Wild Costa Rica

Upon arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (SJO), you will be met by Gustavo and transfer to the Buena Vista Hotel, where you have the rest of the day to enjoy the wonderful gardens of the property.

Nature Guide and Photographer: Gustavo Orozco

This morning we drive towards San Ramon, a beautiful cloud forest is waiting for us. Home of many species of Hummingbirds, today we are going to dedicate time to photograph these amazing birds. We will explore shooting hummers in natural light with gorgeous backdrops, besides hummers, we will also get a great chance to photograph several species of tanagers. Afternoon drive to La Fortuna home to one of Costa Rica’s most iconic landscapes. This region is a dream destination for
photographers, offering a diverse range of subjects, from volcanic peaks to lush rainforests.       

Today we’ll spend a full day exploring the gardens and grounds of the lodge as well as delving into the forest surrounding the lodge.

Morning drive to Caño Negro national park, one of the most important wetlands in Central America and home of some of the most endangered species of this part of the world, such as the Jabiru Stork.

Today we’ll spend a full day exploring the Caño Negro by boat. Since it is hard to access the area otherwise, we have arranged two boat river safaris to increase our chance to photograph rare species and increase our keeper rate on even common species. Kingfisher paradise, Caño Negro offers 6 of the 6 only possible species for the western hemisphere. Herons, Egrets, Caimans, Otters, and Monkeys are just some of the impressive wild animals we can encounter while cruising in our comfortable boat on the river system of the park.

Morning drive to Laguna Lagarto Lodge near the border of Nicaragua. This Ramsar wetland in hope of several species of Parrots, incredible hummingbids, Toucans and Tanagers, the lodge has been design for photographers, and we will feel in the heavens on the ground of the hotel.

Morning to visit the Volture hide in hopes of getting the best images possible of your majesty, the King Volture. Without a doubt one of the most beautiful birds in the area and perhaps the most beautiful of all scavengers. Afternoon visit to Jardin de Adolfo in search of Tangers and Hummingbirds.

Today we drive south to the area of Sarapiqui still in the Eastern Slope area and our next accommodation. We will spend the morning until check out in the hotel.

Today we are going to concentrate on rare hummers as well as other tropical species of birds and hopefully incorporate some species of Owls to the list.

Today we head towards the Cerro de la Muerte highland forest in the mountains of the Talamanca Cordillera. The highlands of Costa Rica and far Western Panama are mountains the only significant mountain between Guatemala and the Colombian Andes. These mountains harbor the most significant number of endemic species of flora and fauna of southern Central America. Afternoon multiflash session with highland hummingbirds.

This morning we are on our Quetzal quest. One of the most iconic birds of our highlands and described by many as one of the most beautiful birds on the planet. Revered by Aztecs and Mayans, the word Quetzal means perfect and pretty in Nahuatlh the language of the Aztecs.

This morning we start the drive back to San José and the Hotel Bougainvillea We’ll certainly have a lot of recently made memories to talk about on the way home!

Transfer to airport: You should plan to arrive at the airport three hours before your flight.