Costa Rica
Overview
Exotic Birds – Poison Dart Frogs – Monkeys – Waterfalls – Wild Pacific Beach
All of this and more is to be found in one of the most biologically exciting places on Earth – Coast Rica’s remote Osa Peninsula – and we’d like to share the best of it with you. Envision original primary rainforest rising up a low ridge from a pristine and entirely undeveloped Pacific beach, stretching as far as the eye can see. Native toucans, scarlet macaws, and four species of New World monkeys cruise through the trees, while dramatic waterfalls roar in the jungle. Numerous species of visually striking frogs inhabit the area, including three species of colorful poison dart frogs, red-eyed tree frogs, masked tree frogs, and massive cane toads in their native habitat. Hundreds of exotic bird species abound. In addition to the toucans and macaws, long-tail hermit hummingbirds, elegant and violaceous trogons, blue-capped manakins, crested caracaras, ibis, various raptors and myriad other species are readily photographed. The forest itself is stunning, with old-growth trees full of character and beautiful graphic compositions just waiting to be discovered.
Instructors Daniel Beltrá and Justin Black will share their creative approaches to photographing rainforest fauna and flora, as well as the dramatic landscape. Hands-on in the field, we will cover long-lens and macro wildlife techniques, control of composition and light, fill-flash, control of focal plane and perspective with tilt-shift lenses, panoramic stitching, and other techniques that can be used to great effect in this amazing place.
Read Justin Black’s article “Frogs of the Osa” in Outdoor Photographer magazine
Our basecamp, El Remanso eco-lodge, is a uniquely rich and accessible environment to witness and explore the incredible flora and fauna of Central America’s rainforests. The owners are personal friends of the instructors, and the staff make guests feel like family. It’s a peaceful resort where it’s easy to let go of the hassles of travel logistics and fully immerse yourself in exploring and photographing the birds, waterfalls, monkeys and frogs, gorgeous old-growth trees, and the stunning Pacific beach.
The staff at El Remanso take great care of us – providing fresh tropical fruits, a delicious mix of international and local Tico cuisine, not to mention the superb margaritas, caipirinhas, and piña coladas – all on an inviting and spacious covered dining deck perched at the top of a canyon, at eye-level with the forest canopy. We’ll bring our long lenses to breakfast to photograph monkeys, macaws and toucans feeding in the trees. The opportunities to explore don’t end with the setting sun. A stroll with our naturalist guides around El Remanso just after dark reveals all manner of nocturnal species.
Itinerary
Day 1 – (November 30) – Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica; transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea
You will be met at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) by a trusted driver we have used numerous times before. He will transfer you and your luggage by van to beautiful Hotel Bougainvillea, where the expansive tropical gardens there alone are worth the stay. There, you will meet your fellow workshop participants for the first time. Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea.
Day 2 – (December 1) – Travel from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez and El Remanso. The workshop begins!
Our driver will meet you and your fellow participants at Hotel Bougainvillea at 6:30am to drive you to the SANSA domestic airline terminal adjacent to the main international airport terminal at SJO. You will be greeted there by an El Remanso representative who will facilitate your check-in for the 50-minute flight on a SANSA Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft to Puerto Jimenez. The flight over the mountains and along the coast is incredibly scenic, and a great opportunity to do some aerial photography. In Puerto Jimenez, Daniel Beltrá, Justin Black, and El Remanso staff will meet you at the airstrip before jumping into 4WD vehicles for the 45-minute drive to El Remano. Upon arrival at El Remanso, we’ll do a welcome orientation and introductions, and you’ll have time to get settled before lunch. Our first photography session will begin that afternoon.
Days 3 through 7 – (December 2-6) – El Remanso and surroundings
We will spend a full five days making the most of the endless photographic opportunities to be found on El Remanso’s 185 acres, as well as at locations nearby. Most instruction will be carried out through hands-on demonstrations and discussion in the field. In the evenings, we will gather to download, edit, go over digital workflow techniques, and constructively critique participant images to ensure that everyone has ample opportunity to learn from the personal visions of participants and instructors alike.
Day 8 – (December 7) – Return to San Jose to catch international flights
After an early breakfast, we will say goodbye to El Remanso and transfer to Puerto Jimenez to catch the morning SANSA flight back to San Jose (landing at SJO at 11:00am) so participants can catch international flights that afternoon.
Instructors
Justin Black
- JUSTIN BLACK is a photographer (www.justinblackphoto.com), writer, editor, expedition leader, photo workshops instructor, a Fellow ...
Daniel Beltra
- My work allows me to bear witness to the challenges our environment faces and help celebrate its triumphs. Born in Madrid, Spain, Daniel Beltrá is a photographer based in ...
Gallery
Pricing
• Want to bring a non-photographer spouse or friend? We offer a two-person package for one workshop participant and one non-participant guest: $7650.00 (double-occupancy; please contact us directly to arrange this package at info@visionarywild or 202-558-9596)
Included in the program:
- Photographic instruction throughout by Daniel Beltrá and Justin Black
- In-country flights: San Jose – Puerto Jimenez – San Jose
- All ground transfers
- Six nights lodging
- All meals and beverages (including wine, beer, cocktails with dinner) at El Remanso
- One night lodging at Hotel Bougainvillea in San Jose
- 4WD group transportation to field locations
- Naturalist guides
- Group gratuities
Highlights
- Explore this private rainforest preserve, featuring primary old-growth forest, waterfalls, and wild Pacific beach
- Exotic native birds, frogs, New World primates, and other tropical wildlife
- Two photo instructors and experienced local naturalist guides ensure excellent participant support and an incredibly rich learning experience.
- Small group size and low ratio of participants to instructors.
- Superb and ecologically responsible and sustainable accommodations at El Remanso Lodge.
- Package includes single-occupancy lodging, all meals, beverages, daily naturalist guiding, round-trip in-country air charter from San Jose, Costa Rica to Puerto Jimenez, 4WD ground transfers from Puerto Jimenez to El Remanso, group ground transportation to field sessions off the El Remanso conservancy, and all group gratuities.
Accommodations
One night at Hotel Bougainvillea near San Jose, Costa Rica, and six nights at El Remanso Lodge. A part of the Osa Peninsula National Refuge, El Remanso is owner-operated by gracious and enthusiastic hosts Daniel Gehring and Adriana Domenech Momeñe. The small-scale character of the lodge enables a highly personalized service, and they are proud that most of their guests are enthusiastically referred to El Remanso by friends and family who have stayed there themselves.
The property includes an extensive trail system, which lets you discover the magic of a primary rainforest and observe the abundant wildlife surrounding the lodge. Within an easy fifteen-minute walk from the lodge, one can explore secluded waterfalls, take a stroll on a deserted beach with tide pools and a lagoon, or look for colorful poison dart frogs next to creeks deep in rainforest canyons. Or, simply relax on the wooden deck of the restaurant while watching toucans, macaws, and monkeys in the surrounding trees!
El Remanso has been a pioneer in sustainable practices in the Osa Peninsula since its creation in 1999. The lodge was one of the first in Costa Rica to provide its electricity exclusively by its own micro-hydro system. Over 90% of all waste is recycled or composted, waste waters are treated on site, and the lodge participates in local reforestation programs on the Osa Peninsula. El Remanso also has close ties with the community and provides work for more than 25 local staff all year around.
Thanks to all these efforts, in 2011 the Costa Rican Tourism Board awarded the lodge with the highest rating of the Certification For Sustainable Tourism (CST – level 5) in the lodge’s first certification process.
Travel
