Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tours & Bird Watching

Welcome to San José

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour Day 1. Arrive in the capital city of Costa Rica. After a warm airport welcome, transfer to your hotel near La Sabana Park. In the evening, meet your photography guide for an orientation session. Get tips, ask questions, and preview the incredible journey ahead.

Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn San José Sabana or similar

Meals: – Not Included

Included: Private transfer and orientation briefing.

Highlight: Meet your guide and fellow photographers for a trip orientation in Costa Rica’s capital.

Travel Tip: Exchange some local currency (Costa Rican colones) at the airport or your hotel for tips and small purchases.

Into the Wild: Tortuguero National Park

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour Day 2. Your adventure begins with an early morning land and boat transfer from San José to the Caribbean lowlands of Tortuguero. Along the way, enjoy a hearty Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto, eggs, plantains, and fresh fruit. The journey takes about four hours.

At La Pavona dock, board your boat for a scenic ride through lush jungle canals en route to your lodge. As the waterways narrow and the rainforest surrounds you, the immersive wild beauty of Tortuguero begins to unfold.

After settling in, enjoy a relaxed lunch featuring authentic Caribbean flavors—be sure to try the Casado, a classic dish of rice, beans, plantains, salad, and your choice of meat or fish.

In the afternoon, embark on a private 2-hour canal safari through Tortuguero National Park, a prime location for photographing Costa Rica’s abundant wildlife. Spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crested basilisks, toucans, parrots, and a variety of water birds. Watch the banks for caimans and, with luck, a basking crocodile.

As evening falls, return to your lodge for a delicious dinner. The hotel’s chef is known for creative, locally inspired dishes made with fresh ingredients—an ideal way to end a day rich in sensory and visual experiences.

The golden hour lighting here is spectacular.

Overnight: Evergreen Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Included: Transport, 2-hour private canal tour, and national park entrance.

Highlight: Cruise the canals of Tortuguero for wildlife sightings—monkeys, toucans, caimans, and more.

Travel Tip: Pack insect repellent and wear light long-sleeves for the canal ride to protect against bugs and sun.

Tortuguero Canals, Culture & Local Cuisine

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour Day 3. Begin the day with a second private boat excursion through Tortuguero National Park, often called “the Amazon of Costa Rica.” These glassy canals, bordered by dense rainforest, offer a final chance to capture remarkable wildlife moments. Early mornings are ideal for spotting green iguanas basking in the trees, herons gliding over the water, and howler monkeys calling through the mist. With your guide’s expert eye, you’ll uncover the quiet drama of life along the waterways.

In the afternoon, explore Tortuguero Village, a vibrant Afro-Caribbean community accessible only by boat. Walk its sandy paths and brightly painted buildings as you discover the daily rhythms of this remote outpost.

Enjoy lunch at the iconic Miss Junie’s, a thatched-roof restaurant run by descendants of Tortuguero’s founding families. Once frequented by legendary scientists and even Che Guevara, it now serves up authentic Caribbean dishes brimming with local flavor.

Afterward, take time to visit artisan shops, photograph colorful village scenes, or relax by the water’s edge. Your guide will share stories of the town’s rich history and conservation legacy, adding depth and perspective to this immersive cultural experience.

Overnight: Evergreen Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Included: Canal tour, town visit, and cultural experiences.

Highlight: Visit Miss Junie’s for Caribbean cuisine and stories and explore Tortuguero town.

Travel Tip: Bring some small cash to support local artisans or buy snacks during the town visit.

Sarapiquí Rainforest & Macaw Encounter

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour Day 4. After an early breakfast, depart Tortuguero with a shared boat transfer back through the canals to La Pavona dock, where your private transportation awaits. From there, head inland toward Sarapiquí, a lush and biologically rich region beloved by birders and naturalists.

In the afternoon, continue to Don Álvaro’s Macaw Sanctuary, a community-driven conservation project dedicated to protecting the endangered Scarlet and Great Green Macaws. Learn about their reintroduction efforts and the vital role these charismatic birds play in the ecosystem.

This sanctuary also offers superb photo opportunities, with macaws soaring overhead or perched in treetops, their vivid colors contrasting beautifully with the green canopy.

End the day surrounded by the calls of the rainforest as you arrive at your lodge in Sarapiquí.

Overnight: Ara Ambigua Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Included: Photo sessions and guided garden tour.

Highlight: Photograph butterflies, tropical plants, and colorful macaws in Sarapiquí.

Travel Tip: Stay hydrated and carry a reusable water bottle—humidity is high in this region.

Sarapiquí – La Selva Biological Station

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour Day 5. Today, dive into the heart of Costa Rica’s tropical research scene with a private visit to La Selva Biological Station, one of the most respected ecological research centers in the Americas. Managed by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), this living laboratory offers unmatched biodiversity and excellent opportunities for wildlife observation and learning.

Explore La Selva’s expansive trail network and hanging bridges with an expert naturalist guide. Watch for toucans, trogons, sloths, iguanas, peccaries, and even agoutis moving through the understory. With a bit of luck, you may encounter researchers in the field and learn about ongoing studies on climate change, reforestation, and wildlife monitoring.

After your morning walk, enjoy a traditional lunch at Pierella Ecological Garden, a local conservation project that blends nature, education, and sustainable agriculture.

Spend the afternoon exploring Pierella’s peaceful trails and vibrant gardens. Look for butterflies, hummingbirds, frogs, and sloths amid cacao trees, tropical flowers, and medicinal plants. Feeders attract dozens of bird species, making it an ideal place to observe and photograph the rainforest’s smaller treasures up close.

