2024 Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Workshops

Available Dates:

Week 1: July 5th – 12th, 2024 (1 Spot Open)
Week 2: July 15th – 22nd, 2024 (2 Spots Open)
Week 3: July 26th – August 2th, 2024 (1 Spot Open)

Meet Your Photo Guide!

Note that Steve is NOT running workshops at this time – however, you can still have an incredible experience with Backcountry Gallery shooting in the Osa Peninsula!

We’ve partnered with pro wildlife photographer and naturalist Dennis Valverde and he will conduct our Costa Rica workshops going forward. Dennis has worked side by side with Steve on each of the 22 workshops he’s done in Costa Rica. Dennis knows exactly what it takes to shoot successfully in the rainforest. He shoots, thinks, and teaches the same way Steve does and when they did workshops together, you could ask Steve or Dennis a question and get the same answer from both. 

Dennis lives in the Osa and is one of Costa Rica’s foremost experts at shooting in the rainforest. He also brings over 17 years of experience as a naturalist guide to the table and is intimately familiar with the rainforest and the wildlife that lives there. If you’ve always wanted to capture jaw-dropping images of rainforest wildlife, no one is more qualified than Dennis to help you make that dream a reality.

Like Steve, Dennis doesn’t just tell you he can shoot; he backs it up with amazing imagery. All of the images you see below are his (see even more on his instagram page). If you want to capture images like the ones on this page, this workshop is the one for you. 

“The trip to Costa Rica was far and away the best trip I have ever taken.  The people, the food, the wildlife, the instruction: there wasn’t a single aspect of this trip that wasn’t FIRST CLASS.  Dennis was honest but kind and patient; always offering CONSTRUCTIVE criticism intended to help improve your photography not just criticize it.  His knowledge of the wildlife and the particular difficulties encountered when photographing in a difficult environment like a rainforest was outstanding.  I am “chomping at the bit” to go on a new adventure with Dennis.  Thank-you to Backcountry Gallery, Dennis, and the staff of Botanika for making this an experience I will never forget.”

~Dianna O.

“I had the great pleasure of working with and spending considerable time photographing Costa Rica’s fabulous wildlife with Dennis Valverde, during Steve and Rose Perry’s workshop this past July 2022.

Dennis not only knows exactly where to find all the most elusive birds and animals, he knows their behaviour patterns and every type of tree they feed in and how all the flora and fauna interact in the many complex micro eco systems of Osa Peninsula.

The Adventure Of A Lifetime!

We’re excited to announce our new 2024 Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Workshop!  This once-in-a-lifetime photo workshop will take place on Costa Rica’s beautiful Osa Peninsula, a location National Geographic calls, “The most biologically intense place on Earth.” An impressive claim, but just a few hours on site is enough to make a believer out of any skeptic. In fact, I think the National Geographic statement may not do it justice!

As a full-time wildlife photographer, I’ve been to more than a few incredible locations, but I have to tell you – I’ve never experienced an environment that was so incredibly target rich and diverse as the Osa Peninsula. This is truly a workshop experience that you will always remember! When I went to evaluate the location for a potential workshop, I never dreamt I would end up shooting over 14,000 images in just under a week’s time!

What can you see and photograph? Although there are never any guarantees with wildlife, it’s very likely you’ll see quite a few of the species listed below – heck, you may see them all and then some! In fact, the Osa Peninsula harbors 2.5% of the biodiversity on the planet, even though it only covers less than 1/1000th of 1% of the surface area of the earth! There are over 463 species of birds and 140 species of mammals – think of it as Disneyland for wildlife photographers! For just a small sample of what I captured, check out the Costa Rica gallery here. To see Dennis’s work on instagram, click here!

“Dennis is a superb photo workshop leader.  His style is to ‘keep things simple’ and I appreciated the lack of technical jargon and the focus on getting the best pics possible in the field.  He meets each participant ‘where they are at’ with both skills and equipment and offers insights to improve. I valued the individualized approach and feedback and I could easily see the improvements in my photos from day to day.  He is very approachable, friendly and fun.  I enjoyed his enthusiasm for helping us find the optimal position to get great pics and his focus was always first on our experience.  Dennis was flexible in his approach to our workshop schedule, allowing us time to focus on birds in flight at a nearby pier.  I would highly recommend a photo workshop with Dennis and hope I get the chance to do so again.”

~Carol M.

