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Nature & Wildlife Photography Holidays & Tours - All Financially Protected
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Nature & Wildlife Photography Holidays & Tours - All Financially Protected

Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour

1st - 17th Dec. 2026 - £6999 £6499

A Red Eyed Tree Frog Sat On A Leaf In The Jungle Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife - 1st - 17th Dec. 2026 - £6999 £6499

Reserve with a deposit of £1250

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Photography enthusiasts of all skill levels are invited to join David on this 16 night Ultimate Wildlife Photography Tour, an immersive journey through Costa Rica’s most productive photographic eco-zones. From coastal waterways & misty cloud forests to Caribbean foothills, northern lowlands & vast wetlands, this carefully structured itinerary showcases the country’s extraordinary biodiversity while allowing ample time to work with light, behaviour & composition.

The journey begins in the Pacific lowlands with dedicated river boat photography, focusing on American crocodiles, waterbirds & riverside wildlife, before moving south into the highlands. Here, time is spent in the San Gerardo de Dota region & surrounding reserves, targeting iconic cloud forest species including the Resplendent Quetzal. Early morning sessions are balanced with hummingbird photography at feeders, offering both behavioural moments & close-range photographic opportunities.

From the highlands, the tour transitions east into the Caribbean foothills, where a series of renowned private gardens provide exceptional photography of toucans, tanagers & hummingbirds across varied backdrops. The pace then slows further in the northern lowlands around Boca Tapada, an area chosen specifically for its specialist photographic opportunities. Over several days, guests focus on king vultures, feeder-based toucan & parrot photography, reptiles & amphibians, alongside evening sessions dedicated to multi-flash bat photography for those wishing to explore more advanced techniques.

The final phase of the tour explores ‘s wetland ecosystems, with extended time in the Cano Negro region photographing waterbirds, caimans & wetland wildlife from custom boat sessions. The journey concludes in the central highlands, where flexible wildlife photography sessions respond to seasonal conditions, allowing the tour to finish on a creative, relaxed note rather than a rushed departure.

Throughout the 16 night experience, guests receive experienced guidance from David, supported by trusted local specialists. The intent of this tour is not only to photograph Costa Rica’s most iconic species, but to build confidence, refine fieldcraft & return home with a diverse, cohesive portfolio spanning birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians & nocturnal wildlife from one of Central America’s richest photographic destinations.

A Parakeet Peeps Out From Behind A Tree Trunk Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday Itinerary

The following is the proposed itinerary for this photography holiday, it should be considered provisional & subject to change.

  • Day 1 - Arrive in Costa Rica - transfer to local hotel - overnight Alajuela area of San José
  • Day 2 - Transfer to the Tárcoles region, then boat cruise focusing on crocodiles, waterbirds & riverside wildlife - overnight Tárcoles
  • Day 3 - Morning boat cruise photography - transfer to the southern highlands - overnight San Isidro
  • Day 4 - Bird photography in the San Gerardo de Dota region & visits to private reserves in the Talamanca mountains - overnight San Isidro
  • Day 5 - Further photography in the Talamanca region - transfer to the San Gerardo de Dota area - overnight San Gerardo de Dota
  • Day 6 - Morning Quetzal & hummingbird photography, with further Quetzal sessions later - overnight San Gerardo de Dota
  • Day 7 - Final morning quetzal photography - transfer to the Caribbean foothills - overnight Sarapiqui
  • Day 8 - Full day of photography in private gardens, targeting toucans, tanagers & hummingbirds - overnight Guápiles
  • Day 9 - Morning photography in a private garden - transfer to the Boca Tapada region in the northern lowlands - overnight Boca Tapada
  • Day 10 - Morning king vulture photography, afternoon snake & frog photography, evening bat photography - overnight Boca Tapada
  • Day 11 - Morning king vulture photography, afternoon garden photography - overnight Boca Tapada
  • Day 12 - Morning photography targeting toucans & parrots, afternoon multi-flash hummingbird photography - overnight Boca Tapada
  • Day 13 - Transfer from Boca Tapada to Cano Negro, Boat-based photography focusing on wetland species - overnight Cano Negro
  • Day 14 - Full day of boat-based wildlife photography in the Cano Negro wetlands - overnight Negro area
  • Day 15 - Morning boat-based wildlife photography - transfer to the central highlands, with lunch en route - overnight San Ramón
  • Day 16 - Flexible photography sessions adapting to seasonal conditions & photographic opportunities - overnight San Ramón
  • Day 17 - Flexible photography sessions adapting to seasonal conditions & photographic opportunities - transfer to San Jose Airport
A Collared Aracari Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday Highlights

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.

