Experience the ultimate bird photography adventure in Costa Rica, where diverse habitats and breathtaking landscapes provide endless opportunities to capture stunning bird species. Over 12 days, explore lush rainforests, remote wetlands, and misty highland cloud forests, each teeming with vibrant birdlife. From secluded feeding stations to river excursions and mountain sanctuaries, this privately guided tour takes you to prime locations where rare and iconic species thrive. Whether photographing dazzling hummingbirds, majestic raptors, or secretive forest dwellers, every day presents new opportunities to frame the beauty of Costa Rica’s rich avifauna.
What's Included in Your Photographer’s Journey – Costa Rica?
Privately Guided Tour
Features and Inclusions
‘Meet & Greet’: Your private guide meets you at your arrival airport.
Airport pick up: Included
Guide Services: Full-time expert birding guide
Birding Flexibility: Unlimited, including impromptu stops
Transportation: Private vehicle
Meals: All meals included, more flexibility for top local dining
Species Observation: Up to 50% more species observed
Official Checklist: Included
Daily Species Recap: Included
In-country Assistance: Included
Ideal for
Serious birders aiming to maximize species sightings
Target list birders in need of specific species
Those seeking a comprehensive, all-inclusive experience
Photographers needing flexibility and local expertise for optimal shooting conditions
First-time visitors wanting constant expert guidance throughout their trip
Birders interested in visiting off-the-beaten-path locations
Travelers who prefer local experiences with expert guidance
Photographer’s Journey – Costa Rica Itinerary Details
Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), you will be met by your private bird photography guide and transferred to your hotel in San José. Enjoy an afternoon bird photography session in the lush gardens of your hotel, where species such as Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Blue-crowned Motmot, and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird are frequently seen.
After breakfast, begin your journey north to Caño Negro, a remote wetland sanctuary home to a variety of waterbirds and rainforest species. Upon arrival, settle in and explore the grounds of your lodge, where you may photograph birds like the Spot-breasted Wren, Black-cowled Oriole, and Bare-throated Tiger-Heron and many more.
Spend the day enjoying bird photography by boat in the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and Medio Queso wetlands. You’ll have a private boat captain to ensure you can spend ample time capturing your most wanted target species. Reliable species include the Sungrebe, American Pygmy Kingfisher, and Nicaraguan Grackle. Your captain will position the boat for the best possible shots.
Travel from Caño Negro to Boca Tapada, a prime lowland rainforest destination. Upon arrival, take advantage of an exclusive scheduled photography session at Laguna del Lagarto’s main photography platform, where you can capture stunning images of species such as Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Keel-billed Toucan, and Black-crowned Antshrike. Don’t miss the Brown-Hooded Parrots!
Start your morning at the King Vulture Photography Blind, where you’ll have the opportunity to photograph this rare and majestic bird up close. Spend the afternoon exploring the lodge grounds and open platforms with your private guide, capturing images of a wide array of lowland species.
After breakfast, travel to the Sarapiquí region, stopping for bird photography en route. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon session on the lodge grounds. Selva Verde offers a combination of feeding stations, forest trails, river trails and more.
Spend the morning photographing birds at Cope’s Gardens, a well-known site for species such as Crested Owl, White-tipped Sicklebill, and Spectacled Owl. In the afternoon, visit Pierella Gardens, where you’ll have excellent chances to capture images of forest species and many colorful rangers visiting the fruit feeding stations.
Travel to the Turrialba Valley, a transition zone between the Caribbean foothills and the highlands. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon bird photography session in the gardens and feeding stations, with opportunities to photograph many mid-elevation species. Your lodge grounds provide a great introduction to the area and the cozy terrace looks over an active feeding station. A great place to start your stay.
Spend a full day at Rancho Naturalista, focusing on the lodge’s feeding stations and surrounding habitat. This lodge was specifically designed with birding and bird photographers in mind. The gardens provide a lovely setting for birds in their natural habitat. The well groomed trails allow exploration for more secretive birds, and the feeding stations are active throughout the day. Enjoy a wonderful day of photography.
Travel to the Talamanca Highlands, home to the Resplendent Quetzal. In the afternoon, embark on a dedicated Quetzal photography tour, capturing this iconic species in its high-altitude cloud forest habitat. Continue into the valley and arrive at your lodge with time to explore the gardens and trails
Start the morning at Batsu Gardens, a premier site for photographing Flame-colored Tanager, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, and Scintillant Hummingbird. Spend the afternoon at Savegre Lodge’s private reserve, where you’ll find highland species including the Resplendent Quetzal.
After breakfast, transfer back to San José for your departure flight. Your private guide will ensure a smooth journey to the airport. Safe travels!
"Amazing, could not have been better!"
When we booked this we knew nothing about the company and we were a little nervous about what we would be getting. We put some preliminary questions, like “will meals be a fixed menu, or free choice a la carte”. We also worried about whether the guide would be personable, knowledgeable, and with good language ability, etc.
It turned out that not only were these worries unfounded, but we had lucked into a far more generous, efficient, knowledgeable, and exciting company than we could have possibly imagined.
Every last part of this tour was super, and we don’t say that lightly. To begin, of course, the locations were mind blowing, and the birding was great. But then there was the personality, knowledge, and language ability of our guide and of the driver – both great people, and we fell in love with them immediately. And they and the company behind them had really thought of everything. There was never the slightest glitch or problem. To boot, the accommodations were to us first rate, and the food wonderful, and basically unlimited. …
Now, as we are going through our photos, we are impressed over again with every single last bit of this experience. It’s a cliché to say we could not recommend Costa Rica Focus highly enough, but that is exactly the case.
A special parting word about our guide, Alex C. Costa Rica Focus has many guides, but of course we only know about Alex. If in life you can meet a kung fu master or a violin master, or someone who has mastered any field, then it is inspiring. Alex is one of these. He could look in a forest and identify birds we could not even see, often even when he indicated them with his laser pointer. In addition he had a great knowledge of Costa Rican history, geography, culture, and politics, that he shared with great clarity. If Alex is any indication, then the guide you get with Costa Rica Focus is going to be good.
"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.
"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!
"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.
"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!
"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.
"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.
"“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.
