Costa Rica Wildlife PhotographyTour

At a glance Arrival at Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO), meet and greet Private group transfer to Bougainvillea Hotel, San José (approx. 20 min) Check in, welcome drinks and tour briefing with Will Gray and our local driver/naturalist guide Welcome dinner at the hotel (included)   In detail After arriving at Juan Santamaría International Airport, your photography guide Will Gray and Mario, the driver/naturalist guide from our expert ground handler ST Costa Rica, will meet you for the short transfer to Bougainvillea Hotel on the city's outskirts in the Central Valley.   Once you’ve had time to check in and relax, we’ll meet for a welcome drink and introductory briefing to review the highlights and photography opportunities of the trip as well as the key species we hope to see. We’ll have a look at a map to go over the daily itinerary and activities that lie ahead before exploring Hotel Bougainvillea’s magnificent gardens – either this evening or tomorrow morning.   As well as 22 species of bromeliad, 157 different trees and 51 varieties of orchids, the gardens attract a wealth of hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers and other birds – and there are also several small ponds which are home to endangered frog species.   It’s a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with commonly seen species in Costa Rica, and start practising your bird and plant photography techniques.   If you have any questions regarding the itinerary, your camera settings or photography technique, Will is on hand to help you – today’s gentle pace is perfect for a relaxed start to the trip.   Overnight: Hotel Bougainvillea Located just 10 minutes from downtown San José, the family-run Hotel Bougainvillea is surrounded by a beautiful 10-acre tropical botanical garden. The National Gardening Association recently awarded the hotel for having the best gardens in Costa Rica. As well as a solar-heated pool, the hotel has an excellent restaurant where we will enjoy dinner tonight, and breakfast tomorrow (both included).

At a glance Breakfast at Hotel Bougainvillea (included) Drive to Arenal Volcano (approx. 2 hours 30 min) with a stop in Bajos del Toro Guided walk to Catarata del Toro Waterfall (entrance fee included) Lunch (own expense) Arrive at the Lost Iguana Resort or Arenal Observatory Lodge for check in Dinner at the Lost Iguana Resort or Arenal Observatory Lodge (own expense)   In detail This morning, we travel towards Arenal, stopping along the way for a walk to the horsetail-plume of Catarata del Toro – an impressive 90m-tall waterfall that plunges into an extinct volcanic crater surrounded by cloudforest. It's 300 steps to the base of the falls, but you can also get superb views from the top where there's a thick forest full of birds. This will be our first chance to photograph hummingbirds, which are attracted to feeders in the gardens near the entrance to the waterfall.   After lunch in Bajos del Toro or nearby (at own expense), we continue to Arenal where we will spend the night. We have a choice of two properties located near Arenal volcano – both of which offer superb views of the cone-shaped peak (when it’s clear), and also excellent wildlife watching. Two life zones – the tropical rainforests of the Caribbean plains and the premontane forests at the foot of the Atlantic slope – converge in this area, making it rich in species such as black-throated trogon, broad-billed motmot, chestnut mandibled toucan, yellow-eared toucanet, umbrella bird, great curassow, lineated woodpecker and ornate hawk eagle. Mammals, meanwhile, include agouti, coati, spider monkey, mantled howler monkey, white-faced capuchin and three-toed sloth.   Before dinner, there will be time to explore the forest trails that weave through the lush grounds of both properties.    Overnight (option 1): Arenal Observatory Lodge The only property located within Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal Observatory Lodge was originally built as a research station for the Smithsonian Institution. Today, it sits in 870 acres of land, including primary rainforest, rivers, waterfalls, tropical gardens and pastureland. Standard rooms have two double beds, private bathroom, coffeemaker, lounge chairs and a desk. Some rooms are located in the main lodge building and have a private balcony with a view of the forest, or partial view of Arenal Volcano, while other rooms are located 500m from the main building and have a terrace with views of Lake Arenal. Overnight (option 2): Lost Iguana Resort & Spa Nestled on a lush hillside overlooking the rainforest and Arenal Volcano, Lost Iguana Resort & Spa offers an immersive retreat in one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular natural settings. Surrounded by 120 acres of tropical forest, the resort features walking trails, diverse wildlife and great views of the volcano and surrounding jungle. Spacious rooms are designed in a rustic tropical style and include comfortable beds, private bathrooms, air conditioning, coffeemakers and balconies with panoramic views. There's also an infinity pool, spa facilities and open-air restaurant.

