14-Day Costa Rica Expedition: Capture Essential Wonders

$0 per person

14 Days

Adventure

City tour

Costa Rica

Embark on a 14-Day Costa Rica Expedition to capture the country’s essential wonders. From the vibrant streets of San José to the tranquil coasts of Uvita, this tour offers a complete photographic journey.

Highlights of the Costa Rica Expedition

Capture the awe-inspiring diversity of Costa Rica through your lens, focusing on varied subjects such as:

Wildlife: Encounter Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity, from sloths to reptiles.
Birds: Snap the colors and forms of exotic bird species like the Scarlet Macaw.
Culture: Immerse yourself in local traditions and document the lifestyle of indigenous communities.
Macro: Discover a hidden world through macro photography, featuring everything from unique plant species to intricate insect details.
Landscape: Frame the breathtaking sceneries, from cloud forests to serene coastlines.
Astrophotography: Venture into the night to capture the cosmic wonders above Costa Rica‘s clear skies.

Your Expedition Destinations:

Your photographic journey will span several stunning regions, each offering its unique flair:

Central Valley: Experience the bustling urban life of San José and the historic charm of Cartago.
Central Pacific: Revel in the natural grandeur of Monteverde and Carara National Park.
South Pacific: Explore the tranquil Uvita and the adventurous terrains of Drake Bay and Corcovado.

Start Your Journey in San José

Begin your 14-day Costa Rica Expedition in San José, the nation’s vibrant capital. Here, you’ll discover a blend of history and modern life. Perfect for urban photography, capture the city’s essence through your lens.

Unveil the Secrets of Monteverde

Next, the tour takes you to Monteverde. This stunning Cloud Forest is one of Earth’s most pristine ecosystems. Not only does it offer wildlife photography opportunities, but it’s also a hotspot for rare plant species.

Bird Paradise at Carara National Park

From Monteverde, you’ll proceed to Carara National Park. As a globally renowned bird-watching destination, this park offers excellent opportunities for bird photography. The star attraction here is the vibrant Scarlet Macaw.

Tranquil Moments in Uvita

Then, it’s time to experience Uvita, located near Marino Ballena National Park. This peaceful coastal setting is perfect for landscape shots. Additionally, an excursion to the Boruca Aborigin Reserve adds a cultural dimension to your expedition. Here, you can document the lives and traditions of indigenous communities.

Off-the-Beaten-Path: Drake Bay and Corcovado

Your expedition takes an adventurous turn as you head to Drake Bay and Corcovado. These lesser-visited areas offer rich opportunities for both macro and wildlife photography. It’s an expedition within an expedition, adding unique layers to your Costa Rican experience.

What’s Included

Your tour includes ground transportation, guided activities, park fees, and accommodations. Most meals are covered too, allowing you to focus solely on your photography.

Book Your Adventure

So, if you’re looking for an all-encompassing photography journey, this is it. Capture everything from urban scapes to rare wildlife. Set your sights on our Costa Rica Expedition for an enriching photographic adventure.

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What to wear

Comfortable seasonal clothing and shoes
Included

Accommodation

Entrance Fees

Extras

Guide

Lunch

Meals

Photo Assistance

Transport
Not Included

Insurance

Local Flights

From our gallery

Explore the breathtaking diversity of Costa Rica, from the bustling streets of San José to the mystical cloud forests of Monteverde and the untouched wilderness of the Osa Peninsula.

Costa Rica Expedition Best Places - KeelbilledToucan

Costa Rica Expedition Best Places - Macaws Nesting

Costa Rica Expedition Best Places - Teatro Nacional

Tour Plan

Day 1: Arrival in San José

Land at Juan Santamaria International Airport and get transferred to your hotel in San José, the dynamic capital city. The evening is yours to relax, recover from your journey, or perhaps venture into the streets for some initial shots of Costa Rican urban life.

Day 2: San José Exploration

Start your day with a hearty breakfast before heading out to explore San José's bustling downtown. Capture the city's eclectic mix of old and new architecture, and feel the pulse of Costa Rican culture. After lunch, take a short drive to Cartago, where the historic Los Angeles Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop for your photography.

Day 3: Off to Monteverde

After breakfast, leave the urban environment behind as you head towards Monteverde. Arrive by mid-morning and spend the day photographing the ethereal cloud forests at the Selvatura Hanging Bridges, capturing the mist, flora, and fauna in your lens.

Day 4: Wonders of Monteverde

Begin your day with a visit to the Curi-cancha private reserve for bird photography. Capture images of exotic birds in their natural habitat. After lunch, spend your afternoon visiting the Selvatura Herpetarium, Butterfly Garden, and Sloth Sanctuary. As darkness falls, engage in night macro photography at the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge.

