Wildlife Photography Workshops
Multi-day immersive photography expeditions across Costa Rica — led by Yehudi Hernández & Elías Peña
Professional all-inclusive wildlife photography programs designed for serious photographers. From macro sessions with herpetologists to King Vulture blinds and Quetzal hunts in the highlands — every detail is covered.
Small groups of 2–8 participants ensure personalized instruction and optimal field conditions. Each location is scouted for the best light, species activity, and photographic opportunity. Whether you shoot birds in flight, amphibians at night, or landscapes at golden hour — this expedition is built around your lens.
Spots Available
Oct 20 – Nov 1, 2027·2–8 photographers · 13 days
Reservation closes May 31, 2027 · 2028 waitlist open
What Makes This Workshop Unique
This isn't a standard photo tour. It's a carefully designed expedition where every day, every location, and every session is optimized for capturing extraordinary wildlife images in Costa Rica's most biodiverse regions.
- Expert-led field sessions with two professional wildlife photographers
- Access to private reserves, hides, and exclusive photography blinds
- Multi-flash hummingbird and bat flight setups included
- Night macro sessions with a resident herpetologist guide
- All logistics handled — lodging, meals, permits, and transport
- Post-processing review sessions every evening
Your Workshop Leaders
Yehudi Hernández
Top Photographer · Birder · Naturalist · Workshop Partner
Owner of Yehudi Photography Photo Tours, a licensed tour operator with international experience leading expeditions in the Pantanal (Brazil), Namibia, Colombia, and Costa Rica. Specialist in bird photography, macro wildlife, multi-flash hummingbird setups, and bat flight photography. Known for his patience, technical precision, and deep knowledge of neotropical species.
Elías Peña Ramírez
Owner of Elias Nature Tours · Wildlife Photographer · Naturalist
Founder and owner of Elias Nature Tours. Professional wildlife photographer with extensive experience across Arenal, La Fortuna, and countrywide Costa Rica and Ecuador. Deep expertise in coordination, tour management, and reservations. 15+ years leading nature expeditions.
Costa Rica Wildlife Photography
October 20, 2026 — November 1, 2026
13 Days / 12 Nights — All-Inclusive Expedition
🌐 Bilingual expedition (English & Spanish)
Operated by Elias Nature Tours
Investment Per Person
+ 13% IVA (tax): $546
Total from: $4,746 USD
🛏️ Single bed supplement: +$500 USD +13% tax
Shared room (double occupancy) included in base price
Deposit to Reserve Your Spot
The 30% deposit secures your reservation. Full payment is due 45 days before departure.
Available Spots
Early Registration Deadline
Early deadline: August 21, 2026
After this date, registration requires 100% payment (if 2+ spots taken)
Completing your reservation implies acceptance of our Payment & Cancellation Policies.
Portfolio Samples
Resplendent QuetzalKing Vulture
Green Violet-earHummingbird Macro
Silver-throated Tanager
Keel-billed ToucanRed-eyed Tree Frog
Glass Frog
Poison Dart FrogGlass Frog & Eggs
Jumping Spider
Spectacled Caiman
Hognose Pit Viper
Bird in Flight
Macro Session
Macro Detail
Wildlife Portrait
Workshop Setting
Wildlife Close-up
Natural Habitat
Bird Photography
Workshop in Action
Field Session
Tropical BirdSample 13-Day Workshop Itinerary
A journey through Costa Rica's most productive photography locations — from lowland rainforests to highland cloud forests. October 20 – November 1, 2027. Reservation deadline: May 31, 2027.
Arrival — San José
Arrive to San José, transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea. Introduction to the program by your local guide and welcome dinner.
Macro Photography — Arenal
Early departure to Arenal. First macro session with a local herpetologist — frogs, lizards, and snakes. Introduction to the macro world by the leaders, followed by afternoon photography of local species.
Advanced Macro & Hummingbirds
Second macro session to refine techniques and create new compositions with different lighting. Afternoon at Arenal Observatory for natural-light hummingbird photography on garden trails.