At a glance Optional early morning wildlife-watching photo tour before breakfast Breakfast at Arenal Observatory Reserve or The Lost Iguana Resort (included) Private guided transfer to Boca Tapada Area (approx. 2 hours) Lunch (own expense) Arrive at Maquenque Ecolodge for check in Afternoon walk and canoeing exploring the lodge's forests and lagoons Guided nocturnal walk in the forest reserve at Maquenque Dinner at Maquenque Ecolodge (own expense)   In detail This morning, we will have another opportunity to explore the forest trails in search of wildlife and to hopefully capture clear views of the Arenal Volcano.   After breakfast, we drive north to Boca Tapada, entering a more remote rainforest ecosystem near the Nicaraguan border. Our base for the next two nights is the superb Maquenque Ecolodge. To reach the peaceful, family-owned property, we take a short boat ride across the San Carlos River. The lodge is surrounded by a mosaic of forest and lagoons, teeming with wildlife. During our stay here, we will explore on foot and by canoe, tapping into local expert knowledge to locate and photograph the critically endangered great green macaw (only 500 remain). Maquenque Ecolodge also has several bird-feeding areas and viewing platforms which are ideal for bird photography, offering clear, diffused backgrounds for species such as toucans, tanagers and honeyeaters. Before dinner, we will accompany a local guide on a night walk when the forest comes alive with a whole new cast of nocturnal creatures, including frogs, snakes and bats – and excellent introduction to the 'Costa Rica night shift'.   Overnight: Maquenque Ecolodge Set within a private rainforest reserve in the remote northern lowlands of Costa Rica, Maquenque Ecolodge offers a peaceful escape surrounded by wetlands, tropical forest and abundant wildlife. The lodge is spread across 60 acres of protected land, with trails and waterways that provide excellent opportunities for birdwatching and nature exploration. Thoughtfully integrated into the landscape, our individual bungalow rooms are spacious, with high ceilings and feature comfortable beds, private bathrooms, ceiling fans and air-con, as well as terraces with views of the lagoon. The lodge's main building has an open-sided restaurant and bar area, and there's also an outdoor pool to cool off in.

Day 4: At a glance Breakfast at Maquenque Ecolodge (included) Several dedicated wildlife photography sessions: great green macaws, king vultures, red-capped manakins and long-tongued nectar bats Lunch and dinner at Maquenque Ecolodge (own expense)   In detail A full day dedicated to this wildlife-rich region. The area is a stronghold for the critically endangered great green macaw. Of the 500 or so remaining individuals, 2-300 are thought to survive in Costa Rica. The equally impressive king vulture is also found here. As well as these two key species, we also hope to see and photograph collared aracari, black-cheeked woodpecker, multiple tanager species and hummingbirds, herons, parrots, woodpeckers and more. Photography at Maquenque benefits from strategically-placed feeders, natural perches and consistent bird activity throughout the day – and we can rely on expert local guides to help us locate rarities. The extensive lagoons, meanwhile, offer a completely different habitat to the rainforest – and opportunities to photograph caimans and terrapins, as well as several species of heron and kingfisher. We will visit a special hide dedicated to photographing the magnificent king vulture where we'll aim to capture dramatic close-ups of this colourful raptor. Display sites of the endearing red-capped manakin will also be on our target list (the males are renowned for their elaborate courtship display). We'll then round off the day by setting up a high-speed multi-flash 'studio' in the forest to (hopefully) photograph nectar bats feeding on plants. Two species are ften encountered – the long-tongued nectar bat and the larger orange-bellied nectar bat.   Overnight: Maquenque Ecolodge See Day 3 for full details.

At a glance Breakfast at Maquenque Ecolodge (included) Drive to Sarapiquí Area (approx. 1 hour 20 min) Arrive at Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge for check in Lunch at Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge (own expense) Photography session at Dave & Dave's Dinner at Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge (own expense)   In detail Today we drive south to the Sarapiquí area, located in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica’s Heredia province. It’s a region renowned for its lush rainforests and we will be spending the next two nights at one of its premier ecolodges. After arriving at Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge and enjoying a light lunch overlooking its pool – with stunning views of the rainforest – we'll visit Dave & Dave's. It’s only a two-minute drive to this outstanding conservation centre where Dave Jnr and Dave Snr have regenerated rainforest from a former oil palm plantation. Perched on a ridge at treetop level, a wonderful wildlife-watching centre has been created specifically with photographers in mind. Two areas – one designed to attract toucans and aracaris, the other for hummingbirds – provide outstanding opportunities for photographing these colourful birds with beautiful, clean backgrounds. Comfortable chairs and cooling fans, along with the fascinating insight provided by our host Dave Jnr, ensures a truly unforgettable visit. Following our afternoon session at Dave & Dave's we'll return to Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge where you can relax by the pool or perhaps join Will in a search to photograph tiny 'blue jeans' strawberry poison dart frogs, which are commonly seen here.    Overnight: Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge Set in lush tropical grounds near the Tirimbina Biological Reserve, Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge is designed in a distinctive pre-Columbian style, with dramatic conical, thatched roofs. The spacious rooms are comfortably furnished with either one king or two queen beds, private bathrooms, air conditioning and terraces overlooking the gardens, and close to bird-feeding stations. At the centre of the lodge is a lagoon-style infinity swimming pool, with views of the rainforest. Its location close to Tirimbina Reserve makes it a convenient base for guided night walks.

