Hunt’s Photo Adventure: Costa Rica
April 5, 2025 - April 12, 2025
Class Summary
April 5, 2025 - April 12, 2025
Recommended Camera Gear:
- If possible, bring at least 2 camera bodies (If you are looking for a camera or lens to rent, you can rent it from us at rentals.huntsphoto.com!) Two camera bodies allows for less changing of lenses in rainforest conditions.
- You must have a long telephoto lens! Our primary subjects will be birds and wildlife. We recommend either a 100-400mm lens (or equivalent) for birds in flight, a 500mm lens or longer for birds and wildlife, or both!
- Landscape opportunities will be available in the forest and on the beaches. Consider 16-35 or 24-70mm (or equivalent) for landscapes and general purpose
- A fixed, fast lens such as a 50mm (or equivalent) is suggested for portrait opportunities or general photography
- We will also have macro opportunities, such as bugs, frogs, snakes, etc. A 100mm macro is fine for general purpose macro photography, but something longer such as a 180mm is best for frogs and snakes. We do NOT suggest a 60mm (or less) macro lens, as it will cause you to get too close to reptiles.
- Consider bringing a circular polarizing filter (CPL) and neutral density (ND) filters.
- A tripod is recommended for long exposures.
- Due to the inclement weather we may experience, a rain cover for your camera and a weather-resistant camera bag (backpack style) are recommended.
- Other Accessories may include flash for low light, fill light, and to stop action and a Better Beamer (or similar) flash extender.
- Consider bringing your laptop and external hard drive for transferring daily photos.
- Extra batteries and lots of memory cards are always encouraged.
Important things to keep in mind:
- Conditions will be wet and humid. Lightweight pants, shirts, undergarments, and socks are recommended. It is highly recommended to bring quick drying, wicking undergarments (tshirts and underwear). A light raincoat (for you and your camera, see above “rain covers”) will be extremely important, as will waterproof hiking shoes/boots.
- A hat and sunglasses are always recommended, and you may also consider bringing sandals.
- Make sure to bring bug spray and sunscreen
Travel Information:
Each participant is responsible to book and pay for their own flights to and from San Jose Costa Rica. Each participant must arrive on April 5th and leave NO EARLIER than 11am on April 12th. ***** PLEASE HEED THE DEPARTURE TIME. If you choose to arrive earlier than April 5th or stay later than April 12th, it is the personal and financial responsibility of each participant to secure housing, etc.
Resort Information:
Our accommodations will be at the Hotel Botanika. Each guest will have their own room. A key factor of comfort aside from the beautiful rooms and resort is that our rooms are air conditioned! After a full day of photography in the humid conditions of the rainforest your air conditioned room will feel great! Our food choices in the hotel restaurant will feature an assortment of salads, pastas, fresh seafood (Botanika is right ON the coast!), meats, and sandwiches. Please advise of any special dietary needs beforehand and we will work with the hotel kitchen to ensure your comfort. All of your meals are included. The hotel hosts a pool and a spa for relaxing during down time.
Refund Policy – International Adventures (and Alaska)
For all International Adventures (and Alaska), deposits are required to hold a spot. Please note: Deposits for International Adventures (and Alaska) are non-refundable.
Final payments are due 120-days prior to the start of the workshop. We strongly encourage travel insurance!
For all cancellations, you must contact classes@huntsphoto.com
Workshop Description
Located along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is renowned for its remote location and rugged bio-diversity. More than half of Costa Rica’s native species of wildlife can be found here in the abundant rainforests, on picturesque beaches, and along a nearby river. Each day, we will depart from our spectacular accommodations at Botanika to photograph the colorful life found in and around the rainforest. Mammals (including monkeys), reptiles, birds, and plant life will be our subjects during daily excursions around the peninsula via hiking, a van, and a specially equipped pontoon boat. The Costa Rican Rainforest will be a challenging, but highly rewarding experience for all that attend.
Daily Excursions:
Each day, we will set out to photograph nature and wildlife around the Osa Peninsula. Natural history guides from the resort will assist us in locating wildlife and interesting subjects. Each guide is native to the area and experts at what they do. Whether we set off on foot, in the van, or on the boat, the guides will do all the can to find subjects for us to photograph and put us in the best positions to do so. Please note: Tips for the guides are NOT included in the pricing.
General Itinerary
(Itinerary Note: The itinerary for each Photo Adventure is developed far in advance of our arrival. Occasionally, changes that out of our control may occur. weather, road conditions, safety concerns, or other circumstances may force a change of plans. The trip leader will be responsible to consider and implement any necessary changes. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each attendee. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.)
