Costa Rica Photo Expedition
Tim Mannakee's Group
November 22 - December 1, 2025
Status: To be confirmed
Expedition details
- Arrival airport: SJO
- Departure airport: SJO
- 10 days
- 9 nights lodging
- Proffesional photographer
- + 12 photo sessions
- Difficult: Easy
- All levels are welcome!
- Free time
- Daily activities
- Local guides
- Certified lodges
- Breakfasts
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Welcome dinner
- Farewell dinner
- Experienced driver
- Toyota Coaster or similar
- Expedition leader
- Local insurance
- All local taxes
Gallery
Photo activities
All these photo activities and tours are included (Suggested activities)
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.
- Quetzal tour session
- Hummingbird photo session
- A night tour in Sarapiqui area
- Nature trails in the Sarapiqui area.
- Wildlife and nature photo session
- Bats photography session
- King vulture photo session
- Macro session: Snakes and Frogs
- Keel-billed Toucan tour
- Tres Amigos Boat Tour
- Hummingbird multiflash session
- Bird photography session in Sarapiqui
- Other activities at the hotels and surrounding areas
Daily itinerary
Andy will be waiting for you at the airport, and we will take you to the hotel.
- Arrival
- Pick-up is at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO).
- Private transfer to Heredia city
- Welcome dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in San Jose
- 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.
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in San Gerardo de Dota
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check-out.
- Today we continue our trip to the Boca Tapada area (around 3 hours of driving)
- Boca Tapada boasts unparalleled biodiversity, owing to its unique location in the northern region of Costa Rica. The area is part of the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor, an important ecological corridor that connects the protected areas of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
- Bat photo shoot at night: (Group 1). 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.
- Free night for group 2
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in Boca Tapada area
- Breakfast at the hotel
- 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.
- Lunch at the hotel
- Afternoon: Hummingbird Multiflash Session. Hummingbird Multiflash Photo Session and Macro Photography Session
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in Boca Tapada area
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Today we have 2 different photo sessions.
- Morning: Boat tour of the San Carlos River and Tres Amigos River, where you’ll capture stunning images of crocodiles, howler monkeys, and a variety of birds including the tiger heron, great blue heron, and kingfisher. The natural vistas here are truly mesmerizing.
- Lunch is at the hotel.
- Free afternoon
- Night: Bat photo shoot at night: (Group 2). 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.
- Free night for group 1.
- Dinner at the hotel
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check-out
- Today we have 2 different photo sessions.
- We will drive to Pital area. (1 hour of driving)
- Morning: Keel-billed toucan photo session. The Keel-Billed Toucan is perhaps the most recognizable bird in Costa Rica, with its massive, colorful beak that resembles the popular Fruit Loops cereal.
- Lunch on the road.
- We will drive to Sarapiqui area (2 hours of driving)
- 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
- Free Afternoon. We can take pictures on the trails, river and feeders.
- Night: Rainforest night tour in the hotel.
- Dinner at the hotel.
- Lodging in Sarapiqui area
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Today we have 2 different photo 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.
- Lunch at Pierella
- 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
- Dinner at the hotel
- Lodging in Sarapiqui area
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Check-out
- 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.
- Lunch on the road.
- Then we will drive for about 1.5 hours to San Jose city
- Dinner at the hotel (Farewell dinner)
- Lodging in San Jose
After sharing this trip and having lived through so many unique moments and experiences, we will take you to the airport. It’s time to go home!
- Check-out
- Transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
- Departure flight
- End of services
Stunning destinations
San Gerardo de Dota
San Gerardo is a community bordering the Los Quetzales National Park located at 2,200 meters above sea level, hidden in the folds of the Río Savegre Valley.
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.
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, hotels and prices
What’s included
- 10 days
- 9 nights
- + 12 photo sessions
- Private and exclusive program
- Local professional photographer and expedition leader with years of experience
- Experienced, certified, and area-specific guides for birds, wildlife, and nature photography
- Physis’s certified hotels and lodges
- Single standard rooms
- Private bathroom
- 9 breakfasts at the hotels
- 8 lunches (on the road, tour destination, or hotel)
- 6 dinners (at the hotels or selected local restaurants)
- Welcome dinner
- Farewell dinner
- Experienced driver
- Private transportation
- All local taxes
What’s not included
- Airfare to/from Costa Rica
- 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)
Suggested hotels and lodges
- Hotel Bougainvillea. 2 nights
- Hotel Savegre Lodge. 2 nights
- Selva Verde Lodge. 2 nights
- Boca Tapada Lodge. 3 nights
This price is per person traveling in a private group (Based on 8 photographers)
- US$4.122 (Single room)
This price is an estimate and can change depending on the number of people, arrival and departure dates, hotel availability any special requirements, etc
Physis – 2024