Costa Rica: Photography Workshop

Regional Description

The areas within Costa Rica have been chosen by our local guide to focus on the less traveled areas and behind the scenes places to focus on wildlife photography. A visit to a snake sanctuary, macaw aviary, butterfly garden and frog pond round out visits to cloud forests, jungle settings and the Northern Lowlands. The trip highlights Cerra del la Muerte and Quetzalas National Parks, the San Carlos River and a visit with local villages in Boca San Carlos. These destinations will enable the group to maximize opportunities to photograph resplendent birds, frogs, snakes insects and mammals such as sloths and monkeys, and if luck, some of the small felines that populate the area.

Daily Summary

Sept 1:
Arrive San Jose

Meet the Group for Happy Hour and introductions; Discuss goals for the week.

Sept 2:
Cerro del la Muerte

Meet your private naturalist guide who is also a nature photographer, to discuss the weeks excursions.
Transfer to Cerra De la Muerte and Los Quetzales National Park to photograph the resplendent birds. Hike the paths leading to the Rio Savegre.
Enjoy a hummingbird shoot at a private garden.
Return to the hotel to review the day’s activities and fine tune camera settings.
Enjoy Happy Hour once you get the settings right!

Sept 3:
Cerro Del La Muerte

Hike the trails on the property of Savegre Buena Vista.
Visit Batsu Gardens a wonderful refuge for a variety of birds
Again enjoy a photo classroom session and Happy Hour with your fellow photographers.

Sept 4:
Sarapiqui; Arenal

Visit Boca Tapada in the northern Lowlandss, reknowned for rich diversity of fauna and flora. adventurers will enjoy this off-the-beaten-track tropical paradise of pineapple and sugar cane plantations and rich tropical jungle. It is best known as one of the last remaining nesting sites of the endangered Great Green Macaw.
In the afternoon visit the private Pierella Butterfly and Ecological Garden
Visit a local biologist who runs a snake sanctuary where you can photograph both venomous and non- venomous snakes.
Daily Photo classroom and Happy Hour.

Sept 5:
Arenal

Hike the Trails in Maquenque, in search of the King Volture and other colorful birds.
Visit a frog pond close to the Hotel.
Daily Photo classroom and Happy Hour

Sept 6:
Arenal; San Carlos

Return to Maquenque to catch the mammals and birds you may have missed the first day.
Half day Boat tour down the San Carlos River where highlights include crocodiles, tortoise, bats, herons, kingfishers, king vultures, and many more species. Very close to Nicaragua border, we will stop to visit the small town of Boca San Carlos, where we will have the opportunity to visit the village and meet and share stories with some Costa Rican villagers.
Daily Photo classroom and Happy Hour

Sept 7:
San Jose

During the road transfer back to San Jose stop at the Macaw Ranch to take up close photos of these brilliantly colored birds, the largest of the parrot family. While the birds fly freely in a natural enclosed setting, they often preen for the cameras at close range.
Farewell Dinner for the Group

Sept 8:
Depart for Home

Private Transfer and Assistance with Check in for Departure to Home

Pricing and Accommodation

Accommodations

San Jose

Located in the heart of the city, the small boutique hotel was converted from a tropical Victorian mansion, a small hotel maintaining the warmth and comfort of a private home.

Savegre

Located in the Talamanca Mountains, this family run hotel is one of the best places to observe the year round quetzals. The accommodations are basic but comfortable and the hotel is surrounded by hiking trails from which to observe nature.

Maquenque

Located in a national wildlife refuge, each of the bungalows in this nature lovers’ lodge’s has beautiful views of the surrounding lake and rain forest. This high-quality lodging prides itself in environmental sustainability and harmony with nature.