Costa Rica 2026
Birds, Mammals and More!
A Photography/Videography Tour
Tour 1: April 16 - 26, 2026
Only 2 Spots Left
Tour 2:
TBD
Leader: Ron R Bielefeld
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What likely makes this tour different from most other bird photography tours you could book for Costa Rica is this tour will show you Costa Rica. We travel to several different locations from lowlands on both coasts to the high cloud forest and in-between. We do not sit at one lodge and photograph at feeders or just on the lodge property. We go out and find birds and other animals that most other tours just do not go after. We shoot for 8-9 days, so there is no rush. You have plenty of time to enjoy your photography experience.
This tour will focus on birds, but sloths, monkeys, frogs, and snakes will also be a part of the itinerary. We will photograph and capture video in both controlled environments as well as in the field. We will do macro photography for frogs and snakes first in a controlled situation as part of a short workshop and then apply what we learn to photographing frogs in their natural environment - at night!
So, if you like variety in your wildlife photography and video work, and enough time to enjoy it, come on along and experience a place like no other!
A sample itinerary can be found here. This is an example and not the itinerary for any upcoming tour: Itinerary
Costa Rica 2025 Showcase
I look at some videos and images from my 2025 Costa Rica tours.
Join a 2026 Costa Rica Tour
April and early May is a great time to visit Costa Rica for bird photography as well as to see the various mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
This photography/videography tour will take you to several areas of this beautiful country including the cloud forest, coastal areas, and places in-between. We will be taking full advantage of amazing local guides who know where to find the best photography opportunities.
The beautiful quetzal will be a focus as we hope to have the opportunity to photograph this amazing species at active nest sites! Hummingbirds, toucans and many other species too numerous to mention will be our subjects throughout this amazing tour.
So, join me for an amazing wildlife photography adventure in the amazing place that is Costa Rica!
Cost: $6595 per person ($850 deposit*)
Degree of Difficulty: Low to Moderate
Prerequisites: open to photographers of all skill levels
8 days of photography per tour
6 photographers maximum per tour
Includes:
- Lodging - single occupancy no sharing (except travel days)
- Transport to wildlife locations - on tour dates
- Photography/video instruction - on tour dates
- All entrance, guide, and boat tour fees during the tour
Not Included:
- Flights to and from San Jose' Costa Rica
- Tips/gratuities
- Meals/beverages not part of lodging fees
- Any excursions/activities not included in tour
- Lodging and meals during travel days
Arrival and Departure:
San Jose, Costa Rica
Dates: Tour 1 = April 16 -26, 2026
Travel days = 16 -26 ; Photography days = 17 - 25
Dates: Tour 2 = TBD
Travel days =
Photography days =
General arrival and depart schedule:
Arrive on the afternoon or evening of the first travel day to avoid any flight delays keeping you from meeting up with transportation on the first tour day.
Depart on afternoon or evening of end of tour travel day.
Base hotel = Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport. Hotel has a shuttle from the airport. Each person is responsible for making the needed reservation at the hotel for the night of the first travel day.
To Register or with questions:
email: whistling wings photography
Throughout the week, you will be transported in comfort to every location by a dedicated driver. During the tour I will provide instruction as needed while in the field as well as during any off times.
My goal is to get you opportunities to make stunning images of a variety of wildlife and the knowledge to do it. This tour will take you to several different areas where you will have the chance to photograph such species as ...
Quetzels, Toucans, Hummingbirds, Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Herons, Egrets, Kingfishers, Scarlet Macaws, and many other birds
Squirrel Monkey, Spider Monkey, Howler Monkey, Capuchin (white faced) Monkey
Sloths
Red-eyed and other frogs
Several species of snakes, some of which are venomous
Iguanas and Crocodiles
and more!
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
Clothing
Temperatures can vary on this tour; it can be hot and humid (lowlands) and cool and damp (mountains), so pack accordingly. There is also the chance of rain, so remember to bring clothes that dry fast and/or rain jackets for yourself and camera gear.
- Long pants made of light, quick dry material
- Long-sleeved shirts made of light, quick dry material
- Warm Jacket/clothing for mountains
- Bug spray - The bugs are not as bad as you might expect, but better safe than sorry.
- Sunscreen - sun can be intense especially in the mountains
- Motion Sickness Meds - We will spend a fair amount of time in vehicles on hilly and winding roads, so if you get motion sickness bring medicine.
Camera Equipment
- Camera body or two; in case one malfunctions.
- Lenses - Fast prime such as a 400mm 2.8 or 500mm or 600mm f/4 for dim light shooting and a zoom such as a 100-500, 200-600, or 200-800mm lens for situations where birds are changing distance fast. Macro lens for the reptiles and amphibians. 100mm macro is highly recommended.
- Flash with trigger, and a good diffuser, so you can use the flash off camera.
- Tripop and Speed-shooter harness system. Tripods are best for some nest site shooting and the harness system provides the best mobility allowing you to make the shot most often when getting in position quickly is necessary.
- Remote shutter release for some nest site shooting scenarios.
- Rain cover for your equipment as well as a lens cloth.
- Laptop to back up photos and to participate in lightroom and photoshop lessons - not required but beneficial.
- Lots of memory cards and batteries!
Important Notes:
*Due to having to book lodgings many months in advance and these costs being non-refundable, your deposit is non-refundable unless we can refill your spot on the tour.
This is likely an international tour for most, so please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months past the last date of the tour.
Please plan on arriving the afternoon or evening before the tour start date (i.e. first travel day) to avoid any flight delays keeping you from meeting up with tour transportation on the morning the tour starts. Base hotel will be the Hampton by Hilton San Jose Airport. You are responsible for making your reservations at the hotel. Please plan on flying out late on the ending tour travel day or staying over in San Jose and leaving the next day. If staying in San Jose after the tour you are responsible for making those reservations.
The tour itinerary will be flexible to take advantage of the best photography/videography opportunities available and thus is subject to change without notice.
This photography/videography tour requires a minimum number of participants, if sufficient tour places are not sold the tour may not be run.
Not all mentioned wildlife can always be observed and photographed, thus the aforementioned species should be considered our target species. No guarantee is made of photographing all or any of the mentioned species.
To register for this tour please call 772-713-1216 or email mail ron@whistlingwingsphotography.com.
If you have questions or would like more information please email here.
Images from the Tour: