Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula
Overview
First-Growth Rainforest – Tropical Birds – Jungle Mammals – Colorful Frogs – Waterfalls – Wild 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, two- and three-toed sloths, 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 transparent glass frogs, three species of colorful poison dart frogs, red-eyed tree frogs, masked tree frogs, and golden-eyed cane toads in their native habitat. Hundreds of exotic bird species abound. Several hummingbird species, elegant and violaceous trogons, blue-capped manakins, crested caracaras, white ibis, rosate spoonbills, various raptors, and myriad other species are readily photographed. The forest itself is stunning, with old-growth trees, walking palms, and vegetation full of character and beautiful designs just waiting to be photographed.
Expedition leaders Frans Lanting and Christine Eckstrom will share their creative approaches to photographing tropical fauna and flora, as well as the dramatic landscape. Hands-on in the field, they will cover long-lens and macro wildlife techniques, control of composition and light, fill-flash, and other techniques that can be used to great effect in this amazing place.
The staff at El Remanso Eco-Lodge, your luxurious and ecologically sustainable base camp, take great care of you – providing a delicious mix of international and local Tico cuisine, fresh tropical fruits and juices, not to mention the refreshing tropical cocktails and a nice wine list – 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 your naturalist guides around El Remanso just after dark reveals opportunities to photograph all manner of nocturnal species.
Itinerary
December 5: ARRIVAL DAY
You will be met at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) by a trusted English-speaking driver we have used numerous times before. He will transfer you and your luggage by van to beautiful Hotel Bougainvillea – the lush tropical gardens are worth the stay on their own. That evening, the group with gather in the hotel bar where you will be greeted by Frans and Chris, meet other guests, and share a welcome dinner together.
Overnight at Bougainvillea (D)
December 6: SAN JOSE TO OSA PENINSULA
Our driver will meet us at Hotel Bougainvillea at 6:30am to drive us to the airport. There, we will facilitate your check-in for the 50-minute flight on a modern thirteen-seat Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft to Puerto Jimenez. The flight over the mountains and Pacific coast is incredibly scenic – a great opportunity to do some aerial photography. In Puerto Jimenez, El Remanso staff will meet you at the airstrip before jumping into 4WD Land Rovers for the 45-minute scenic drive to El Remanso. Upon arrival at the lodge, we’ll enjoy a welcome orientation and staff introductions, and you’ll have time to get settled in before lunch. We begin photographing that afternoon, followed by dinner and overnight at El Remanso (B,L,D)
Overnight at El Remanso (B,L,D)
December 7 – 12: OSA PENINSULA
For six full days, we’ll make the most of the endless photographic opportunities to be found on El Remanso’s 185 acres, as well as at locations in the rainforest, wetlands, rivers, and coastline nearby. Most instruction will be carried out through hands-on demonstrations, and discussion in the field. Meal times will provide another great opportunity to have questions asked and answered. 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.
Overnight at El Remanso (B,L,D)
December 13: RETURN TO SAN JOSE, DEPART FOR HOME
After 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. (B)
Instructors
Frans Lanting
- FRANS LANTING has been hailed as one of the great nature photographers of our time. His influential work appears in books, magazines, and exhibitions around the world. Born in ...
Chris Eckstrom
- Christine Eckstrom is a writer, editor, and videographer whose ...
Gallery
Pricing
Deluxe Villa
La Vainilla Deluxe
Classic Bungalow
Superior Room - Casa Poniente
Standard Room - Casa Poniente
All costs are per person.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Our group is booked into five different classes of accommodation. All units feature King-sized bed with 14” high-end quality mattress, outside deck and lounge chairs, amazing design & efficient fans for cooling, fine linens & towels, biodegradable body wash, shampoo & conditioner, large safety deposit box, nightly turn-down service, Wi-Fi. Here are the significant differences:
Deluxe Villa (three units): $11,995 Double-Occupancy / $13,995 Single-Occupancy
Private one-bedroom stone and teak bungalow has ocean & rainforest canyon views, a private plunge pool and lounge chairs on a 500-square-foot hardwood sun deck, and solar-heated indoor & outdoor showers. These villas are about 75-100 steps from the main lodge.
Classic Bungalow (one unit): $10,995 Double-Occupancy / $12.995 Single-Occupancy
Private one-bedroom bungalow with rainforest canyon and ocean views, sun deck, and indoor and outdoor showers with views of the forest, about 50 steps from the main lodge.
