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This was a two week holiday to Costa Rica to photograph the wildlife (mostly birds), led by a british photographer as well as a local naturalist/guide. It was a small group so we were able to get individual attention from our photographer leader, and I certainly gained much from the experience. I was very pleased with a good proportion of my photographs!
J.P., Dorset, Apr 25
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Costa Rica - A Wildlife Photography Tour
Tour Code: CRI06A 16-day (17-day in 2026) wildlife photography holiday to Costa Rica's mountains and lowland rainforests led by an expert wildlife photographer.
17 days
from
£9,595
£9,595
Land only price
from
£8,595
£8,595
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
There can be few countries in the Americas better suited to wildlife photography than Costa Rica. It is one of the top 20 most bio-diverse countries in the world, home to nearly 900 species of bird, over 1,200 species of butterfly and 250 species of mammals. There’s certainly no shortage of subjects to choose from! Costa Rica is also blessed with a wonderful network of comfortable lodges which not only offer easy access to some of the county’s most wildlife-rich habitats but also often set up their hummingbird feeders and bird tables with photographers in mind. This tour does not aim to rush from place to place trying to amass a long list of birds, but instead offers the opportunity to focus on just four different reserves – Arenal Volcano, Laguna de Lagarto, La Selva and the Talamanca Mountains – with plenty of time in each to take that perfect shot!
- Led by an expert wildlife photographer
- Hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, motmot, trogons and others
- Use of feeding stations, designed to maximise photographic opportunities
- Visit the King Vulture photography hide
- Explore the rainforests around La Selva
- A relaxed-paced itinerary focusing on three excellent wildlife reserves
- Look for the Resplendent Quetzal, often touted as the most beautiful bird in the world!
There can be few countries in the Americas better suited to wildlife photography than Costa Rica. It is one of the top 20 most bio-diverse countries in the world, home to nearly 900 species of bird, over 1,200 species of butterfly and 250 species of mammals. There’s certainly no shortage of subjects to choose from! Costa Rica is also blessed with a wonderful network of comfortable lodges which not only offer easy access to some of the county’s most wildlife-rich habitats, but also often set up their hummingbird feeders and bird tables with photographers in mind. This new tour does not aim to rush from place to place trying to amass a long list of birds, but instead offers the opportunity to focus on just three different wildlife reserves with plenty of time in each to take that perfect shot! This tour will be led by Dr Kevin Elsby, a long-standing Naturetrek tour leader who is also an award-winning wildlife photographer and fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.
Following a 1-night stay in San Jose, in which to recover from the long flight and hone your photography skills on the abundant garden birds, we will spend 4 nights at Laguna de Lagarto Lodge. This fabulous rainforest lodge is popular with photographers and offers a hide for King Vultures as well as several well-stocked feeding stations for tanagers, toucans and other colouful species. Moving on we next explore the pristine lowland rainforests around Selva Verde Lodge. Our four nights here will give us plenty of time to photograph such species as Sunbittern, Mantled Howler Monkey and Strawberry Poison-dart Frog and to explore the rainforests of La Selva Biological Station, one of the most diverse tracts of forest in the country. We end the tour in the cloudforests of the Talamanca Mountains for a 3-night stay at Savegre Mountain Lodge. Here we hope to photograph such species as Flame-throated Warbler, Magnificent and Volcano Hummingbirds and Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher and will make a special effort to photograph the Resplendent Quetzal, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful birds in the world! From the beautiful cloudforests of the Talamanca Mountains we return to San Jose for a final night before flying home.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly San Jose & overnight
Day 2/3
Arenal Volcano National Park
Day 4/6
Laguna de Lagarto Lodge
Day 7/10
Sarapiqui & La Selva
Day 11/13
Talamanca Mountains
Day 14
San Jose
Day 15
Depart San Jose
Day 16
Arrive London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: A mix of comfortable rainforest lodges and hotels. All rooms with private facilities.
- Food: All included in the price except for evening meals in San Jose.
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 10th Apr – Sun 26th Apr
4
£9,595
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£8,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£1,195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Oliver Smart
Tour Leader: Oliver Smart
Following a childhood fascination with the natural world, Oliver went on to study ornithology at the University of Birmingham during his mid-twenties. Alongside an emerging interest in photography, learning the art of bird ringing and volunteering for the Avon Wildlife Trust, BTO and RSPB, Oliver has put time to good use. His main passion is birds and through photography he has built a diverse collection of imagery, which is represented by both RSPB Images and Alamy. Combined with a desire to travel, Oliver has explored many parts of the world; his favourite destinations usually including a seabird colony or two, where the sight, sound, smell and opportunities for a photographer are second to none. His claim to fame to date though is an image he took in the Seychelles which has been used on a bank note!
2027
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 10th Apr – Sun 25th Apr
SPACES
£9,595
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£8,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
