Costa Rica Bird Photo Tour
The ‘Resplendent’ bird paradise
9 nights & 10 Day Tour
Tour Information
Pura Vida! Meaning 'Pure Life' is a phrase used by the locals in Costa Rica but it's more than just a phrase - it is a way of life. The country is the size of West Virginia and holds close to 900 species of birds.
Costa Rica’s tropical birding experince is second to none. With its diverse rainforest to the dreamy cloudforests, the country offers plenty of bird photography opportunities. The locals in association with the government have enabled eco-tourism to great extents and this facilitates easy access to the varied avifauna and smooth experience.
Our all-inclusive itinerary makes it easier for you to enjoy this tour and fill up your camera memory cards with unparallel specialities and colorful species. We work closely with the local expert guides and our team with technical ability ensure you enhance your photography techniques as you capture these diverse species. From lowland rainforests to mid-elevation specialities and ending on a high note with high-elevation marvels, our well crafted tours are a photographer’s delight.
Join us on an adventure across 3 different rainforest habitats to uncover some of the avian secrets this country holds.
BASIC INFORMATION
Medical
Please consult with your doctor regarding general travel vaccinations and check the CDC website for more information.
Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage while overseas.
Internet Access
Most lodges have free WIFI in the reception/dining area.
Electricity
Electrical outlets are US-style. Those coming from Europe or Asia may need travel adapters. We will send more info after signup.
Airport
You should arrive to and depart from Costa Rica's San Juan Santamaria Airport. Our representative will be waiting to provide your private transfer to a hotel near the capital city of San Jose.
Certified
All of our services are conducted by fully licensed travel, lodge, and transport operators. This is part of our commitment to providing a professional travel experience.
Cost (In USD)
1. $4400 per person in sharing accommodations/ $4900 in single supplement (2021)
2. $4800 per person in sharing accommodation/$5300 in single supplement (2022)
Tour Dates
Main Tour – Maximum 6 - 8 people per group.
1. Nov 20 - 29, 2021 ( 2 spots available)
2. Nov 22 - Dec 2, 2021 (5 spots available)
2. April 3 -13, 2022 (8 spots available)
Tour Specifics
1. Easy/Moderate walking/Most activity is at the feeders
2. Intermediate Photographers
3. Land and Water Photography
4. Non-Photographers / Birdwatchers: Accepted, discounted costs. Save $1000
Our well planned bird photography tour in Costa Rica will focus on the beautiful and diverse tropical birds the country has to offer. Costa Rica tropical bird photo tour offer bird photographers abundant opportunites to capture birds on feeders as well in their natural habitat.
- Opportunity to photograph the rainforest specialities like the Toucans, Aracaris and colorful tanagers
- Specialized photography sessions of the mighty King Vulture and the stunning Resplendent Quetzal in action.
- Guided photography with expert guidance to make the best images of the target species and more.
- Technical photography experience like Multi-flash Hummingbird Photography and Macro photography.
- Our all-inclusive tours help you enjoy a stress-free, photography focussed days coupled with local lodging and culinary experience.
It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment:
- A digital SLR and your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
- A macro lens
- A sturdy tripod or monopod
- You may also bring your flash with a flash bracket
- Pack a ton of memory cards
- Release cable
Tour Pace
Easy to Moderate
Much of the main tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by only a short walk. There will also be optional short walks on to get to the hide and access the farms with Resplendent Quetzals. The Last 3 days on this tour locations are at a high elevation.
ITINERARY
Upon arrival you will meet our representative at the San Juan Santamaria airport and transfer to your hotel near the capital city of San Jose. The hotel is situated in the city center and early arrivals can enjoy the local streets and sightseeing for the day.
- Overnight at hotel in San Jose, meals are not included this day
- Elevation: 1161 m
We meet at 7 am for an early breakfast and head to our first rainforest lodge, north of Costa Rica which hosts several rainforest speciliaties and unparalleled opportunities to photograph the colorful opportunities to photograph Toucans, Oropendolas, Tanagers, Honeycreepers, and Parrots among many other birds. We arrive at the lodge for lunch and settle in to start our photography session at the lodge deck rightaway.
- Overnight at eco-lodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 47m
Today we meet at the deck at 5.30am to start our photography session. Early visitors like chestnut colored woodpecker, black-cheeked woodpecker and many other species visit the feeder for their early morning meal.
