123456

RAINFORESTS OF COSTA RICA

PHOTO WORKSHOP
Dec. 4-9, 2024
**OPEN**

OSA PENINSULA

COSTA RICA

The Rainforests of Costa Rica Photo Workshop is a five-day photo workshop where you will observe and practice photographic techniques unique to the challenges found in a tropical rainforest. Led by Roy Toft, this small-group workshop is suited for all levels of photographic skill and experience.

This workshop takes place at the breathtaking Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge, a 750+ acre forest reserve ecolodge perched atop the cliffs of Cabo Matapalo, located at the very tip of the Osa Peninsula, in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. With its private cliff and top bungalows, this secluded getaway rainforest lodge is a photographer’s dream come true

During the daylight hours, participants will have opportunities to photograph a wide variety of wild animals, including four species of monkeys (Howler, White-Faced Capuchin, Spider, and the endangered Squirrel monkey), a huge variety of tropical birds including Toucan, Parrots, Hummingbirds, Tanagers, and the endangered Scarlet Macaws. Other possible animals we might encounter include tamandua, sloth, coati, kinkajou, collared peccary, Golfo Dulce poison dart frog, sea turtles, and perhaps even Puma!

Evening programs will cover various photographic topics and an evening of “behind the scenes” of the making of Roy’s coffee table book, “Osa: Where the Rainforest meets the Sea.”

Bosque del Cabo’s large rainforest reserve beautifully showcases the rich biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula, which remains one of Costa Rica’s most remote destination and is considered to be one of the most important, thriving and vital biological regions of Central America.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • How to shoot macro subjects, such as Leaf-Cutter Ants and Red-Eyed Tree Frogs.
  • Morning sea turtle release!
  • How to use on-camera flash and off-camera fill-flash expertly.
  • Participants may have opportunities morning, noon and night to photograph the four species of monkeys, Capuchin, Spider, Mantled Howler, and the endangered Squirrel monkey, as well as the many other animals and birds that call the Osa their home.

Length of Workshop

5 Days

Group Max

12 Participants

OPEN

Price

Photographer: $3,445 USD
Non-Photographer: $3,145 USD
Single-Supplement: $900 USD

Register Now!

Via Bosque del Cabo Reservation Form

OSA, WHERE THE RAINFOREST MEETS THE SEA

ITINERARY

  • Day 0

    Dec. 3, 2024

    Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica

    December 3, 2024 (or before): Participants must arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica the day before we begin our journey to the Osa Peninsula rainforest and start the Rainforests of Costa Rica Photo Workshop.

    Upon arrival to San Jose, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), you will transfer to host hotel for a one night stay. A meet-and-greet and workshop orientation will take place in the evening.

  • Day 1

    Dec. 4, 2024

    San Jose – Puerto Jiménez – Cabo Matapalo

    We catch an early morning flight from San Jose to Puerto Jiménez in the Osa Peninsula where the workshop officially begins.  After arrival in Puerto Jimenez we will travel by 4×4 vehicles to our beautiful ecolodge, the Bosque del Cabo. As we travel along the 45 minute (or so) 4-wheel drive road to Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Ecolodge we will have opportunities to stop and photograph animals and landscape.

    Day 1

  • Days 1-5

    Dec. 4-8, 2024

    Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Ecolodge

    The main photo workshop activities will take place in and around the 750+ acre private forest reserve at Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Ecolodge. Main workshop days are Dec. 4-8*.

    BLD

    *(Check-in the morning of Dec. 4 and depart Bosque del Cabo the morning of Dec. 9).

  • Day 6

    Dec. 9, 2024

    Cabo Matapalo – Puerto Jiménez – San Jose

    Our main workshop ends the evening of Dec. 8th and in the morning of Dec. 9th you will travel back to Puerto Jimenez, San Jose, or your end destination.

    Day 6

1
2
3
1

San Jose – Costa Rica. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) – Day 0 and Day 6.

2

Puerto Jiménez, a Gulf of Dulce coastal town in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. Day 1 and Day 6.

3

Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Ecolodge

Photo Workshop location for all 5 days.

LODGING

Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Ecolodge

Cabo Matapalo, each with beautiful ocean views, tropical breezes and the rainforest at your doorstep; or choose beautiful and rustic garden view accommodations surrounded by thriving rainforests. Hiking trails lead you through the forest to deserted beaches on both the Golfo Dulce and Pacific Ocean.

Bosque del Cabo, which opened its doors as a hotel in 1990, is owner operated and dedicated to forest reservation.

LEADER & ASSISTANT

Roy Toft

Roy Toft

Workshop Leader

Roy Toft is one of the world’s most highly accomplished wildlife photographers, in addition to being a biologist, natural-history educator, and a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP).

This small central American country was one of Roy‘s first international destinations for photography and animal viewing back in 1989. Since that time Roy has visited CR multiple times a year and even owned rainforest property in the Osa Peninsula for many years. Roy started his "Rainforest of Costa Rica" photo workshop in the late 1990’s and produced a coffee table book on the Osa Peninsula titled, "Osa, Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea".

International League of Conservation Photographers

Andres Garcia Lachner

Andres Garcia Lachner

Workshop Assistant

Costa Rica based professional photographer specialized in Architecture, Interior Design and Hospitality photography with a parallel interest in travel and nature.

