Experiences

I recently had the pleasure of joining a photography tour with Andy, and I can’t recommend it enough! From the moment I reached out to him, his communication was fantastic and reassuring. As a photographer, I had specific needs, but my wife and daughter are not into photography. Andy expertly planned the tour to ensure it was engaging and enjoyable for all of us.

Every detail was thoughtfully taken care of, allowing my family to experience the beauty of Costa Rica without any hassle. We had an incredible adventure and made unforgettable memories! Andy has cultivated strong relationships with local places and tour guides, which provided us not only with excellent service but also a glimpse into the authenticity of Costa Rica’s culture.

One of the most striking aspects of my journey was Andy’s extensive network of friends, personal and expert guides. These guides were knowledgeable about the local wildlife and deeply passionate about conservation efforts. Their insights into the behavior of birds and other wildlife were invaluable, enriching my photography experience.

What truly sets Andy’s tour apart is his understanding of photography. Whether I wanted to experiment with manual settings to capture the perfect shot or simply rely on automatic mode for quick snaps, he was there to offer guidance and support. His expertise ensured that I could capture stunning images regardless of my level of photography proficiency in any situation.

Unser Wunsch war es, in Costa Rica während drei Wochen verschiedene Wildtiere (Vögel, Säugetiere, Reptilien, Insekten) zu fotografieren. Dies selber zu organisieren haben wir schnell aufgegeben. Aber eine Gruppenreise wollten wir nicht. Die perfekte Lösung haben wir mit Andy Bezara von Physis Photo Tours gefunden.

Er hat für uns zwei eine wunderbare Fotoreise organisiert, abseits der ausgetretenen Touristenpfaden. Andy war die ganze Zeit an unserer Seite und hat dafür gesorgt, dass wir jeden Moment voll genießen konnten und wir mussten uns um nichts kümmern. Und dank seinem Netzwerk an lokalen Guides hatten wir unzählige wundervolle Fotosujets.

Andy ensured we had the best opportunities to capture Costa Rica’s wildlife and landscapes. He works closely with selected local wildlife guides and photographic help was on hand if you needed it. We stayed in excellent simple accommodation with lunches sometimes at private homes.

Andy had organised activities for us such as nighttime bat photography, macro frogs and snake photography, and multi-flash hummingbird photography. We were able to photo toucans, white collared manakin, owls, king vulture and multiple species of hummingbirds to name only a few.

Juan who was our driver for the trip was so kind and helpful. It was a fantastic trip and enjoyable

My family (husband, 9 year-old child) and I participated in a photo tour with Andy in February. We enjoyed it so much, and decided to come back a few months later, in April! Our experience was absolutely mind blowing. Andy took us to the most unique places we would never have been able to find or visit on our own. From small town humble business owners who welcomed us in their homes (always with coffee and yummy snacks), to large luxury hotel resorts with superior rooms and exquisite meals, all with a persistent sense of unity with Costa Rica’s resplendent natural wonders. Andy did a fantastic job planning both of our trips.

While my husband was taking some of his most beautiful photographs, Andy was engaging our child and myself in new for us and exciting activities, keeping an element of pleasant surprise throughout. We often found our new experiences quite therapeutic, in overcoming phobias (i.e. large insect encounters), taking a rainforest walk at night, or boating in a crocodile infested river! Yet every single adventure flowed in the most safe, friendly and relaxing atmosphere created by Andy.

My child’s ipad was never seen (or wanted!), and I had a refreshing, relaxing, meditative mental health retreat. We were very lucky and are thankful for the virtuoso planning and organization by our Andy, who created a memorable trip for us all.Andy had organised activities for us such as nighttime bat photography, macro frogs and snake photography, and multi-flash hummingbird photography. We were able to photo toucans, white collared manakin, owls, king vulture and multiple species of hummingbirds to name only a few.

Juan who was our driver for the trip was so kind and helpful.
It was a fantastic trip and enjoyable

Andy Bezara of Physis created and organised a simply amazing photographic tour of Costa Rica for myself, my husband and two friends. He tailored the trip to fit with everything we asked for, and more than exceeded our expectations. He created photographic sessions with local experts and guides, so that we were able to take the very best shots of humming birds, snakes, bats and reptiles.

All our accommodation was carefully planned to give us comfort in stunning locations, with meals often taken within the local communities. Juan, our driver was so much more than simply getting us from A-B - his enthusiasm, care and attention to detail made him a key member of our team. We were truly blown away by this trip, and fell in love with Costa Rica.

Many thanks to Andy and Juan - their passion for their country really shone through in everything they did for us.