April 5 – Arrive via Flights from USA to San Jose, Costa Rica (NOT included in pricing) where we will be shuttled to our hotel for the day/evening. Rooms and accommodations are already made and included in pricing
April 6 – Leave San Jose early morning via plane for Puerto Jiminez where we will be shuttled to our resort, the Botanika. Check in, introductions, orientation, and time in and around the grounds of the resort for photography
April 7 – Guided Wildlife Tour to Carate
April 8 – Guided Tour on the Sierpe River (classroom session later in afternoon)
April 9 – Guided Macro Session in the Rainforest of La Tarde
April 10- Guided Tour of Golfe Dulce with river boat excursion
April 11 – Guided Sloth Tour and Image review/discussion. Final Dinner
April 12 – Morning flight to San Jose. Flights back to United States CANNOT be earlier than 11am.
What’s included in the workshop:
• Transfers from airport in San Jose to Hilton Garden Inn hotel for the night of April 5, 2024
• First night lodging at Hilton Garden Inn in San Jose; six nights accommodation at Botanika
• Internal flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez (round-trip)
• All meals and non-alcoholic drinks at Botanika
• All excursions and park fees
• All guide services and photography instruction
What’s not included in the workshop:
• Roundtrip ticket to San Jose, Costa Rica (arriving on April 5th) from your location
• If you choose to arrive early and stay late in San Jose any costs are assumed by the attendee.
• Gratuities for guide and resort staff
• Any alcoholic drinks at Botanika
Skill Sets: All Levels of Photographers are Welcome
Physical Activity: Overall this Photo Adventure will be relatively easy. We will walk up to 2 miles per day on trails and beaches in humid, wet conditions. Footwear and clothing should be appropriate for forest and beach walking.
Recommended Camera Gear: This Photo Adventure is geared toward those using DSLR or Mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, but all cameras are welcome!
• If possible, bring at least 2 camera bodies (If you are looking for a camera or lens to rent, you can rent it from us at rentals.huntsphoto.com!) Two camera bodies allows for less changing of lenses in rainforest conditions.
• You must have a long telephoto lens! Our primary subjects will be birds and wildlife. We recommend either a 100-400mm lens (or equivalent) for birds in flight, a 500mm lens or longer for birds and wildlife, or both!
• Landscape opportunities will be available in the forest and on the beaches. Consider 16-35 or 24-70mm (or equivalent) for landscapes and general purpose
• A fixed, fast lens such as a 50mm (or equivalent) is suggested for portrait opportunities or general photography
• We will also have macro opportunities, such as bugs, frogs, snakes, etc. A 100mm macro is fine for general purpose macro photography, but something longer such as a 180mm is best for frogs and snakes. We do NOT suggest a 60mm (or less) macro lens, as it will cause you to get too close to reptiles.
• Consider bringing a circular polarizing filter (CPL) and neutral density (ND) filters.
• A tripod is recommended for long exposures.
• Due to the inclement weather we may experience, a rain cover for your camera and a weather-resistant camera bag (backpack style) are recommended.
• Other Accessories may include flash for low light, fill light, and to stop action and a Better Beamer (or similar) flash extender.
• Consider bringing your laptop and external hard drive for transferring daily photos.
• Extra batteries and lots of memory cards are always encouraged.
Important things to keep in mind:
• Conditions will be wet and humid. Lightweight pants, shirts, undergarments, and socks are recommended. It is highly recommended to bring quick drying, wicking undergarments (tshirts and underwear). A light raincoat (for you and your camera, see above “rain covers”) will be extremely important, as will waterproof hiking shoes/boots.
• A hat and sunglasses are always recommended, and you may also consider bringing sandals.
• Make sure to bring bug spray and sunscreen
Travel Information:
Each participant is responsible to book and pay for their own flights to and from San José in Costa Rica. Each participant must arrive on April 5th and leave NO EARLIER than 11am on April 12th. ***** PLEASE HEED THE DEPARTURE TIME. If you choose to arrive earlier than April 5th or stay later than April 12th, it is the personal and financial responsibility of each participant to secure housing, etc.
Resort Information:
Our accommodations will be at the Hotel Botanika. Each guest will have their own room. A key factor of comfort aside from the beautiful rooms and resort is that our rooms are air conditioned! After a full day of photography in the humid conditions of the rainforest your air conditioned room will feel great! Our food choices in the hotel restaurant will feature an assortment of salads, pastas, fresh seafood (Botanika is right ON the coast!), meats, and sandwiches. Please advise of any special dietary needs beforehand and we will work with the hotel kitchen to ensure your comfort. All of your meals are included. The hotel hosts a pool and a spa for relaxing during down time.
Payments
A non-refundable reservation fee of $1700 is required upon sign-up to secure a spot. The total cost of the trip is $6795. Please note that the reservation fee and payments on this workshop is non-refundable. Please make sure to purchase insurance in case you need to cancel your trip. (You can purchase trip insurance from numerous insurance companies– Allianz, AAA, and more.)
The remaining balance is due 90-days prior to the workshop and can be made on this page.