Educational background has ranged from formal studies in photography, graphic and web design with degrees from the International Center of Photography New York, University of California San Diego and Veritas University of Art, Design and Architecture.

garcialachner.com

GALLERY

PRICING

2024 – Dec 4-9 Workshop Price:

*Photographer: $3,445 USD
*Non-Photographer: $3,145 USD
*Single-Supplement: $900 USD

Workshop Includes:

  • Daily photographic instruction by Roy Toft
  • Experienced Guide
  • Special evening workshop sessions
  • 4×4 taxi to and from Puerto Jiminez and Bosque del Cabo Lodge
  • Bosque del Cabo Lodging, including meals (bar drinks excluded)

Workshop Excludes:

  • Air Transportation to and from San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Air Transportation to and from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
  • Transportation to and from San Jose International Airport
  • Hotel night in San Jose
  • Activities outside workshop instruction
  • Bar or gift purchases

Registration

To register for this Costa Rica Photo Workshop, you will be directed to the Bosque del Cabo Lodge registration page to complete the booking of your accommodations. Let the lodge know you are registering for the Toft Photo Safaris workshop and they will take it from there!

Cancellation Policy

Toft Photo Safaris payment and cancellation policy is not applicable to Toft Photo Rainforests of Costa Rica photo workshops and must adhere to the Bosque del Cabo rainforest lodge policies.

Travel Insurance Recommended

Please consider obtaining Trip or Travel Insurance to cover eventualities which may cause travel difficulties or losses you may incur, of which neither Bosque del Cabo nor Toft Photo Safaris are responsible. We strongly suggest Trip or Travel Insurance to all our guests to cover any unseen situations occurring prior to or during the trip which would cause losses not covered by our policy.

For travel insurance recommendations, please view our Policies page.

* For More Information Regarding Photographers, Non-Photographers, and Single Supplement descriptions, please view our Policies page.

PACKING LIST

PACKING LIST FOR COSTA RICA PHOTO WORKSHOPS

Below are some general suggestions that can serve as guidelines for your planning. Please bear in mind that, as mentioned above, there are luggage restrictions of between 15 kg (33 lbs.) and 20 kg (44 lbs.), in a soft bag with no wheels, frames or rigid structures.

CLOTHING

In Costa Rica December marks the beginning of their dry season. Daytime temperatures are usually in the upper 80s to low 90s.  Rains are much less frequent and usually only a passing shower in the late afternoon or early evening if at all. in December is humid so we would like to suggest that you pack accordingly. Many sports stores sell lightweight practical outdoor wear suitable for the rainforest. We recommend:

  • T-shirts – natural fibers like cotton, hemp, wool, or bamboo
  • Long-sleeved cotton shirts to protect you from mosquitos and the sun
  • Shorts – quick drying
  • Long pants – quick-drying, zip-off/convertible pants are an excellent option
  • Light rain jacket or rain poncho
  • Water shoes or Teva type of sandals
  • Shoes – light hiking/walking shoes
  • Socks – bring a few extra pairs if you plan on wearing closed-toe shoes
  • Sun hat
  • Bandana
  • Swimsuit
  • Sunscreen
  • We recommend only bringing quick-dry synthetic fabrics if possible

EQUIPMENT/OTHER

  • Good quality sunglasses, UV protected, preferably polarized. Tinted fashion glasses are not good in strong light.
  • Flashlight. A headlamp is especially practical.
  • Personal toiletries (basic amenities are supplied by most establishments).
  • Moisturizing cream and suntan lotion – SPF 30 or higher recommended.
  • Insect repellent for body application, e.g. Tabard, Rid, Jungle Juice, etc.
  • Basic medical kit (aspirins, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream and antihistamine cream, etc.)
  • Tissues/Wet Wipes.
  • Camera equipment including spare batteries, chargers, film, flash cards, memory sticks, etc.
  • Waterproof bag or cover for your camera.
  • We highly recommend that you bring your own pair of binoculars for viewing both wildlife and birds. The recommended general purpose binocular specifications are 8×40 or 10×42.

CAMERA GEAR

  • 2 DSLR bodies (that you know well and work properly)
  • 300 or 400mm medium lens
  • 24mm (or under) wide lens
  • Sturdy tripod with gimbal head and mount that fits camera bodies
  • Polarizer filter(s)
  • Batteries and charger, memory cards, USB drive/stick to transfer image to free up memory cards. Bring owner’s manuals!
  • Waterproof bag to cover camera & bodies when it rains

This was our sixth trip with Toft Photo Safaris.  Maybe I should simply stop there, enough said.

We had been to the Osa with Roy six years ago, but this trip was different even though we stayed in the same places; we saw a rather new selection of wildlife and nothing was boring, we both had a truly excellent adventure.  The photographic opportunities and ambiance were superb; the food was wonderful and our companions on the trip made the whole experience so much better.  Because of the relaxed environment in CR,  Roy does more photo instruction on this trip than he might elsewhere, so much the better for those who benefit.

We cajoled another couple, friends for years who had never  before been on a photo trip to accompany us.  They thoroughly enjoyed every aspect and now want to sign up for another Toft photo safari.

Donna and I do not know how you could  find a better photographic experience in Costa Rica!

Richard & Donna S.