Costa Rica is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed and this trip will cover two very different ecosystems.
The Cloud Forest
We will be at the center of the majestic cloud forest during the heart of nesting season for the Resplendent Quetzal. Our focus (pun intended) will be to capture this amazing bird as it flies in and out of its nesting cavity in the local trees. They should be busy feeding chicks during our trip but as with any wildlife you never really know what is going to happen!
The Quetzals won’t occupy all of our time in this magical place. We will also visit numerous feeders where we can expect to see many species of hummingbirds, songbirds and possibly toucanets. The higher elevation of the cloud forest ushers in its own wide variety of species, many of which CAN’T be found at lower elevations so we will do our best see as many as possible.
The shooting environment will be comfortable and relaxed. It is all about having a good time, learning a thing or two from the group setting and getting some great shots.
Tropical Island Vibes
The 2nd half of our journey will take place in a tropical seaside location where many species of beautiful sea turtles crawl onto the beach under the cover of night to lay their eggs. Here we will take comfortable boats into different ecosystems with multiple opportunities of herons, kingfishers, iguanas, crocodiles, caimans, sloths, monkeys and way more. Don’t worry, the boat ride is backwater so its smooth and calm.
We can also tour the smaller downtown area for a nice cultural experience as well.
Overall this will be an amazing opportunity to capture a wide variety of animals in two very unique settings.
WORKSHOP COST
Double Occupancy: $7195.00 per person.
Single Occupancy: $800.00 More per person.
WORKSHOP DATES
March 24th – April 1st
Please note: The first day and last day of the workshop are both travel days. These are the days you will be booking your flights to and from San Jose Costa Rica. For example, your inbound international flight would need to be scheduled for March 24TH and your return flight home would be April 1st. See sample itinerary below.
What’s Included?
Accommodations, meals, water, snacks, transportation within Costa Rica, including one internal flight, guides.
What’s Not Included?
International flights to Costa Rica. Travel insurance. Alcohol. Tips.
What Photography Gear Should You Bring?
As with most photography adventures, you should bring as much gear as you can comfortably carry. I suggest two camera bodies if you have them. A landscape lens or two, a macro lens and a decent long lens for the more skittish flyers. Telephoto zooms like 100-400, 200-600 and 70-200 will be good choices too. Many of the subjects are very close but a good 500mm or 600mm is a good choice for the ones that are a little further away. If you have a 300 or 400 2.8, these lenses would be ideal.
Tripods are totally optional. I don’t tend to use them but you are welcome to bring one along and use it.
Where Will You Be Staying?
On your arrival and departure day you will be staying at a hotel in the San Jose area. During the workshop you will be staying at two different Eco Lodges both of which are beautiful and accommodating in every way.
Your accommodations will provide plenty of comfort after a long day of gratifying wildlife photography. The rooms have climate control, the beds are nice and cozy and the shower has hot and cold water. You know, the creature comforts that we have all become so accustomed to.
What Should You Wear?
Since we will be photographing wildlife in two different locations, you will need to bring two types of clothes. The cloud forest is a higher elevation and can be chilly in the mornings. Bring clothing that will keep you warm but can be worn in layers. It can get down into the 40s and generally stays within the 50s and 60s during the day. While in the tropical environment it will be much warmer so dress for temperatures in the 70s – 90s.
Current Itinerary – Subject to Changes
DAY ONE – ARRIVE IN COSTA RICA
Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica where a representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Look for a person holding a sign with your name on it. Relax and get ready for day two. There is a Wal-Mart close by in case you forgot any small items like insect repellent or sunscreen.
DAY TWO – CLOUD FOREST
We will enjoy an early breakfast at our hotel and then embark on a 3 hour road trip to the cloud forest. Make sure you use the bathroom before we leave.
We will arrive at the lodge in time for lunch and once everyone has eaten and checked in, we will start photographing birds on the property. This is a high elevation location so take your time moving around.
DAY THREE – QUETZALS IN THE CLOUD FOREST
On day 3 we will be spending all of our time in the cloud forest photographing the Resplendent Quetzals. We chose this time of year because our chances of capturing these amazing birds in flight is quite good. They should be actively flying in and out of their nesting cavities with various food items.
DAY FOUR – QUETZALS IN THE CLOUD FOREST
Day 4 will provide more opportunities to capture different shots of the Quetzals flying in and out of their nests. After lunch we will explore more of the area in search of other bird species.
DAY FIVE – CLOUD FOREST & SAN JOSE
The morning of day 5 will provide more opportunities to photograph the wide range of bird species in the cloud forest. We will break for lunch at noon and then travel back to our original hotel in San Jose so we can fly out to our next location the following morning.
DAY SIX – JOURNEY TO TORTUGA LODGE
We will be leaving too early to get breakfast at the hotel but our early morning flight will bring us to an amazing location where we will dine on the river. The airport is 10 minutes from the hotel and the flight is only 30 minutes long and well worth the time saved driving.
After breakfast we will embark on our first “Jungle Cruise.” This location is practically overloaded with wildlife and all of the species will be different from the ones in the cloud forest. After the boat tour its back to the loge for lunch and then back out for another boat tour.
There are many species of birds here and it isn’t unusual to see sloths and monkeys as well!
DAY SEVEN – RIVER TOURS, POOL TIME AND TOWN EXPLORATION
On day 7 we will have a few choices and can split the group if need be. You can take a break by the pool, take another river tour or tour the local town. We can feel this out the day before. Nothing is set in stone.
DAY EIGHT – MORE BIRD OPPORTUNITIES
The morning of day 8 will be spent exploring the grounds at the lodge. This will be our final chance to photography the local birds, sloths and monkeys. After breakfast its back to the airport where we will hop on a short 30 minute flight back to San Jose where we will spend the final night at the same hotel.
DAY NINE – FLY HOME
There are shuttles that will take you back to the airport every 15 minutes. Make sure to leave at least 3 hours before your flight.