After breakfast, we divide our time to photograph the mighty King Vulture from a specialized hide at just a 5 minute walk from the lodge and deck photography session.
Targets include King Vulture, Black Vulture, Crested cara cara in the hide and toucans, parrots, honeycreepers, tanagers at the lodge, and we’ll also get a chance to photograph the coatis and currasows, the regular visitors at the feeders.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 47m
We spend our entire day at the lodge manager’s house where we work with the lodge manager to set up three photography techniques: one for birds such as green Honeycreeper, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Shining Honeycreeper, and Blue Dacnis. At this time, we will also keep an eye out for the occasional Chestnut colored woodpecker and other surprises., one for a multiple-flash hummingbird setup where you will have the opportunity to photograph lowland hummingbird species including crowned woodnymph, white-necked Jacobin, green-breasted mango, scaly-breasted hummingbird, and long-billed hermit and one for macro photography a macro session to photograph tree frogs and poison frogs as well snakes, under expert supervision.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 47m
After an early session of photography at the deck, we depart for our second destination in the midlands. Today, we visit a private farm with restricted access to look for some endemic specialties like the Honduran white bats, Spectacled Owls among many other local rarities including the sickle-bill hummingbird and 3-toed sloth.
We enjoy some local lunch today with the guides and then continue photographing at the feeder.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 291m
This morning we will visit a private and quaint feeder to photograph several local species.
This day we will have great opportunity to walk around the wrap around porch and explore several species. Our target species will cover several Tanagers, Masked Tityra, Jacamars and many more.
In the afternoon we will enjoy come local lunch and spend the afternoon at a nearby local farm where the owner has a great population of scarlet and great green macaws. We will photograph the macaws both in-flight and on attractive perches
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 291m
After an early breakfast this morning, we head across and then up into the Talamanca Mountain Range the high cloud forests just on the Pacific side of the Continental Divide. En route, we visit a small family run café that hosts the beautiful red-headed barbet, emerald toucanet and more.
We arrive at a warm family-run lodge by lunch and then settle at the lodge deck to photograph the stunning highland hummingbirds visiting the feeders. We’ll spend the afternoon photographing the amazing fiery-throated hummingbird as well as other hummingbird species such as the green violet-ear and magnificent hummingbird.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2650m
Before breakfast, we will head out with the resident expert guide to look for Resplendent Quetzal, the most surreal experience for any bird photographer. The lodge owner and his family have started a project to work with local farmers in the area to monitor and protect the quetzal, and this network exponentially raises our probability of getting a good photographic look at this beautiful species.
After breakfast, depending on the activity, we indulge in some multi-flash hummingbird photography and also photograph local birds such as flame-colored tanager, rufous-collared sparrow, large-footed finch, and black and yellow silky flycatcher at our feeder setups.
In the afternoon, post lunch, we visit a private farm to photograph the Acorn woodpeckers, Chlorophonia, Tanagers and many more.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2650m
This morning we head out for another Quetzal tour, to photograph them and return to the lodge by breakfast to continue photography at the deck till checkout.
Post lunch, we head out to the capital city of San Jose to our hotel and take the evening to relax, unwind, process images and pack for next day departures.
- Overnight at hotel in San Jose, B-L-Dinner not included
- Elevation: 1161 m
International departures. Our transport parter will drop you for your flight at the airport.
End of tour.
Day 1:
Upon arrival you will meet our representative at the San Juan Santamaria airport and transfer to your hotel near the capital city of San Jose. The hotel is situated in the city center and early arrivals can enjoy the local streets and sightseeing for the day.
- Overnight at hotel in San Jose, meals are not included this day
- Elevation: 1161 m
Day 2:
We meet at 7 am for an early breakfast and head to our first rainforest lodge, north of Costa Rica which hosts several rainforest speciliaties and unparalleled opportunities to photograph the colorful opportunities to photograph Toucans, Oropendolas, Tanagers, Honeycreepers, and Parrots among many other birds. We arrive at the lodge for lunch and settle in to start our photography session at the lodge deck rightaway.
- Overnight at eco-lodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 47m
Day 3:
Today we meet at the deck at 5.30am to start our photography session. Early visitors like chestnut colored woodpecker, black-cheeked woodpecker and many other species visit the feeder for their early morning meal.
