COSTA RICA Ultimate Nature Tour: 20 June - 6 July 2024 (17 days) - $10,870 plus $4,000 group return airfares! Limited places available.

Now Open for Bookings! 

This exceptional seventeen day wildlife adventure is custom-designed for photographers, artists, nature journalers and nature-lovers to experience the most pristine rainforests of Central America!

• Dates: Thursday 20 June - Saturday 6 July 2024 (17 days)
• Destination: Costa Rica
• Guides: Julia Landford, Tour leader; guest photographer Cristy Froehlich; Alan Landford, entomologist; and two specialist local guides
• Price includes airfares: AUD$14,870 including airfares valued at $4,000 ex Sydney; 25% deposit of AUD$3,700.00. Bookings close on 15 April for this nature tour.

Costa Rica Nature Tour:

Exotic Costa Rica, located in Central America, is famous for its biodiversity, lush rainforests, cloud forests, beautiful beaches and impressive volcanoes. This custom-designed Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife Eco-tour explores some of the best nature locations across different ecosystems, with opportunities for brilliant photography, art and nature journaling. Costa Rica contains nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity, both in species and ecosystems and yet it is area is only 0.03% of the world’s surface! 

Our tour will take you through rugged mountains to the Braulio Carrillo National Park, the Caribbean lowlands, the cloud forests and volcanoes of the central mountains, the lush Pacific rainforests and extended time in the Osa Peninsula, the most remote, wild and biodiverse region of Central America. We will be boating on the canals and lagoons that form the delta of the Estrella River, rafting on the Sarapiqui River, visiting the world-famous La Selva Biological Research Station with hikes through the exceptionally lush rainforests, and visiting the spectacular Arenal Volcano. 

Among many other mammals, get to know the two species of sloth, spider, capuchin, howler and squirrel monkeys, river otters, kinkajous, tapirs, coatis, and possibly pumas. Costa Rica is home to a myriad of bird species (921 species!), with over 314 and counting at the Cahuita National Park area alone. Parrots, toucans, oropendolas, kingfishers and many other birds can be seen along the rivers. Reptiles and amphibians also display a remarkable diversity. We will see caimans, American crocodiles, boa constrictors, the magnificent basilisks or Jesus Christ lizards that run over water, red-eyed tree frogs, translucent jewel-like glass frogs, and of course a diversity of the extremely colourful poison-dart frogs. The diversity of insects and plants is too overwhelming to even give a glimpse here. 

See spectacular hummingbirds – around 50 species – and walk through the majestic forests of the Monteverde Reserve Cloud Forest. We will also be bird watching for Emerald Toucanets, MotMots and Quetzals (considered the most beautiful birds of the world).  We will also visit an eco-project which combines chocolate making and eco-tours. There will be time for relaxation as well with a stopover at some of Costa Rica’s famous beaches. 

Our final destination is to Corcovado National Park – THE ultimate wildlife place in Costa Rica. It is the most remote and biodiverse location in the country to see many rare and endemic wildlife species. With an extended stay at this location, and an extra stopover at Centro Ecoturistico La Tarde, we will see beautiful birds such as the scarlet macaw, salty-tailed trogon; we may even see cats such as the jaguarundi, puma and rare mammals such tapir and tyra.

For those interested in wildlife photography, there will be opportunities for private tuition and mini-workshops throughout the trip with accompanying expert photographer Cristy Froehlich. NatureArt Lab Director and artist Julia Landford will facilitate nature journaling workshops for artists, and Alan Landford will provide entomological and scientific expertise throughout the trip.

Total Price: AUD $14,870 including return airfares ex-Sydney to San Jose

A 25% deposit payment of AUD $3,700.00 will secure your place, along with a signed travel declaration which will be forwarded on booking. Bookings must be received by 15 April 2024. 

Full payment of the balance is due 60 days before the tour departure date, and an invoice will be sent to each participant. 

Tour inclusions: 

• 17 days/16 nights fully guided nature tour
• Group return economy airfares ex-Sydney to Costa Rica
• All accommodation is included
• All meals - breakfasts, lunches and dinners plus snacks (soft drinks included)
• Entry to all national parks, including the remote Ossa region 
• All land transport, including four-wheel drive access to remote areas
• Kayak trip (plus a white water rafting option as an extra cost)
• Nature journaling guidance with Julia Landford
• Photography mentoring with Cristy Froehlich
• Scientific expertise, with a special interest in insects, with Alan Landford
• Expert guided walks throughout the tour, including two local English/Spanish speakers
• Nocturnal walks at various locations
• Chocolate eco tour

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 Borneo, Costa Rica, The Galapagos Islands, Amazonian Ecuador and Peru.

• Julia Landford is the team leader and Founding Director of NatureArt Lab and brings substantial experience with natural history, nature journaling 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. 
• Cristy Froehlich is an award-winning Canberra-based nature photographer with over 10 years of experience within the professional photography field. With a wealth of technical knowledge as well as in-field skills, Cristy specialises in nature photography, and her genuine love and knowledge of nature coupled with her photographic passion makes her an inspiring facilitator. Cristy enjoys using photography to shed light on the macro world not often seen, and creating beautifully edited, artistic images to create awareness of nature and its conservation. 
• Edgar Salazar del Valle is a passionate and experienced Costa Rican professional tourist guide with a deep love for exploring and sharing the wonders of Costa Rica. With 23 years of expertise in the field, he has had the privilege of showcasing the rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and natural beauty of Costa Rica to visitors from all around the world. Edgar's aim is to create unforgettable experiences for each traveller, ensuring they gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the destinations they visit. Edgar holds a professional tourist guide license/certification from Costa Rican Tourist Board.
• Royer Munoz is the co-founder of a local tour company, and will be our specialist guide for the Osa region. Royer was born in Dos Brazos del Tio Tigre in 1982, a miner's town surrounded by nature where conservation was not practiced and he grew up amid deforestation, mining and poaching. In 2002 he began to work for the tourist industry, which changed his life dramatically. He says 'Nature taught me how valuable, important and interesting the natural world is'. Royer loves his job and loves sharing his knowledge and love of nature with visitors to Costa Rica. 

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. The program includes boat trips, optional white water rafting and kayak paddling. 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: 

• NatureArt Lab has arranged a group return economy flight booking from Sydney to San Jose, via Dallas in the United States (included in your tour)
• 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 in May 2024. 

Photo credits: Quetzal, Alan Landford; Poison Dart Frog by Damien Esquerre; other images Julia Landford.