“I had high expectations for the Costa Rica workshop and it did not disappoint. While Steve and Rose were great I found Dennis to be just as knowledgeable regarding gear. As a native he directed us to areas that produced terrific opportunities to see and photograph wildlife. He demonstrated a passion for locating the right angles to get worthwhile shots. I would not hesitate a minute to go back to Costa Rica with Dennis as the workshop leader.”

~Russell and Gailen Rosenberg

Here’s a short list of some of the more common species you’re likely to encounter.

Howler Monkeys
White-Faced Monkeys
Squirrel Monkeys
Spider Monkeys
Sloths (two / three toed both live in the area)
Anteaters
Toucans
Scarlet Macaws (largest population in Central America)
Tree Frogs (various – but especially the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, possibly dart frogs as well)
Lizards / Iguanas
Parrots / Parakeets
Various Raptors (Caracaras, Common Black Hawk, Etc)
Snakes (professionally handled)
Various Songbirds (Cherry, Golden-Hooded And Blue-Grey Tanagers are right at the resort!)
Hummingbirds (tons of fun)

And that’s just a taste – you never know what you’ll see!

As for the workshop itself, the goal is twofold. First, we want YOU to fill your memory cards with as many incredible shots as possible in the time you have and Dennis will do everything in his power to make that happen. Second, Dennis will teach you as much as he can about wildlife photography in the rainforest (and his knowledge is extensive to say the least).

“Dennis has a hawkeye for wildlife, not just spotting them but finding the right composition to show them off. He also has a great sense of humor. I enjoyed my time with him immensely.”

~Patrick Malone

As a wildlife photographer, more than 90% of the images Dennis captures each year are of wildlife. He’s a specialist, and when it comes to getting critters on your memory cards, he have a wealth of tips and tricks up his sleeve that will help you accomplish that goal. 

“My wife and I were lucky to join what may have been the final Steve Perry Costa Rica workshop. A huge “value added” to the experience was to meet and learn from Dennis Valverde. Not only is he an expert photographer (see “osa-photography” on Instagram), but also a very patient and engaged teacher. Dennis didn’t wait to be asked questions, he approached students and gave us advice when he sensed that we were struggling with a situation in the field. I wouldn’t hesitate to return to Costa Rica for a workshop with Dennis.”

~Larry Baumgardt

In this workshop, Dennis will not only help you get the shot, but he’ll also share tips and tricks you can use to capture the special moments of any wildlife encounter. You’ll look at everything from camera and tech settings to creative techniques – it’s the whole package, and I think you’ll really enjoy it. At each wildlife encounter, he’ll be there to guide you and assist in capturing those wall-hangers! Also, while he may take a shot here and there, during the workshop, he’s NOT there for his own photos, but for YOUR photos. We’ve heard of nightmare workshops where the instructor was more interested in his or her own photos than that of the participants – that is NOT the case here. YOUR images are the priority for everyone involved.

“We had a great trip to Costa Rica with Dennis Valverde as one of our guides along with Steve Perry. Dennis is very knowledgeable not only in the local flora and fauna and where to find them but in how to get the shot and what your settings need to be. His enthusiasm in helping people have the best photo workshop ever was evident every time we went out. He is extremely patient and works hard to make sure you have a memorable experience.

I would definitely go to any workshop with Dennis in Costa Rica. He understands what it takes to make your trip awesome.”

~Bruce Ryman

In addition, we’ll also have professional guides along to help locate wildlife – and let me tell you, their ability to find wildlife borders on the supernatural (you’ll see for yourself that last line isn’t just marketing hype).  They know the area and can consistently locate and hone in on wildlife of all sorts. Plus, they are super-knowledgeable about every aspect of the rainforest; from fauna to flora, they can tell you all about it. Oh, and they are a blast to hang out with – you’re gonna love ‘em!

“Dennis was great at giving appropriate feedback of our images. This allowed us to learn in-the-field by practicing recommended techniques.  This instant and well received feedback provided me with improved technique and timely improvement in my photography. I would highly recommend Dennis as a guide.  He was extremely knowledgeable of the various cameras and basic techniques to better capture our sightings. His local knowledge allowed us to find and then capture what we saw. He made it fun, as a group, by recording our species count each evening and competing to see which of us could best guess the total number of species that we would see and record during the workshop.  I plan to attend another workshop with Dennis.  Also, the other guides used and all the resort personnel were very accommodating in making us feel welcome and comfortable in the OSA Peninsula.”

~Larry B.

“I like the way Dennis handles the clients.  He has great knowledge of photography and a sense of humor and he knows how to use it, much like Steve.  He helps rookies like me learn how to become a better photographer.”

