Wetlands of Costa Rica Photography Tour
Launch Offer
Reserve with a deposit of £1100
No payment is taken at enquiry stage. We confirm availability first, then send booking forms and deposit payment details. Please read our booking conditions and financial protection information before paying a deposit.
Wetlands of Costa Rica - 19th - 30th Jun 2027 - Was: £5499 Now: £5249 - Single occupancy
No payment is taken at enquiry stage. We confirm availability first, then send booking forms and deposit payment details. Please read our booking conditions and financial protection information before paying a deposit.
This small-group Costa Rica wildlife photography holiday explores the Caribbean lowlands & northern wetlands during one of the most exciting times of year for bird photography. Limited to a maximum of six photographers, the itinerary is built around a carefully selected series of specialist photographic sessions, including Agami Herons, King Vultures, Royal Flycatchers, manakins, toucans, hummingbirds, bats & some of Costa Rica’s most photogenic wetland wildlife.
Beginning near San José, the holiday heads into the Caribbean lowlands for an afternoon photographing on a fantastic birding deck, followed by a dedicated bat photography session. From there we travel north to Boca Tapada for several days of concentrated photography, with opportunities for Royal Flycatchers, manakins, toucans, King Vultures, multi-flash hummingbirds & Agami Herons from the waterways.
A major highlight is a visit to an Agami Heron breeding colony, timed for the breeding season when these extraordinary birds are at their most colourful & active. The final part of the holiday is spent at Caño Negro, one of Costa Rica’s finest wetland areas, with repeated morning & afternoon boat sessions giving us the chance to photograph herons, kingfishers, Jabiru, Roseate Spoonbills, jacanas, caimans & other wildlife in beautiful lowland wetland habitats.
With such a tiny group size & a photography-first schedule, the Wetlands of Costa Rica photography holiday is designed to remain flexible, relaxed & completely focused on making the most of the wildlife opportunities we encounter.
This trip is one of our wildlife photography holidays in Costa Rica & part of our programme of Central American wildlife photography holidays.
Moments You'll Be Chasing
We have taken care to refine the itinerary for this wildlife photography holiday; as such, we consider the following to be amongst the highlights of this tour.
- Photograph breeding Agami Herons at one of Costa Rica's most remarkable wetland colonies
- Dedicated Agami Heron boat photography in Boca Tapada
- Photograph Royal Flycatchers & manakins in the Caribbean lowlands
- Photograph toucans at a superb Toucan Feeder
- Dedicated King Vulture photography session
- Multi-flash hummingbird photography
- Afternoon bird deck photography followed by a dedicated bat photography session
- Morning & afternoon boat photography in the wetlands of Caño Negro
- Travel as an exceptionally small group of a maximum of six photographers
- Flexible, photography-first itinerary with David throughout the trip
Species You Could Encounter
This wildlife photography holiday is carefully structured around reliable encounters with a diverse range of wildlife. Intended photography subjects include Agami Heron, Amazon Kingfisher, Anhinga, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Collared Aracari, Eyelash Pit Viper, Great Green Macaw, Keel-Billed Toucan, King Vulture, Northern Jacana, Ringed Kingfisher, Roseate Spoonbill, Royal Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Spectacled Caiman, Sunbittern & White-necked Jacobin. As with all ethical wildlife photography, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
What You Could Photograph
- Photograph breeding Agami Herons carrying nesting material, displaying & tending nests in the flooded forest
- Capture images of Agami Herons in their wetland habitat during a dedicated boat session at Boca Tapada
- Photograph Royal Flycatchers & manakins in the Caribbean lowland rainforest
- Photograph toucans at a fabulous Toucan Feeder
- Photograph King Vultures during a dedicated session
- Capture images of hummingbirds in flight using multi-flash photography
- Photograph bats with specialist flash set-ups at Cope's
- Photograph herons, kingfishers, Roseate Spoonbills, jacanas & caimans from the boat at Caño Negro
Why This Place, This Season
The dates have been deliberately chosen to coincide with the Agami Heron breeding season, giving us a very different opportunity from photographing individual birds from the boat at Boca Tapada.