As very seasoned travellers we were nevertheless blown away by Costa Rica. Our photo trip with Andy and Juan of Physis Photo Tours was extraordinary. Not only did we see many wonderful birds but the trip included excellent simple accommodation and lunches at private homes where bird watching was set up.

Photographic assistance was on hand if you needed it. We had such fun and captured the most wonderful landscapes and birds. It was truly a marvelous experience in every way. Pura Vida!

In November 2024, my husband and I had the pleasure of having Andy Bezara from Physis Photo Tours as our private guide throughout our time in Costa Rica, and the experience was absolutely phenomenal. As a travel and wildlife photographer, I was thrilled with the locations we visited, while my husband, who enjoys photography as a hobby, found the experience equally rewarding.

Andy guided us through diverse and stunning areas, including Boca Tapada, Sarapiquí, Heredia, San Gerardo de Dota and parts of San Jose. He was punctual, well-prepared, and always prioritized safety, especially when photographing wildlife. His friendly and approachable nature, combined with his deep knowledge of the region, made the experience both enjoyable and highly educational.

Having a private tour with just the two of us made it even more special. Andy ensured we had the best opportunities to capture Costa Rica’s breathtaking wildlife and landscapes. His passion for photography and nature shone through every moment, and the locations he selected were absolutely perfect.

My husband and I wouldn’t hesitate to work with Andy again. Highly recommended for photographers of all levels looking for a safe, professional, and unforgettable private experience in Costa Rica.

Our wish was to photograph various wildlife (birds, mammals, reptiles, insects) in Costa Rica during three weeks. We quickly gave up organizing this ourselves. But we didn't want a group trip.

We found the perfect solution with Andy Bezara from Physis Photo Tours. He has organized a wonderful photo trip for the two of us, off the beaten path. Andy was by our side the whole time and made sure we could fully enjoy every moment and we didn't have to worry about anything. And thanks to his network of local guides, we had countless wonderful photo subjects.

Thank you Andy; it was awesome.

I had been meaning to take my father on a photography tour in Costa Rica for some time. Organization was slightly last minute, and yet Andy (who heads Physis Photo Tours) and Physis were fantastic.

We had a zoom meeting to discuss our options for subjects and locations for the time of year we were planning to visit (as well as lenses and equipment), and he took into account our preferences for species and locations and also made recommendations to craft a personalized itinerary. Juan who picked my father up from the airport and who was our driver for the week was so kind. Guides, from the folks at the The Nest Nature Center in Aguas Zarcas where they are reclaiming an area of farmland and transforming it into habitat that is more suitable for native fauna, to the fantastic guide in Boca Tapada to our guides near Sarapiqui and Limon were fantastic.

My father and I were floored by the species we were able to photograph in great settings, from multiple species of toucans to manakins to owls and king vultures to multiple species of hummingbirds to bats and reptiles. Andy is a photographer, and many of our guides were photographers, and I think they really cater to situations and set-ups that are optimal for photography, not just for seeing wildlife or birding per se. As Andy lives in Costa Rica, they partner with local guides and businesses who know the areas and the animals well and who were incredibly welcoming, sometimes into their own back-yards and properties.

It was a fantastic trip, and I can’t compliment their professionalism and expertise enough. Physis is highly recommended, and we are excited to come back soon as well.

My wife and I have gone on tours on all seven continents, many several times over. But the recent tour Andy from Physis Photo Tours organized and led stands out from them all. Andy has intimate knowledge of the communities into which he leads his tours and works closely with select wildlife guides to maximize the opportunities for sightings. He was able to identify and organize unique photographic opportunities such as nighttime bat photography, macro butterfly and toad photography, and multi-flash hummingbird photography.

What we were looking for, and what Andy at Physis specializes in, is small group tours, staying at small lodges, and engaging in small-group activities. You will not be finding yourselves crammed into a boat with two dozen strangers; Andy will arrange a private boat and guide. In Costa Rica the weather, and sometimes therefore the plans, can change with little notice. But Andy's knowledge of the communities, from the lodge operators, to the local photographers, to the wildlife guides, to the lodge cat allows him to pivot quickly and plan alternative activities.

Such can also be the case with driving around Costa Rica, where the limited quality and quantity of roads, not to mention traffic and accidents, can make getting around and staying on schedule challenging. Here again Andy uses only the best drivers, in our case Juan, to insure a comfortable and timely journey. Don't underestimate the importance of a good driver in Costa Rica. Yes, you could probably do it yourself, but you wouldn't know where and when to go, and would miss lots of things along the way.

My wife and I give Andy from Physis Photo Tours our highest recommendation.