Costa Rica Safari:
May 7-15th, 2026
This 8 night Costa Rica tour will take you to 3 diverse regions in the heart of Costa Rica.
Sarapiqui
Tarcoles
Gerardo de Dota
Details:
Skill Level
Most of the trails and grounds are flat with good trails. At times, we might walk about a mile carrying our gear. There will be some hills, especially in Gerardo de Dota.
This tour/workshop is for all levels of photographers. To maximize your photo opportunities, I recommend that you know how to use your camera and the basics of photography (exposure triangle, DOF, etc.). If you have questions, please contact me to discuss your personal situation.
Daily Itinerary & other details
Lodging information
Pierella Gardens is an 8.5 acre Environmental and Conservation Organization. With lush gardens and an abundance of birds, you can spend a whole day enjoying the grounds. They raise endemic butterflies and provide them to educational centers, research centers, and Zoos all over the world.
They offer two types of rooms, both with private bathrooms: Rustic, with mosquito netting and fans; and privacy rooms that are spacious and with AC. Meals are offered family stile, and include delicious varieties of fruits, vegetables and meats. Accommodations for special dietary needs are available.
For more information, contact me or check them out here Pierella Gardens
Cerro Lodge was built to provide the best service to nature lovers, especially birdwatchers and photographers. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with views of the sea and mountains. The lodge facilities are in a privileged location, since they are minutes from the Tárcoles River, the Carara National Park and just steps from Calle La Barca; All three are excellent places for watching birds, butterflies and other animals.
The Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa is located in the central valley, near San Jose. The hotel lies in San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Talamanca Mountains, in the midst of a precious ecosystem. The beautiful village of San Gerardo de Dota offers fresh mountain air, outstanding cloud forests, some of the best bird watching in the country and amazing peach, plum and apple orchards.
For more information click here: https://www.savegre.com/
As of now, there are no special COVID requirements to enter Costa
Rica, unless you’ve been in China, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan within 14 days of travel. You can check this link before travel to check for any updates or changes to their policy https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements . You must have a valid passport with a couple of blank pages, and is valid for the duration of the trip. No visa is required as of this writing, but you need to show a return ticket. You can not enter with more than $10,000 in cash. For additional information and US State department
updates go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html
Trip cancellation and/or interruption, baggage, and medical/accident insurance is highly recommended. Adi Ringer, Adi Ringer Photography and Artemis Artworks are not responsible for any damage or loss of luggage or gear; injuries or extra expenses not specifically outlined in this document before, during or after the program. Please research coverage and costs, we have no recommendations or affiliations.
Luggage limits might be the first point of consideration for you, since you won’t want to send expensive gear with your checked luggage. Figure out how much weight you can carry, carry-on limitations, etc.
I used my 500mm 90% of the time, sometimes with a TC or in DX mode. I definitely recommend you take the longest lens you have, since most of the wildlife will be birds. At the lodges you’ll have lots of birds close by, so you’ll be able to take great shots with a 70-200 or something similar. The forest can get pretty dark, so fast lenses like f2.8/f4 work best.
There are lots of macro opportunities with flowers and bugs, so if you have a macro lens, you’ll get good use out of it.
Finally, if you’re into landscapes, bring your wide-angle lens. At every turn, there will be an amazing view. I ended up using my phone for landscapes since I didn’t want to switch lenses.
A few other suggestions:
- Monopod or tripod
- Two camera bodies if you have them.
- Spare batteries
- Flash
- A lot of memory space (You’ll take thousands of images)
- External drive for backup
- Computer or tablet for image culling, processing and backing up.
- Accessories: Lens cleaning kit, rain covers, flashlight.
