Costa Rica
May 20-27, 2026
Deposit of $3097.50 due upon booking. Remainder due 120 days before departure.
A spouse who wants to tag along but not take part in the photography activities is welcome to join you for $2795
Crocodile Bay Resort
Group size: This will be a group of 8 photographers plus myselfFULL
Get ready—our 2026 Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Workshop is officially happening! We’ll be venturing to the lush, untamed Osa Peninsula, a region so rich in life that even National Geographic dubbed it “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” Bold words—but once you're surrounded by scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, and dense rainforest, you'll understand why. Honestly, that description might even fall short of the magic this place holds. What might we photograph? While wildlife is never predictable, chances are high we’ll encounter many—if not all—of the species listed below, plus a few unforgettable surprises. The Osa Peninsula is a biodiversity powerhouse, home to an astounding 2.5% of the world’s species, all packed into less than 1/1000th of 1% of Earth’s land surface. With over 463 bird species and 140 mammals, it’s basically a dreamland for wildlife photographers. Here’s just a glimpse of what could be waiting for you…
Howler Monkeys
White-Faced Monkeys
Squirrel Monkeys
Spider Monkeys
Sloths (two / three toed both live in the area)
Anteaters
Toucans
Scarlet Macaws (largest population in Central America)
Tree Frogs (various – but especially the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, possibly dart frogs as well)
Lizards / Iguanas
Parrots / Parakeets
Various Raptors (Caracaras, Common Black Hawk, Etc)
Snakes (professionally handled)
Various Songbirds (Cherry, Golden-Hooded And Blue-Grey Tanagers are right at the resort!)
Hummingbirds
Please note: The itinerary below outlines our general plan, but activities may shift depending on where the best wildlife and photo opportunities arise.
Day 1 Arrive in San Jose Costa Rica: May 20, 2026
Your adventure begins with your arrival in San José, Costa Rica—most flights land in the late afternoon or evening. You’ll spend the night at the lovely Hilton Garden Inn, a comfortable and welcoming spot to unwind after your travels. Take a dip in the pool, kick back with a drink, and settle in for a restful night before the journey really begins.
Day 2 Arrive At Crocodile Bay Resort: May 21, 2026
Here’s where the real adventure kicks off! In the morning, you’ll hop aboard a small 12-seat puddle jumper for a scenic flight—complete with jaw-dropping views that are totally worth keeping your camera ready for. After a quick lunch we will head out in the resort for a tour of the beautiful grounds.
Day 3- Today we’ll spend the day on a safari-style drive, capturing photos of monkeys, sloths, birds, and other wildlife as we make our way to the stunning Matapalo. We will stop for lunch at a charming, family-run restaurant along the way.
Day 4- We’ll travel to La Tarde, a picturesque hillside overlooking Corcovado National Park, where our guides will carefully arrange a selection of tree frogs, dart frogs, and snakes for an incredible macro photography session. This offers a safe and unique chance to observe and photograph wildlife up close—an experience rarely possible in the wild. Afterward, the guide will return each animal to its original habitat. We will have lunch there and then slowly wind our way back through the Metapalo looking for afternoon Macaws that feed on the trees.
Day 5- Today, we’ll visit a sloth garden near the town of Las Palmas, home to both two-toed and three-toed sloths. In the afternoon, we’ll gather for an editing session followed by a group image-sharing experience.
Day 6- This morning, we’ll head to the Sierpe River for an unforgettable boat tour, exploring its winding waterways in search of incredible wildlife.
Day 7- Bosque del Cabo exploration. We will spend most of the day at this lodge at the tip of the Osa Peninsula. They have trails and platforms where we can watch the wildlife from a great perspective. There are some birds there that aren’t easy to find around Botanika.
Day8- Sadly our trip must come to an end and we will be up early to head back to San Jose.
What’s Included in the Workshop:
One night’s stay at the Hilton Garden Inn (San José), plus six nights at the stunning Botanika resort
Round-trip domestic flight between San José and Puerto Jiménez
All meals and non-alcoholic beverages at Botanika
All guided excursions and national park entry fees
What’s Not Included:
Your round-trip international airfare to/from San José, Costa Rica
Any additional lodging or expenses if you choose to arrive early or extend your stay in San José
Alcoholic beverages at Botanika
Gratuities for local guides and resort staff
Excessive baggage fees over 60 pounds total.
Any meals you decide to have outside of the resort.
Physical Activity:
This photo adventure is generally low-impact and suitable for most fitness levels. Expect to walk up to 1/2-2 miles a day along trails, often in warm, humid, and occasionally wet conditions. Be sure to pack footwear and clothing suited for both rainforest paths and coastal terrain.
Skill level:
This trip is best suited for photographers who have at least some experience with their cameras and have done at least a some wildlife photography. Costa Rica is one of the most challenging locations on the planet and while I can guide you though the tough stuff, keep in mind that we do have 8 participants so it’s important that you have some experience under your belt.
Price:
The price is $6195 per person (or $5495 each for double occupancy, so bring a photography friend and save) with a 50% deposit per person due upon booking (Note, if you book within 120 days of the trip, the entire payment is required upon booking.) Maximum of 8 participants.
About the Resort
We stay in the beautiful rooms at Botanika just minutes from the airstrip. After a rewarding day in the field, you’ll return to the comfort of your air-conditioned room—a luxury not common in many eco-lodges in the region. Freshen up and enjoy a delicious dinner featuring a wide variety of options, from fresh salads and seafood to hearty sandwiches, steaks, and pastas. The kitchen is happy to accommodate any dietary preferences or restrictions. There’s also a great bar on site for those who’d like to unwind with a drink.
I understand that attending this workshop requires advance commitment, and also that things can happen in life that may force you to cancel from a workshop. Based on the cancellation date, the following apply: • Before final payment has been made: full refund of any payments made minus 3% CC fees and a $200 fee that Botanika charges us. • Once final payment has been made: No refund. I will do my best to try and fill your spot. All refunds will be made by the same method as the original payment. I reserve the right to cancel, modify, or make changes at any time due to insufficient bookings and/or any other reasons I deem valid and/or reasons beyond my control that might create unsafe or undesirable travel conditions for the participants. Since this is an international trip, I am requiring that each participant purchase a travel insurance policy. For convenience, I suggest comparing different options at insuremytrip.com, where you can review plans and choose the one that best fits your needs.