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Archive 2015 · Planning a trip to Costa Rica - some questions

  
 
EverLearning
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Planning a trip to Costa Rica - some questions


Thanks in advance for any and all input provided! I know this is a long post, so please feel free to answer any or all questions.

I should preface this post by saying that whale-watching isn't a big thing for me as I have had a wonderful experience doing so already. Other than that, I am looking for a fairly diverse experience rather than a focus on anything specific.

It seems December to March is the best overall time to go to Costa Rica. Any differing thoughts? We are thinking of going January or February. Any reason to consider otherwise?

We're thinking of a 10 day vacation, including travel days and a rest day at the front end, so seven days for exploring. Is this a reasonable amount? we could extend the trip a little bit if it makes sense.

IT appears that Osa Peninsula is the best one stop locale, with honorable mention to Carara N.P. Tortuguero N.P. was mentioned as the most natural rainforest wildlife viewing experience,
but that all wildlife viewing is done from a boat and is done from afar. Monteverde was also mentioned but was characterized as amazing flora with limited wildlife (especially other than birds). Thoughts on this statement? Other noteworthy places to consider?

Given the amount of time we are thinking of having in CR, should we stay in one place or split the time between two places (again, we could extend the trip a little bit if it makes sense)?
Any thoughts on the Lookout Inn Lodge and the Luna Lodge on the SE edge of the Corcovado N.P.? Other places in or about the Corcovado N.P. I should be looking at? Places at other locales you would recommend?

I saw the following in an article: "I would suggest utilizing the skills and wisdom of an experienced photography guide and/or naturalist who is well-acquainted with the various ecosystems. This can make all difference in getting to a desired location or finding the wildlife within each of those areas." It makes sense, but how does find such an EXPERIENCED guide/naturalist? I saw this photo tour that looked (pricey but) interesting - http://www.costaricaphototour.com - but anybody can put up a fancy page and call themselves a pro photographer. How does one determine if a tour offering is actually good?

Now for equipment. I have the 7DM2 (7D as backup body). I have a 17-55 f2.8, 24-105 f4, 100-400 f4.5-5.6 and my new love, the Sigma 120-300 f2.8. I also have the 1.4x and 2x TC for the Sigma. I was thinking of just taking the 17-55, the 120-300, the two TCs and the two bodies (probably carry both at all times, with the 17-55 on the 7D). Thoughts on this? Any situations where I should be very nervous about the 120-300 'going for a swim' or some other such peril that it would justify also bringing my 100-400? I'm thinking that lens is simply too slow for a rainforest.

I don't have a macro lens, but I plan on bringing my extension tubes.

What about flash? Is it necessary for fill? What about a flash extender? I have a Speedlite 420ex, for which I have never been able to find an extender that fits (Better Beamer or other). If an extender is recommended, is it important enough that I should upgrade my flash?

Support: I gather a monopod would be a good idea. I have a carbon fiber tripod that is very light. Is there enough opportunity to use it and a Wimberley sidekick?

Thanks!



Jun 07, 2015 at 11:31 AM
dorian
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Planning a trip to Costa Rica - some questions


Hey

I just got back from Costa Rica and I wrote a 3-part series about my trip on my blog. You can find it at:

http://thespeckledhatchback.blogspot.com

We spent 8 days split between San Gerardo de Dota in the Southern cloud forests and the areas around Arenal National Park in the northwest.

Costa Rica is the size of West Virginia - you could visit any two sites in the country in 10 days.

As for gear, you are on the right track. A flash certainly helps document species in bad lighting conditions.

Feel free to contact me with other questions.



Jun 07, 2015 at 01:34 PM
EverLearning
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Planning a trip to Costa Rica - some questions


Thanks Dorian. I will review your blog in the next day or two and follow up with you. Much appreciated (BTW, I just saw your post with some photos from the trip. Very nice!).

I'm pretty sure Dorian isn't the only FMer who went to CR. Actually, I know he isn't the only one because I went through all the CR FM posts. I would love to here from some more of you!



Jun 08, 2015 at 04:46 PM
Older Fossil
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Planning a trip to Costa Rica - some questions


I found a flash with a Better-Beamer really useful when we were there a couple years back. In the Osa peninsula, very little light gets through the canopy, and you are often shooting in the direction of the light source. If you take a Better-Beamer, learn how to dial the flash power back to just illuminate the subject without too harsh lighting.

Art



Jun 08, 2015 at 10:55 PM
xelas
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Planning a trip to Costa Rica - some questions


Hola! Not a regular member with many photos but I did 3 trips to Costa Rica, 9 weeks in total, with about the same general idea as yours: to get nice photos. First a link to those we were able to produce on our last visit (just to give you some sense of what an average photographer can get in Costa Rica):