After breakfast, we divide our time to photograph the mighty King Vulture from a specialized hide at just a 5 minute walk from the lodge and deck photography session.
Targets include King Vulture, Black Vulture, Crested cara cara in the hide and toucans, parrots, honeycreepers, tanagers at the lodge, and we’ll also get a chance to photograph the coatis and currasows, the regular visitors at the feeders.
- Overnight at an eco-lodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 47m
Day 4:
We spend our entire day at the lodge manager’s house where we work with the lodge manager to set up three photography techniques: one for birds such as green Honeycreeper, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Shining Honeycreeper, and Blue Dacnis. At this time, we will also keep an eye out for the occasional Chestnut colored woodpecker and other surprises., one for a multiple-flash hummingbird setup where you will have the opportunity to photograph lowland hummingbird species including crowned woodnymph, white-necked Jacobin, green-breasted mango, scaly-breasted hummingbird, and long-billed hermit and one for macro photography a macro session to photograph tree frogs and poison frogs as well snakes, under expert supervision.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 47m
Day 5:
After an early session of photography at the deck, we depart for our second destination in the midlands. Today, we visit a private farm with restricted access to look for some endemic specialties like the Honduran white bats, Spectacled Owls among many other local rarities including the sickle-bill hummingbird and 3-toed sloth.
We enjoy some local lunch today with the guides and then continue photographing at the feeder.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 291m
Day 6:
This morning we will visit a private and quaint feeder to photograph several local species.
This day we will have great opportunity to walk around the wrap around porch and explore several species. Our target species will cover several Tanagers, Masked Tityra, Jacamars and many more.
In the afternoon we will enjoy come local lunch and spend the afternoon at a nearby local farm where the owner has a great population of scarlet and great green macaws. We will photograph the macaws both in-flight and on attractive perches
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 291m
Day 7:
After an early breakfast this morning, we head across and then up into the Talamanca Mountain Range the high cloud forests just on the Pacific side of the Continental Divide. En route, we visit a small family run café that hosts the beautiful red-headed barbet, emerald toucanet and more.
We arrive at a warm family-run lodge by lunch and then settle at the lodge deck to photograph the stunning highland hummingbirds visiting the feeders. We’ll spend the afternoon photographing the amazing fiery-throated hummingbird as well as other hummingbird species such as the green violet-ear and magnificent hummingbird.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2650m
Day 8:
Before breakfast, we will head out with the resident expert guide to look for Resplendent Quetzal, the most surreal experience for any bird photographer. The lodge owner and his family have started a project to work with local farmers in the area to monitor and protect the quetzal, and this network exponentially raises our probability of getting a good photographic look at this beautiful species.
After breakfast, depending on the activity, we indulge in some multi-flash hummingbird photography and also photograph local birds such as flame-colored tanager, rufous-collared sparrow, large-footed finch, and black and yellow silky flycatcher at our feeder setups.
In the afternoon, post lunch, we visit a private farm to photograph the Acorn woodpeckers, Chlorophonia, Tanagers and many more.
- Overnight at an ecolodge, B-L-D
- Elevation: 2650m
Day 9:
This morning we head out for another Quetzal tour, to photograph them and return to the lodge by breakfast to continue photography at the deck till checkout.
Post lunch, we head out to the capital city of San Jose to our hotel and take the evening to relax, unwind, process images and pack for next day departures.
- Overnight at hotel in San Jose, B-L-Dinner not included
- Elevation: 1161 m
Day 10:
International departures. Our transport parter will drop you for your flight at the airport.
End of tour.
Tour Motive
Our well planned bird photography tour in Costa Rica will focus on the beautiful and diverse tropical birds the country has to offer. Our Costa Rica tropical bird photo tour offers bird photographers opportunites to capture birds on feeders as well in their natural habitat.
Photo Opportunities
- Opportunity to photograph the rainforest specialities like the Toucans, Aracaris and colorful tanagers
- Specialized photography sessions of the mighty King Vulture and the stunning Resplendent Quetzal in action.
- Guided photography with expert guidance to make the best images of the target species and more.
- Technical photography experience like Multi-flash Hummingbird Photography and Macro photography.
