Costa Rica 2026
Birds, Mammals and More!
A Photography/Videography Tour
Tour 1: April 16 - 26, 2026
ONE SPOT OPEN!
Leader: Ron R Bielefeld
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This isn’t your typical bird photography tour. Over 8–9 days, we’ll explore Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems—from lowland rainforests on both coasts to the high cloud forests—seeking out birds and wildlife most tours never attempt to find.
We won’t stay parked at a single lodge or rely on feeders. Instead, we’ll travel across regions, photographing birds in the wild along with sloths, monkeys, frogs, and snakes. You’ll enjoy a relaxed pace with plenty of time to focus on your craft.
Our macro workshop begins in a controlled setting with frogs and snakes, then moves into the field—where we’ll apply those skills to nighttime photography in natural habitats.
If you crave variety, adventure, and authentic wildlife encounters, this tour offers a photography experience 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
A look at some videos and images from my 2025 Costa Rica tours.
Join a 2026 Costa Rica Tour
Join me for an unforgettable photography and videography adventure through Costa Rica’s cloud forests, coastal regions, and everything in between. April and early May are prime months to capture the country’s vibrant birdlife and diverse mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
With expert local guides, we’ll seek out the best opportunities to photograph iconic species like the Resplendent Quetzal—hopefully at active nest sites—as well as hummingbirds, toucans, and countless others.
If you’re passionate about wildlife and ready to explore Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity with your camera, this tour is for you.
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
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: