The photographer's playground
Welcome to Costa Rica
Every frame is a captivating symphony of light, color, and life.
A "natural studio"
The enchanting beauty of Costa Rica is an open invitation to photographers worldwide. It is a country where Mother Nature has worked overtime, sculpting an extraordinary landscape that captivates the senses and leaves you speechless. For lovers of Nature, wildlife, bird, macro, and landscape photography, Costa Rica is a veritable playground and a natural studio.
Here, you’ll be awed by the colorful quilt of ecosystems – thriving rainforests, rugged highlands, mighty volcanoes, ethereal cloud forests, sun-kissed coastlines, and biodiverse mangrove swamps. These distinct habitats host an unparalleled assortment of flora and fauna, establishing Costa Rica as one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
Why Costa Rica? Let the numbers speak
birds species
mammals species
reptilian species
species of plants
World's biodiversity
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Oceans
tropical beaches
Protected areas
life zones
national parks
territory is protected
micro climates
transition zones
active volcanoes
Km. of coastline
A natural studio
Nature everywhere!
Location
Costa Rica is located on a stretch of continent known as the Isthmus of Panama.
Around 20 million years ago, the continents of North and South America were separated by the Central American Seaway.
The movement of tectonic plates below the ocean resulted in undersea volcanos that eventually emerged to form a chain of islands between the two continents.
Over millions of years, sediment built up between these islands and resulted in a land bridge, or isthmus, between North and South America. It connected the two American continents for the first time in 150 million years.
As a result, species that had evolved in isolation on either continent were able to meet for the first time. Many of those species are still living in Costa Rica today.
Sea change
The Isthmus of Panama also influenced the oceans around it.
The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans were isolated from each other, which led to unique populations of ocean life developing on either side of the land bridge.
Since Costa Rica has both Pacific and Atlantic coasts, it is home to unique wildlife shaped by millions of years of the oceans being apart.
Costa Rica’s geographical position also means it is exposed to predominantly wet seasons on its Atlantic coast, as well as variable wet and dry seasons on the Pacific side. This mix of weather systems across the country contributes to the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica.
Mountain high, valley low
The volcanic islands that predate the isthmus are still present in modern day Costa Rica — they are the mountain ranges that stretch down the middle of the country. The volcanic soils around these mountains contribute to the lush plant life found across Costa Rica.
But the real secret is the altitude of the mountains. The tallest mountains in Costa Rica are well over 3000m tall.
When combined with the neotropical climate, this results in a multitude of different ecosystems. In fact, Costa Rica has 12 different ecosystems that reach from the ocean to the mountain tops. These range from tropical forests and cloud forests to mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs.
With such an incredibly diverse range of ecosystems, it’s no wonder that there is such a wide range of species that call Costa Rica home.
Protect and conserve
Understanding where Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity comes from is crucial to protecting it.
Before 1940, around 75% of the country was covered in forest. This made it a prime target for loggers, who cleared huge swathes of the country, replacing forests with farmland. By 1987, it is estimated that up to half of the forest cover in Costa Rica had been destroyed. It was at this point the Costa Rican government stepped in.
They created laws banning deforestation without government approval and created ‘payments for ecological services’ where Costa Ricans receive financial support in return for helping restore forests.
As a result, Costa Rica became the first tropical country to entirely reverse deforestation; today, around 60% of the country has returned to forest cover.
Conserving the forests not only protects the plants and animals that call it home but also helps support the economy.
Keeping it simple
Costa Rica’s approach to conservation might be best summed up by their unofficial motto ‘pura vida’.
Literally translated, pura vida means ‘simple life’.
It’s a philosophy that encourages people to focus on the positives and be thankful for what they have around them.
By focusing on the joys of the natural world, Costa Ricans have championed biodiversity conservation, recently winning the inaugural Protect and Restore Nature Earthshot Prize.
Pura vida; is something we could all use a bit more of, don’t you think?
Unlimited photography opportunities
Nature everywhere!
Bird photography
For bird photographers, Costa Rica is a dream destination. The country is a corridor between North and South America, resulting in an incredibly rich diversity of bird species.
Whether you’re after a shot of the Scarlet Macaw’s vibrant plumage or the exotic beauty of the Toucan, Costa Rica offers endless possibilities.
Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photographers will discover an impressive array of subjects in this tropical paradise. Costa Rica hosts approximately 5% of the world’s biodiversity, with an incredible variety of wildlife, including hundreds of mammal species, thousands of insect species, and over 900 different types of birds.
Whether you’re capturing the elusive jaguar in its natural habitat, photographing the intricate details of an exotic butterfly, or aiming your lens at the stunning Resplendent Quetzal in flight, Costa Rica delivers unique experiences at every turn.
Macro photography
For those interested in macro photography, Costa Rica’s undergrowth teems with life.
The world in miniature is an endless source of fascination. Capture dewdrops on a vibrant Heliconia flower, the iridescent wing of a Morpho butterfly, or the intricate web of an orb-weaver spider.
Landscape photography
Lastly, landscape photographers will find no shortage of dramatic panoramas.
From the majestic Arenal Volcano’s fiery silhouette against the twilight sky to the ethereal beauty of the cloud-shrouded Monteverde, or the picturesque beaches of Guanacaste kissed by golden sunsets – Costa Rica offers a stunning tableau for the keen-eyed landscape photographer.
Photographic spots
Our playground
Arenal area
The Arenal area is undoubtedly one of the top destinations for photography tours and workshops in Costa Rica. Its iconic volcano, diverse ecosystems, rich wildlife, and ever-changing weather conditions provide
San Gerardo de Dota
San Gerardo de Dota boasts remarkable biodiversity that attracts nature lovers from around the world. The region is teeming with a wide array of plant and animal species, making it
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde boasts an extraordinary level of biodiversity, making it a true haven for nature enthusiasts. Situated in the Tilarán Mountain Range, the region encompasses diverse ecosystems, including cloud forests, rainforests,
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
With Physis as your guide, your photography tour in Caño Negro is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Book now and create extraordinary memories that will last a lifetime!
Sarapiqui
Sarapiqui, located in the heart of Costa Rica, is a captivating destination for photographers from around the world who have an affinity for nature, bird, landscape, and wildlife photography
Boca Tapada
Boca Tapada and the Maquenque Wildlife Reserve in Costa Rica present a remarkable destination for nature photographers, offering a captivating blend of biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and exceptional birdlife