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Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
Trip Report: A Costa Rican Journey - January 2023
Published March 7, 2023
"Though around the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica has a chain of volcanoes and shorelines on both the Atlantic and Pacific. It is a nation with no army, where even the common people in outlying provinces are quick to say, “Our schools are our best defense.” It is a country where stately palms grow in groves, row upon row, and where mountainsides are planted with coffee all the way to the dizzying top. It is a realm where the proliferation of fruits and flowers is the natural embodiment of deafening rain and blinding light."
-Barbara Ras, editor of Costa Rica, A Traveler’s Literary Companion
Costa Rica is filled with magic. From its beautiful people, the Ticos, to its 12,523-foot tallest peak, Chirripo, love, and peace are abundant and genuine. It is consistently rated as one of the happiest countries in the world and has one of the highest life expectancies with an average of 80 years old. Five-star customer service is the name of the game, with each person so passionate about what they do and where they are from they just do it naturally.
Backcountry Journeys spares no expense, as we stay at the nicest lodges in the best and prime locations. The food is some of the best I’ve tasted as well. The naturalists, boat captains, and tour guides are top-notch. These trips are a must on any photographer or nature lover’s list.
Costa Rice is also an ecological and biological hotspot, with close to five percent of the Earth’s species on merely one one-hundredth of a percent of the land mass. There are over 500,000 species, 900 of which are birds alone. During our lovely three-week stay, we identified just over 150 individual bird species. Simply amazing. From the Resplendent Quetzal to the Toucan, this place will fill you with awe.
Backcountry Journeys spares no expense, as we stay at the nicest lodges in the best and prime locations. The food is some of the best I’ve tasted as well. The naturalists, boat captains, and tour guides are top-notch. These trips are a must on any photographer or nature lover’s list.
Costa Rice is also an ecological and biological hotspot, with close to five percent of the Earth’s species on merely one one-hundredth of a percent of the land mass. There are over 500,000 species, 900 of which are birds alone. During our lovely three-week stay, we identified just over 150 individual bird species. Simply amazing. From the Resplendent Quetzal to the Toucan, this place will fill you with awe.
With all of this beautiful excess, there is also a plethora of resources. In order to survive and pass along their genes, each species develops its own adaptations, from being poisonous to well camouflaged. The toucan has a large and long bill to help it reach and cut fruit that grows on branches too weak to support the weight of the fruit.
The sloth camouflages itself and moves very slowly to try to avoid predators. Here is an image from La Perica, the family-owned sloth farm of Dennis Atencio Valverde, who guided us around.
The sloth camouflages itself and moves very slowly to try to avoid predators. Here is an image from La Perica, the family-owned sloth farm of Dennis Atencio Valverde, who guided us around.
Those fortunate enough to travel with Backcountry Journeys on all three trips were treated to over 150 individual bird species, both species of sloths, all four species of monkeys (i.e., howler monkeys, spider monkeys, white-faced capuchins, and squirrel monkeys), anteaters, tapirs, iguanas, caimans, etc. The list goes on and on.
It was such a blessing to be up close and personal with all of these amazing creatures! Additionally, by attending all three trips you get to experience a wide variety of what Costa Rica has to offer, from a variety of topography such as the cloud forest in the high country to the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans.
On the Resplendent Quetzal trip, we head to the cloud forest in the center of the country and at just over 10,000 feet. This place is amazing! As soon as we arrive at our lodge a pair of toucanets grace us with their presence on the local bird feeder. Additionally, we are blessed with two morning sessions with male and female quetzals perched within shooting distance.
Another treat is Miriam’s, where we stay within walking distance. Miriam’s is a delicious restaurant and an amazing bird-watching place. Several Cedar Waxwings draw a lot of excitement. Another highlight of this trip is the Batsu Bird Garden, a family-owned and operated property with amazing access to hummingbirds. My favorite hummingbird at Batsu is the Scintillant Hummingbird.
Another treat is Miriam’s, where we stay within walking distance. Miriam’s is a delicious restaurant and an amazing bird-watching place. Several Cedar Waxwings draw a lot of excitement. Another highlight of this trip is the Batsu Bird Garden, a family-owned and operated property with amazing access to hummingbirds. My favorite hummingbird at Batsu is the Scintillant Hummingbird.
During the Costa Rica Wildlife trip, we head to the ever-famous and stunning Osa Peninsula on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica. This ecological and biological hot spot boasts nearly three percent of the species on the entire planet. Amazing! Named by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on earth,” the Osa Peninsula is a true jewel of land, water, and life. Once an island floating in the Pacific, the Osa evolved in isolation until it merged with mainland Costa Rica by way of the same fault system that extends to California.
We get a flavor of Puerto Jiminez, Drake Bay, and Golfo Dulce. Here we are treated to the most bird species and overall species of all three trips. From green iguanas to aracaris, parrots, and macaws, the photography and nature opportunities seem endless.
We get a flavor of Puerto Jiminez, Drake Bay, and Golfo Dulce. Here we are treated to the most bird species and overall species of all three trips. From green iguanas to aracaris, parrots, and macaws, the photography and nature opportunities seem endless.
The Tortuguero National Park trip is nothing short of amazing. At the start of this trip, we travel from San Jose to the Caribbean coast by plane. We are a few-minute boat ride to Tortuguero National Park. The park has a large variety of biological diversity, with eleven different habitats, including rainforest, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons.
During this trip, we spend most of our time on boats, which give us up close and personal access to many species of wildlife. Additionally, we hike in and around Tortuguero National Park, where monkeys and sloths abound. What a wonderful way to wrap up three blessed weeks in one of the most amazing parts of the planet.
During this trip, we spend most of our time on boats, which give us up close and personal access to many species of wildlife. Additionally, we hike in and around Tortuguero National Park, where monkeys and sloths abound. What a wonderful way to wrap up three blessed weeks in one of the most amazing parts of the planet.
Costa Rica is truly not to be missed. We offer trips in January, April, and December each year.
Please click on the following links for more detailed information: Resplendent Quetzals of Costa Rica, Wildlife of Costa Rica, and Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park.
Huge thanks to Backcountry Journeys and to all the wonderful guests who made these three trips the most memorable and enjoyable to date. Thank you and happy shooting!
Please click on the following links for more detailed information: Resplendent Quetzals of Costa Rica, Wildlife of Costa Rica, and Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park.
Huge thanks to Backcountry Journeys and to all the wonderful guests who made these three trips the most memorable and enjoyable to date. Thank you and happy shooting!
We offer world-class travel photography
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
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Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.