Private Costa Rica Photography Tours Built Around Your Photography
Physis Photo Tours is a Costa Rica-based company that designs private, custom-made photography tours. Every program is built around what you want to photograph — birds, wildlife, macro or landscapes — and around the light, locations and timing those subjects need. You travel only with the people you choose. Physis plans the route, reserves the lodges and transportation, and coordinates local specialists, so you can focus on the shoot.
Photography shapes the journey from the beginning.
Costa Rica-Based · Private Only · Custom-Made · Designed for Photographers
Physis at a glance
- What we do: private, custom-made photography tours in Costa Rica. No open group departures.
- Based in: San José, Costa Rica. Physis has worked as a photography brand since 1998.
- Subjects: bird, wildlife, macro and herping, hummingbird multi-flash, night and bat photography, landscapes.
- Who travels with us: solo photographers, couples, non-photographer partners, families, friends and private groups.
- Four Travel Styles: The Founder's Edition, The Wildlife Expedition, The Relaxed Explorer and The Independent Adventure.
- Price: private programs from US$4,000. The final price depends on the number of travelers, season, length, lodge category and the photo sessions you choose.
- Planning now: December 2027 to April 2028, and all of 2028.
- How to start: tell us what you want to photograph in the planning form; we reply personally and propose a short call.
How planning works
- Tell us what you want to photograph. Share your subjects, dates, who is traveling and how you like to work in the field.
- Talk with Physis. A short video call to understand your priorities, pace and expectations.
- Receive your proposal. A day-by-day itinerary with lodges, transportation, local specialists, photo sessions and a clear list of what is included and what is not.
- Confirm and prepare. Once you approve, Physis confirms the reservations and helps you prepare gear and logistics for the trip.
Planning a 2027–2028 photography trip?
Most photographers who want Costa Rica's dry season — December to April — start planning 9 to 12 months ahead, because the lodges and private hides that work best for photography have limited space. The dry season brings more predictable light and access; February to April is a favorite window for Resplendent Quetzals in the highlands. The green season, May to November, offers lush forests, fewer visitors and excellent conditions for macro and frogs. Physis is now designing private programs for December 2027 to April 2028 and for the rest of 2028. Wildlife behavior and weather can never be guaranteed; we plan around the conditions that give you the best opportunities.
Photography Comes First
Not every nature tour is a photography tour.
At Physis, photography is not added to the itinerary after the trip has already been designed. It influences the destinations, timing, route, accommodations, local specialists, field sessions and travel rhythm from the beginning.
We start with a simple question:
What do you want to photograph?
From there, we build the journey around the conditions that can help create stronger photographic opportunities — while respecting wildlife, local communities and the realities of working in the field.
Who Is Physis?
Physis Photo Tours is a Costa Rica-based company specialized in private, custom-made photography travel.
We live and work in Costa Rica year-round.
Our programs connect photographers with carefully selected destinations, accommodations, private transportation, local naturalist guides, specialized photography locations and people who understand their own regions exceptionally well.
Physis brings those elements together into one coherent photography journey.
We are not a conventional sightseeing company that happens to welcome photographers.
Photography is why Physis exists.
A Photography Journey Built Differently
A successful photography trip depends on much more than visiting beautiful places. It requires the right combination of photographic priorities, local knowledge, realistic logistics and flexibility.
Private by Design
Custom-Made From the Start
Photography-First Planning
Costa Rica Knowledge on the Ground
Local Specialists Where They Matter
One Coordinated Journey
What Do You Want to Photograph?
Costa Rica is one of the most photographically diverse countries on Earth. Physis builds every private program around your specific subjects, the right locations, and the optimal time of year to photograph them.
Bird photography — over 900 species including the Resplendent Quetzal, toucans, macaws, and endemic hummingbirds. Wildlife photography — tapirs, monkeys, sloths, caimans, and the King Vulture. Macro photography — red-eyed tree frogs, poison dart frogs, insects, and night sessions in the rainforest. Landscape photography — cloud forests, volcanic regions, Caribbean coastlines, and wetlands. Every program is private, custom-made, and built around your target species and creative goals.
The Person Behind Every Physis Program
Physis Photo Tours was founded by Andy Bezara — professional photographer, photography tour leader, and Costa Rica travel industry professional with more than 20 years of local experience.
Andy combines deep photographic knowledge with an exceptional understanding of Costa Rica's ecosystems, logistics, and local networks. Andy personally leads The Founder's Edition, subject to availability. Every other program is designed and operated by the Physis team and its network of local specialists.
Planning a Photography Program for Your Group or Organization?
Physis Photo Tours works with photography tour leaders, clubs, associations, camera stores, schools, and travel agencies who need a reliable Costa Rica-based operating partner.