This day blends science, conservation, and natural beauty—offering insight into both the ecology and spirit of Costa Rica’s lowland rainforests.

Overnight: Ara Ambigua Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Included: Private walk at La Selva and return visit to Pierella.

Highlight: Explore one of the world’s top rainforest research stations—wildlife abounds.

Travel Tip: Wear waterproof hiking shoes and bring a light rain jacket for changing weather.

Up to the Clouds: San Gerardo de Dota

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour Day 6. After breakfast, set off on a scenic three-hour drive to San Gerardo de Dota, nestled in the misty heights of Cerro de la Muerte. As you ascend into the Talamanca mountain range, the scenery transforms into a tapestry of mossy oaks, crisp air, and cloud-kissed peaks—an ecosystem rich in endemic highland species.

Along the way, stop for a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy warm hospitality and regional cuisine.

Upon arrival, check in to your Cerro de la Muerte cloud forest lodge, where the grounds themselves offer a quiet invitation to explore. Take a relaxed walk-through trails and gardens bursting with bromeliads, hummingbirds, and highland tanagers. The fresh mountain air and serene surroundings create an ideal setting for nature photography or simple reflection.

This evening, unwind with a delicious dinner at the hotel, perhaps sampling a local beer as you listen to the sounds of the forest settle for the night. After a day of travel and transition, San Gerardo’s peaceful charm offers the perfect reset before your quetzal quest begins.

Overnight: Hotel Savegre.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Included: Transport and free wildlife photography time.

Highlight: Drive into the cool highlands of the Talamanca Mountains; enjoy the cloud forest air.

Travel Tip: Temperatures drop here—pack a warm fleece or light jacket for evenings.

Quetzal Quest & Hummingbird Haven

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour Day 7. Wake up to the soft sounds and cool mist of Costa Rica’s cloud forest, where every shadow holds the possibility of a rare bird sighting. Today’s adventure takes you into the heart of one of the country’s most iconic birding destinations: Paraíso del Quetzal. Nestled in the Talamanca highlands, this biodiverse sanctuary is a haven for high-elevation species found nowhere else on Earth.

After breakfast, join your expert local birding guide for a shared nature walk through trails fringed with bromeliads, orchids, and wild fuchsia. The air is crisp, the forest still, and the calls of unseen birds echo through the canopy. Equipped with a spotting scope and deep knowledge of the terrain, your guide will help you identify the many feathered residents of this ethereal environment.

The star of the show is the Resplendent Quetzal, revered in Mesoamerican mythology and known for its shimmering green plumage and flowing tail feathers. Often spotted feeding on wild avocados high in the treetops, it is a dream species for birders and photographers alike. But the forest also shelters toucanets, woodcreepers, redstarts, and trogons, making every bend in the trail a new discovery.

The walk includes both gentle and steeper segments, winding through moss-draped trees and towering hardwoods. Your guide will interpret bird calls, point out nesting spots, and share stories of the forest’s ecology.

After a morning in the field, enjoy a well-earned traditional lunch at the lodge’s restaurant. Dishes often feature locally sourced trout and fresh produce, giving you a true taste of the region’s mountain culture.

In the afternoon, settle in at the Hummingbird Photo Deck, a private observation platform tucked into the lodge grounds. Here, you’ll witness a blur of motion and color as dozens of hummingbirds—like the fiery-throated and green violetear—zip between feeders and blossoms. It’s a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience, offering intimate views of these highland jewels without the need for hiking.

Breathe in the cool, flower-scented air and savor the stillness—this is cloud forest magic at its finest.

Overnight: Hotel Savegre.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Included: Guided Quetzal tour and hummingbird deck photography session.

Highlight: Search for the Resplendent Quetzal and photograph hummingbirds at close range.

Travel Tip: Start early and dress in layers—it can be cold in the morning and warm up by noon.

Palo Verde Cloud Forest & Farewell Dinner

Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Tour Day 8. Begin the day with an early breakfast and a final opportunity to photograph the highland birds and wildlife around your lodge. The crisp mountain air and gentle morning light create ideal conditions for spotting tanagers, trogons, and perhaps a parting glimpse of the Resplendent Quetzal.

After check-out, join your private guide for a short transfer to Palo Verde Cloud Forest Reserve, a secluded gem on the Caribbean slope of the Talamanca Mountains, just an hour from San José. Perched along the continental divide at elevations between 1,520 and 2,085 meters, this reserve is rich in biodiversity and a key migratory corridor for birds.

Explore peaceful trails beneath moss-covered oaks and epiphyte-draped trees. From February to May, this area becomes a vital nesting ground for species like the Three-wattled Bellbird and Resplendent Quetzal. Keep an eye out for toucanets, hummingbirds, and other highland endemics as you walk.

After your forest hike, stop for a scenic lunch at a mountain restaurant, then continue to San José.

Back in the capital, settle into your hotel before gathering with your group for a special farewell dinner at a favorite local eatery. Toast to the unforgettable landscapes, wildlife encounters, and friendships formed along the way.

Overnight: San José Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Included: Guided forest tour and farewell dinner.

Highlight: Hike in Palo Verde Reserve, a sanctuary for endemic birds and orchids.

Travel Tip: Have your daypack ready with sunscreen, water, snacks, and a hat for the hike.

Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. We recommend afternoon departures to allow for a stress-free morning.

Meals: Breakfast.

Included: Airport transfer.

Travel Tip: Plan to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your international flight.