La Vainilla Deluxe Villa (two units): $11,095 Double-Occupancy / $12.495 Single-Occupancy
Each level of this secluded two-story villa has a spacious ensuite room with king-size bed, with ocean & rainforest views, and solar-heated indoor & outdoor showers. The upstairs unit has a private terrace, and both units share a 750sf hardwood sun deck with large plunge pool and lounge chairs. About 115 steps from main lodge.
Superior Room (one unit): $9,695 Double-Occupancy / $10,995 Single-Occupancy
Spacious room on the upper level of the west-facing Casa Poniente, beside the swimming pool and close to the main lodge, with private terrace with views of the ocean, forest, and gardens, and indoor showers and bathroom.
Standard Room (one unit): $9,495 Double-Occupancy / $10,695 Single-Occupancy
Room on the garden level of Casa Poniente, beside the swimming pool and close to the main lodge, with garden view, a covered terrace, and indoor shower and bathroom.
Click here for a detailed description of accommodation options at El Remanso.
OCCUPANCY
Please note that all lodging options at El Remanso have one king-sized bed. Double occupancy on this expedition is available for couples traveling together and sharing one bed. If you are an individual traveler or if you are traveling with a companion and require two beds, please book at the single occupancy rate. It is not possible to pair individual travelers in accommodations with two beds.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
- 50% deposit due upon registration
- 50% final payment due August 5, 2022
Standard terms and conditions apply. Please review our terms and conditions even if you have participated in previous Visionary Wild trips so that you are aware of current policies
INCLUDED
- Photographic instruction throughout by Frans Lanting with support by Christine Eckstrom.
- In-country flights: San Jose – Puerto Jimenez – San Jose aboard 13-seat SANSA Cessna Grand Caravan turboprop aircraft
- All ground transfers
- Eight nights’ lodging – One night lodging at Hotel Bougainvillea in San Jose, seven nights at El Remanso
- All meals and beverages (including wine, beer, cocktails with dinner) from dinner on December 5 to breakfast on December 13
- 4WD group transportation to field locations
- Expert naturalist guides
NOT INCLUDED
- R/T airfare to and from our starting and ending point in San Jose, Costa Rica.
- Additional hotel nights, meals or other costs for arrivals prior to the start date or departures after the end date.
- Cost of passports, any necessary entry visas or reciprocity fees, vaccinations, or other personal travel expenses.
- Travel insurance, emergency medical insurance and evacuation insurance/ coverage. (Strongly recommended)
- Alcoholic beverages other than those offered at dinner
- Telephone or internet charges
- Any private excursions, massages, activities, or services not included in the itinerary
- Personal purchases, souvenirs, additional activities, and anything else not listed as included
- Gratuities for the naturalist guides and lodge staff
Highlights
- Explore this private rainforest preserve, featuring primary old-growth forest, waterfalls, and wild Pacific beach
- Amazing wildlife: Exotic tropical birds, New World monkeys, tree sloths, colorful frogs, and other tropical fauna
- Generous photographic instruction throughout by Frans Lanting with support by Christine Eckstrom
- Your photo instructors and guides ensure excellent participant support and a rich learning experience
- Group size limited to only 8 participating photographers
- Superb accommodations at El Remanso Eco-Lodge – ecologically responsible and sustainable
- Package includes your choice of single-occupancy or double-occupancy lodging, all meals, beverages, daily naturalist guiding, round-trip air charter from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula, 4WD ground transfers from Puerto Jimenez to El Remanso, group 4WD ground transportation to field sessions to areas beyond the El Remanso conservancy.
Accommodations
This expedition includes one night’s lodging at Hotel Bougainvillea near San Jose, Costa Rica, and seven nights at El Remanso Eco-Lodge.
Hotel Bougainvillea is conveniently located in the hills near the capital of San Jose, nestled within an award-winning, 10-acre tropical botanical garden that attracts many species of birds and butterflies for which Costa Rica is famous.
A part of the Osa Peninsula National Refuge, El Remanso is owned and operated by Daniel Gehring and Adriana Domenech Momeñe, originally from Spain. Dani and Adri are close personal friends of Visionary Wild founder Justin Black, and they are truly gracious and enthusiastic hosts who love sharing the wonders of the Osa. The small-scale character of their 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 maintains an extensive trail system, which enables to you discover the magic of a primary rainforest and observe the abundant wildlife surrounding the lodge. Within a 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 in the pool or on the mahogany deck of the restaurant while watching colorful toucans, scarlet macaws, and four species of monkeys in the surrounding trees!
El Remanso has been a pioneer in sustainable practices in the Osa Peninsula since its establishment in 1999. Thanks to 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, and it has been consistently ranked of one of the very finest eco-lodges in Costa Rica and Latin America ever since.
Travel