Boca Tapada — Nest Nature Center & Bats
Transfer to Boca Tapada. Photography at Nest Nature Center with naturalist Juan Diego. Lunch included on-site. Evening bats-in-flight session with flash.
King Vultures & Hummingbird Strobes
Morning in a professionally designed bird blind — King Vultures landing for flight photos and portraits. Afternoon hummingbird session with strobes, then re-do bats in flight with dinner break.
Toucans, Euphonias & Honeycreepers
Morning dedicated to Toucan photography using optimal light. Then small birds in flight — Euphonias and Honeycreepers. Flexible afternoon for Toucans/Parrots or more macro.
Sarapiquí — Macaws & Forest Trails
Transfer to Sarapiquí with stop at Finca Dos Cadáveras — Scarlet Macaws in flight and White-faced Monkeys. Afternoon walk at Selva Verde Lodge trails for habitat photography.
White Bats, Basilisks & Sloths
Full day at a private garden — White Tent-making Bats, mimic insects, Nightjars, Basilisk lizards, Sloths, and more. An incredible diversity day.
La Selva Research Station & Highlands
Morning at La Selva Research Station — birds and mammals in natural habitat on world-class trails. Afternoon transfer to the Talamanca highlands.
Resplendent Quetzal & Highland Hummingbirds
Early departure to search for the iconic Resplendent Quetzal. Return for breakfast, then a full hummingbird flash session in the highlands. A truly unforgettable day.
Second Quetzal Search & Return
Second Quetzal search at dawn. Late breakfast, checkout and transfer to San José with lunch stop. Arrival at Hotel Bougainvillea. Farewell dinner — end of workshop.
All-Inclusive Package
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Licensed tourist transport with permits
- Premium lodging throughout
- Professional guides at every location
- Macro photography equipment & setups
- Multi-flash hummingbird rigs
- Bat flight photography setups
- Bird blind access (King Vultures, Toucans)
- Species identification for every shot
- Water & refreshments daily
Workshop Details
Group Size
2–8 photographers (larger groups by arrangement)
Advance Booking
Minimum 90 days in advance — full payment required before departure
Format
Custom dates — not a scheduled tour
Reservations
Officially booked through Elias Nature Tours in coordination with Yehudi Hernández
Ready to Create Extraordinary Images?
Contact us to check availability and design your custom photography workshop.
Request Full Details
We personally review each request to confirm availability, timing, and final details.
📱 Mobile number only (for WhatsApp)
Small group · Limited availability · Personalized coordination
Payment, Cancellation & Insurance
Payment
- •A 30% deposit secures your reservation — confirms your spot and lets us begin coordinating logistics with local partners
- •The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure
- •If the balance remains unpaid 60 days before the start date, the reservation may be released and the deposit retained
- •We accept credit/debit cards (Stripe), PayPal, and bank transfers
Cancellation
- •120+ days before departure → 95% refund to original payment method, or 100% as travel credit (12 months)
- •90–120 days before → 70% refund to original payment method, or 90% as travel credit (12 months)
- •60–90 days before → 50% refund to original payment method, or 75% as travel credit (12 months)
- •30–60 days before → 25% refund to original payment method, or 50% as travel credit (12 months)
- •Less than 30 days → no refund and no credit (local services already prepaid)
- •Unused services included in your itinerary cannot be refunded or credited
- •If we cancel a trip due to low enrollment, you receive a full refund of all payments made
- •All refunds are issued to the original payment method (card, PayPal, or bank transfer used at booking). We do not issue cash refunds under any circumstance.
Travel Insurance
- •Every traveler must have their own travel insurance before arriving in Costa Rica
- •Your policy should cover medical emergencies, trip interruption, and loss or theft of personal gear
- •We cannot cover expenses that arise from traveling without proper insurance
- •For the best rates and coverage, we suggest arranging your policy from your home country
Trip Conduct
- •We foster a respectful, collaborative atmosphere — please treat guides, drivers, lodge staff, and fellow travelers with courtesy
- •Disruptive behavior that impacts the group experience may result in removal from the trip without compensation
Trusted Local Operation
Registered in Costa Rica. All vehicles, guides and operations are fully insured and licensed.