Come and join me as we visit our favorite spots to photograph wildlife on the Pacific Side of the Costa Rican continental divide.

Our tour starts in the lowland areas of Costa Rica.  Here will target lowland hummingbirds like the White Necked Jacobin, the Long-Bill Hermit, the Rufuos-tailed Hummingbird and others. We will have both Multi-flash sessions and natural light photo sessions with the hummingbirds. We will also target other birds like the Wood Rail, Great Pootoo, and other species that might be present during our visit.

We continue our tour by visiting an area where we will photograph Scarlet Macaws in flight. During this session participants will learn how to successfully photograph these magnificent birds in flight. Plenty of opportunities to capture these beauties as they soar around us. We then head to the country’s mid elevations to have our second session with hummingbirds. At least 5 new species of hummingbirds will be photographed here. We will capture the Coppery Headed Emerald, the Violet Sabrewing, the Green Hermit, the Black Bellied Hummer, and other mid elevation species.

We then make our way to the Arenal Volcano. Our first afternoon we target Pacific side species of Tanagers like the Speckled Tanager, the Emerald Tanager and the Bay Headed Tanager. Other species of birds here will be other more common tanagers and honeycreepers, and the beautiful Snow Capped Hummingbird. We will spend one day photographing reptiles in controlled environments. We will photograph at least 6 different species of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous. Eyelash Vipers (both yellow and mossy colorations), Bushmaster, Parrot Snake, Fer-de-Lance, Hog-Nose Vipers, Coral snakes, and other species will be available to photograph. We will also photograph other reptiles like Helmeted Lizards, Basilisks, Green Iguanas, and other Central American reptiles. Our group will be assisted by an expert with over 20 years experience handling snakes and reptiles. Both photo instructors also have extensive experience photographing reptiles. We will maintain a fun and 100% safe environment while photographing these amazing animals.

We will also tour the Frio River. Here we take a private boat charter in search of Howler Monkeys and White Faced Capuchin Monkeys. Other targets include Green Iguanas, and the many wading birds that live along the river’s edge.

Our last destination is the Tarcoles River. We will have both morning and afternoon photo sessions in private boat charters. The Bare-throated Tiger Heron, the Yellow-headed Caracara, and the Black Hawk are our main targets. Other wildlife we might encounter is the American Crocodile, Boat-billed Heron, and the Yellow-crowned and Black-crowned Night Herons. At this location we will also spend a full day with a bird guide/specialist that will put us in front of Manakins, Mot-Mots, Cuckoos, Ferruginous Pygmy Owls and many other bird species. We never know what we will encounter but its always fantastic photographing birds at this location.

PHOTO TOUR/WORKSHOP ITINERARY

Day 1 - San Jose.
Our private transportation will pick you up at the airport and take you to your Hotel in San Jose.  Overnight at San Jose. 

Day 2 - San Jose – Lowlands of Costa Rica
Lowland Hummingbirds, Wood Rails, Owls, and reptiles.

Day 3 - Lowlands of Costa Rica and Mid-Elevation Region.
Scarlet Macaws in Flight and Mid-Elevation Hummingbirds.

Day 4 - Lowlands of Costa Rica - Arenal.
Travel to Arenal Area. 1/2 Day Tanagers, Honeycreepers and other bird species.

Day 5 - Arenal Volcano.
Full day Macro Session with Reptiles.

Day 6 - Arenal Volcano.
Private Charter in Frio River.

Day 7 - Arenal Volcano - Tarcoles River Area.
Travel to Tarcoles River.
Afternoon private charter on Tarcoles River

Day 8 -- Tarcoles River Area.
Full day Pacific Side Tropical Birds. Mot-Mots, Mannequins, Pigmy Owls, Cuckoos, etc.

Day 9 - Tarcoles River Area – San Jose.
Morning private charter Tarcoles River.
Afternoon travel back to San Jose. Farewell Dinner at San Jose hotel.

Day 10 - San Jose - San Jose International Airport.
After breakfast a private transfer will take you to the international airport. End of our services.

Photo Tour / Workshop Details

• Photo Tour Dates
  Session 1 - January 3-12, 2025 - 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
  Session 2 - January 12-21, 2025 - 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE

• Cost of Photo Tour
  $5750.00 per photographer (double occupancy)
  For single supplement add $655.00

• Physical Level - Easy

INCLUDES:

- Lodging during our tour.
- All meals as specified.
- Airport Transfers on first and last day.
- Photographic instruction and guidance by both co-leaders.
- Local Bilingual Guides.
- Multi flash setups for hummingbirds.
- Macro Sessions for reptiles with reptile guide/expert.
- Private Boat Charters on Frio and Tarcoles Rivers.
- Private transportation through out the tour.
- All applicable taxes.

DOES NOT INCLUDE::
- Airfare to and from San Jose, Costa Rica.
- Dinner the first night.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Personal items (souvenirs, batteries, etc).
- Extra services at Hotels (laundry service, etc.)
- Gratuities for local guides, porters, wait staff and drivers.   

We are limiting the number of photographers to 8 (for a 4:1 participant to instructor ratio) so you can get our full attention and be very comfortable at all shooting locations and during transport with your photo gear.

A $2000 deposit is required at the time of enrollment with full payment due by October 1, 2024.

Deposit can be paid via PAYPAL (plus 3% fees) by clicking here:

Session 1 - FOR PAYPAL DEPOSIT CLICK HERE
Session 2 - FOR PAYPAL DEPOSIT CLICK HERE

or by mailing a U.S. Check or Money Order Payable to:
      
Hector D. Astorga
PO Box 74
Delmita, TX 78536

Deposits & Cancellation Policy:

• A $2000 deposit is required at the time of enrollment with full payment due by October 1, 2024.

• Deposits and tour/workshop fees are non-refundable.

• If the photo workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your tuition is fully refundable minus a 15% cancellation fee.

• We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

• Should cancellation be required due to severe weather, an alternate date will be scheduled at no additional charges.

• No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the photo workshop begins.

• We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.

 For more information or questions please contact Hector Astorga:
Email: hector@hectorastorga.com 
Phone: (956) 821-0701.