At a glance Breakfast at Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge (included) Morning guided visit at Pierella's Ecological Garden Lunch at Pierella's Ecological Garden (included) Afternoon to relax at Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge Dinner at Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge (own expense) Guided night walk at Tirimbina Biological Reserve   In detail After breakfast, we have a rainforest hike and macro session at a small conservation project called Pierella Ecological Garden. Accompanied by an keen-eyed local guide, we'll spot (and photograph) numerous elusive forest birds, including honeyeaters, tanagers, jacamars, manakins and motmots – and, with luck, we'll also see sloths. The reserve is partly funded by its butterfly farming business, so we will also be able to photograph close-ups of blue morpho and owl butterflies. Strawberry (blue jeans) poison frogs are common here, and we will also have a chance to photograph katydids, stick insects and spiders in a controlled macro session using natural backgrounds. We will look for sleeping red-eyed tree frogs on the undersides of leaves, taking care not to disturb this nocturnal species – and we also hope to see white tent bats clustered under palm fronds where they shelter during the day. We’ll round off our visit at Pierella's with a delicious homemade lunch (own expense) provided by the extremely friendly and welcoming hosts.   This evening, after an early dinner, we can walk straight from the lodge to neighbouring Tirimbina Biological Reserve for our expert-guided night walk spotting nocturnal wildlife such as red-eyed tree frogs, eyelash pit vipers, coral snakes, praying mantids, spiders, scorpions and mammals like the arboreal kinkajou and hairy porcupine. We'll have an exclusive group so we can go as slowly as we like, taking our time to get photographs that we're happy with. Even with just an iPhone you'll be able to get excellent images (everyone is given a powerful torch), but if you have a macro lens and flash diffusor, this is a great opportunity to use them. One of the highlights of the night walk is crossing the long hanging bridge over the Sarapiquí River.   Overnight: Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge See Day 6 for full details.

At a glance Breakfast at Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge (included) Private guided transfer to Turrialba Area (approx. 3 hours) Lunch at Rancho Naturalista (included) Afternoon guided walk and photography sessions at Rancho Naturalista Dinner at Rancho Naturalista (included) Moth sheet experience and photography at night   In detail After breakfast we'll drive around 140km south-east to Rancho Naturalista. Tucked into the forested mountains of Turrialba, this is one of Costa Rica’s most respected birding lodges. From the large communal balcony, you can watch dazzling hummingbirds and some of the other 450-plus bird species found here. Rancho Naturalista protects over 120 acres of Caribbean pre-montane rainforest. We’ll explore its 7km trail system which ranges in elevation from 880m to 1200m, traversing secondary and primary forest as well as an orchard containing native fruiting trees – highly attractive to birds and other wildlife.   Following dinner at the lodge (included), we’ll look forward to some memorable encounters with some of Costa Rica’s 12,000 species of moths, attracted to the moth light that’s turned on each night.    Overnight: Rancho Naturalista Rancho Naturalista is famous for its warm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, brilliant birding, good company and delicious gourmet food served with fresh local ingredients. Meals are served family style where guests share stories of their day. Each of the individual rooms (named after local birds) has a private bathroom and most have views of the forest and volcano.

