Costa Rica | Photography in Southern Costa Rica and the Osa Peninsula

Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to the hotel. (Please schedule flights to arrive no later than 4 pm.) This evening, attend an orientation and welcome dinner at the hotel. Check-in is available starting at 3 pm.

Begin the day with early photography around the hotel grounds, and then depart for the Pacific Coast. This afternoon, take a boat ride on the Río Tárcoles. Considered one of the most important rivers in the Pacific coastal region, Tárcoles hosts an amazing diversity of wildlife along its banks, including a population of large American crocodiles. Afterward, continue to your lodge and settle in for the night.

Head south today with photo stops en route to La Cusinga Lodge, which lies hidden in the hilltops overlooking the ocean. In addition to the hundreds of acres of privately-owned primary and secondary forest, the lodge borders the Ballena Marine National Park, one of only two nationally-protected marine zones in the whole country of Costa Rica. The Bahia Ballena shoreline is the eastern (coastal) boundary of Marino Ballena National Park, the first marine park and second most visited national park of Costa Rica. It is the nexus for both the northern and southern whale migrations.

Today, check out and continue driving south to the town of Sierpe, then board a boat and travel on the Sierpe River through a mangrove ecosystem to the lodge, arriving late afternoon. (Please note: The portion of the boat transfer where the river meets the ocean can be a bit bumpy, depending on the tide.) Located on the Osa Peninsula's northwestern coast, the comfortable lodge faces tranquil Drake Bay and is surrounded by lush rainforest.

After an early breakfast, gear up for a day of photography in Corcovado National Park. Corcovado has been referred to by National Geographic as "the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity." At 164 square miles, it's the largest national park in Costa Rica, the largest primary forest on the American Pacific coastline, and one of the few remaining large areas of lowland tropical rainforest in the world. The park holds thousands of species of flora and fauna, many of which are unique to the region. (Note: Most boat trips in Corcovado involve "wet landings," i.e. disembarking in ankle- to knee-deep water, so plan to have water shoes in addition to shoes appropriate for hiking.)

The morning take a 20 minutes boat trip to beautiful, protected, and peaceful San Josecito beach, part of the Punta Rio Claro National Wildlife Refuge (Rio Claro). After a beautiful hike along the coast, past pristine beaches and tropical jungle, you will reach the river mouth. This secluded spot is perfect for a quick swim, or to just relax on the beach. From July to December, turtles come to nest on this beach and there is a small conservation project here where you can learn all about them. You can canoe, walk, or swim up-stream to a few small waterfalls. Enjoy a picnic-style lunch on the shaded picnic tables lining the shore. (Canoes are available for rent for approx. $30, paid on-site). Return to the lodge in the early afternoon. Join your guide for a guided walk near the hotel property. Scarlet Macaws, Yellow-throated (Chestnut-mandibled) Toucans, Orange-chinned Parakeets, woodpeckers and trogons are all common species in this incredibly rich, biodiverse area of the country. Look for white-faced capuchin, howler, squirrel and spider monkeys, peccaries, coatis, guatusas, tapirs, and sloths as you go deeper into the forest.

Today you'll depart the Osa and drive up to the cloud forests of the Talamanca Mountains. This afternoon, enjoy the opportunity to photograph the beautiful colors of the Fiery-throated Hummingbird. Pack a fleece and layers to be prepared for cool weather at this elevation (about 9,000 feet above sea level).

Spend the day exploring and photographing the area and looking for Resplendent Quetzals, Northern Emerald-Toucanets, Three-wattled Bellbirds, trogons, hummingbirds, tanagers, and woodpeckers, just a few of over 200 avian species that are found in the area

We take our time returning to San Jose this morning. Farewell dinner at the hotel tonight.

Transfer to the airport for flights home. Check out is at 12 pm.