Costa Rica Photo Expedition
Bruce Sheedy
March 15–24, 2024
Status: Confirmed
Expedition overview
Hello Bruce
Welcome to your tailor-made photography adventure with us here at Physis, right in the vibrant heart of Costa Rica!
I am beyond excited to guide you through a journey filled with lush landscapes, captivating wildlife, and the exotic flora that this tropical paradise has to offer. As photographers, I know you have a discerning eye for beauty and a deep passion for capturing the very essence of nature. Costa Rica, with its unparalleled biodiversity and stunning vistas, is the perfect canvas for your photographic pursuits.
From the lush greenery of Sarapiqui to the tranquil waterways of Boca Tapada, every moment of this trip is a golden opportunity to capture the extraordinary. Be it the intricate patterns of tropical plants, the vivid hues of exotic flowers, or the dynamic wildlife in their natural habitats, I can assure you, your cameras will be busy framing the unique and breathtaking sights of Costa Rica.
I’ve meticulously planned a series of photography tours and activities to ensure you make the most out of your time here, including private sessions and exclusive night tours to enhance your experience. Your passion for photography and love for nature are about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. So, dive into the itinerary we’ve prepared just for you, and let’s get ready for an unforgettable photography adventure with Physis!
Expedition details
- Arrival airport: SJO
- Departure airport: SJO
- 10 days
- 9 nights lodging
- Local photographer
- + 10 photo activities
- Difficult: Easy
- All levels are welcome!
- Free time
- Daily activities
- Local guides
- Certified lodges
- Daily breakfasts
- Fareweel dinner
- Experienced driver
- SUV
- Expedition leader
- Local insurance
- All local taxes
Gallery
Day by day itinerary
Andy will be waiting for you at the airport, and we will take you to the hotel.
- Arrival: Air Canada 957, 20:00
- Pick-up is at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).
- Private transfer to Heredia city
- Lodging in San Jose
Note: On the day of arrival, we will confirm the time we will leave for Cartago province, one of the most beautiful areas of Costa Rica.
We want you to rest after your flight!
You can have breakfast at the hotel between 8:00 – 9:00 am.
On the way, we will visit Cartago, the ancient capital of the country.
We will visit Lankester Orchid & Botanical Gardens. Lankester Gardens are celebrated for their vast collection of orchids, bromeliads, and other tropical plants. The gardens span over 27 acres and are managed by the University of Costa Rica. We can explore the diverse flora, including rare and endemic species, as well as enjoy the serene environment surrounded by lush greenery.
In the afternoon, we will have visit Cachi and Orosi town
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- Transfer to Cartago. 2 hours driving
- Lunch at the hotel or at a local restaurant
- Photo session in the afternoon
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in Cachi area
Today we have two different sessions.
In the morning, we have a hummingbird photo session. These little birds are truly a sight to behold. With their brightly colored feathers, they can be seen flitting from flower to flower, drinking nectar and foraging for food. They are so small and delicate that it almost looks like they could disappear in an instant. That is why a photo session with these incredible birds is so special.
After lunch, we will look for the Resplendent Quetzal. The Resplendent Quetzal is one of the most iconic birds of Costa Rica and the world. It is a species of trogon and is famous for its impressively colored plumage and long tail feathers. A bird photo shoot with this magnificent creature is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- Hummingbird photo session in the hotel
- Transfer to Los Santos Area
- Lunch on the road in a typical restaurante (12:30, approximately)
- Resplendent quetzal and bird photo tour (14:00)
- Transfer to Cachi area
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in Cachi area
After breakfast and check-out, we’ll be traversing through Braulio Carrillo, an awe-inspiring national park.
The Tropical Rainforest Biome’s predominant characteristic is its importance within the planet; it holds two-thirds of all the world’s flora and fauna. In Costa Rica, this biome presents an overwhelming abundance of springs and rivers of clear, crystalline waters, as well as a great quantity of insects and microorganisms just waiting to be discovered.
All this vegetation takes over the cleaning of the air we breathe
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- Transfer to the Braulio Carrillo area. (3.5 hours of driving)
- If you wish, we can take a short hike in Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of the most biodiverse places in Costa Rica (optional).
- Lunch at the hotel or at a local restaurant
- Free afternoon.
- Dinner at the hotel (18:00)
- Night tour at the hotel (19:00, approximately)
- Lodging in Sarapiqui area
Morning: Pierella Botanical Garden (9:00)
After breakfast, we will be visiting the Pierella Ecological Garden: butterflies, hummingbirds, toucans, bats, frogs, wildlife, culture, and chocolate—all in one location.
Afternoon: Snakes and Frogs photo session (14:00)
During our Snakes and Frogs macro session, you’ll have the opportunity for close-up encounters and photography with over five exotic and venomous species. This experience, conducted in a safe and controlled environment, allows you to capture the allure and danger of these enigmatic creatures. It’s an adventure designed for the daring and curious, keen to explore and document the wild’s mystique in vivid detail.
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- Pierella Ecological Garden (lunch is included)
- Snakes and Frogs
- Transfer to the hotel
- Free night
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in Sarapiqui area
Morning: Bird photo session. (8:30)
During this session, we’ll have the opportunity to capture images of the vibrant emerald toucan, the stunning motmot, and various other species. The lush, verdant scenery of the region is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
Then we will drive for about 2.5 hours to the beautiful and wild region of Boca Tapada, near the border with Nicaragua.
In the afternoon, you will do some photography at the hotel and in the surrounding area.
