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11 Days in Costa Rica, March 12 - March 22, 2011
We'd describe this trip as "everything Costa Rica," from mountains to beaches, from rural towns to rain forests, wildlife, birds, beautiful scenery, hanging bridges, butterfly garden, culture, volcano, waterfalls and a sunset boat tour that past participants exclaim is a major highlight. You will see and photograph more than you thought possible in this 11 day workshop.
Jim Stamates will be your Nikonians Academy instructor for this adventure. He is a veteran of 15 years of running tours to this amazing country.
Rooms are booked based on 12 participants, double occupancy. If there are singles that would like their own private room, please let us know ASAP. Otherwise we can arrange a travel partner, if available. There is an additional charge for single occupancy.
Cost is $3,499 per person double occupancy (for single supplement add $450)
This trip requires a $499 non-refundable down payment. The remainder of the funds will need to be sent via a standard wire transfer from your bank. We'll send details immediately after you sign up.
Planned Itinerary for Costa Rica 2011:
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
(To maximize your Photography Adventure and shoot schedule some breakfasts consist of coffee or other drinks and pastries, etc.)
Day 1
We pick you up at Juan Santamaria International airport (SJO) and take you to your Hotel. The smells and sounds remind us we aren’t in Kansas anymore, Toto. A good night's rest is needed for our Photography Adventure to begin. No meals.
Day 2
In the morning we enjoy a scrumptious Costa Rican breakfast at the hotel. Birds sing and give us a sample sonata of what is to come. As we eat, our luggage is loaded onto the bus, ready for our first day of Photography and Adventure.
We sightsee north along the Pan-American Highway as our workshop leader tells us what to expect and talks about photographing in the tropics. The road leads us past fincas, plantations, and small villages. We stop for photos and memories along the way. Magnificent views and photo opportunities await at every turn.
We arrive in La Fortuna and check into our lodging for the next 3 nights. With a view of Volcan Arenal, the immaculate grounds surround a swimming pool and jacuzzi that await our afternoon dip. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Then a photo excursion of the surrounding area looking for monkeys, sloths, colorful birds, and amazing scenery. Tonight, if it’s clear, we photograph an active volcano. BLD
Day 3
This morning we savior the tastes of a Costa Rican bakery, coffee, tea, and juice. Today we hike the hanging bridges and find waterfalls, birds, monkeys, and maybe some reptiles to fill our memory cards. Every turn in the trail is another Photography Adventure. After lunch we explore the area looking for coatis, monkeys, and sloths as well as many of Costa Rica’s mountain birds. In the afternoon we hike into Arenal Volcano National Park and hope for a closer photograph of hot rocks tumbling down the face of the mountain. A great dinner with conversations of todays adventures ends a long intense day of photography. BLD
Day 4
Up early, we head to a special place where we can point our Nikons toward waterfalls, hummingbirds, and frogs. Set up with a macro or short tele gets us up close and personal with the symbol of Costa Rica, the red-eye tree frog. More photographs of the volcano is possible tonight. BLD
Day 5
Breakfast at El Jardin’s restaurant then off to the coast. Photographing along the way we stop at a fruit stand to try some of the many different fruit that grow locally. Naturally, we spend more time photographing the colorful fruit then we do eating it. Fresh off the farm, picked ripe, the juices run down our chins as we experience new flavors. We laugh and photograph each others dripping face.
We make a couple of stops along the way at some favorite hang outs for local wildlife. Surprises await.
Lunch is at the Tarcoles River discussing what great images we have. The food is exceptional. The experience is memorable. We try local fruit drinks and contemplate why we don’t have them in the U.S..