~John K.

Finally, your home base will be Botanika Resort – and it’s just fantastic! The property itself is beautiful, and the truth is, you can (and do) see just about every animal I mentioned on the list above. Some of my best shots were captured right there at the resort, and some of our shooting will take place there. Plus, the staff there is outstanding. Everyone is super-friendly and always makes you feel welcome. I wish all resorts were this good!

“I thoroughly enjoyed the highly educational Wildlife Photography workshop conducted by Steve Perry in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula this last July. Outstanding among Steve’s local workshop associates was Dennis. Not only did Dennis spot and direct us toward many of the best photo opportunities, but we all relied heavily on his personal assistance in suggesting optimal camera settings and shooting spots for the challenging light conditions we had encountered throughout the workshop. I am confident that Dennis would be an excellent instructor in future such workshops in Costa Rica.”

~Shlomo P Neuman, PhD, Regents Professor Emeritus in Hydrology, University of Arizona, Tucson, member, US National Academy of Engineering

Here’s the rundown from start to finish:

Itinerary

Note: Below is the general itinerary, but note that sometimes activities get switched if the opportunities are better. 

Day 1 Arrive in San Jose Costa Rica 

On the first day, you’ll fly into San Jose, Costa Rica (most flights arrive in the late afternoon or evening) and enjoy a night at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn. It’s an incredible facility and gives you the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax, hang out by the pool, and get a good night’s sleep.

Day 2 Arrive At Crocodile Bay Resort 

This is where the fun really starts! You’ll fly over on a small 12 seat “puddle jumper” in the morning, enjoying incredible views along the way. (Keep your cameras out!)

The group will meet you at the lobby and get you checked in right away. Once your gear is dropped off, you’ll hit the conference center where Dennis will have a presentation that covers how to photograph the wildlife of Costa Rica. Wildlife photography in Costa Rica is challenging and we want you to be thoroughly prepared when the action starts unfolding in your viewfinder. When the amazing moments happen, we want you to know EXACTLY what to do to secure the shot. After all, you don’t want to miss an incredible photo because you weren’t fully instructed beforehand!

After the presentation, it’s time for a delicious lunch and then an afternoon photo outing so you can become comfortable with the new techniques discussed in the presentation.

Day 3 – Full Day Of Shooting 

Today you’ll head out to the countryside first thing in the morning  and discover some incredible wildlife with our expert guides. You’ll enjoy traveling in a set of 4WD vehicles that can get you everywhere you need to go. Throughout the day, you’ll drive through different locations, stopping along the way for interesting wildlife (some days, it’s so active you’ll stop every 10 to 15 minutes). There’s no telling what you’ll see on a given day, but the diversity is incredible. 

Along the way, our guides will give a blow-by-blow of the forest and environment you’re driving through. We only ask that you keep your jaw off the floor of the truck 🙂

Day 4 – Reptile And Amphibian Day (usually with some birds and mammals too!)

Today you’ll get up bright and early again and off to one of my favorite locations where you’ll discover even more wildlife! You’ll have the opportunity to photograph a variety of snakes (wild snakes that are in the hands of a professional handler and released when the shoot is over), various frogs (possibly even poison dart frogs), and a large variety of birds as well.

It’s at the top of a mountain overlook and the variety will keep your shutter snapping the entire time. I captured some of my favorite images in this location and it’s by far one of my favorite spots!

Day 5 – Optional Excursions And Afternoon Activity 

The morning of this day is set aside for those who want to do their own optional excursions through the resort (not included in the workshop price, but very affordable). We often have participants who want to target a specific species or groups of animals (just birds, just monkeys, etc.) and this allows you to work directly towards that goal – or you can take the morning off if you prefer. 

Lunch is at the resort and part of the afternoon is set aside for doing a group activity. If you finish early, you can take a stroll around the resort in late afternoon and see if you can turn up anything exciting (happens a lot) 🙂

Day 6 – Morning And Afternoon Shoot 

On day 6 you’ll spend the first half go he day at the Sloth Gardens.  Here you’ll discover  sloths, birds and more!

From there, it’s back to the resort for lunch and then back out on the road for more! In the afternoon, you’ll hunt for monkeys, birds, and anything else they guides discover along the way. Bring extra memory cards!!

Day 7 – Boat Tour 

You’ll top off your last full day of shooting with a 3 hour boat tour on the Sierpe river. You’ll embark on a pair of pontoon boats and slowly glide down the river, constantly stopping for the wildlife along the way. The shoreline is loaded with critters and the shutters fly constantly!