At a glance Breakfast at Rancho Naturalista (included) Morning excursion to locate and photograph sunbitterns on a nearby river Rest of the day at Rancho Naturalista private reserve for photography Lunch and dinner at Rancho Naturalista (included)   In detail This morning, after breakfast at Rancho Naturalista, we will visit a nearby spot where sunbitterns are often found. With luck, we will see one of these remarkable waterbirds fan its wings to reveal a striking eye-spot pattern – not unlike a butterfly's wings.   Returning to Rancho Naturalista for lunch (included), the afternoon is free for exploring the private reserve – either on your own, or with Will. Highlights will include hummingbird photography (including the beautiful little snowcap – the males are purple with a distinctive white crest) around the verbena hedges and a nesting colony of Montezuma oropendula. We may also visit a nearby garden where a local bird photography enthusiast attracts sickle-billed hummingbirds to heliconia flowers.   Overnight: Rancho Naturalista See Day 7 for full details.

At a glance Breakfast at Rancho Naturalista (included) Drive to San Gerardo de Dota Area (approx. 3 hours 20 minutes) Lunch at Batsú Gardens (own expense) Pro bird photography session at Batsú Gardens Option 1: Drive to Talamanca Nature Reserve for 2nt stay Option 2: Drive to Mirador de Quetzales for 2nt stay Option 3: Drive to Savegre Hotel or other property in San Gerardo de Dota for 2nt stay *These various options are due to the altitudinal migration of resplendent quetzals: they move up and down the mountains depending on the time of year. San Gerardo de Dota can also be busy, with most of the lodges small and unable to accommodate groups, so we may split our group between two or three properties in the valley, or base ourselves at either Talamanca Nature Reserve or Mirador de Quetzales as an alternative. Dinner (own expense)   In detail Today we drive south into the Central Highlands to reach the remote community of San Gerardo de Dota, tucked into the Savegre Valley at the foot of the Talamanca Mountains. Located at 2,200m, the air is cooler and less humid here. Lowland tropical rainforest gives way to temperate cloudforest – the trees shaggy with ferns, bromeliads, orchids and mosses; mist and cloud swirling through the canopy. Note: If we are staying at Mirador de Quetzales, we will check in here before heading 25 minutes or so to the Savegre Valley in San Gerardo de Dota.   The change in climate and vegetation brings a new cast of species for us to discover – and we will get to know them intimately at the fabulous Batsu Gardens which has been specifically designed for photographers and birdwatchers in mind. We have a three-hour Pro Photography session booked here. The gardens have superb set-ups for clean, natural backgrounds and eye-level shots of a wealth of cloudforest species. As well as colourful tanagers, we hope to photograph charismatic species such as fiery-throated hummingbird, emerald toucanet, long-tailed silky flycatcher, acorn woodpecker, Baltimore oriole and rose-crowned grosbeak. With Will’s help, you’ll be able to take time to refine your technique and composition – you may well get your best bird photographs of the trip at this exceptional location. This evening we will stay nearby at Savegre Hotel (or other properties in the valley), or Mirador de Quetzales, or drive a further two hours to Talamanca Nature Reserve (although the latter makes it quite a lot of driving for today, a stay at Talamanca does mean we are that much closer to our next destination – La Cusinga Lodge). Overnight option 1: Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa Savegre Hotel has 40 rooms arranged in terraces through richly planted gardens. You can sit outside on your terrace and watch hummingbirds zipping from flower to flower. Each room features twin beds, private bathroom and heating. The property’s Las Bromelias restaurant offers a mixture of international and Costa Rican cuisine, while the Los Robles bar and lounge is a cosy spot to spend the evening, enjoying local coffee around an open fire. Overnight option 2: Mirador de Quetzales Located high in the mountains of the Los Quetzales National Park, Mirador de Quetzales Lodge is a small mountain lodge set in forested surroundings known for their rich birdlife, particularly the resplendent quetzal. The lodge is built in a rustic alpine style, with timber interiors, stone fireplaces, and communal areas designed to make the most of the cool mountain climate. Guest rooms are simple and comfortable, with private bathrooms, heating, and large windows looking out over the forest or valley. Meals are served in the lodge restaurant, which offers hearty home-style food in a cosy dining room with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The lodge has direct access to trails through cloudforest habitat, making it an excellent base for birdwatching, guided walks, and exploring the upper Savegre Valley, with quetzal sightings often possible close to the lodge grounds. Overnight option 3: Talamanca Nature Reserve Lodge A quieter alternative for exploring the cloudforest environment, Talamanca Nature Reserve Lodge is located in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains near San Gerardo de Rivas, and is set within a private nature reserve of cloudforest, rivers and waterfalls. The lodge is constructed in a rustic mountain style using wood and stone, with shared spaces that look out over the surrounding forest and valley. Guest rooms have private bathrooms and balconies facing the gardens or mountains. Meals are served in the main lodge restaurant, which uses local ingredients and offers home-style dishes in a relaxed setting with views across the reserve. Guests have direct access to a network of trails leading to waterfalls, swimming spots and viewpoints, while the surrounding reserve provides opportunities for guided walks, birdwatching and wildlife observation.

