Costa Rica Photo Workshop 2

APRIL 12-21, 2022
$5995 USD SOLD OUT - WAITLIST

MASTER SERIES PHOTO WORKSHOP with JUAN PONS and JENNIFER KING

THE MOST BIOLOGICALLY INTENSE PLACE ON EARTH

Embraced by the both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is truly a wildlife paradise. While encompassing only about 0.03% of the world's landmass, it boasts 5% of the world's biodiversity. This photo workshop will be based on the Osa peninsula of Costa Rica, considered to be the crown jewel of the country. The ecological variety on the Osa peninsula and Corcovado National Park is truly stunning, so much so that National Geographic has called it "the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity".

During this workshop we will spend 5 days in and around the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park, and then we will spend a further 2 days in the cloud forest of Costa Rica looking for species not found on the lowlands such as the Resplendent quetzal, as well as a number of hummingbird species. We spend 2 half days moving from the peninsula to the highlands and from the highlands to San Jose.

From the lowlands of the Osa Penisula to the Cloud Forest at 11,000 feet, we will take you through a world of amazing photo opportunities. This workshop is designed to provide you with a superior workshop experience with 2 instructors plus local guides that will assist us in getting to the most and best wildlife in Costa Rica. We have selected superior accommodations, and the food will prove to be an experience to remember.

Costa Rica is truly a pacifist nation, with no standing army and very progressive environmental policies. They are the ONLY country in the world to meet all five UNDP criteria established to measure environmental sustainability. Naturally during this workshop we will be focusing on the wildlife of Costa Rica, and we will target a wide variety of bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species such as: Two and Three-toed sloths, Resplendent quetzal, Toucans, Spider monkey, Red-Eyed tree frogs, Macaws, Howler monkeys, Squirrel monkeys, Anteaters, Crocodiles, Lizards, Poison dart frogs, Hummingbirds, Herons, Coatimundis, Motmots, Serpents, White-faced capuchin monkeys, Pit viper, Kinkajous, Great potoo, Northern crested caracara, Boas, Owls and much more!

ITINERARY

Day 1: April 12, 2022
San Jose
• Arrive in San Jose (SJO) In Costa Rica anytime this day
• You will be picked up at the airport and taken to a hotel near the airport where you will spend the night 

Day 2: April 13, 2022
Matapalo 
• We take a short early morning flight from the San Jose Airport to Puerto Jimenez where we will be based for the majority of the workshop 
• Tour of our resort grounds 
• Introduction to Wildlife photography presentation during our lunch 
• In the afternoon we will head out to Matapalo for our first photo outing 
• Target species include Sloths, Monkeys, Herons, and many other species of birds 

Day 3: April 14, 2022
La Tarde 
• Outing to La Tarde for Closeup and Macro photography 
• A this location we will photograph reptiles, and amphibians (including vipers, poison dart frogs and more) in a controlled environment 
• In the afternoon we will have a classroom session to download, edit and an image review 

Day 4: April 15, 2020
Carate 
• All day outing to Carate 
• The road to Carate provides an incredible number of opportunities for many different species of wildlife, this is also the best place to photograph Scarlet Macaws in the natural environment 
• Target species include: Macaws, two and three-toed sloths, monkeys, toucans and and many other species of birds 
• We will visit a bird sanctuary in the afternoon for many photo opportunities with many different species of birds 

Day 5: April 16, 2022
Bambu and OSA Interactive Gardens 
• On this morning we will be focusing on the many bird species that visit this area 
• These include Trogons, Cuckoos, Manakins, Toucans 
• We will also visit the Butterfly House where we will photograph many of the native butterfly species of Costa Rica 
• In the afternoon we will make out way to Mirimar for more wildlife photography 
• Target species include: two and three-toed sloths, monkeys, toucans and and many other species of birds 

Day 6: April 17, 2022
Sierpe 
• We depart our resort early in the morning to get on pontoon boats and cruise along the Sierpe river photographing many species of wildlife 
• Target species include crocodiles, boas, iguanas, herons, macaws, owls (spectacled, crested and more) and possibility of potoos 
• In the afternoon we will have a classroom session to download, edit and an image review 

Day 7: April 18, 2022
Cloud Forest 
• On this day we say goodbye to our resort in the OSA peninsula and depart early in the morning to head into the Cloud forest (4 hour drive) 
• After lunch we will head out to search for the resplendent quetzal, emerald toucanet and silky-flycatchers 

Day 8: April 19, 2022
Cloud Forest 
• Today we continue our search for photo opportunities with resplendent quetzal, emerald toucanet and silky-flycatchers 
• We will also visit some hummingbird gardens to make images of some of the plethora of species that call Costa Rica home 

Day 9: April 20, 2022
Cloud Forest & San Jose 
• In the morning we work the hummingbird gardens once more for the different hummingbird species as well as toucans, manakins and more. 
• In the afternoon we depart for San Jose (5 hour drive) 
• Overnight at hotel near the airport 

Day 10: April 21, 2022
• Depart for home anytime this day

FITNESS LEVEL: MODERATE

This workshop will be intense as it is a wildlife photo workshop, and not just a leisurely vacation. We often start our days before dawn and end after sunset. We do take time for lunch and rest during the day. You must be able to carry your own camera equipment.