Day 5: Journey to Carara National Park

After breakfast, make your way to the Carara National Park. Spend your day hiking through the unique transition forest, pausing to photograph its diverse inhabitants. After a day of exploration, take some time in the evening for macro photography of the park's smaller wonders.

Day 6: The Wildlife of Carara

Fuel up with breakfast before heading to the hills of Bijagual for a session of landscape and wildlife photography. Follow this with a boat tour on the Tarcoles River, where you'll have the opportunity to photograph crocodiles, water birds, and other animals in their natural habitat.

Day 7: Tranquility in Uvita by Marino Ballena National Park

After breakfast, drive to Uvita, a haven of tranquility. Check into your hotel and then head out to photograph the lush surroundings of the Marino Ballena National Park.

Day 8: Cultural Immersion in Uvita

Today is dedicated to cultural photography. Visit the Boruca Aborigin Reserve and delve deep into Costa Rican indigenous culture, capturing portraits, artifacts, and historical landmarks.

Day 9: La Palma & Corcovado National Park

Set off for La Palma after breakfast. Your first stop will be La Peric Sloth Garden, where you can capture these adorable creatures in various poses.

Day 10: Adventure in Corcovado

Embark on a full-day tour to Los Patos Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park. Photograph the rich biodiversity of one of the world's most biologically diverse places.

Day 11: Unwind at Drake Bay

Leave La Palma for Drake Bay. After check-in, take part in an evening macro night walk, capturing the nocturnal creatures of the region.

Day 12: Aquatic Life in Drake Bay

Take a whale and dolphin watching tour in the morning, an excellent opportunity to photograph these magnificent creatures. The afternoon is free for you to relax or review your photos.

Day 13: Farewell to Costa Rica

Return to San José for your final evening. Check into your hotel and later gather for a farewell dinner where you can share your favorite moments and photos from the trip.

Day 14: Departure

After a final breakfast, you’ll be transported to the international airport for your journey home.

Tour Location

Discovering Costa Rica: A Journey Through Its Geographic and Cultural Wonders

The Allure of the Central Valley: San José & Cartago

In the heart of Costa Rica lies the Central Valley, a plateau cocooned by surrounding mountain ranges. At an elevation of around 1,200 meters, this valley offers a temperate respite from the tropical heat of the coasts. As I wandered through San José, Costa Rica’s bustling capital, I couldn’t help but marvel at its seamless blend of modernity and tradition. Office buildings coexist with neoclassical theaters, while street vendors sell both international cuisines and local favorites like 'gallo pinto'. But what most don’t know is that Cartago, not San José, was the original capital until 1823. The echoes of the past are palpable as you walk through its cobbled streets. The stunning Los Angeles Cathedral, with its intricate architecture, is a testament to the city's deep-rooted history. It's also hard to ignore the region’s agrarian backbone, with coffee plantations scattered across the fertile soil of the valley.

Monteverde & Carara National Park: Where the Clouds Touch the Earth

Journeying towards the Central Pacific Highlands, the altitude climbs up to 1,800 meters in Monteverde. Here, the cloud forests bring a mystical feel to the landscape, creating a sanctuary for an incredible array of biodiversity. The clouds that sweep low across the canopy keep the forest consistently damp, making it a haven for over 2,500 plant species, 400 bird species, and numerous other animals. A couple of hours away, Carara National Park provides a striking contrast. Situated in the lowlands, Carara is a transitional forest that marries elements of tropical dry forest and humid Pacific rainforest. Named "River of Lizards" in the indigenous Huetar language, Carara is a birdwatcher's paradise, especially known for its population of Scarlet Macaws.

The Hidden Treasures of the South Pacific: Uvita, Drake Bay & Corcovado

Further down the coast, Uvita offers a slower pace of life. This coastal village is not just another beach destination; it's part of the Marino Ballena National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in the country. The Whale Tail-shaped beach here is a natural marvel and a perfect spot for some relaxation. Pushing even further south, you arrive at the Osa Peninsula, home to Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park. Often cited as one of the most biologically intense places on Earth, the peninsula is a treasure trove of biodiversity. Drake Bay offers not just incredible flora and fauna but also a dip into history—it was named after Sir Francis Drake, the 16th-century English sea captain. Whether it's the urban sprawl of San José, the mystical cloud forests of Monteverde, or the untouched wilderness of the Osa Peninsula, each location provides a unique lens to experience Costa Rica. So why limit yourself? Discover the geographic and cultural diversity that this beautiful country has to offer, and make your own Costa Rican expedition a journey to remember.