Corcovado · 2027
*
Costa Rica · 11-day wildlife photography tour
Costa Rica Coast to Cloud Forest Photography Tour 2027
PhotoLior field
The tour
Rainforest, highlands, lowland hides and a volcano in eleven days.
We fly to the Osa Peninsula and spend two full days inside Corcovado National Park with a certified local guide, based at Sirena Station, in one of the most biodiverse rainforests on Earth.
Back on the mainland we head into the Talamanca highlands for two private Resplendent Quetzal sessions and a hummingbird multi-flash workshop, then down to Centro Manú for a night of herping and on to Boca Tapada for the King Vulture hide and a bat multi-flash workshop.
The last night is at Arenal Observatory Lodge, with volcano views and nearly 500 bird species recorded on the grounds. Groups are capped at six photographers.
2.5%
Scarlet macaw * King vulture * White-faced capuchin * Hummingbirds * Red-eyed tree frog * Toucans * Resplendent quetzal * Scarlet macaw * King vulture * White-faced capuchin
The route
From Corcovado to Arenal
Osa rainforest, the Talamanca highlands, two lowland reserves and a volcano.
8°33′N 83°35′W · Corcovado
Days 2 to 5
Corcovado
Sirena Station, Osa Peninsula
Days 5 to 7
Cerro de la Muerte
Quetzals and hummingbird flash
Days 7 to 8
Centro Manú
Night herping
Days 8 to 9
Boca Tapada
King Vulture hide, bat flash
Day 10
Arenal
Observatory Lodge
Itinerary
Costa Rica coast to cloud forest itinerary, day by day
Day 1
Arrival in San José
Arrive at your own pace. Welcome briefing and an early night.
Days 2 to 4
Osa Peninsula and Corcovado
Morning flight to the Osa Peninsula and a boat transfer to Sirena Station, then two full days inside Corcovado with a certified local guide.
Days 5 to 6
Cerro de la Muerte
Back to Drake and a flight to San José, then up into the Talamanca highlands. A full day with a private Resplendent Quetzal session and a hummingbird multi-flash workshop.
Day 7
Second quetzal morning and Centro Manú
A second early quetzal attempt, then down to Centro Manú near Guápiles for an evening herping session.
Days 8 to 9
Boca Tapada
A relaxed morning, then on to Boca Tapada. A full day at the King Vulture hide and feeder platforms, ending with a bat multi-flash workshop.
Days 10 to 11
Arenal and departure
An afternoon on the grounds of Arenal Observatory Lodge with volcano views, then the transfer back to San José.
From
$5,550
per photographer
Dates
Nov 26 to Dec 6, 2027
Duration
11 days, 10 nights
Group
Max 6 photographers
Deposit
$550
Reserve with a $550 deposit
Ask Lior on WhatsApp
Starts and ends in San José.
11
Days in the field, San José to San José
What you'll photograph
What you'll photograph
From Corcovado's rainforest to the highland quetzals.
All four of Costa Rica's monkey species live in Corcovado
Two full days in the park
Tapir
King vulture
Hide at Boca Tapada
Hummingbirds
Multi-flash workshop
White-faced capuchin
Corcovado trails
Frogs and reptiles
Night at Centro Manú
When to go
Best time to visit Corcovado and the cloud forest
Late November into early December is the turn from Costa Rica's green season to the dry season. Forests are still lush from the rains, and drier days start to open up the Osa Peninsula and the highlands.
Dry season: December to April
Our 2027 departures
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Dry weather on the Osa Peninsula
Green season, wettest months
Transition months
Dry season, December to April
Piquiri River · 2026
Sony 100-400mm GM
In the field
How we photograph from coast to cloud forest
Every region asks for something different: low light under the Corcovado canopy, fast action at the hides, soft mornings in the cloud forest. Each day is planned around the light so you are in position when animals are active.
A long zoom covers most of it. Add a macro lens for night walks and the multi-flash workshop, and pack rain covers, because both the coast and the cloud forest can turn wet fast.
What Lior shoots with
Body
Weather-sealed mirrorless
Coastal humidity and highland rain.
Main lens
100-500mm class zoom
Monkeys, macaws and the King Vulture hide.
Macro
90-105mm macro
Frogs and insects on night walks.
Dates and price
2027 departures, price and what is included
$5,550 per photographer, with a $550 deposit to hold your seat.
*
$550
Holds your seat
Nov 26 to Dec 6, 2027
11 days, 10 nights · San José to San José
$5,550
$550 deposit
Reserve
Included
10 nights lodging
All meals
Photography guide and certified local guide
Private 4x4 transport
All park entrances
Air transfer to Drake Bay
Not included
International and domestic flights
Travel insurance
Alcoholic drinks
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Is it for you
Six photographers, at most
Small groups for Corcovado's trails and every hide on the route.
Two flash workshops
Hummingbird and bat multi-flash sessions, with the setups ready when you arrive.
A second quetzal morning
A second private session is built in, in case the first morning is quiet.
“
Everything he told us we might see, we saw. This is our second trip with Lior.
Glenn O
* Your guide
Lior Berman
FAQs
Costa Rica coast to cloud forest questions
Anything else? Message Lior directly.
Fastest answer
Ask Lior on WhatsApp
Where does the tour start and end?
−
In San José, Costa Rica. On day 2 we fly to the Osa Peninsula, and on day 11 we transfer back to San José for your flight.
Do I need my own flash setup?
−
Message me before the trip and I'll tell you what to bring for the hummingbird and bat workshops.
How many photographers are on the trip?
−
Six at most.
What is included in the price?
−
10 nights of lodging, all meals, your photography guide and a certified local guide in Corcovado, private 4x4 transport, all park entrances and the air transfer to Drake. Flights, travel insurance, alcohol, gratuities and personal expenses are not included.
How do the deposit and payment work?
−
A $550 deposit holds your seat. Message me on WhatsApp for the payment schedule.
More photography tours
Keep shooting with PhotoLior
Ecuador
Ecuador Bird Photography Tour 2027
11 days · May 18 to 28, 2027 · From $3,850
View the tour →
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Herping and Macro Photography Tour 2027
11 days · Jul 7 to 17, 2027 · From $3,850
View the tour →
Panama
Bocas del Toro Poison Frog Photography Tour 2027
6 days · Mar 29 to Apr 3, 2027 · From $2,300
View the tour →
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Bird Photography Tour 2027
11 days · Apr 19 to 29, 2027 · From $4,250
View the tour →
Brazil
Pantanal Jaguar Photography Tour 2027
8 days · Aug and Sep 2027 · From $5,150
View the tour →
*
2027
Nov to Dec
One departure. Six seats.
Nov 26 to Dec 6, 2027. From $5,550, with a $550 deposit to hold your seat.
Reserve your seat
Ask Lior on WhatsApp
