Costa Rica Photo Tour Itinerary - March 20th to 30th, 2026

Day One: Friday, March 20th, 2026  Coach departure at 1:00 p.m. offered from London Airport pic-up outside departure doors to Toronto. We are offering pick ups upon request along the 401 corridor enroute to the airport. Toronto and area guests will meet at Pearson International. We are flying from Terminal 1 via Air Canada with a 6:00 p.m.departure to San Jose International Airport arriving at 9:25 p.m. (flight times subject to change) After clearing customs and immigration, we will be met by local representative who will assist with luggage claims and transfer to our coach and guide who will be waiting in the arrivals greeting area. Departing the airport we will take a twenty minute dirve to our hotel. Overnight Hotel Bougainvillea. (D)

Day Two: Saturday, March 21st, 2026 Breakfast, check-out and begin our drive to Boca Tapada, San Carlos to stay and experience Laguna del Lagarto Lodge. Our lodge offers a genuine contact with nature offering up many photo opportunites, the exuberant trails in the tropical rain forest allows for a direct access to nature. 150 species of trees, monkeys, caimans, coatis, red frogs and the symphony of 350 species of birds – the most wanted dream of bird watchers and photographers are all part of this experience. Laguna del Lagarto Lodge comprises 500 protected hectares that can be toured in different ways, by foot, by horse or by boat, and each trip will leave you with a great impression. We have specially located platforms to take pictures at a strategic distance of no more than four meters. We will be staying at the lodge for the next two nights. Laguna del Lagarto Lodge (B) (D)

Day Three: Sunday, March 22nd, 2026  Breakfast. Morning, time for deck photography at Laguna del Lagarto, in fact we recommed you come up to the deck before breakfast to observe and photograph the string of colourful birds that arrive at obervation deck. We will continue with our second day at the lodge. Exuberant trails in the tropical rainforest allow for direct access to nature. 150 species of trees, monkeys, caimans, coatis, red frogs, and the symphony of 350 species of birds, there will be opportunities to sign up for the vulture blind or a close-up photogarphy with reptiles and frogs and other exotic bird afternoon treks. 2nd night at Laguna del Lagarto Lodge (B) (L) (D)

Day Four: Monday, March 23rd, 2026  Breakfast, check-out and travel to La Fortuna which is approximately 2.5 hours. We will have seval photo stops enroute including keeping a watchful eye for sloths. Today we are headed to the volcanic region of Arenal. We are travelling to Arenal Observatory Lodge for the next two nights. The Observatory Lodge offers visitors a rare opportunity to view one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The property was originally built as a research station for scientists of the Smithsonian Institute and Earthwatch. The rich volcanic soil supports primary and secondary rainforest teeming with birds, butterflies, mammals and reptiles. Howler monkeys call from the forest every morning and late afternoon. Some of the activities available for guests are: Birding: Over 400 species of birds have been spotted in the area around the Arenal Observatory Lodge. Well–marked, well-groomed trails through primary forest, open pasture land, secondary forest and hardened lava flows offer numerous habitats and birding opportunities. Some of the more spectacular local residents include Three-wattled Bellbirds, Fasciated Tiger-Herons, Sunbitterns, Laughing Falcons, Red-lored Parrots, Great Curassows, Northern Jacanas, Steely-vented Hummingbirds and Keel-billed Toucans. Waterfall Trail: This is one of the most popular trails at Arenal Observatory Lodge. A short, relatively easy walk from the lodge (20 minutes), the trail ends at the base of a 20-foot waterfall. Duration: 1 hour roundtrip approximate. Depending on the weather either tonight or tomorrow night we will hold a night shoot, keeping a look out for owls and frogs. 2 nights Arenal Observatory Lodge. (B) (D)

Day Five: Tuesday, March 24th, 2026  Breakfast at the main lodge and both before and after breakfeast a chance to photograh the birds from the lodge observation deck as they come in for moring feeding. During the day we will have photography actitivy on Arenal Observatory property and surroundings with over 350 hectares of natural reserve. We will have opportuity to explore over 11 km of trails with plenty of birdwatching opportunites. You can visit "The Nest" observation towers to explore the forest canopy or vist the Danta waterfall and hangbridges. After dinner our second opportunity if not successful the night before for our night shoot. Again keeping a look out for owls and frogs. Our second night at Arenal Observatory Lodge. (B) (D)

Day Six: Wednesday, March 25th, 2026  After breakfast we will check-out and drive to Carara. Our driving distance today will be apporximately three hours and thrity minutes. Early afternoon we will check into our lodge Hotel Cerro Lodge giving us time to explore. Our frst birding opportunite then time to relax before dinner which will be at our lodge. Cerro Lodge is an environmentally friendly project located on a farm in Tarcoles (central pacific) just 10 minutes from Carara National Park. Our lodge is in the middle of one of the most important refuges for the Scarlet Macaw; we often see these spectacular red, blue, and yellow parrots as they fly through the valley at Cerro Lodge. Surrounded by trees, palms, gardens, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, mangrove forests, and Carara National Park. One of the principal goals of Cerro Lodge is to operate environmentally friendly. Hotel Cerro Lodge 2 nights. (B) (D)

