Itinerary 2026
A 100% Photography-Focused Adventure for PPA Members
Itinerary
- Arrival: May 10, 2025, Air France AF 430 at 13:25.
- Greeting: Upon arrival at San Jose International Airport, Andy will greet and escort you to the charming Hotel Bougainvillea.
- Check-in: After checking in, take some time to explore the hotel’s stunning gardens.
- Evening: Gather with your group for a delightful welcome dinner.
- Lodging: Heredia City.
- Breakfast: After breakfast, we’ll embark on a journey of about 3 hours from the Central Valley to San Gerardo de Dota, nestled in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains. Travel time may vary depending on birding stops along the way.
- Scenic Drive: As we travel, we pass through farmlands and rolling green hills, gradually gaining elevation. Keep a sweater or fleece handy, as temperatures will drop as we ascend above the paramo and into the mountains.
- Destination: San Gerardo de Dota is a serene mountain village in a lush valley along the Savegre River. Known for its stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity, it is a haven for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts, particularly famous for the Resplendent Quetzal in the nearby cloud forests. With its cool, crisp mountain air and tranquil ambiance, San Gerardo de Dota offers a perfect escape from city life.
- Arrival: Upon arrival, we’ll begin our first bird photography session in the beautiful gardens of the hotel.
- Lodging: San Gerardo de Dota.
Today, we have two exciting sessions planned.
- Morning Hummingbird photo session: In the morning, we’ll have a hummingbird photo session. These small birds are truly a sight to behold with their brightly colored feathers. You’ll see them flitting from flower to flower, drinking nectar and foraging for food. Their delicate nature makes it seem like they could vanish in an instant, which is why capturing them in a photo session is such a special experience. In San Gerardo de Dota, you can photograph a variety of hummingbird species, including the Lesser Violetear, the Green-crowned Brilliant, the Magnificent Hummingbird, and the Volcano Hummingbird.
- Afternoon Resplendent Quetzal Tour: After lunch, we’ll search for the Resplendent Quetzal. This bird is one of the most iconic species in Costa Rica and the world. A member of the trogon family, the Resplendent Quetzal is renowned for its vividly colored plumage and long tail feathers. Males are especially striking, with their iridescent green and red feathers and tail streamers that can be up to three feet long. The quetzal inhabits cloud forests and is considered a symbol of freedom and wealth in various Mesoamerican cultures. Their diet primarily consists of fruits, particularly wild avocados, supplemented by insects and small vertebrates. Photographing the Resplendent Quetzal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. These birds are elusive and require patience and a bit of luck to spot. The experience of capturing their beauty on camera amidst the lush, green backdrop of the cloud forest makes this afternoon session truly unforgettable.
- Lodging in San Gerardo de Dota
Today, we have two exciting sessions planned.
- Bird photo session at Feather Gardens: In the morning, we will visit Feathers Gardens, a meticulously designed bird garden that attracts some of the most beautiful birds native to and migrating through the Cordillera de Talamanca. Here, you can photograph a variety of species, such as tanagers, orioles, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds. Notable birds you might encounter include the Talamanca Hummingbird, Green Violetear, Scintillant Hummingbird, Volcano Hummingbird, White-throated Mountain Gem, Gray Tanager, and Blue-gray Tanager.
- Bird photo session at Gema del Bosque: This charming hotel offers a tranquil retreat amidst lush cloud forests, providing an ideal backdrop for capturing the region’s rich avian diversity. We will photograph various bird species, including the fiery-throated hummingbird, collared trogon, golden-browed chlorophonia, and acorn woodpecker.
- Lodging in San Gerardo de Dota
Today we have 2 different photo shoots.
- After breakfast and check-out, we will drive to the Caribbean Lowlands.
- Along the way, we will pass through authentic and beautiful Costa Rican towns such as Turrialba and Juan Viñas.
