Description
Who is This Tour For?
- Bougainvillea Hotel – Alajuela
Great gardens and urban birding 45 mins from airport. - Savegre Lodge – San Gerardo de Dota
Resplendent Quetzal, endemic hummingbirds, oak forest at 2200 m. - Selva Verde Lodge – Sarapiquí
Lowland rainforest, Great Green Macaw, tropical frogs & mammals. - Laguna Lagarto Lodge – Boca Tapada
King Vulture hide, toucans, bat photography, multi-flash hummingbirds. - Caño Negro – Wetlands Exploration
Boat photo sessions for herons, kingfishers, Jabiru Stork, and sunsets. - Arenal Observatory Lodge
Volcano backdrop, tanagers, motmots, curassow in garden trails. - Buena Vista Chic Hotel – Central ValleyCoffee field views, comfort, and great closure to the trip near SJO.
- Full-time bilingual photography expert guide
- All meals at select lodges and restaurants
- Airport pick-up & drop-off
- Multi-flash sessions & photo hide access
- Boat tours & macro photography opportunities
- 24/7 support during your journey
- Visit 7 iconic bird photography locations
- Capture seasonal specialties like Royal Flycatcher & Agami Heron
- Access multi-flash sessions, photo hides & boat tours
- Led by local bird photographer Carlos Luis Jiménez Cruz
Day 1: Arrival – Bougainvillea Hotel
- Garden birding and warm-up photography
- Lodging: Bougainvillea Hotel
Days 2–3: Highlands – Savegre Lodge
- Target: Resplendent Quetzal, Flame-colored Tanager, hummingbirds
- Elevation: ~7000 ft / 2200 m
- Lodging: Savegre Lodge
Days 4–5: Sarapiquí – Selva Verde Lodge
- Lowland rainforest photography
- Great Green Macaw, tropical wildlife
- Lodging: Selva Verde Lodge
Days 6–7: Boca Tapada – Laguna Lagarto Lodge
- King Vulture hide access
- Multi-flash hummingbird & bat sessions
- Lodging: Laguna Lagarto Lodge
Days 8–9: Caño Negro Wetlands – Natural Lodge
- Sunrise/sunset boat tours
- Jabiru, herons, kingfishers, hawks
- Lodging: Natural Lodge
Day 10: Arenal Volcano – Observatory Lodge
- Garden birding, scenic volcano shots
- Lodging: Arenal Observatory Lodge
Day 11: Buena Vista Chic Hotel – Alajuela
- Coffee views, landscape photography
- Perfect base for departure
- Lodging: Buena Vista Chic Hotel
Day 12: Departure
- Private transfer to SJO Airport
Why Ave Nativa?
- Photo-first approach
- Handpicked lodges with birding infrastructure
- Seasonal planning for key targets
- Personalized support before, during & after
Contact us
FAQ – Costa Rica Bird Photography Tour
1. What type of photographers will benefit most from this tour?
This tour is ideal for both professional and amateur photographers seeking to capture unique images of birds in their natural habitats. It includes access to hides, multi-flash setups, and carefully selected shooting environments.
2. Does the tour include special photo sessions like multi-flash or bird hides?
Yes. The tour includes multi-flash sessions for hummingbirds and bats, as well as access to photo hides for species like the King Vulture and other tropical birds.
3. What is the best time of year for this photography tour in Costa Rica?
While the tour can be done year-round, the best months are typically September through December, when feeder activity is high and many species are more visible. Some key targets like the Quetzal and Royal Flycatcher have seasonal patterns.
4. What photography gear is recommended for this tour?
A telephoto lens (300mm to 600mm), DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod, external flashes (especially for multi-flash sessions), and waterproof protection for gear are strongly recommended.
5. Is this tour only for bird photography?
While the main focus is bird photography, you’ll also have opportunities to photograph landscapes, reptiles, mammals, insects, and dramatic scenes like wetland sunrises and the Arenal Volcano.
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