We design and operate private custom programs for your group — handling logistics, lodging, transportation, local guides, and photography-first planning so you can focus on leading your clients.
The Four Travel Styles
Every Physis journey is private, custom-made, and photography-first. What changes is how the experience is delivered on the ground. No matter which style you choose, Physis Photo Tours still designs the itinerary, reserves the lodges, confirms the services, coordinates the logistics, and structures the journey around photographic opportunity—so you can focus on the shoot while Physis handles the rest.
The Founder’s Edition
"I want to travel with someone who sees light the way I do."
The most personal travel style at Physis. Andy Bezara — founder, professional photographer, and Costa Rica travel expert — is your tour leader and field partner from the first day to the last. For programs with one or two photographers, Andy often travels in his own vehicle. For larger groups, he arranges professional transportation while leading personally throughout.
The Founder's Edition is the only travel style where Andy is physically present in the field. Availability is limited to Andy's personal calendar — and his calendar fills well in advance.
This style is also the choice of photography tour leaders who bring their own clients to Costa Rica and need a trusted, photography-first operating partner.
The Wildlife Expedition
"I don't just want to photograph Costa Rica. I want to understand it."
Built for photographers who want deep naturalist knowledge woven into every field session. Physis assigns a certified naturalist guide — personally selected and briefed by Andy on your photography goals — who brings ecological depth, behavioral understanding, and private field access to every day of your program.
Because this style operates through Physis-certified guides rather than requiring Andy's personal presence, it offers more available dates throughout the year. It is also well suited for wildlife travel companies and photography partners looking for a trusted Costa Rica operator.
The Relaxed Explorer
"I want extraordinary images. I don't need an exhausting expedition to get them."
Designed for photographers who travel at a considered pace — and for those who travel with a partner, spouse, or companion who does not carry a camera. Physis provides private transportation with a trusted experienced driver. The itinerary creates meaningful photography opportunities within a journey that is comfortable, beautiful, and genuinely enjoyable for everyone in the travel party.
You do not have to choose between extraordinary images and a trip your companion also remembers with warmth.
The Independent Adventure
"I want to drive my own adventure. I just don't want to figure everything out alone."
For photographers who want complete freedom on the road. You rent your own vehicle and drive through Costa Rica at your own pace — while Physis designs the itinerary, selects and reserves the lodges, arranges local guides at key locations, and handles every logistical detail before you arrive. Before you start the engine, Andy sits down with you for a personal briefing. While you are on the road, Andy checks in throughout the day.
Good Questions. Real Answers.
Physis Photo Tours is a specialized Costa Rica-based photography tour company that designs journeys around photographic priorities, not generic sightseeing. Our private, custom-made programs are built by photographers for photographers, with the route, timing, lodges, logistics, and travel flow organized to support stronger image-making opportunities.
Physis Photo Tours focuses on private photography travel only. We design custom-made journeys for solo photographers, couples, families, friends, and small private groups traveling together. We do not focus on open group departures for unrelated travelers.
Yes. Every Physis journey is custom-made. We design each program around your subjects of interest, travel pace, preferred regions, photographic goals, and the way you want to experience Costa Rica. The result is a more personal, better organized, and more photography-focused journey.
Yes. Physis Photo Tours handles the core planning and coordination behind the journey, including itinerary design, lodge selection, reservations, service confirmations, transportation structure, and overall travel flow. Our goal is to let you focus on the shoot while we handle the rest.
No. Physis Photo Tours offers four official travel styles, and traveling with Andy Bezara is only one of them. Depending on the style you choose, your journey may be delivered with Andy, with a private driver, with a naturalist guide and/or driver, or as a self-drive program. In every case, Physis designs and coordinates the photography journey.
Physis journeys are designed for photographers who want a private, custom-made, photography-first experience in Costa Rica. Our programs are ideal for bird photographers, wildlife photographers, nature photographers, macro photographers, couples, families, and private groups who want a more intentional and better organized way to travel.
How much does a private photography tour in Costa Rica cost with Physis?
Private programs start from US$4,000. The final price depends on the number of travelers, travel dates and season, the length of the trip, lodge category and the photography sessions you choose, such as private hides, multi-flash hummingbird setups or night macro sessions. You receive a clear proposal before you commit. See what a private photography tour costs
When should I book a photography trip for 2027 or 2028?
For December to April, we recommend starting 9 to 12 months before your dates, because the best lodges and hides for photography have limited capacity. Green-season trips can usually be planned with less notice.
Can my partner come if they are not a photographer?
Yes. Many Physis programs include non-photographer partners or family members. We adjust the pace, lodges and activities so everyone enjoys the trip, while the photography sessions stay a priority for the photographer.