Comfortable light cool clothing, with warmer layers. Neutral and dark colors are preferred since bright colors might scare off wildlife or bring unwanted attention. Quick drying clothes help since it’s often warm and humid with frequent chances of rain. I like to wear camo clothing, not to be invisible or blend in, but because I don’t want to worry about staining my clothes as I kneel or lay down on the dirty or wet ground. Bathing suit for enjoying the pool, comfortable hiking shoes, sunscreen & bug spray. You’ll want to pack warmer clothes for the mountains, days can be cool and nights pretty cold. The lodges have minimal heating capabilities in the rooms.
The weather in Costa Rica in November typically ranges between 70s and 80s (f). It’s the transition time between the rainy season and dry season, so there is always chances for rain. You should pack clothing and gear protection accordingly. During May, you can expect a mix of sunny and rainy days in many parts of Costa Rica. The mornings and early afternoons generally tend to be relatively dry and sunny, with temperatures typically ranging from 68°F to 82°F (20°C to 28°C)
I’m Adi Ringer, a professional wildlife photographer. For over a decade, I’ve led photo tours and workshops in California and Costa Rica, guiding photographers of all levels through rainforests, cloud forests, rivers, and beaches to capture birds, mammals, insects, and flora in their natural environments.
My approach emphasizes patience, observation, and respect for wildlife while fully embracing the immersive experience of being in nature. I believe great images come from a combination of understanding your gear and technique, knowing your subject, and reading the light. This is where my experience helps photographers feel comfortable in the field and make the most of every opportunity to capture images they’ll be proud of.
I’ve photographed wildlife across Africa, India, Argentina, and Costa Rica, focusing on endemic species and authentic natural moments. I speak fluent Spanish, which allows for easy communication and deeper cultural connection during tours in Latin America.
My goal is to make every workshop an opportunity to grow as a photographer while strengthening your connection to the natural world. If you love wildlife and want to elevate your photography while enjoying good company and beautiful landscapes, I’d be honored to guide your journey.
Payment, fees, expenses & refunds
The tour fee is $4,495 based on double occupancy. There is a single supplement of $400 if you want your own rooms. Limited to 8 participants.
Companion rate: $3,800. This special rate is to accommodate participants who want to bring a non-photographer friend, spouse or family member. To qualify, they must accompany a full paying photographer in a shared room and not have a camera on the trip other than a phone. It excludes any instruction or photography specific activities. Includes lodging, food and tours. They may tag along with the group as we explore local nature, parks, trails and a private river boat tour. Outings are optional, so they can join us for all of them or just some. Must adhere to the group’s schedule and must remain with the group during the tours.
The fee covers 8 nights of planned lodging. During those dates, the following planned activities are also included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Transportation, park fees, guide fees and tours. All instruction, workshops, and sessions by Adi Ringer.
Transportation into and out of Costa Rica, airport taxes, travel insurance (highly recommended) and gratuities. Lodging, tours, meals, or transportation not specified in the itinerary. Alcoholic drinks, hotel incidentals (laundry, phone calls, room service, movies, drinks, etc.); personal equipment, costs associated with changes to travel plans or itinerary for reasons beyond our control. Optional activities or activities during free time.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to save a spot. The balance must be paid no later than 60 days before the tour starts. All reservations after that will require full payment.
Gratuities are not included. They are and not mandatory, and not an expectation as common as they are in the US. However, they can be an important part of someone’s income and are very much appreciated. You may tip to a general fund shared by all the staff at the lodges, or if you felt well taken care of by anyone in particular, you may tip them individually any amount you’re comfortable with. I will provide some general guidelines during our communications prior to departure.
Refunds: The deposit of $500 is non-refundable unless the tour gets cancelled or we find a suitable replacement.
Cancellations made more than 120 days before the trip get a full refund minus the $500 deposit.
Cancellations made more than 90 days before the trip, get a 50% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations made within 90 days of the start of the tour. An exception will be considered if the participant finds a suitable substitute for the tour. “Suitable” is at the sole discretion of Adi Ringer to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the entire group.
Inquiries and booking
Please submit this form if you’re interested in this safari. I’ll contact you to answer any questions or to proceed with your booking.