At a glance Breakfast at lodge (included) Early morning search for resplendent quetzals Photography session (including long exposure work) at Savegre River Lunch at Kahawa Restaurant (own expense) Full day exploring forest trails Dinner (own expense)   In detail The cloud forests of Costa Rica are not only some of the best places in the world to photograph the resplendent quetzal and other rare birds, but they are also incredibly beautiful. Early morning sunlight filtering the mist-laden forests is a dream for landscape photography, while waterfalls plunging through the lush vegetation can also produce excellent compositions. Setting off on local walking trails early this morning (or visiting a known nesting site), we will attempt to find resplendent quetzals using local firsthand knowledge and understanding the migration patterns of the birds at different times of the year. Although you can never guarantee finding them, we will try our best! With or without quetzals, today's exploration of the cloudforest will provide plenty of inspiration for wildlife and landscape photography. We will also visit a beautiful spot on the banks of the Rio Savegre to photograph rapids surrounded by lush cloudforest. After lunch at the lovely Kahawa Restaurant (open to the forest) we will visit Savegre Reserve for a hike in the cloudforest.   Overnight: San Gerardo de Dota, Mirador de Quetzales or Talamanca Nature Reserve See Day 9 for full details.

At a glance Breakfast at lodge (included) Drive to Uvita in the Central Pacific Area (approx. 1–3 hours) Arrive at La Cusinga Lodge for check in Afternoon free to explore forest trails or relax Dinner at La Cusinga Lodge (own expense)   In detail After breakfast at Savegre Hotel, our journey takes us through verdant foothills down to the Pacific coast. Our destination is La Cusinga, a luxury eco-lodge nestled in virgin rainforest at the ocean’s edge.   Located within Marino Ballena National Park, the lodge is just a short hike from Playa Arco, one of Costa Rica’s most breathtaking hidden beaches. La Cusinga also has direct access to a network of trails in its private rainforest reserve. A natural swimming hole, fed by a river, is tucked away in the jungle.   This afternoon, you are free to relax at the lodge and enjoy its surroundings, or join Will on a jungle and coast photography walk. Dinner (own expense) is at the lodge.   Overnight: La Cusinga Lodge Located in a 500-acre private reserve, this rainforest lodge has panoramic ocean views, sandy beaches and natural swimming pools. From the balcony or terrace of your superior room, you have views of the rainforest and ocean. Beautifully designed in wood, stone, shell and sand, each room has two double beds, solar-powered shower, ceiling fan and coffee machine. La Cusinga’s open-sided Aracari Restaurant is surrounded by rainforest and serves delicious local cuisine.

At a glance Breakfast at La Cusinga Lodge (included) Whale watching and Caño Island snorkelling boat trip from Uvita Lunch in Uvita (own expense) Afternoon at La Cusinga Lodge Dinner at La Cusinga Lodge (own expense)   In detail After breakfast at La Cusinga, we drive a few minutes along the coast to the town of Uvita – gateway to the Marino Ballena National Park and departure point for our morning boat trip in search of Pacific marine mammals. Top of the list of species we hope to see is the humpback whale. During the Northern Hemisphere winter (December to March), humpback whales that feed along the northwest coast of the United States migrate to Costa Rica’s tropical waters to mate, give birth and nurse their young. Meanwhile, from July to mid-November, humpback whales that feed around the Antarctic Peninsula and southern Chile make the species’ longest recorded migration to breed in Costa Rica’s warm waters. Other species we hope to see include bottlenose dolphin, pan-tropical spotted dolphin and spinner dolphin.   Photographing these cetaceans is a completely different challenge to the forest life we’ve been focussing on, and you’ll have full tuition from Will on how to make the most of the experience.   Our boat trip also includes Caño Island Biological Reserve where – if you like – you can snorkel on the island’s coral reef. The marine life is superb. Hawksbill turtles are regularly seen, and white-tipped reef sharks are common. We sometimes encounter manta rays and mobula rays. Large shoals of surgeonfish patrol the coral heads, and there’s a wealth of parrotfish, damselfish, angelfish, wrasse and pufferfish. If you’ve brought a GoPro, or similar underwater camera, with you, this is the time to use it!   Returning to shore, we’ll have lunch in a local restaurant in the lively village of Uvita before returning to the spectacular La Cusinga Lodge for an afternoon to relax or explore the property's network of trails. Overnight: La Cusinga Lodge See Day 11 for details.

