- Fast, real replies
- Free trip planning
- Organization & bookings
- Spaces held for you
- Private & small groups
- Large groups & universities
Included
Included & what to bring
Included
- Private naturalist / photography-focused guide
- Breakfast at Laguna Lagarto Reserve
- Access to toucan photography platform (~2 hrs)
- Edward's bird garden session — tanagers, honeycreepers, hummingbirds (6+ species)
- Multi-flash hummingbird photography session (Edward's professional setup)
- King Vulture hide photography session
- Macro photography of frogs & snakes in natural environment
- Traditional Costa Rican lunch
- Entrance fees to all photography locations & hides
Not included
- Transport / hotel pickup — quoted separately by hotel and zone
What to bring
- Camera with telephoto lens (400mm+)
- Macro lens (optional)
- Rain cover
- Binoculars
- Snacks
- Comfortable outdoor clothes
What to know
Gallery
What you may see
Real photographs from our departures. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How it works
- 1
Choose your date
Date, modality and travellers at checkout.
- 2
We authorize your card
The amount is held; NOT charged until VIVO confirms.
- 3
We confirm in writing
Email and WhatsApp with time, meeting point and assigned guide.
- 4
Your private portal
You receive your portal with itinerary, calendar invite and support.
Where exactly it is
Boca Tapada, San Carlos · 110 km from La Fortuna (≈165 min drive)
Tour Location· Boca Tapada Lodge
4.9(125)24 hoursTravelers also loved
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- Duration
- Full day (~12 hrs)
- Start time
- 4:30amSubject to availability
- Group style
- Private departure
- Pickup
- Pickup can be coordinated
- Languages
- EN / ES
- Fast, real replies
- Free trip planning
- Organization & bookings
- Spaces held for you
- Private & small groups
- Large groups & universities
Gallery
What you may see
Real photographs from our departures. Sightings are never guaranteed.
About the experience
The experience
Boca Tapada – Full Day Bird Photography Tour
Private Full Day Bird Photography Expedition to Boca Tapada — one of Costa Rica's best-kept rainforest secrets. Early start at Laguna Lagarto Reserve with breakfast and access to a top toucan photography platform, ~2 hours at Edward's famous bird garden (tanagers, honeycreepers, oropendolas, euphonias), King Vulture hide for close-range vulture photography, traditional Costa Rican lunch, afternoon hummingbird photography session (multi-flash or natural light), and macro opportunities (2–3 frog species and snakes such as Eyelash Pit Viper, Fer-de-Lance, Jumping Pit Viper). Return to La Fortuna ~5:40–6:30 PM.
PRICE: $640 per person, all-inclusive (private transport from La Fortuna, taxes and card fee included).
OPTIONAL ADD-ON (book at time of reservation): • Evening Bat Multi-Flash Photography (5:45pm–7:45pm or 8:15pm–9:30pm): +$80 pp + IVA + fee → +$93 pp total
Highlights
Highlights
What makes this day different
$640 per person, all-inclusive (private transport from La Fortuna, taxes and card fee included)
Private transport from La Fortuna included
Meeting point and coordinates sent after booking confirmation — never before
Optional add-on: Bat Multi-Flash +$93 pp
Best for serious bird and wildlife photographers — all levels welcome
La Fortuna departure ~5:30 AM · Return ~6:30–7:00 PM
Minimum 1 adult · Maximum 6 passengers
Itinerary
Itinerary
Your day, hour by hour
Indicative timings — we adapt to wildlife activity and weather.
4:00 AMHotel pickup
Private transport from your La Fortuna area hotel.
4:20 AMArrive at Boca Tapada / Laguna Lagarto
Briefing with your bilingual naturalist guide.
4:30 AMGuided experience begins
Immersive interpretation at a boutique pace.
9:30 AMWildlife & photo stops
Curated stops for sightings and photography.
2:30 PMReturn to hotel
Comfortable transfer back to your accommodation.
Included
Included & what to bring
Included
- Private naturalist / photography-focused guide
- Breakfast at Laguna Lagarto Reserve
- Access to toucan photography platform (~2 hrs)
- Edward's bird garden session — tanagers, honeycreepers, hummingbirds (6+ species)
- Multi-flash hummingbird photography session (Edward's professional setup)
- King Vulture hide photography session
- Macro photography of frogs & snakes in natural environment
- Traditional Costa Rican lunch
- Entrance fees to all photography locations & hides
Not included
- Transport / hotel pickup — quoted separately by hotel and zone
What to bring
- Camera with telephoto lens (400mm+)
- Macro lens (optional)
- Rain cover
- Binoculars
- Snacks
- Comfortable outdoor clothes
Pickup & times
Logistics
Practical details before you book
Pickup can be coordinated
The exact meeting point is shared once the session is confirmed.
Share your hotel or Airbnb name during checkout and we confirm pickup time and any transport cost in writing.
What to know
Where exactly it is
Boca Tapada, San Carlos · 110 km from La Fortuna (≈165 min drive)
Tour Location· Boca Tapada Lodge
4.9(125)24 hoursBooking window
Requests close 72h before departure. Inside that window we still try, but availability is not confirmed.
This experience accepts a card authorization online: the amount is held, never charged, until VIVO confirms.
1 Adult · 8
Cancellation & changes
- 100% − 5%: Green 10+ days · Peak 10+ days
- 30% − 5%: Green 5–10 days · Peak 5–10 days
- Non-refundable: Green Under 5 days · Peak Under 5 days
- Applies to the Full-Day expedition and every Specialty Session/hide. Minimum booking 72 hours ahead.
- No-show: no refund and no rescheduling.
- We operate in the rain. If VIVO cancels for safety, you get a free reschedule or 100% credit valid 12 months. No cash refunds. Transport already driven that day is not refunded.
- The 5% processing fee is kept only when the guest cancels — never when VIVO cancels for weather, safety or operations.
- Refunds go to the original payment method in 5–10 business days. Never cash.
Private or small group
Compare with other options in this zone
Real alternatives in the same destination, so you can decide without opening five tabs.
| Detail | You are viewingBoca Tapada – Full Day Bird Photography Tour | Valle de los Quetzales – Full Day Birding & Photography Tour | Cinchona – Colibri Cafe Birding & Photography | 🌋 La Fortuna – Classic Combo Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Full day (~12 hrs) | Full day (~10–11 hrs) | Full day (~8–9 hours door-to-door; 6 hours dedicated at the feeders) | Full day (~10 hours) |
| Price | From $640 | From $350 | From $350 | From $300 |
| Difficulty | — | — | Easy | — |
| Transport | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Modality | Private | Private | Private | Private or group |
| Booking | Instant date hold | Instant date hold | Instant date hold | Instant date hold |
| Includes | 9 items | 5 items | 8 items | 5 items |
FAQ
Questions
Frequently asked
How long does this tour last?
It lasts a full day, around 12 hours. Start times: 4:30am departure.
Is transport or pickup included?
Yes. Hotel zones 1–2 are included. Outside zone 2, add $60 per reservation (vehicle), all-inclusive. Non-photography companions pay $448 per person.
Why does it start so early?
Boca Tapada is roughly 3 hours from La Fortuna and the wildlife is most active at first light, so we leave before dawn to use the best hours.
How far ahead should we book?
At least 2 days ahead. Availability is confirmed within 24 hours and free cancellation applies up to 10 days before the date.
What happens if it rains?
Rain is part of the rainforest and the tour normally runs; we bring rain gear. If conditions become unsafe, we reschedule or refund according to our policy.
More questions about tours in this area? Read the Boca Tapada FAQ
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