The Agami Heron feels almost impossibly exotic when you finally see one properly. Usually secretive & difficult to approach, it spends much of its time tucked away along quiet tropical waterways, but during the breeding season adults develop intensely rich chestnut, blue-grey & emerald tones, with long delicate plumes cascading from the head & body.
At the breeding colony there is potential for birds flying through the flooded forest, carrying nesting material, displaying, interacting & tending nests. It is the combination of extraordinary colour, beautiful structure, secretive behaviour & an atmospheric wetland setting that makes the Agami Heron one of Costa Rica’s most memorable birds to photograph.
Why This Trip Exists
Rather than trying to cover large parts of the country, this trip keeps the group extremely small & concentrates on a carefully selected series of specialist photographic sessions in the Caribbean lowlands & northern wetlands.
We will be working with several of the local guides & photographers we have known & worked with for many years, bringing together locations & opportunities that complement one another particularly well at this time of year.
How The Days Unfold
Our itinerary is provisional & may be adapted according to conditions, wildlife activity & photographic opportunities. We travel together as one very small group, with David driving throughout.
- Day 1 - Arrive in Costa Rica - transfer to local hotel - overnight Alajuela
- Day 2 - Deck photography in the afternoon & dedicated bat photography in the evening - transfer to Sarapiqui - overnight Sarapiqui
- Day 3 - Travel north to Boca Tapada - transfer to Boca Tapada - overnight Boca Tapada
- Day 4 - Royal Flycatcher & manakin photography - overnight Boca Tapada
- Day 5 - Toucan Feeder, King Vulture photography & multi-flash hummingbird photography - overnight Boca Tapada
- Day 6 - Dedicated Agami Heron boat photography - overnight Boca Tapada
- Day 7 - Travel to the Agami Rookery area - transfer to Agami Rookery area - overnight Agami Rookery area
- Day 8 - Agami Heron breeding colony photography - overnight Agami Rookery area
- Day 9 - Travel to Caño Negro & afternoon boat photography - transfer to Caño Negro - overnight Caño Negro
- Day 10 - Morning & afternoon boat photography - overnight Caño Negro
- Day 11 - Final morning boat photography followed by return journey - transfer to Alajuela - overnight Alajuela
- Day 12 - transfer to San José International Airport -
A Day In The Field
We travel together as one very small group, with David driving throughout. That gives us considerably more freedom than a conventional Costa Rica itinerary & means we can adapt where appropriate according to conditions, activity & photographic opportunities.
The holiday finishes at Caño Negro, one of Costa Rica’s most important wetland areas, with an afternoon boat session on arrival, morning & afternoon photography the following day, & a final morning on the water before we return to Hotel Robledal.
Why Travel With Us
The group is limited to a maximum of six photographers travelling with David, an experienced wildlife photographer who has been guiding wildlife photography trips since 2014. The pace is relaxed, flexible & very firmly focused on photography. Single occupancy is included on the majority of our trips, including this one.
Is This Trip For You?
This holiday is for photographers who would rather spend longer with fewer, exceptional subjects than see as much of the country as possible. You do not need to be highly experienced, but you should be comfortable using your camera & changing basic settings.
Most photography is from boats, hides & specialist set-ups, so there are no long or strenuous hikes, though short walks on uneven or damp ground are likely.
Exactly What's Included
Included In The Trip Price
- Guidance from our experienced team members
- Accommodation on a Single occupancy basis
- Internal transfers
- Boat trips
- Hide access
- Meals on a half board basis
Not Included In The Trip Price
- International flights
- Internal flights
- Camera equipment
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- All drinks
Travel Insurance, Sorted
Travel Insurance – it is a requirement when booking on any wildlife photography holiday scheduled by NaturesLens that you have adequate travel insurance, we suggest a policy from TrailFinders or Campbell Irvine.