  • Multi centre trip to some of the best locations within Costa Rica for bird, mammal, amphibian & reptile photography
  • Many opportunities for capturing birds in flight
  • One of the most bio-diverse places on earth with a huge range of native species
  • Opportunities to capture images of many of Costa Rica's iconic frog species
  • Capture images of the Keel-billed Toucan, the Collared Aracari & many hummingbirds in the Caribbean lowlands
  • Photography sessions specifically for capturing images of King Vultures
  • Photograph the Volcano Hummingbird & Resplendent Quetzal in the Costa Rican Highlands
  • Photography of the many tanagers, motmot, trogons & other species
  • Opportunities for macro photography of reptiles & amphibians
  • Our itinerary is planned for peak dry season - the optimum time for photography within Costa Rica
  • Photography sessions at sunrise & sunset to make the most of the prime times of day for creative photography
  • Boat trips to explore the wetlands
  • Small group size - means that we can stay in small lodges often away from the crowds
  • Guided by David Miles for NaturesLens with the assistance of local guides
  • Stay for 16 nights on a half board, non-shared basis
  • Single occupancy accommodation is provided at no extra cost to you
  • Visit cloud & rainforests to photograph exotic birds, wild animals & tropical vegetation
A Basilisk Camouflaged In Its Environment Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

Intended Photographic Subjects During The Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

This wildlife photography holiday is carefully structured around reliable encounters with a diverse range of wildlife. Intended photography subjects include Basilisk lizard, blue jeans poison dart frog, chestnut-headed oropendola, chestnut-mandibled toucan, collared aracari, emerald toucanet, fiery-billed aracari, fiery-throated hummingbird, glass frog, great kiskadee, green iguana, hoffmann’s woodpecker, keel-billed toucan, king vulture, lineated woodpecker, mantled howler monkey, montezuma oropendola, red-eyed tree frog, resplendent quetzal, rufous-tailed hummingbird, strawberry poison dart frog, three-toed sloth, two-toed sloth, violet sabrewing, white-faced capuchin & white-necked jacobin. As with all ethical wildlife photography, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

A Caracara Looks Out Across The Grass Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

What's Included & What's Not Included On The Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

Before booking the Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday, we recommend reviewing what is included in the trip price, along with any items that are not. This helps ensure you have a clear understanding of what is covered, allowing you to focus fully on the photographic experience.

Included In The Trip Price

Most services & experiences are included in the trip price.

  • Guidance from our experienced team members
  • Accommodation
  • Internal transfers
  • Park fees
  • Boat trips
  • Hide access
  • Permits
  • Meals on a half board basis

Not Included In The Trip Price

Some items & services are not included in the trip price.

  • International flights
  • Camera equipment
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • All drinks
A Ghost Glass Frog Peering Over A Yellow Leaf Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

Travel Insurance

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.

A Keel Billed Toucan Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday
A Keel Billed Toucan Opens His Beak Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday
A Basilisk In Its Environment Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday
A Green Hermit Hummingbird Hovering In Mid Air Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday
A Lesser Violeteer Hummingbird Demonstrating Its Agility In Mid Air Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday
A Violet Sabrewing Hummingbird In Flight Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday
A Lesser Violeteer Demonstrating Aerial Acrobatics In Mid Air Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday
A Portrait Of A Green Hermit Hummingbird Typical Of The Kind Of Image We Hope You Will Capture During Our Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Holiday

What Do You Need To Bring With You?

The items listed below are intended as guidance rather than requirements. They outline optional and recommended clothing & camera equipment to help you prepare for the conditions and photographic opportunities you may encounter.

Clothing We Recommend

Clothing suggestions for the conditions expected.

  • Clothing suitable for cold conditions
  • Clothing suitable for moderate temperatures
  • Lightweight, breathable clothing
  • Windproof & waterproof outer layers
  • Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
  • Sun hat or cap
  • Sunglasses

Camera Equipment We Recommend

Suggested camera equipment for the opportunities expected.

  • DSLR or mirrorless camera body
  • Spare camera body
  • Spare batteries, charger & memory cards
  • Standard zoom lens (e.g. 24–70mm, 24–105mm)
  • Telephoto zoom lens (e.g. 70–200mm, 100–400mm, 200–600mm)
  • Super-telephoto lens (e.g. 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm)
  • Macro or close-focus lens (optional)
  • Tripod or Monopod
  • Remote Shutter Release
  • Camera rain cover or waterproof protection
  • Lens cleaning kit
  • Camera backpack or suitable carry-on bag
  • Laptop or storage device for image backup

Additional Information

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.

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