- Our all-inclusive tours help you enjoy a stress-free, photography focussed days coupled with local lodging and culinary experience.
Cost (In USD)
1. $4400 per person in sharing accommodations/ $4900 in single supplement (2021)
2. $4800 per person in sharing accommodation/$5300 in single supplement (2022)
TOUR DATES
Main Tour – Maximum 6 - 8 people per group.
1. November 20 – 29, 2021
2. November 22 - December 2, 2021
3. April 3 -13, 2022
Tour Specifics:
1. Easy/Moderate walking/Most activity is at the feeders
2. Intermediate Photographers
3. Land and Water Photography
4. Non-Photographers/Birdwatchers: Accepted, discounted costs. Save $1000
Tour Pace
Easy to Moderate
Much of the main tour will be spent near feeders which are accessed by only a short walk. There will also be optional short walks on trails on several days too. There are some high elevations covered on this tour.
Photo Gallery
Suggested Equipments
It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment:
- A digital SLR and your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
- A macro lens
- A sturdy tripod or monopod
- You may also bring your flash with a flash bracket
- Pack a ton of memory cards
- Release cable
Click on the link below for some questions you may have:
Testimonials
Tour Leader
Supreet Sahoo An avid birdwatcher and photographer from Austin, U.S.
Supreet's work has been featured in reputed publications like the BBC Earth, National Geographic Spain and Sanctuary Asia.
Click on the link below for some questions you may have:
- A 'non-refundable' deposit of USD 1000 of the Tour fee as booking amount
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour
- All figures per person
- Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation
- Lodging as specified.
- Meals as specified
- Stainless steel flask for water.
- Private transfers to and from hotels on first and last days.
- Land/Domestic air transportation during the tour
- Professional driver/photo/nature guide and private transportation in spacious tour bus.
- Guide and Photography Skipper services
- Entrance fees for all described activities.
- Taxes on all services listed above.
- Non-mealtime snacks or meals not included.
- Non-mealtime soft drinks and bottled water.
- Visa fees
- International/personal airfare
- Insurance
- Phone calls
- Laundry
- Tips
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation, if necessary
Photo Gallery
Registration
- To register for the tour, fill out and submit the form below. A 'NON-REFUNDABLE' deposit of USD 1000 per person of the tour cost is required to confirm your spot.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour
- All figures per person. Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in TOUR CANCELLATION
Payment can be completed by credit card/PayPal or bank transfer. If you would like to mail a check, that option is available as well
Please read all the Terms & Conditions for cancellation/refund policies and other important information.
Book Your Tour With Us In 6 Easy Steps
1. Confirm your spot for the tour by paying the advance using the registration form.
2. Receive an acknowledgement email from us confirming your booking along with a welcome package and forms.
3. Book your international travel
4. Send us your travel details along with the signed package.
5. We will send you a final invoice along with some more important pre-travel details.
6. Make your full payment and pack your bags for the best Tropical experience.
1. Confirm your spot for the tour by paying the advance using the registration form.
2. Receive an acknowledgement email from us confirming your booking along with a welcome package and forms.
3. Book your international travel.
4. Send us your travel details along with the signed package.
5. We will send you a final invoice along with some more important pre-travel details.
6. Make your full payment and pack your bags for the best Tropical experience.
FAQs
Important Note
- Travel insurance is mandatory for all travelers
- Tropical Photo Tours holds the rights to modify a reservation at any time during a workshop. As a company, we always try to comply with what we have promised but due to several unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, natural calamity, political, environmental, cultural we may have to make changes to our reservations.
- All amounts are in USD unless specifically mentioned otherwise
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-803-8049/512-806-6469 if you’d like to talk first.
Tour Leader
Supreet Sahoo An avid birdwatcher and photographer from Austin, U.S.
Supreet's work has been featured in reputed publications like the BBC Earth, National Geographic Spain and Sanctuary Asia.
Testimonials
Bird Photography And Beyond
About Us
Since our inception, we have curated unique Bird Photography tours, customized Photography Travel Tours and fun-filled photography sessions in over 5 countries!
Tropical Photo Tours LLC is a US Based photography tour company helping birders from all over the world visit and experience the rainforest birding and photography.
Reach Us
Address:
2414 Elkhorn Ranch Rd, Leander, Texas – USA 78641
Email:
info@tropicalphototours.com
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