The wildlife along the river is accustomed to the boat traffic and often allows an incredibly close approach. You’ll want extra memory cards for this day too!

Day 8 – Fly back to San Jose and home 

You’ll be up bright an early today for your flight back to San Jose and then home.

More Testimonials For Dennis:

“While being on a workshop in Costa Rica, with Steve and Rose Perry [Amazing] I had the opportunity to work with their copartner Dennis, he was so knowledgeable, and enthusiastic, found and situated us in prime locations to see amazing wildlife! He loved sharing the wonderful wildlife so much I didn’t know who was more excited! I would tour with him again given the chance, anytime!”

~Cindy Sprott

What are the dates?

Week 1: July 5th – 12th, 2024 (1 Spot Open)
Week 2: July 15th – 22nd, 2024 – ( 2 Spots Open)
Week 3: July 26th – Aug 2nd, 2024 (1 Spot Open)
Week 4: August 5th – 12th, 2024 (Sold Out)
Week 5: August 15th – 22nd, 2024 (Sold Out)

What’s the skill level?

This trip is best suited for photographers who have at least some experience with their cameras and have done at least a some wildlife photography. Costa Rica is one of the most challenging locations on the planet and while Dennis can guide you though the tough stuff, keep in mind that we do have 8 participants so it’s important that you have some experience under your belt.  

First, you should be comfortable with operating your camera. You should also be familiar with – and able to change – the following options on your camera:

• Exposure Modes
• Exposure Compensation
• AF Modes / Areas
• Metering Modes
• Drive Modes
• In addition, you should understand what shutter speed, F/Stop, and ISO do.

In short, the goal of this trip is to teach wildlife photography, not the basics of photography.

If you’re unsure if you have the proper skill set, contact us.

Are the animals tame?

Nope. Many people think this is sort of like a zoo experience where we head out to a location and the animals are just dripping off the trees. That’s not the case – this a wildlife workshop, not an excursion to the zoo 🙂 If you want a zoo-like experience, this trip isn’t for you. 

However, if you like and accept the the idea of photographing wild animals, you’ll have an incredible time! Sure, we can’t predict what we’ll see or when we’ll see it, but the area is loaded with wildlife and it’s always a blast!

What’s included?

• All meals / food provided. Some from the resort, others from restaurants along the way. 
• Non-alcoholic drinks (provided at / from the resort)
• Lodging throughout the workshop as outlined above. Note you can come early / stay later but your package only includes the nights for the workshop
• Ground transportation
• Flights from San Jose to the resort and back to San Jose

What’s not included?

• Your flights from home to San Jose and from San Jose back home. 
• Alcoholic beverages
• Excessive baggage fees
• Gratuities / tips
• Airline fees / insurance / passports / personal expenses
• Any additional tours, activities etc. not expressly mentioned in the workshop
• Any additional nights accommodations that take place beyond the time frame of the workshop dates (but it is cool to stay an extra day or two)
• Laundry (there is an on-site laundry service)
• Any emergency services, if necessary. (There has never been an evacuation in the history of the resort, rest easy).
• Any meals you decide to have outside of the resort.
• Any other expenses not explicitly covered in the “What’s Included” section above

Can my spouse / family member come and stay at the resort?

Yes. For an additional $2400 your spouse or family member can share your accommodations throughout the workshop, however, they will not be able to join you on any workshop activities. That said, keep in mind there are tons of other activities at the resort, or they can just kick back and relax while you’re participating in the workshop.

How many participants are in the workshop?

In order to give you the best experience possible, we’re limiting the number of participants to a maximum of 8 people. Booking will be done on a first come, first serve basis – nothing is held unless a deposit has been placed. 

What should I wear?

The weather in Costa Rica is hot and humid. Like really hot and humid. Like, Florida in July, only hotter and more humid. And it likes to rain at least once a day. So, I recommend avoiding anything cotton – it just won’t dry and it will feel hot and icky (that’s the technical term BTW). I like dry-fit style shirts (I have some from Eddie Bauer that work well) and shorts (Columbia makes some nice options with their “Omni Wick” and “Quick Dry” water shorts). You can wear long pants if you like, however, make sure they are of the lightweight and fast drying variety.