Day Seven: Thursday, March 26th, 2026  Breakfast followed by a day of birds and water adventure. We are pleased to offer this new opportunity to our tour itinerary. This morning we will dirve to Orotina and spend time with Alvaro, a well know birder and naturalist in this region. We will spend time with Alvaro photographing many bird opportunities at the feeders and surrounding woodlands. After lunch we will drive to the coast where we will me our boat that will take the group out to find birds of prey. This tour will offer up some great birds of prey in flight opportunities, marine life, sea scapes and sunset opportunities. This evening we will returm our Lodge freshen up and dinner. Hotel Cerro Lodge 2nd night (B) (D)

Day Eight: Friday, March 27th, 2026  Breakfast and begin our drive to San Gerado de Dota in the cloudforest. We will arrive at our lodge late afternoon stopping for photography and lunch along the way. Savegere Hotel is a private reserve with more than 50 hectares of primary and secondary forest. The beautiful gardens have flowers from the area and attract a large number of birds, great for photography and seeing different species we have not experienced during the first part of our tour.
All the cabins have unique views of the property and are located on different tiers of the property. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes with fresh products from the area, supporting small producers. Birding and hiking trails are locted on the property. 2 nights at Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve (B) (D)

Day Nine: Saturday, March 28th, 2026  Photographing the Quetzals ... since we have an early morning start will have breakfast at Quetztal Lodge. We will drive to Pariaiso Quetztal Lodge and have a couple of hours this morning to photograph the Quetzal as they begin their morning feedings and nesting areas. We will be met at the park by a Quetzal birding guide. After a lunch at the lodge we will travel to Batsú gardens for more birding opportunites this afternoon. The name Batsú means small bird, and is used especially for hummingbirds. At the Batsú Gardens every detail has been intentionally designed for birding and bird photography. The property combines all the necessary ingredients resulting in a site where you can comfortably observe and photograph birds while adding new species to your life list. The Batsú Gardens have natural feeders to attract birds and a short private trail leading through the primary oak forest. This combination of habitats allows to see a large number of species. Dinner this eveing at Alma de Arbo Restaurant in Batsu Gardens. Return to our lodge. 2nd night at Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve (B) (L) (D)

Day Ten: Sunday, March 29th, 2026  Breakfast. Check-out and begin our drive back to San Jose. We leave the mountain region heading to our last lodge the Hotel Bougainvilea. We will stop for lunch along the way. After check in we will have time to walk the tropical gardens; full of trees, plants, flowers and bushes, they are particularly attractive to birds: hummingbirds, blue crowned motmots, palm tanagers, tropical kingbirds, boat-billed flycatchers are often observed. All just a few step outide the doors of our hotel. One night Mountain view room Hotel Bougainvillea. (B) (D)

Day Eleven: Monday March 30th, 2025 Breakfast, then check-out and travel back to Juan Santamaría International Airport San Jose for our return flight to Canada. Our 7:55 a.m. direct Air Canada flight will see us arrving back in Toronto around 3:15 p.m. (please note flight times are due to change) We will say good-bye to our GTA and transfering guests and board our coach for our return drive to London dropping off any guests with prearranged drop offs. We should arrive back at our drop off point London Airport by 6:00 p.m. (B)

Costa Rica has an annual temperature range of 21C (70F) to 27C (81F), the cooler months of the year are November thru February, and March getting warmer as they move into April thus making this a great time to visit this part of Central America as this is considered the dry season. Please keep in mind that rain forests are humid and sometimes misty, making it important to bring the proper foot ware and covers for your photo equipment.

Pre-tour Information Night:  As with all our photo tours, we will hold a photo information night approximately two to threes weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and review all related travel documents. The pre-tour zoom presentation is designed to give our photographers all the information needed for our trek. This also allows a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers, and host. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costa Rica Registration  Contact Us  Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cost of our Costa Rica Photo Tour Departing from Toronto is $6889.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including Air Canada airfare departing from Pearson International Toronto, plus air tax of $376.29 CAD plus $19.41 HST. Single supplement available for an additional $1725.00 CAD.

A non-refundable deposit of $550.00 is due at time of booking. The balance 60 days prior to our departure January 20, 2026.

You may also choose to pay over 12 monthy payments through our Uplift finance program estimate -  $490.00 per month. You select 12 month payment option under the payment section during registration.

You also may choose the option to have the balance divided out and automatically charged to your credit card.  These options can be selected during registration.

Photo Tour Trekkers and Tourcan Vacations recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended. Please note your passport expiry date must be valid for 6 months past our return date of March 30th, 2026.

Includes:

- Round trip coach for departures from London and points along the 401 corridor to Pearson Airport

- Round Trip Airfare direct with Air Canada, departing from Toronto other airports available upon request

- Accommodations during our tour

- Hotel and Lodge taxes

- All airport and hotel transfers

- Breakfast included each day

- Lunch and Dinner as per the itinerary

- Air conditioned motor coach and driver

- Bottled water each day of the tour

- Admissions to Wildlife parks

- Alvaro Morning Birding Experience

- Birds of Prey Excursion

- Batsú Gardens and Hummingbirds

- English speaking guides

- Private Services

- Photo Workshops

- Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

Excludes:

- Items of a personal nature, laundry, phone calls, etc.

- Local guide tips and gratuities,

- Alcoholic beverages

** Schedule may vary according to weather or traffic

** Policy dose not allow us to do residental pickup.

          --------------------------------------------------------------------------