COSTA RICA Ultimate Nature Tour: 2027 - Expressions of Interest
This exceptional wildlife adventure is custom-designed for photographers, artists, nature journalers and nature-lovers to experience the most pristine rainforests of Central America! Travel with professional wildlife specialist and bird photographer Helmut Guth from Costa Rica. Dates: TBC Destination: Costa Rica Guides: Julia Landford, Tour leader; Alan Landford, entomologist; Helmut Guth, wildlife guide and wildlife photography mentor; art workshop with Costa Rican artist Tamara Rojas. Price: TBC Costa Rica Nature Tour: Step into the heart of Central America for an unforgettable creative journey through the wild landscapes of Costa Rica. Designed for nature lovers, photographers, and artists, this small-group tour blends exploration, creativity, and adventure in one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth. Our journey begins in San José, where we’ll unwind in the lush botanical gardens of the Hotel Bougainvillea before heading into Costa Rica’s most spectacular natural environments. We’ll travel through rainforests, coastal wetlands, volcanic foothills, and cloud forests, each offering remarkable opportunities to experience and capture wildlife through photography and art. Highlights include: Rainforest walks in Braulio Carrillo National Park, with the chance to see oropendolas, jacobins, parakeets, and owls. Encounters with sloths, raccoons, monkeys, and colourful reptiles along the forest-meets-sea trail of Cahuita National Park. A rafting adventure on the Sarapiquí River, followed by birding in La Selva OTS, where puffbirds, trogons, and tanagers abound. Exploring the northern wetlands of Caño Negro, home to river turtles, caimans, ibises, herons, kingfishers, and—if we’re lucky - the endangered Jabiru stork. A stop at a recently discovered Agami Heron rookery, with rare opportunities to photograph hundreds of these jewel-like birds in breeding plumage. Days at Arenal Observatory Lodge, where hummingbirds, coquettes, manakins, and frogs are daily delights. Time on the Pacific Coast, with Scarlet Macaws, squirrel monkeys, and nocturnal amphibians on guided night walks. A final highlight in the Savegre cloud forest, seeking the mystical Resplendent Quetzal, one of the world’s most sought-after birds. Along the way, we’ll be joined by Costa Rican artist Tamara Rojas for an art workshop and we will enjoy photography mentoring with wildlife photographer Helmut Guth, who will share practical insights for capturing the challenges and beauty of tropical ecosystems. With a thoughtfully designed itinerary that balances guided wildlife encounters, creative workshops, and time to relax and sketch or photograph, this tour offers something for everyone who wants to experience Costa Rica’s extraordinary biodiversity in depth. Comfortable eco-lodges and boutique hotels immerse us in nature while providing the perfect base for creativity and connection. Whether you’re hoping to fill your sketchbook, expand your photography portfolio, or simply be inspired by close encounters with extraordinary wildlife, this tour promises to be the trip of a lifetime. Total Price: TBC Our expert nature tour art and science team: Travel with experienced naturalists Julia and Alan Landford who have led Australian expeditions to Heron Island, Montague Island, Cape York and the Atherton Tablelands, and Tasmania, as well as international nature tours to New Zealand, Borneo, Costa Rica, The Galapagos Islands and Amazonian Ecuador. Julia Landford is the team leader and Founding Director of NatureArt Lab and brings substantial experience with natural history, nature journalling and tour management in many international locations including Costa Rica. Alan Landford has a scientific background in zoology, specialising in entomology from the Australian National University. He also has substantial wildlife experience from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Borneo. Helmut Guth is a professional tour guide and wildlife photographer, with an intimate knowledge of Costa Rica's wildlife. Fitness Levels: A moderate to high level of fitness is required to participate in this tour. In some destinations there are walking trails by foot, with one 9km trail along mostly flat terrain. The program includes gentle river rafting. We recommend that you consult a doctor and dentist prior to your decision to participate. Nature Tour Cancellation policy: Comprehensive travel insurance is required for any financial loss caused by injury, illness, emergency medical evacuation, loss and damage to personal belongings, not being able to travel on a confirmed date of departure or tour cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. If cancellation by a participant takes place up to 120 days before the trip the 25% deposit is non-refundable, for cancellations 119 to 60 days before departure 50% of the cost of the tour will be forfeited. If cancellation takes place 59 days or less before the start date 100% of the tour cost will be forfeited. If NatureArt Lab has to cancel a nature tour due to undersubscription, you will receive a refund of all payments made for the tour. Please contact us at info@natureartlab.com.au if you have any questions. Travel Details: Please arrange your airfares to arrive in San Jose by midday Sunday 14 June. Visas are not required on entry to Costa Rica. Tourists can stay a maximum of 90 days. All adults require the following documents to enter Costa Rica: a) A current valid passport. The passport should be valid for six months from when you plan to leave the country; b) A return ticket to exit Costa Rica (either to return to your country or to go to another country). You may enter Costa Rica without visa for a maximum stay of up to 90 days. Travel insurance is required by all participants. Full details including itinerary and terms and conditions will be available separately. Sustainability and ethics: NatureArt Lab is committed to sustainable tourism practices and responsible travel, working with suppliers and partners who share our values. At all times we aim to minimise the environmental impact of our tours and promote social and economic benefits to local communities. During our nature tours we will ensure that the respect, conservation and protection of wildlife is a high priority, and we will avoid unnecessary disturbance, stress, handling or overuse of bird call-backs. Safety: For all of our tours, safety is a high priority. We ensure that our team member has first aid qualifications, boat and vehicle safety standards are maintained, and we (or our international tour partners) have full licences and accreditation for areas that we operate in. Information and pre-departure briefing NatureArt Lab will host a pre-departure information session in Canberra/online for participants. Photo credits: Poison dart frog, Damien Esquerre; Bellbird, Black-necked Stilt, Brown-hooded Parrot, Crested Owl by Helmut Guth; other images Alan and Julia Landford. NatureArt Lab Awards 2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award 2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award 2025, Telstra Best of Business Award Finalist for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and Finalist for Accelerating Women, ACT 2025, Awards Australia Semi-Finalist for Connecting Communities, NSW and ACT; and Semi-Finalist for Small Business Award NSW and ACT.