When I go, I take the following:

Shorts (note – many participants prefer lightweight long pants)
Short Sleeve Dry-Fit style shirts
Long Sleeve Dry Fit style shirts (for sun protection if you’re out on a sunny day – shirts with SPF protection are recommended)
Non-cotton undergarments (seriously, sweat-soaked underwear sucks)
Lightweight hat
2 pairs of lightweight hiking shoes (preferably waterproof)
Lightweight raincoat

What should I bring for photo gear?

Keep in mind this is a dedicated wildlife trip, so you’ll definitely want your big glass. Using full frame, you’ll want at least 400mm, however, I HIGHLY recommend 500mm ~ 600mm or more. One of the super zooms is a good choice like the Nikon 200-500 / 180-600, Sony 200-600, or Canon 100-500. If you happen to have a big prime that’s even better – I use my 600 F/4 all the time and it works out extremely well.

I also HIGHLY recommend a macro lens – you’re going after quite a bit of wildlife that’s anywhere from dime to dollar size. Stick with a focal length of 100mm or longer. (Note – in a pinch you can certainly get by with most super zooms for macro work).

I also highly recommend taking a short zoom for snapshots and it’s always possible a good landscape opportunity will crop up. Something like a 24-70 would be just fine.

Since it can be rainy at times, you also may want some sort of “rain jacket” for your gear (or at least borrow a towel from your hotel room).

In addition, you’ll likely want a tripod and monopod (I used both quite a bit, but if I had to pick one, it would be the monopod).

When it comes to cameras, you’ll want as new of a DSLR or mirrorless as you can muster, preferably something from the last 3~4 years. You’ll end up in a lot of tricky lighting scenarios, often requiring good dynamic range and good high ISO. So, the newer, the better. Any current Nikon, Sony, or Canon is just fine.

Oh, and don’t forget extra memory cards and batteries!

What type of non-photography gear should I take?

You’ll want your laptop / card reader for sure – you’ll take a TON of photos and you’ll want to offload them at night. I’d also recommend an additional backup device, such as an external hard drive or large memory card (I use a large SD card for backup and keep it on my person at all times).

You’ll also want:

• Bugspray (the bugs really aren’t bad at all – most of the time you won’t need it, but doesn’t hurt to have it)
• Knee pads (optional)
• Small reflector (optional)
• Sunscreen (High SPF – the sun can be brutal)

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Not at all. I know about a dozen words in Spanish and I got along just fine. Everyone you will deal with speaks English.

Is it safe there?

Absolutely. Everyone is super friendly and never once did we feel “unsafe” in any way.

Is there a lot of hiking?

No, not on this workshop. Most of our photography is done near the vehicles, with some walking at the resort. Nothing too strenuous in any case.

Is the area packed with tourists?

Nope, not at all. Sure, there are visitors there, but I was amazed at just how few tourists were in the area. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to go to this location – no “competition” for critters!

Will there be opportunities other than wildlife?

Just to be 100% clear – this is a wildlife photography workshop, so the critters take precedent. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t grab a nice landscape or two while you’re down there. In fact, the docks are an incredible location for sunrise. 🙂

What’s the weather like?

It’s hot but not as bad as it gets from Dec-April. Still, expect hot and humid conditions with rain likely. The good news is that there’s usually a good bit of overcast that will allow the group to shoot all day in decent light.

Is any of this subject to change?

Yes. We may choose to rearrange / modify the schedule based on weather, unforeseen circumstances, or just better opportunities for you to get a better selection of images. The primary goal is for YOU to get as many great images as possible, and any schedule change will be based on meeting that goal.

What’s the price?

The price is $5895 per person (or $5395 each for double occupancy, so bring a photography friend and save) with a 50% deposit per person due upon booking (Note, if you book within 90 days of the trip, the entire payment is required upon booking.) Again, this is fairly inclusive and includes:

• All meals / food (provided at / from the resort)
• Non-alcoholic drinks (provided at / from the resort)
• Lodging throughout the workshop as outlined above. Note you can come early / stay later but your package only includes the nights for the workshop
• Ground transportation
• Flights from San Jose to the resort and back to San Jose 
• For single occupancy, you’ll have your own private room

Note that you will be responsible for the flight from your home to San Jose Costa Rica. Check with your favorite airline for current rates.

Also note that the rate for double occupancy (two workshop participants sharing a room) is lower per person, coming in at $10,790 for two people ($5395 each). So, get a friend to do the workshop with you and you both save!

What if I have questions? 

Send ’em to us via our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as you can. Note that this is only for questions – to sign up, use the form below. 

How do I sign up? 

Fill out the form below to start the signup process if you’re ready to book / put down your deposit. Thanks!