- Sarapiqui area, 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. With its remarkable biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and favorable weather conditions, Sarapiqui offers unparalleled opportunities for photographers to capture stunning images that showcase the wonders of nature
- Afternoon: Bird photoshoot in Guapiles and lunch
- Night: Rainforest night tour in the hotel
- Lodging in Sarapiqui area
Today we have 2 different sessions.
- Morning: Wildlife and bird photoshoot. Near Guápiles, we will visit a special location where we can photograph a variety of species. Additionally, we will embark on a hike through the rainforest to capture images of bats, owls, sloths, and other animals.
- Night: Macro photo shoot at night. At night, we are going to engage in macro photography, capturing amazing toads and frogs to discover a new world and fascinating species This session is reserved but not confirmed, depending on the weather conditions at night (rain)
- Lodging in Sarapiqui area
Today we have 2 different sessions.
- Morning: Pierella Ecological Garden: After breakfast, we will be visiting the Pierella Ecological Garden: butterflies, hummingbirds, amazing insects, toucans, bats, frogs, wildlife, culture, and chocolate — all in one location.
- Afternoon: Snakes and Frogs Photo Session: 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.
- Free night
- Lodging in Sarapiqui area
Today we have 2 different photo sessions
- Morning: Bird photography session: Today, we’ll visit a venture run by a delightful Costa Rican family. On their property, you can photograph over 20 bird species, including woodpeckers, red-legged honeycreepers, toucans, tanagers, hummingbirds, and more.
- Then we will drive for about 2.5 hours to the beautiful and wild region of Boca Tapada, near the border with Nicaragua.
- Free afternoon. In the afternoon, you will do some photography at the hotel and in the surrounding area.
- Bats photo shoot at night: 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.
- Lodging in Boca Tapada area
Today we have 2 different photo shoots.
- 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: Hummingbird Multiflash Session. Hummingbird Multiflash Photo Session and Macro Photography Session
- Free night
- Lodging in Boca Tapada area
- Breakfast is at the hotel at 8:00 a.m. Check-out
- We are going to take one of these tours: Yellow-throated toucan, Keel-billed toucan, Sunbittern, Royal Flight Flycatcher (to be confirmed depending on the behavior of the animals or weather conditions)
- Free night.
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in Boca Tapada
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. at the hotel.
- Check-out: After breakfast.
- Drive to Cinchona: Depart for Cinchona, near Poas Volcano. The drive will take over 3 hours.
- Lunch and Sightseeing: Stop at a famous restaurant for lunch. Take pictures of birds, two beautiful waterfalls (La Paz and San Fernando), and the scenic landscapes.
- Drive to Alajuela: Continue driving for one more hour to the city of Alajuela.
- Airport Transfer: Transfer to the International Airport.
- Departure Details:
- Departure Date: May 24, 2025
- Airline: Air France AF 431
- Departure Time: 19:00
- Airport Arrival Time: 15:00 for check-in.
- End of Services
Destinations
San Gerardo de Dota
San Gerardo is renowned for its lush cloud forests and is a prime spot for birdwatching, particularly for the resplendent quetzal, a beautiful and colorful bird native to Central America.
Sarapiqui
Sarapiqui in Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for nature photography, including bird photography, wildlife photography, and landscape photography. The region is known for its incredible biodiversity, lush rainforests, and stunning flora and fauna.
Boca Tapada
Boca Tapada, located in the lush northern region of Costa Rica, is a natural paradise for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of nature.
What to expect
This trip is rated light to moderate and caters to a variety of interests and abilities. Guests should be in good health and comfortable with extended periods of walking and sitting.
Please note that minor changes to the daily itinerary may occur based on wildlife locations or weather conditions.
During the expedition, you’ll stay in comfortable hotels and lodges.
These accommodations have been selected for their excellent locations, allowing you to explore the incredible natural wonders of each area.
Your trip will be accompanied by a professional photographer, an expedition leader, and an experienced driver.
Local guides will also join you at various points along the way.
All your transportation needs during your stay in Costa Rica, as specified in your trip itinerary, have been arranged.