Costa Rica 2013 - http://tinyurl.com/nz553rd

Now to answer some of your questions:
December to March is so called dry season, yet there are many weather patterns for such a small country. If Osa then do go in that time period. But avoid both xmas and New Year. Best would be second half of January. Then July is a good month, a break in so called rain season. Or, if you are a birder, the two migration months (check out google for more about bird migration).
Seven days is a bit short; although the country is (relatively) small, driving times between different locations are longer than you would think. General idea is to allocate 3 days to each location.
Osa peninsula is one of the most appreciated wildlife areas; specially Corcovado N.P. But it is also at the far end of the country, and logistically is not an easy destination. If renting a car you could do Carara (with Tarcoles river) and Osa (without Corcovado) in one trip; if Tortuguero will be one of your targets then you should add Sarapiqui area as the second location on that side of Costa Rica.
If going to Osa peninsula, for your amount of time, stay somewhere on Cabo Matapalo area; if costs of Bosque del Cabo are within your budget, do stay there. They have almost all the wildlife that you can find also inside Corcovado (if you will see them, well, that depends on how lucky, or how patient, you are). If you will stay closer to Puerto Jimenez, then renting a car is obligatory, to make daily drives towards Cabo Matapalo and Carate.
Definitively, hiring a private guide is a way to go. They might not be pro photographers but they all have experiences photographing inside rain forest where light conditions are very different / difficult. As for joining a specialised photo tour, depends on your personal taste. I prefere private guides. You van search the net for names, or ask on travel forums like Tripadvisor, or even PM me for a couple of names. However, there are many and to my experiences they are all very good, both with scope and with camera.
I haven't find landscapes in Costa Rica to be very impressive (to me anyway). So most of the photos were about wildlife, birds and monkeys. Definitively take your fastest lens; for general photography 24-105 is more useful as 17-55. As Dorian have already said, an external flash with a BB is a great aid inside the tropical rain forest. The wildlife you will take photos of will move so tripod will be useless. Bring your monopod but I think most of your shooting will be hand held.
Above all, have fun. Luckily for you Costa Rica is close, so return visit is almost guaranteed!




Jun 09, 2015 at 03:01 AM
Bogino
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Planning a trip to Costa Rica - some questions


Been to all 4 corners of CR and without a doubt my favorite area for wildlife photography is the Osa Peninsula. Should you decide to go there look up Mike Boston under Osa Aventuras (easily found on Google). British gentleman that has taken me on some great hikes and helped me capture some great photo's. Bosque del Cabo is fantastic but not inexpensive ($300 - $400 a night). I've been to Carara and honestly was not impressed at all. Both Carara and Manuel Antonio felt kind of "touristy", more crowded and not great wildlife opportunities. On the other side (Caribbean) Gandoca Manzanillo has beautiful photographic opportunities and also terrific wildlife. You can hire Bob Marley as a guide for $40 - $60 a day. The further away you get from "civilization" the more expensive things become. The Osa in general is not cheap. I did discover a nice hotel there that is more of a "budget" hotel but the location is beautiful. PM me for details if interested. Been to Osa 3 times already and probably headed back in January again. Another honorable mention is Tapanti National Park. Not "touristy" at all and very good opportunities to spot wild cats (though you'd probably have to camp out there).

Regarding Monterverde your comment is accurate. Very good for bird photography and botanic photography but you won't see the same abundance of wildlife there as you would on Osa or on the Caribbean. Monteverde too is kinda "touristy".

There's always the risk of damaging your photo gear depending on where you're hiking. I have taken plenty of "spills" on trails when it's been muddy and steep. I've damaged (never seriously) a couple lenses. For the best hiking and photo opportunities it's not a casual walk in the park so just keep that in mind.

I usually carry with me either my 70-300mm "L" or a 400mm. In addition I definitely take my 100mm Macro and my Tamron 24-70mm which I use as an all purpose.

With roughly 7 days you won't be able to do both Tortuguero and Osa unless you really "rush" things. I would either do one side or the other, i.e. Tortuguero and then down to Puerto Viejo area by Gandoca or else the southern Pacific zone i.e. a couple days in or near Manuel Antonio or Dominical and then south towards Osa. The reality is that to truly apreciate the Osa you could easily spend a week there alone. Hike to Corcovado...explore Golfe Dulce...explore the Sierpe etc.



Jul 29, 2015 at 07:51 PM
jdc562
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Planning a trip to Costa Rica - some questions


Quick thoughts:
1. Yes on the flash for forest shots. Practice on settings to get fill without ugly glare.
2. A good guide person is a good investment. Asking here was a good move. For more recommendations try contacting the authors of the guidebooks to Costa Rican birds. However, make sure the guide knows you are there for photography, not adding to your life list. (Life listers are satisfied with hearing calls and seeing birds from a distance.)
3. Try to find lodging that specializes in wildlife viewing, not just vacationing in a beauty spot. These places exist in Panama, and I bet there are ones in Costa Rica, too. They, too, can probably give you good recommendations for guides. They will know nesting areas, feeding spots, ant swarms, etc.
4. Bring plenty of clear plastic bags to shelter your gear from rain and mist. To reduce the risks of condensation, be sure to warm your gear before going outside from a colder air-conditioned space. Also be careful of bringing your gear from a warm high humidity environment into a cold air conditioned one.
5. A big risk to your gear is theft. Never ever leave gear in your car, not even in the trunk. Never ever ever put stuff in your trunk when you arrive at a parking location. Lug it with you.
6. Get insurance for all risks.
7. Take plenty of memory cards. Change them frequently and don't keep the exposed ones with your gear. That way, if you lose your gear, you won't lose your photos.
8. You have made a very good decision not to try to go to too many places. Concentrate on a few good places. Since you can be rained out on some days, and it takes a few days to get to know an area, the more time allotted for your trip, the better.
9. The "golden hour" barely exists at low latitudes. On the other hand, there can often be bright hazy light through the day.
10. As you must know, there are plenty of subjects for beautiful macro shots: frogs, flowers, insects, ferns, etc. For a real treat, illuminate a sheet of white cloth at night and watch it attract beautiful insects.
11. I would not recommend planning to change lenses (e.g., for extension tube changes) in the field. The less you open your lenses to gnats and moisture, the better.
12. In the dry season (when you are planning to be there) the trade winds on the Caribbean side can be carrying a salt mist. Take precautions.



Jul 29, 2015 at 09:10 PM





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