This short and focused photography adventure is built around one of the world’s most iconic birds, Resplendent Quetzal. We’ve timed this tour for peak nesting season and arranged exclusive access to reliable private properties, giving our group unmatched opportunities to photograph quetzals in natural light and at close range. From our first morning in the Quetzal Valley to dedicated sessions in the Talamanca Highlands, we’ll work to capture the courtship, nesting, and feeding behavior of this breathtaking species.

But there’s a lot more to see. This itinerary also includes time in the Pacific lowlands, with boat birding on the Río Tárcoles and an afternoon exploring the trails around Carara National Park. We’ll photograph Roseate Spoonbill, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Scarlet Macaw, and a wide variety of forest birds and regional endemics. The mid-tour visit to Esquipulas offers even more diversity, with fruit and hummingbird feeders pulling in Fiery-billed Aracari, euphonias, honeycreepers, coquettes, and more. We’ll also enjoy a high-speed hummingbird multi-flash setup and a relaxing session at the famous Batsu Gardens.

Our time in the field is paced for photography, with early starts and flexible time at productive spots. Each location has been carefully selected for its reliability, accessibility, and potential to yield strong photographic results. Whether you’re after lifers, action shots, or want to enjoy Costa Rica’s avian richness in good company, this tour is designed to deliver an exceptional birding and photography experience in just over a week.