Bats photo session
At 5:30 p.m. and for about 2 hours, we will have one of the most exciting and unique sessions. We will photograph flying bats at night.
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- Bird photo session
- Transfer to the hotel
- Transfer to Boca Tapada area
- Bat photo session at night (5:30, approximately)
- Dinner at the hotel (20:00, approximately)
- Lodging at Boca Tapa area
Morning: King Vulture
After breakfast, we dedicate this photo session to the King Vulture. The King Vulture, notable for its vibrant coloration, is one of the largest New World vultures, growing up to 2.5 feet tall and weighing around 8 pounds. This bird possesses one of the strongest beaks among American vultures, enabling it to open carcasses that others can’t, often eating first at a feeding site.
Afternoon: Green Macaw photo or Humminbird Multiflash session
In the afternoon, we will take a light hike to see and photograph the green macaw in its natural environment. The green macaw is one of the largest macaws in the world (second only to the hyacinth macaw) or Humminbird Multiflash Photo Session (depends on the weather)
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- King Vulture Photo Session. (9:00 approximately)
- Lunch at a local restaurant or at the hotel. (12:30)
- Green Macaw photo session or or Humminbird Multiflash Photo Session (14:00)
- Free night
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging at Boca Tapada Lodge
Breakfast at the hotel at 8:00 am.
We will take a couple of hours to take advantage of the morning light to take more pictures in the vicinity of the hotel. The number of birds you will see is impressive. We can also take pictures of the San Carlos River.
After check-out, we will drive for more than 3 hours to the impressive and remote area of Caño Negro.
We will have lunch on the road.
In the afternoon, we will have a session at the Cano Negro Lodge and its surrounding areas.
In the evening, we will have a night walk, which will last about 2 hours.
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- Check-out
- Transfer to Caño Negro area
- Check-in
- Dinner at the hotel
- Night walk at Caño Negro or another tour depends on the weather conditions
- Lodging in Caño Negro area
Breakfast at the hotel at 7:00 am.
Tour by boat through the main attractions of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Search for wildlife, interpretation of the ecology and biodiversity of the wetland.
The Caño Negro Wetland is one of the most dynamic and biodiverse ecosystems in Costa Rica.
This tour will last approximately 3 hours.
Lunch at the hotel.
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- Boat tour
- Lunch at the hotel
- Free afternoon
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in Caño Negro area
Breakfast is at the hotel at 8:00 a.m.
After that, we will drive over 2 hours to the Cinchona area, near the Poas Volcano.
We will stop at a famous restaurant to have lunch and take lots of pictures… birds, 2 beautiful waterfalls: La Paz and San Fernando as well as beautiful landscapes of that zone.
Then, we will drive one more hour to the city of San Jose.
Check in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel
- Breakfast at the hotel (Included)
- Photo session at the surrounding areas
- Transfer Cinchona area
- Bird photo session at the restaurant
- Lodging in San Jose
Stunning destinations
Los Santos area
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Sarapiqui
Boca Tapada
Expedition leader
I, Andy, will be right there with you as your expedition leader and tour guide. With years of experience and a profound love for the nature of Costa Rica, I am eager to share my knowledge, photography tips, and fascinating stories to enrich your adventure.
Together, we will make sure that your time here is not just a trip, but a journey filled with learning, discovery, and moments that will stay with you forever.
Andy is a proud member of NANPA, PPA, PSA and SINWP photography associations
Services, photo activities and accommodations
What’s included
- Exclusive and private travel itinerary for you
- 9 nights of lodging
- Physis’s certified hotels and lodges
- 1 standard (single occupancy)
- Private bathroom
- Daily breakfasts at the hotel
- Professional photographer and expedition leader with years of experience
- Experienced, certified, and area-specific guides for birds, wildlife and nature photography
- +10 photography tours and activities.
- Private ground transportation for 9 days
- Transfer-in
- Transfer-out
- All entrance fees (National parks, reserves, refuges, etc)
- 1 standard room for the guide (single room)
- Daily meals for the guide
- All local insurances
- All local taxes
What’s not included
- Airfare to/from Costa Rica
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Visa (If it’s required)
- Medical insurance
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities (local guides, driver, and expedition leader)
- Alcoholic beverages (wine, beer, cocktails, etc) and beverages not included on the menu.
- Hotel services (laundry, room service, etc)
- Personal services (spa, massage, etc)
All these photo activities and tours are included (Suggested activities)
- Visit Lankaster Garden
- Visit Cachi and orosi area
- Quetzal tour photo session
- Hummingbird photo session
- A night tour in Sarapiqui area
- Nature trails in the Sarapiqui area.
- Photo session in Pierella Ecological Garden
- Bird Photo session in Sarapiqui
- Bats photo session at night
- King vulture photo session
- Macro session: Snakes and Frogs (Sarapiqui o Boca Tapada)
- Caño Negro Boat Tour
- Visit to Cinchona area
- Other stops and activities at the hotels and surrounding areas
While all these activities are included, they may be subject to change depending on the weather and other conditions. We consult with our local guides daily to pinpoint the most favorable situations and prime photography opportunities.
Hotels and lodges
- Hotel Bougainvillea
- Hotel Quelitales
- Selva Verde Lodge
- Boca Tapada Lodge
- Hotel de Campo Caño Negro
Price per person based on 2 persons
- US$4767 per person based on single room.
Dates
- March 15 – 24, 2024
Payment method and dates
- International wire transfer
- Full payment: 100% on February 10, 2024
Physis – 2024