Costa Rica - Birds and Macro Photography Expedition, March 2026

We meet early at 6:00 AM to depart for our first birding spot at the edge of a lush canopy forest. Here, you’ll be welcomed by vibrant species such as the Speckled Tanager and Bay-headed Tanager, among many others. After a rewarding morning session filled with tropical bird sightings, we continue our journey to Boca Tapada. In the afternoon, we check in at our lodge and immediately dive into photography sessions on the lodge grounds, where toucans and a variety of other birds frequent the nearby perches. This is a relaxed introduction to rainforest bird photography, setting the stage for the days to come. Overnight: Boca Tapada Lodge (B, L, D)

At dawn, we gather on the lodge’s deck which overlooks active feeders. This offers fantastic close-up opportunities to photograph toucans and other colorful birds as they perch on natural-looking setups. It’s also a great chance to learn about selecting and arranging photogenic perches for feeder photography. After breakfast, gear up for a special session at a secluded hide specifically designed to observe the majestic King Vulture. From this blind, you can capture stunning images of this impressive raptor in flight and on the ground.

Later in the afternoon, we switch gears to macro photography. Guided by experts, you’ll photograph a variety of smaller creatures – from vivid tree frogs and snakes to hovering hummingbirds – using specialized techniques to capture their intricate details. After nightfall, we embark on an exciting night photography session to freeze bats in action as they swoop in to feed. This full day will dramatically expand your wildlife photography portfolio with both avian and macro subjects.

Overnight: Boca Tapada Lodge (B, L, D)

We convene again at 6:00 AM for an action-packed morning on the Boca Tapada lodge deck. The surrounding rainforest canopy comes alive with activity, offering unmatched opportunities to photograph an array of species. Expect toucans, oropendolas, tanagers, honeycreepers, and even the charismatic Red-capped Manakin displaying nearby. With memory cards filling up from the morning frenzy, we bid farewell to Boca Tapada by midday.

After lunch, we travel to our next destination in the Sarapiquí region, arriving at Selva Verde Lodge by the afternoon. The lodge’s grounds and nearby trails present a new set of subjects. You’ll encounter an amazing variety of butterflies fluttering in the gardens, and you might spot brilliantly plumaged jacamars perched quietly – offering new photography challenges and rewards.

Overnight: Selva Verde Lodge (B, L, D)

Following breakfast, we join a knowledgeable naturalist guide for a day of exploring the rich rainforest environment around Selva Verde. This guided walk is tailored for photographers, ensuring we take the time to set up shots of the incredible biodiversity we find. You’ll have opportunities to capture owls resting in the daytime, various hummingbird species flitting between flowers or feeders, and colorful frogs and snakes expertly spotted by our guide in their hiding places. Macro enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the close-up encounters with tiny creatures, while bird photographers can focus on the avian life. The guide’s expertise will help you learn about each species and how to approach them for the best photos.

Overnight: Selva Verde Lodge (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we depart the lowlands and ascend into Costa Rica’s central highlands. A scenic drive brings us to cooler cloud forests—the realm of the legendary Resplendent Quetzal, a bucket-list species for any bird photographer. By midday, we arrive at a renowned mountain lodge in prime quetzal habitat. The afternoon is yours to relax and acclimate to the altitude while enjoying the lodge’s hummingbird feeders and gardens. You can photograph dazzling species up close here, including tiny fairy-like hummingbirds, the impressive Talamanca Hummingbird, and other endemic highland birds.

Overnight: Cabinas El Quetzal (Highlands) (B, L, D)

Today is dedicated to one of Costa Rica’s most iconic birds. At first light, we venture out with our guide to a known nesting area of the Resplendent Quetzal. With a bit of luck, you will witness and photograph the quetzal in its full glory – perhaps even capturing images as it tends to its nest cavity. This rare opportunity allows for intimate shots of the quetzal’s iridescent green plumage and long tail feathers in their natural habitat (all done responsibly and at a safe distance).

After a successful morning session, we have lunch and then head to a nearby private garden famed for its bird-friendly setup. The afternoon will be spent photographing a variety of highland bird species at close range. Likely visitors include the fiery Flame-colored Tanager, the Emerald Toucanet, the striking Silver-throated Tanager, and other colorful species attracted to the feeders and flowering plants. This controlled environment offers great lighting and backgrounds for professional-quality shots of these birds.

Overnight: Cabinas El Quetzal (B, L, D)

This morning, you have one more chance to photograph the Resplendent Quetzal at sunrise. Whether it’s revisiting the nest area or staking out a fruiting tree that quetzals feed on, we make the most of our final highland shoot. After saying goodbye to the cloud forest, we depart in the late morning and descend to the Pacific lowlands.

In the afternoon, we arrive at the coast and embark on an exciting boat safari through mangrove-lined rivers and estuaries. This boat tour offers a completely different photography experience – from the water, you’ll have excellent angles to capture waterbirds such as herons, egrets, kingfishers, and other wetland species. Keep an eye out for shorebirds working the mudflats and raptors perched in the mangrove trees. The soft, late-afternoon light over the water provides a beautiful glow for our images.

Overnight: Villa Lapas Hotel (Pacific Lowlands) (B, L, D)

On our final full day, we meet a local birding guide in the morning to explore a renowned wildlife hotspot in the Pacific lowlands (the Tárcoles/Carara region). With their expert help, we will seek out targets like the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl peering from the canopy, vibrantly colored motmots perched silently in the trees, and secretive trogons hiding in the foliage. This guided outing maximizes our chances of encountering these species (and more), providing one last batch of memorable shots.

After wrapping up our Pacific birding excursion, we travel back to San José in the afternoon. Enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner together, or spend the evening at your leisure in the city. Take time to reflect on the incredible variety of photographs you’ve captured over the past week.

Overnight: Isla Verde Hotel, San José (B, L, D)

Depending on your flight schedule, savor one last Costa Rican breakfast at the hotel this morning. We will then transfer you to Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José for your journey home. Adiós and safe travels – we hope you return with wonderful memories and a portfolio full of stunning wildlife photographs from Costa Rica!