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Costa Rica: Cloud Forest 
Photo Adventure

Highlights

  • Explore the lesser-visited southern cloud forests of Costa Rica, where cool misty highlands support a unique community of high-elevation bird species rarely encountered in the lowlands.

 

  • Photograph the resplendent quetzal alongside other cloud-forest specialists using ethical, behavior-aware approaches informed by local knowledge and seasonal patterns.

 

  • Limited to just four participants, this tour prioritizes quiet field movement, individualized instruction, and low-impact access to sensitive habitats.

 

  • Designed as a seamless extension to the Osa expedition while remaining fully open to participants joining exclusively for the cloud forest experience.

 

  • Stay in carefully selected eco-friendly lodging and work with locally owned, family-run operations, ensuring tourism dollars remain within the community while supporting long-term conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Join me, Alyce Bender, in the cool, mist-laden highlands of Costa Rica for a Southern Cloud Forest Photo Adventure built as a complete, carefully structured itinerary focused on high-elevation bird photography. This small-group tour includes multiple dedicated field sessions for photographing the resplendent quetzal, along with targeted time working with the diverse hummingbird species and other avian specialists unique to the cloud forest ecosystem. By limiting the group to just four participants, we are able to move efficiently between locations, adapt to light and weather, and spend meaningful time observing behavior, refining technique, and creating intentional images in one of Costa Rica’s most distinctive environments.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival, Garden Walk & Welcome Dinner

Arrive in San José, Costa Rica, and transfer to our hotel. Photographers should plan to arrive no later than 2pm if possible. Depending on arrival times, there may be opportunities for casual bird and macro photography on the hotel grounds before the group comes together for a welcome dinner and meet-and-greet briefing to review the week ahead.

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  • Meal included: Dinner

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Day 2 – Transition to the Cloud Forest

We begin the day with a relaxed morning photography session on the hotel grounds, taking advantage of early light for birds and macro subjects before departing San José. The drive into the southern cloud forest region offers a noticeable shift in climate and habitat as we gain elevation. After arrival and settling in, we head out for our first dedicated afternoon session focused on photographing resplendent quetzals, working carefully with light, distance, and behavior in this high-elevation environment.

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  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 3 – Full Quetzal Immersion

This day is fully dedicated to quetzal photography, with a morning field session timed for peak activity followed by a midday break for rest, image review, and discussion. In the afternoon, we return to the field for additional opportunities, allowing participants to refine compositions, explore behavior-based storytelling, and respond to changing light and conditions.

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  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

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Day 4 - Quetzals & Cloud Forest Species Diversity

We spend the morning in another focused quetzal session, building on previous days’ observations and adjusting approach based on behavior and conditions. In the afternoon, our attention shifts to the broader cloud forest community, with time dedicated to hummingbirds, toucanettes, tanagers, thrushes, and other high-elevation avian species that thrive in this ecosystem.

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  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

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Day 5 - Highland Hummingbirds & Return to San José

The morning takes us to a different high-elevation location known for its hummingbird diversity, including opportunities to photograph the fiery-throated hummingbird in good light and at close range. After lunch, we begin the drive back to San José for a final evening together before departure the following day.​

 

  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

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Day 6 - Final Departure 

After breakfast, airport transfers are provided for departing flights home. As the tour concludes, this final morning offers a chance to reflect on the week’s experiences, review images captured across the cloud forest, and depart with a deeper understanding of high-elevation ecosystems and the species that call them home.

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  • Meals included: Breakfast​​

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Inclusions

  • 5 nights of lodging (double occupancy; single supplement available)

  • All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6

  • All ground transportation within Costa Rica in a private vehicle and professional driver

  • Professional bilingual local guide for natural history interpretation and cultural support

  • Professional photography instruction with Alyce Bender, Tamron Ambassador

  • All access fees, park/reserve fees, and private property permissions

  • Filtered drinking water during field sessions

  • Optional group image review and discussion sessions

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Exclusions

  • International airfare to/from San José (SJO)

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Optional activities or additional nights before/after the workshop

  • Gear/travel/medical/ evacuation insurance (highly recommended)

  • Gratuities for lodge staff, bilingual local guide, local driver, and photography instructors

  • Personal purchases 

Suggested Camera Gear

  • Two camera bodies - one primary, one backup

  • Telephoto variable lens - 150-500mm+ 

  • Tripod with gimbal

  • Accessories - rain cover if your system is not weather sealed/tested  

  • Plenty of batteries and memory cards

  • Laptop or other system for backing up images

  • Gear Insurance

Meet Your Instructor

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