At a glance Breakfast at La Cusinga Lodge (included) Drive to Puerto Jimenez Area (approx. 2 hours 30 minutes) Arrive at Bosque del Cabo for check in Dinner at Bosque del Cabo (included)   In detail After breakfast at La Cusinga, we drive to Puerto Jiménez, gateway to the Osa Peninsula – one of Earth’s most biologically intense regions. Here, an incredible 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity is crammed into 0.01% (less than 1,000 square kilometres) of its area. That equates to roughly 400 species of birds, around 140 different mammals, 117 species of reptiles and amphibians, 10,000-plus insect species and over 700 varieties of trees. All four of Costa Rica’s monkey species are found here – howler, white-faced capuchin, spider and squirrel – along with five native cat species (including jaguar, puma and ocelot), plus Baird’s tapir, white-lipped peccary, collared anteater and two- and three-toed sloths.    Our base for exploring this veritable Eden for the next three nights is Bosque del Cabo, a lodge surrounded by primary rainforest, crowning a 150m-tall bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.   Located near Corcovado National Park, the lodge sits within a private reserve where wildlife is abundant and easily observed from the trails and gardens. After settling in, we’ll spend the late afternoon familiarising ourselves with the area. As well as scarlet macaws, toucans and parrots, local residents include monkeys, coatis, kinkajous, agoutis, peccaries and sloths – even pumas, jaguarundis, ocelots and jaguars are occasionally seen on the property.   Overnight: Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge Each of the ten thatched and individually styled bungalows is set among tropical gardens with ocean views – best enjoyed from the hammocks and easy chairs on your wraparound porch. As well as king-sized beds, each bungalow has a modern bathroom and outdoor garden shower. The lodge’s restaurant prepares meals made with fresh, local ingredients blending styles from American, Costa Rican and international cuisines. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included – and lunches can be packed to go if we decide to spend a full day hiking and photographing in the forest.

At a glance: Day 14 Full Day at Bosque del Cabo birdwatching and photo sessions Breakfast, lunch and dinner included at the lodge   At a glance: Day 15 Full Day at Bosque del Cabo birdwatching and photo sessions Breakfast, lunch and dinner included at the lodge   In detail Two full days are dedicated to immersive photography within the private reserve of Bosque del Cabo. Photographing mammals, such as monkeys and sloths, will be a highlight – although the birdlife here is also superb.   These two days allow flexibility depending on group priorities – targeting species not yet photographed, refining techniques or slowing down to capture more creative, storytelling images. With minimal visitor numbers and a high level of wildlife habituation, the photographic opportunities feel intimate and authentic, and one-to-one tuition will be provided by Will.   Scarlet macaws often fly overhead at sunrise, when yellow-throated toucans, slaty-tailed trogons, mealy parrots, raptors, white-faced capuchin and howler monkeys are also active. Midday remains productive due to fruiting trees and high wildlife density, while late afternoons offer opportunities along forest-edge trails and coastal viewpoints.   A network of well-marked trails leads through primary and secondary forest to waterfalls, viewpoints and quiet corners of the reserve, ideal for photography and wildlife observation.   Bosque del Cabo is a favourite among photographers and naturalists thanks to its remote location, exceptional biodiversity, and the ease with which wildlife can be observed in a truly wild setting, making it the perfect finale to our Costa Rica photography journey.   Overnight: Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge   See Day 13 for full details.

At a glance Breakfast at Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge (included) Ground transfer to Puerto Jiménez (approx. 30 minutes) Domestic flight from Puerto Jiménez to San José (included, approx. 50 minutes) Private non guided transfer from San José airport to Bougainvillea Hotel Lunch (own expense) Dinner at Bougainvillea Hotel (own expense)   In detail After breakfast at Bosque del Cabo, we return to Puerto Jiménez for a domestic flight to San José. This short flight offers a wonderful aerial perspective of the Osa Peninsula’s lush forests and rugged coastline.   Upon arrival in San José, a private transfer will take us back to Bougainvillea Hotel. The afternoon is free to relax, review photographs, or simply enjoy the gardens before our final farewell dinner at the hotel.   Overnight: Hotel Bougainvillea See Day 1 for full details.

At a glance Breakfast at Hotel Bougainvillea (included) Private non-guided transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport (approx. 20 minutes)   In detail Following breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be transferred to the airport in good time for check-in prior to international flights home.