The Essence Of Costa Rica Photography Tour/Workshop May 2014
Costa Rica Tropical Photography Tour MAY 29, 2014 thru June 6, 2014 (8 nights and 9 days!)
(Meals included where indicated B-L-D
The Essence of Costa Rica
Day1/ (Thursday /May 29th) Airport arrival to Costa Rica/Caribbean Lowlands.
After your arrival in San Jose,Costa Rica we will drive to the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica where our first lodge is located. We are planning on getting there before dark so you can get acquainted with the area. That evening after dinner Don and Juan will review the itinerary and address your questions so that you will maximize your photo opportunities. D
Day2/ (Friday/May 30th) Caribbean Lowlands
At sunrise we begin our adventures to take pictures of tanagers, aracaris and oropendolas. We will return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast we will search for black-and-green and blue-jeans poison frogs in the lodge gardens. Don and Juan will show you how you can best photograph these amazing creatures in a natural-looking setting. After a break for lunch, we will continue our macro photography while shooting frogs and flowers, or you may just explore the lodge trail along the river on your own. Howler monkeys visit the trees around the gardens, so keep an eye open for them! B-L-D
Day3/ (Saturday/May 31th) Caribbean Lowlands
After breakfast we will leave the lodge to visit a near-by macaw sanctuary. There we will have many opportunities to photograph scarlet and great-green macaws perched, as well as in flight. We will return to the lodge in the afternoon with options for macro or relaxing on your own. B-L-D
Day4/ (Sunday /June 1st) Arenal Volcano & Surrounding Area
Early in the morning, we will pursue some highly sought after avian species. Then we pack, as we head to the next exciting destination heading to the northern plains of Costa Rica, where a beautiful rain forest awaits us. In fact we are staying at the lodge with the best vista of the Arenal Volcano! On the way, we will make a stop at a location that is well known for its many green iguanas. We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon before dark. We’ll have a fabulous dinner, and enjoy a star filled sky. B-L-D
Day5/ (Monday /June 2nd) Arenal Volcano &Surrounding Area
After a hearty breakfast, we will travel to our next exciting shooting place. Today we are visiting perhaps the best serpentarium in Costa Rica. Juan has a friend there who is known to handle deadly snakes like no one else in the country! There you will have a full day of snake and frog photography. Since we will be shooting in a covered facility, weather is not an issue. Here we will have two separate stations for snake and frog macro photography. B-L-D
Day6/ (Tuesday/June 3rd) Talamanca Mountain Range
After breakfast we leave the northern plains to go to the highest mountain range in Costa Rica. This is an area rich in biodiversity and endemism. We plan on arriving at our lodge just in time for lunch. B-L-D
Day7/ (Wednesday/June 4th) Talamanca Mountain Range
After a quick cup of coffee or tea, we will begin our search of the resplendent quetzal. We will then return to the lodge to have a well-deserved breakfast. You will have numerous opportunities for additional photography of other species after lunch. B-L-D
Day8/ (Thursday/June 5th) Talamanca Mountain Range
After a cup of coffee or tea, we will again search for the resplendent quetzal, then return to our lodge for a much deserved breakfast. We then turn our attention to photographing the beautiful river close to the lodge, as well as reviewing our images from the morning. After lunch, we will drive to a near-by garden where several beautiful bird species reside. B-L-D
Day9/ (Friday/June 6th) Departure for Airport
Today we will squeeze out some last minute images prior to breakfast, and then depart for the airport.
Because of the varied micro-climates in Costa Rica and the diversity of places we will visit, we advise you to bring light clothing for the humid-low lands and a jacket for the low-temperatures of cloud & oak forest where our lodges are located. It is also advisable to bring mosquito repellent, and sunscreen, and please let us know if you have a special diet that we should know about.
Trip Details & Terms:
Please be advised that Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. It is very reasonable and includes medical evacuation, airline delays, and lost luggage protection.
A few choices might be:
TravelGuard, http://www.travelguard.com/quickquote/?cmpid=kac-001-IO-Google-8930216&gclid or http://www.travelinsure.com/what/selecthigh.asp?32940
This photographytour/photography workshop includes all lodging, all transportation within Costa Rica, and meals where indicated. All meals at the chosen lodging include a local beverage, example water or juice. Airline travel, phone calls, and any other personal expenses are not covered. Any additional items, such as beer, wine, soft drinks, additional beverages, and laundry will be charged to your room, and you will be responsible for paying the lodge directly. Tips are encouraged if you feel that our associates/driver delivered an exceptional experience and service.
This workshop has a four-person required minimum, and an eight person max at this fee structure of $2995 US dollars per person payable prior to your departure.
For PHOTOGRAPHER OR GUEST, a $ 500.00 dollar deposit is required to ensure a place on this tour. This deposit is refundable in the event of your cancellation IF you personally are able to fill your position with another participant. THE FIRST HALF OF THE BALANCE IS DUE BY Feb 28th AND THE FINAL BALANCE IS DUE BY April 15th 2014.
The above-stated costs apply to double room accommodations. There is an additional cost of $400.00 if a single room supplement is required.
The above-stated cost does not include airfare or airport taxes ($29 dollars) .
Travel Logistics: My previous trips have departed Miami via American Airlines, for a nonstop mid- morning departing flight. Having spent ten years of my youth in Venezuela; I am fluent in Spanish. Therefore I would also suggest a group departure from Miami, as I could assist with translation upon our arrival in Costa Rica. We also encourage an early arrival to Costa Rica; perhaps the day or evening before. We can assist in booking you a room at the Bougainvillea Hotel {fabulous Gardens} or a similar hotel near the airport. This would be at your expense and not included in the price of the above outlined tour.
After a deposit is received, I’ll email a suggested equipment/gear list.
Feel free to email me with questions at flyinghamiltons@comcast.net,or call me at 561-212-7358 or Juan Carlos at (506)88461695 , jcvpictures@gmail.com.