Costa Rica bird photography lodges recommendations

[tariktik]

Since this is the Birds forum, I thought that this is where I can get some suggestions from members who had been or currently resides in Costa Rica.... but, please move or delete this post if this is not the appropriate forum. I am planning to do a short (around 7 days) photography trip to Costa Rica sometime in May through July (I've heard it will be somewhat rainy but would love to hear your opinions on these months too ). My wife will be joining me and we are planning to do the trip on our own and not join tours (not in our budget right now). What lodges have photography setups would you recommend? I don't have a specific ecosystem in mind yet but will plan my trip based on recommendations. Probably trying to visit 2 or 3 ecosystems in a week's time. I'll also probably hire local guides, if needed. Thanks in advance.

 

[joayne]

I have been to Costa Rice and had a great time, but went with a tour and that part was underwhelming.
There are personal birding tours and you can hire a guide for whatever region you decide to visit. I would need to find my CR information package because it’s been a while since I was there. I am sure if you just start googling your questions you will most like come up with better information than I can provide. Birding is very popular there. Good Luck

 

[pwomble]

I am interested in this as well!

 

[joayne]

Let's all do and share some research...

 

[tariktik]

Thanks Joayne! I did some research as well and most of the lodges in Costa Rica offers birding. I am looking more for places that have hides or feeder setups and those focused more on photography. I've seen a couple like Arte de Plumas which has birding platforms, Laguna del Lagarto which also has a birding platform. I'm sure there are others as well but would be interested in recommendations from those who had experience the places. Thanks again!

 

[joayne]

That’s fantastic!

 

[Archibald]

I have arranged a trip to Costa Rica for end of February-beginning of March, 2024. I started out researching individual lodges but this got real difficult fast, because web content is sales-oriented and it is hard to get to facts. So I caved and went with an agency. They arranged a 2-week tour for me to four or five lodges. Again it is hard to get facts on these locations. So I am taking this on faith for now. When I get back, I can give impressions and an evaluation of the agency.

I've been to Costa Rica before a couple of times but never for photography. I went with my wife and just enjoyed the scenery and meals and the experience. Of course I took lots of photos too, but that was not the purpose, and they were mostly grab shots before we had to get back on the tour.

Because of the varying elevations, weather conditions vary a lot in CR. They say San Jose has perfect weather. The Pacific coast gets very hot (too hot!) in the afternoons. It is cool and moist in the cloud forest.

Manuel Antonio is a magnificent park on the Pacific side. You need a ticket to get in, and I believe the tickets might be hard to get because the park is so popular. If you can go, do so first thing in the morning when the park opens, because it gets very hot in the afternoon. We spent a couple days at the very fancy Marriott on the Pacific side. It was really boring, just swimming pools and free drinks and hardly any wildlife.

Here is an anhinga taken at the Rio Frio in CR.

 

[tariktik]

Thanks @Archibald! Would love to hear your feedback after your trip. By the way, I like your anhinga photo.

 

[joayne]

I have arranged a trip to Costa Rica for end of February-beginning of March, 2024. I started out researching individual lodges but this got real difficult fast, because web content is sales-oriented and it is hard to get to facts. So I caved and went with an agency. They arranged a 2-week tour for me to four or five lodges. Again it is hard to get facts on these locations. So I am taking this on faith for now. When I get back, I can give impressions and an evaluation of the agency.

I've been to Costa Rica before a couple of times but never for photography. I went with my wife and just enjoyed the scenery and meals and the experience. Of course I took lots of photos too, but that was not the purpose, and they were mostly grab shots before we had to get back on the tour.

Because of the varying elevations, weather conditions vary a lot in CR. They say San Jose has perfect weather. The Pacific coast gets very hot (too hot!) in the afternoons. It is cool and moist in the cloud forest.

Manuel Antonio is a magnificent park on the Pacific side. You need a ticket to get in, and I believe the tickets might be hard to get because the park is so popular. If you can go, do so first thing in the morning when the park opens, because it gets very hot in the afternoon. We spent a couple days at the very fancy Marriott on the Pacific side. It was really boring, just swimming pools and free drinks and hardly any wildlife.

Here is an anhinga taken at the Rio Frio in CR.

View attachment 21057

Looking forward to you thoughts.. and Photos!

 

[Archibald]

Thought I'd mention that I posted about CR bird photography guides in the Travel forum.

 

[edmidlifecrisis]

Laguna Del Lagarto is a must. I have been there at least four or five times you don’t have to leave the property to get some of your best photos ever. The Paraiso Quetzal Lodge up in the mountains is another great spot. They can arrange for a guide to take you onto private property to see some resplendent quetzals. I have only been there with my guide, but I think they will accommodate generic guests who are not part of a tour. they also have a very large number of mountain hummingbirds right on the premises. It’s pretty amazing. The first place I mentioned is very warm and the second one on the mountains is very cold so dress appropriately.