country from SanJose to the Pacific Ocean, over the highest peaks and to the southern tropical areas with stops at local restaurants and locations where we saw species rarely seen. The meals were healthy and typically CR. Given that this is nesting season without the migrant birds, Alex and the experienced birders in our small group found many unique species. It was a good learning experience for myself as I’m more of a photographer. Would highly recommend this tour and I will certainly continue to travel with Costa Rica focus.

        ulrike h

      Additional Tour Info

      This itinerary requires a moderate to intermediate level of physical activity. Guests will traverse a variety of environments, including well-established trails, narrow forest paths, gardens, feeders, and observation platforms. Participants should be comfortable walking at least 2 miles at a steady, relaxed pace without the need for frequent stops or rest.

      Weather

      Weather in Costa Rica varies significantly by region and elevation. Expect different temperatures and rainfall patterns as you travel through the country. While some areas experience brief morning mist or afternoon showers, others may have longer periods of rain. These patterns shift throughout the year and create the perfect conditions for Costa Rica’s rich wildlife. While we plan activities around typical weather patterns, we recommend packing for both sun and rain to ensure your comfort throughout your journey. The temperatures listed below represent typical averages for each region, though daily conditions may vary.

      • Central Valley: Warm daytime temperatures from the high 70s °F to low 80s °F. Evenings pleasant in the high 60s °F to low 70s °F.
      • Mid-Elevation Locations (Foothills): Enjoy temperate weather with daytime highs in the low to mid-80s °F and evenings and early mornings in the low to mid 60s Mid-Elevation Locations: Enjoy temperate weather with daytime highs in the low to mid-80s °F.
      • Caribbean Lowlands: Daytime temperatures will range from the high 80s to low 90s °F. Evening temperatures will be in the high 70s – low 80s °F. Expect high humidity.
      • Highlands (Talamanca Mountains): Cooler conditions prevail here, with daytime temperatures in the mid to high 70s or low 80s °F. Evenings can drop to the high 40s or low 50s °F, so pack appropriately to stay comfortable throughout your journey. We recommend layers and a fleece or jacket. 

      On the Trail

      Please note that some parks and reserves lack seating or designated rest areas once inside the forest. While most trails are relatively flat, certain locations may involve inclines, steps, or uneven terrain with minor elevation changes.

      Trail conditions will vary, and guests should be prepared to navigate narrow forest paths with natural debris such as sticks, leaves, rocks, and roots. In the event of rain, trails may become muddy and slippery, adding to the challenge.This itinerary is designed for participants with an intermediate level of fitness and mobility, ensuring a rewarding experience for those prepared for the natural demands of these environments.

      All guests should be comfortable carrying their own equipment and personal items in the field. We understand that everyone’s pace and energy levels are different. If you ever feel the need for a shorter day, a morning to rest, or time to recharge, please let your guide know. This is your trip, and we’re here to ensure you enjoy it to the fullest.

      This trip would not be recommended for a person with mobility issues.

      Accommodations

      For our group trips, we select hotels based on their prime locations for birding opportunities. Accommodations will range from basic, rustic lodges to mid-range hotels with additional amenities, always with the goal of prioritizing excellent access to birding hotspots.

      It’s important to note that not all hotels will have air conditioning, but all will feature private bathrooms, hot or warm running showers, fans, and Wi-Fi (available at least in reception or dining areas, though signal strength may vary). The level of comfort will align with the descriptions provided in the itinerary.

      In some locations, rooms may be a 5–15 minute walk from the reception or dining areas. If you have physical needs and would prefer a room closer to these facilities, please inform us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.