INCLUDES

• Lodging

• All ground transportation

• Domestic flight in Costa Rica

• Snacks and water in the vehicles

• Local guide and driver gratuities

• All permits & fees

• Instruction

• Inspiration

• Camaraderie

• A great time

OPTIONAL COSTS

• Lodging is based on double occupancy. You will be paired with another participant unless a private room is requested. Single supplement is available for $900 USD. There are a limited number of rooms, so single supplement should be requested upon registration. Forced single occupancy will be charged single supplement rate on final invoice.

• Spousal rate is available for non-photographing spouse or tag-a-long. This is someone that accompanies the workshop participant, but does not taking part in the outings and photo workshop portion of this trip. The resorts both in Puerto Jimenez as well as in the cloud forest offer many optional adventures such as fishing, horse back riding, local tours, etc . This rate is $2,995 per person sharing a room with the workshop participant. 

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights to and from San Jose

• Costs associated with your travel to and from San Jose.

• Passport and/or Visa fees.

• Early arrival or late departure transfer expenses.

• Alcoholic beverages or specialty drinks.

• Meals on the day you arrive in San Jose, dinner on the 9th day in San Jose and any meals on the 10th day except for breakfast which is included in your hotel stay in San Jose.

• Travel insurance is required.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Within 2 working days of registering for the workshop you will receive a confirmation email. About 6 months before the start of the workshop you will get the details you will need to book your airfare to San Jose. You will receive periodic emails with any pertinent information about the workshop, including checklists for clothing and gear to bring. 

About 6 to 8 weeks prior to the workshop, we will provide you with detailed lodging and contact information, go over more details of the workshop and get you excited and thinking about the images you want to capture during the workshop. At this time you will also receive from me a list of recommended clothing, equipment and even discounts for equipment you may want to acquire for this once on a lifetime trip. We are always available to answer any questions you may have leading up to the workshop.

TWO MASTER PHOTOGRAPHERS - ONE AWESOME LEARNING ADVENTURE!

We believe the best way to teach is by demonstration, sharing techniques and by creatively challenging you at every step of your journey. Juan and Jennifer will be at your side throughout the workshop making sure you get a portfolio of amazing wildlife photos, sharing our vision, comments, insight and experiences. We will also spend time processing images with you.

The biggest advantage of having small groups is the flexibility they provide for customizing and adjusting both the schedule and agenda to suit the interests of the group while being able to maintain the flexibility required by variable weather. This allows us to cover only those topics that you are all interested in, including:

• How to create aesthetically pleasing wildlife and landscape photographs

• Storytelling through natural history photography 

• Best use of equipment 

• Digital Workflow 

• Adobe Lightroom basics 

• Image presentations and reviews 

If you would like to reserve your spot on this workshop you can do so with a $2,995.00 USD deposit. The balance of the workshop fee ($3,000) is April 3, 2021.

CANCELLATION POLICY

• A $2995 USD deposit is required to hold your workshop space.

• Balance is due by September 1, 2021. An invoice will be sent for final payment

• A non-refundable cancelation fee of $1000 will be deducted from any amount owed to customer. This applies to any cancelation prior to September 1, 2021.

• Cancelation between September 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021, your deposit is forfeit, non-refundable and non-transferable to another workshop.

• Cancelation after November 1, 2021, your full workshop fee is non-refundable and non-transferable to another workshop.

• Refunds will not be given for credits or transfers from any other photo workshop.

• Please see Terms and Conditions below.

You are required to purchase trip insurance for your workshop in case of any unforeseen emergency or situation that requires you to cancel or should there be a reason that you cannot attend. This includes natural disasters, pandemics or borderclosures that prevent the workshop from taking place on schedule It is the participant’s responsibility to protect their workshop investment and tuition. While there are many travel insurance options, Squaremouth is a website that allows you to compare multiple travel policies from multiple providers to choose the best one for you based on your needs and costs. Check them out here: https://www.squaremouth.com/. You should purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of your deposit so that you can purchase CFAR, or cancel for any reason insurance.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please visit, read and review our terms and conditions for all international photo workshops. You will be required to agree to these terms and cancellation policy during registration.