We settle into Hotel Carara and unwind from all the excitement. We have time to walk around this small village to find detail shots that will help complete our Costa Rica Adventure story. Tonight we have a special sunset dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in all of Costa Rica. Since 1994 we have made this a must place to eat on every visit. BLD
Day 6
Up early to look for and photograph the Scarlet Macaw in the Alamendro tress along the beach, then breakfast at the hotel to sustain us for our jungle hike into Carara National Park. The cicada’s song drowns out our own thoughts as we venture into an amazing environment of exotic plants and trees. Everywhere we turn is another amazing photo op. A scarlet macaw feeds on the dates of a palm while crocodiles float past the shore of the Tarcoles River. Iguanas rustle the undergrowth startling us. Where do I point my Nikon next? After our hike we have lunch and a swim at the hotel pool.
Rested, we prepare for a sunset boat cruise on the Tarcoles River. The warm sun keeps us comfortable as we are shaded by the canopy on our own private tour boat. Floating into the mangroves in search of the reclusive mangrove hummingbird it is quiet and calm, only the sounds of the jungle and the click of our shutters break the stillness. A caiman floats by our boat as brown pelicans glide through the air like prehistoric flying dinosaurs. As the sun sets into the pacific we chimp the amazing images we just made of the yellow-headed caracara, Mot Mot, roseate spoonbills, Jesus Christ lizards, kingfishers, egrets, herons, and crocodiles. BLD
There will be free time during your workshop. The afternoon of Day 7 and the Morning of Day 8 is usually a good time for that.
(no B on day 8)
Day 7
As the morning breaks we are excited for our next Photography Adventure. We are into the rhythm of Costa Rica now. Next stop, the most beautiful National Park in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio. Lunch on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches is only overshadowed by the antics of white-faced Capuchin monkeys and 3-toed sloths. The monkeys attempt to steal food from an unsuspecting tourist, and sometimes they succeed. We snap lots of pictures of these curious primates then jump into the warm waters of the Pacific.
At Hotel Verde Mar, on the beach, we enjoy the sunset and watch swallows kiss the liquid gold. Maybe a little boogie board or body surfing for those more adventurous, or maybe we just wade up to our knees and photograph the sun as it sinks into the warm waters on the horizon bringing to close another fantastic day. BLD
Day 8
This morning you are on your own. Grab some pastries on the way to the beach. Photograph monkeys and sloths, the beach, or go for a morning swim. Be back in time for check out.
A past explorer said it best, ‘even the Pan-American Highway is a Photography Adventure’ and I think you will agree as we climb to 10,000 feet before taking a side road that leads us to our next destination, San Geraldo. We drop down to 7000 feet and it reminds us of more northern climates, yet different. Yes there are pine trees, and trout in the creek that follows the road, but there are bromeliads, too, and colorful birds we’ve not seen. We spend the afternoon looking for the Resplendent Quetzal with its 2 foot tail feeding on avocotillo or nesting in an abandoned woodpecker hole. This is the most sought after bird in Costa Rica and we are in a place most likely to photograph them. LD
Day 9
After an amazing breakfast we explore a private reserve, photograph the Quetzal, and hike to a waterfall. Lots to do and see. We will enjoy this day in numerous ways. Photographing the hummingbirds while they feed and rest is challenging and a highlight. We will use available light with flash techniques to capture several different species. BLD
Day 10
Early departure for another day of photo ops. First stop, the best coffee plantation tour in all of Costa Rica for great images. Next is Cartago for a visit to the ruins of an old church, then to San Jose, our hotel and a special farewell dinner. It’s been a great Photography Adventure. BLD
Day 11
Flights home usually leave very early. For those of you staying on we can help you make other arrangements. Call us for suggestions. B
The above itinerary is typical and is subject to change depending on factors such as weather, road conditions, unforeseen circumstances, etc.
This isn’t a vacation, it’s an Photography Adventure!
If you have any questions or comments please contact us.
Member prices are only applicable to Nikonians Silver, Gold and Platinum Members. Non-members can register as Nikonians members here. Nikonians Basic members can upgrade the membership level here. Membership payments help sustain the growth of the Nikonians community and its services such as the Nikonians Academy.
