Costa Rica Wildlife Photography: 12 Field Tips

Written by VIVO Expeditions Editorial Team

Reviewed by Elías Peña — Wildlife Photographer · Naturalist · Founder · Operations Lead

Essential Camera Settings

• Shutter speed: At least 1/500s for birds in flight, 1/250s for perched birds • ISO: Don't fear high ISO — rainforest light is dim. ISO 3200-6400 is normal • Aperture: f/5.6-f/8 for sharp subjects with blurred backgrounds • Use continuous autofocus (AF-C) and burst mode • Shoot RAW for maximum editing flexibility • Bring a 100-400mm or 150-600mm telephoto lens

Best Locations for Photography

Each habitat offers different subjects: • Ecocentro Danaus: Sloths, frogs, butterflies — great for macro • Bogarin Trail: Herons, kingfishers, sloths — easy access • Arenal Observatory: Toucans, raptors, panoramic volcano shots • Boca Tapada: Great green macaws, lowland specialties • Night walks: Red-eyed tree frogs, vipers, insects — flash essential

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When to Shoot: Light Windows in Arenal

The two dependable windows are the first two hours after sunrise and the last ninety minutes before sunset. Midday light is harsh and most birds go quiet. Overcast mornings, common in the green season, are actually excellent for rainforest work: soft, even light and no blown highlights. Plan an early session, rest in the middle of the day, then go out again in the late afternoon or at night rather than pushing one long block.

A Longer Trip: Boca Tapada and the Lowlands

If you have an extra day and photography is the point of the trip, the Boca Tapada lowlands are a different set of subjects from Arenal — great green macaws, herons and lowland species around river and lagoon habitat. It works best as a full day rather than a stop squeezed between other activities.

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See the Work Before You Book

You can look through the portfolio to see the kind of images these sessions produce and the conditions they were taken in. Elias reviews the technical guidance in this article; departures are led by our naturalist photographer guides, and he does not personally guide every one.

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Night Photography Techniques

Macro night photography in the rainforest is uniquely rewarding. Use a dedicated macro lens (100mm or 90mm), an off-camera flash with a diffuser, and a headlamp with a red filter to find subjects without disturbing them. Focus manually — autofocus struggles in the dark. A naturalist guide makes all the difference, finding subjects you'd never spot alone.

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Ethical Wildlife Photography

• Never bait, call, or disturb wildlife for a photo • Keep minimum distances — especially from nests • Don't use flash on nocturnal mammals or nesting birds • Stay on trails to protect habitat • Support conservation through responsible tourism • A good guide ensures ethical encounters