These expeditions to the tropical rainforests and cloud forests of Costa Rica under Adrian’s professional tuition provide unrivaled opportunities to bring home photographs of a host of exotic animals including hummingbirds, poison-arrow frogs, the resplendent quetzal, troops of raucous howler monkeys and the three-toed sloth. Each exciting destination was carefully chosen by Adrian himself based on the 17 years he has spent living and photographing in Costa Rica.

Adrian works closely with the photo group throughout each day, applying his many years of experience as both a photographer and teacher. In addition to providing constant feedback and advice, Adrian is also a strong believer in allowing photographers to apply the knowledge they already have and experiment with their own ideas.

Tour Leader: Adrian Hepworth

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Costa Rica. Meet our representative at the Juan Santa maría International Airport and transfer to your hotel near the capital city of San José, where Global Photography Tours tour leader Adrian Hepworth will be awaiting your arrival. Those who arrive early can take the afternoon to photograph with Adrian the beautiful orchids and other tropical flowers in the hotel's expansive tropical gardens. There is also free wireless Internet throughout the grounds and in the rooms available.

Night 1 at Hotel Bouganvilla.

Day 2

This morning will receive a private, one-hour land transfer that heads north through picturesque green pastures and coffee plantations to a valley of highland rainforest between the Poás and Barva volcanoes. The grounds at Peace Lodge offer an exciting and varied start to our trip: numerous hummingbird species visit hanging feeders surrounded by a wealth of tropical flowering plants; a gigantic aviary contains free-flying local birds that have been rescued from private collectors; a series of rainforest waterfalls flow through the grounds and indoor frog and butterfly gardens contain a colorful array of native species. Each hotel room has its own Jacuzzi tub to help you relax before dinner.

Night 2 at Hotel Bouganvilla.

Day 3

After an early breakfast we will take a  road trip up to Poás Volcano, which has one of the widest active craters in the world (1.3km).  A paved road leads from the parking lot and visitors center to a nearby observation area above the crater, where there is plenty of space for tripods.  Usually by mid-morning mist from the surrounding cloud forest will begin to drift across this breathtaking view, at which time we shall begin our return journey to Peace Lodge. We will spend the afternoon in Waterfall Gardens photographing more of the numerous subjects that these grounds offer.

Night 3 at Hotel Bouganvilla.

Day 4

This morning we check out of Hotel Bouganvilla and travel east to a new area of Costa Rica: the Caribbean lowlands of Sarapiquí.  Our hotel for the next two nights will be Selva Verde Lodge, which sits in an area of protected rainforest close to the town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí.  Just meters from your room we will find both the green and black and the ‘blue jeans’ species of poison arrow frogs in their natural habitats on the forest floor.  A host of birds such as trogons, hummingbirds and toucans can also be spotted from the trails around the hotel and a complimentary night tour is available with a local guide for those who wish to photograph a Caribbean jungle at night. 

Night 4 at Selva Verde Lodge.

Day 5

We shall spend most of this day at the world-famous La Selva Biological Station, a mere 25 minute drive from Selva Verde Lodge.  Leaf-cutter ants, collared peccaries, huge golden orb spiders, ‘blue jeans’ poison arrow frogs, toucans, crested guans, tanagers, oropendulas and hummingbirds are extremely common around the well-maintained gardens and trails of this rainforest reserve.  Other animals that can often be spotted include iguanas, sloths, trogons, motmots, the great curassow, snakes, monkeys, coati mundis and tayras. 

A specialist guide from the reserve accompanies us during both our morning and afternoon strolls to give us an up-to-date account of where certain animals have been sighted.  Lunch is on-site. We return to Selva Verde Lodge to in the mid to late afternoon to continue photographing or simply relax in the swimming pool or a comfy hammock. 

Night 5 at Selva Verde Lodge.

Day 6

Our destination this morning is the third distinct ecosystem of our trip: the freshwater canals of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast.  A 3-hour drive followed by a 1-hour boat trip will deliver us to the boardwalk of the Tortuga Lodge hotel in Tortuguero.  On the canal we typically see a crocodile or two, herons, anhingas, roseate spoonbills, iguanas and basilisks. 

The evening offers us two exciting options to choose from: we can join a guided tour to see a green turtle laying eggs on Tortuguero beach (non-photographic and July to October only) or search the hotel gardens for insects and snakes. 

Night 6 at Tortuga Lodge.

Day 7

In our own private boat, we have 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon to explore the canals that meander through the dense, primary rainforest of Tortuguero National Park.  Caimans, monkeys, toucans, kingfishers, tiger herons, basilisks, otters and river turtles are usually encountered and can be photographed if approached slowly.  Many other animals such as sloths, bats, snakes and hawks can also sometimes be found in the vegetation overhanging the water and green macaws, ospreys and manatees are occasionally glimpsed. Lunch will be taken in Tortuga Lodge between boat outings.

With a little luck, a stroll along the beach in the late afternoon will provide the opportunity to photograph green turtle hatchlings scurrying down to the surf (July to October only).

After dinner, either of the previous night’s optional activities can be selected. 

Night 7 at Tortuga Lodge.

Day 8

This morning, after an early breakfast, we will take a 30-minute flight from Tortuguero back to San José with superb views of the Caribbean coastline, Braulio Carrillo National Park and Turrialba and Irazú Volcanoes.  Once we land at San José’s domestic airport you will then be transferred to the Juan Santamaría International Airport for your homeward journey.