Protecting Your Kit
Insuring your camera equipment before embarking on any wildlife photographic holiday is not just a precaution, it’s a necessity. Our trips often take us into remote & sometimes unpredictable environments where accidents & unexpected incidents sometimes do occur. Insuring your camera gear provides financial protection against theft, loss, or damage, ensuring your investment is safeguarded.
What You'll Want With You
Clothing We Recommend
- Clothing suitable for warm temperatures
- Lightweight, breathable clothing
- Windproof & waterproof outer layers
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
- Sun hat or cap
- Sunglasses
June falls in Costa Rica’s green season, so a lightweight waterproof layer is well worth packing. Much of our photography is from boats, hides & feeders, so quiet, neutral-coloured clothing works best.
Camera Equipment We Recommend
- DSLR or mirrorless camera body
- Spare camera body
- Spare batteries, charger & memory cards
- Telephoto zoom lens (e.g. 70 - 200mm, 100 - 400mm, 200 - 600mm)
- Super-telephoto lens (e.g. 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm)
- External flash & diffuser (where relevant)
- Camera rain cover or waterproof protection
- Lens cleaning kit
- Camera backpack or suitable carry-on bag
- Laptop or storage device for image backup
A versatile telephoto zoom in the 100-400mm range will be extremely useful for much of the holiday, while longer lenses can be valuable for birds photographed from specialist setups, feeders & boats. A second body can be useful during fast-moving sessions, & flash will be used for specialist opportunities such as hummingbirds & bats.
Common Questions
About the Wetlands of Costa Rica Holiday
What makes this Costa Rica photography holiday different?
Group Size
How small is the group?
Photography
What are the main photographic highlights?
Timing
Why is the trip timed for June?
Agami Herons
Will we photograph Agami Herons in more than one location?
Caño Negro
What can we expect to photograph at Caño Negro?
Equipment
What sort of camera equipment should I bring?
Experience
Is this holiday suitable for less experienced photographers?
Fitness
How physically demanding is the holiday?
Flexibility
What happens if weather or wildlife activity changes the plan?
NaturesLens photography holidays do not include flights unless it is explicitly stated on the event page. When it is time to book your flights, we will send you the details in plenty of time to allow for bookings at the best available price.
The photography holiday itinerary is subject to change & is to be considered provisional.
NaturesLens photography holidays require a minimum number of participants in order to be viable. If this minimum number is not met, the photography holiday may not go ahead.
In the event that the minimum number for a photography holiday to go ahead is not reached, NaturesLens reserves the right to cancel any given photography holiday. In that event 100% of monies received will be returned. However, NaturesLens is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.
Not all mentioned wildlife can be observed & photographed at all times of the year, thus some activities may be considered seasonal & not available.
Please note the cuisine on many of the NaturesLens photography holidays is authentic & typical of the region in which you are travelling. International or western cuisine is often NOT available. If you have any concerns over the food arrangements or have any special dietary requirements, please contact us prior to making a booking.
All personal luggage are the responsibility of the owner & we request that photography holiday participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag & tripod. We do not wish to appear dictatorial in this matter & the request is made to ensure space & comfort for everyone in our vehicles.
NaturesLens & its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, & as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause.
NaturesLens reserves the right to substitute hotels, & other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience.
NaturesLens reserves the right to pass on to photography holiday participants any additional & unplanned expenditure incurred during a photography holiday, via events beyond the control of NaturesLens. NaturesLens reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a member of any photography holiday.
Payment of a deposit by photography holiday participants or their representative constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein.
All bookings are made subject to our terms & conditions.
Join us in Costa Rica for our new small-group wildlife Wetlands of Costa Rica photography tour in June 2027, built around breeding Agami Herons, King Vultures & the wetlands of the Caribbean lowlands & Caño Negro.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to the questions we are most commonly asked about this photography tour, covering everything from accommodation, transport & group size through to photography opportunities, fitness requirements & what to expect in the field. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re always happy to discuss any aspect of the trip before you book.