Costa Rica Photo Tour Itinerary - March 3rd to 13th, 2025

Day One: Monday, March 3rd, 2025  Evening coach departure offered from London to Toronto with 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 Avianca 10:55 p.m overnight to San Jose International Airport at 9:30 a.m. (flight times subject to change)

Day Two: Tuesday, March 4th, 2025  San Jose International Airport arrival 9:30 a.m. 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 make a stop for breakfast before continuing to the Central Pacific Coast to the region of Carara National Park. Our driving distance today will be apporximately 4 hours. Mid afternoon we will check into our lodge Hotel Cerro Lodge giving us time to explore, first birding opportunites 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. (D)

Day Three: Wednesday, March 5th, 2025  Breakfast. A day of birds and water adventure, we are excited to present this tour to our 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 nights (B) (D)

Day Four: Thursday, March 6th, 2025  Breakfast, this morning we wlll check-out and travel to La Fortuna which is approximately 3 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. After lunch we will continue to Los Lagos our lodge for the next two nights. Los Lagos is located 6 km from Fortuna de San Carlos, on the road to the Arenal volcano. Our hotel provides room service, bar, spa, conference room, laundry service, gift shop, restaurant, Jacuzzi, 2 pools trails, and sauna. Among the offered activities are horse back riding, crocodile observation, and bird canopy. We will check in mid afternoon and have time for photography and exploring before this evenings dinner. 2 nights at Hotel Los Lagos. (B) (D)

Day Five: Friday, March 7th, 2025  Breakfast at our lodge then depart for Arenal Obsevartory Lodge for a day of photography and exploring the region around the volaco. We will have access to the oberservation deck. The Observartory 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. We will visit and photograph on some of the 11 kilomoters or seven miles of well-marked trail system traverses the property and provides safe, easy access to breathtaking natural beauty. A paved trail, wheelchair accessible, extends 800 meters into the rainforest allowing excellent views of the volcano and primary forest. This trail is perfect for a short night hike to immerse yourself in the exotic sounds and smells of the jungle. We will be having lunch at El Jiguero restaurant locted at the Obsevartory Lodge. Mid afternon we will return to Los Lagos for time to relax and freshen up before dinner. 2nd night at Hotel Los Lagos.  (B) (L) (D)

Day Six: Saturday, March 8th, 2025 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 two nights. Laguna del Lagarto Lodge (B) (D)

Day Seven: Sunday, March 9th, 2025  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 Eight: Monday, March 10th, 2025  Breakfast and begin our drive to San Gerado de Dota in the cloudforest. We will arrive at our lodge early afternoon stopping for photography and lunch along the way. The property 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 are made of reforested cypress wood from the property, some cabins have a view of the forest or the lake. 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 Sueños del Bosque Lodge (B) (D)

Day Nine: Tuesday, March 11th, 2025  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 Sueños del Bosque Lodge (B) (L) (D)

Day Ten: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025  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: Thursday, March 13th, 2025 Breakfast, then check-out and travel back to Juan Santamaría International Airport for our return flight to Canada. Our 10:25 a.m. flight will see us arrving back in Toronto around 10:30 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 in London by 12:15 a.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 three weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and hand out all related travel documents. The pre-tour 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. The tentative date for our information night is Monday February 10th, 2025.

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Costa Rica Registration  Contact Us  Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy

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The cost of our Costa Rica Photo Tour Departing from Toronto is $5305.00 per person CAD based on double occupancy including airfare departing from Pearson International Toronto, plus air tax of $295.59 CAD plus HST $9.33. Single supplement available for an additional $975.00 CAD.

A non-refundable deposit of $550.00 due at time of booking. The balance is due 60 days prior to our departure January 4, 2025. We recommend the purchase of travel and health insurance as this tour takes us out of the country.

You may also choose to pay over 12 monthy payments through our Uplift finance program estimate -  $405.00 per month. You select 12 month payment option under the payment section 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 13th, 2025

Includes:

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

- Round Trip Airfare via Avianca Airlines, 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

- Birds of Prey Excursion

- 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,

- Costa Rica exit taxes $29 USD

- Alcoholic beverages

** Schedule may vary according to weather or traffic

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

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