Costa Rica offers some of the most stunning imagery for photographers. On the Osa Peninsula, I’ve swam with sailfish, cavorted with crocodiles, and photographed monkeys, butterflies, and rare birds in the span of a single day! To capture all the incredible things you’ll see on camera, you should follow a careful game plan. Here are some essential elements to consider.
PLANNING
Bring the best photographic gear you can afford. When the toucan you traveled 2000 miles to see perches on a branch 30 feet from you, I can guarantee you that you’ll wish you brought something more than a 300 dollar camera. If you can, get a digital SLR with a lens that has wide angle and zoom capabilities. The lens is the most important part of the equation.
I travel with many cameras, but if your budget doesn’t permit this, try to bring a zoom lens that will go from at least 18-200mm. One option that I often use is to rent pro gear. There are many camera and lens rental services that you can utilize, and they are relatively cheap. You can end up with top-flight gear that would cost you over 10,000, insure it for loss or damages, and end up with incredible images, all for a tiny fraction of the cost of buying. It’s a great option because you probably won’t need the gear when you get home.
PACKING
Packing your gear correctly is important. I travel with upwards of 20,000 worth of photographic gear and most of it fits in a special camera backpack and a special hard plastic travel case that fits in the overhead bins.
PROTECT YOUR GEAR
I make sure that I never let these two items leave my person, and I go to great lengths to let the flight attendants know that I can’t be separated from my gear, no matter how small the plane.
The worst case scenario is that they will have to check it at the gate and stow it at the last minute, but that rarely happens. Be firm in expressing your need to stay with your gear.
GEAR and EQUIPMENT
I travel with a lot of other gear too, like fins, swimming equipment, an underwater housing that fits in a large separate case, and a huge variety of adapters, but I make sure that I will arrive with my essential camera gear and supplies even if the rest of the luggage gets lost for several days.
My clothes are usually not party of the essential gear; I will stuff a spare pair of clothes in between my camera gear and that’s usually plenty. If I am traveling to a remote location and really can’t afford to have my luggage go missing, I will do what I have to do to get a nonstop flight. I will do this even if it requires me to leave at an inconvenient time or a less favorable airport. I will do whatever I can to avoid losing precious travel time waiting around for lost luggage.
GOING THROUGH CUSTOMS
Customs does not have to be difficult. What I have found is that everyone on both sides, coming and going, usually only wants to ensure that I am not buying equipment somewhere else and bringing into their country to sell, and the only reason they seem to look twice at me is that I bring a massive amount of equipment with me.
It never hurts to bring a list of the equipment that I have. The basic approach is to be very accommodating and friendly and tell them you are coming to their country specifically because you are a devoted hobbyist that can’t wait to photograph their flora and fauna. Costa Rica depends on people coming to their country for this very thing.
CLIMATE
Costa Rica’s climate is something you have to be prepared for; humidity and moisture are the main culprits. If you leave your gear out in your room that is air conditioned, you will find that your gear will remain fogged up for many hours once you leave your room, and this can completely ruin your day. Store your camera back and lenses in a room that is not cold (maybe the bathroom) or leave them in their case.
I actually keep my rooms on the warm side just because of this, and after getting my gear ready, I take it outside with its case, place it in the case, and then store it inside, and put some towels over it for insulation. There are some isolated areas where you can leave your gear outside your room so that you don’t have to worry about this, but it’s never been something I am totally comfortable with.
Microfiber lens cloths are a great investment, and I usually bring at least 5 of them. On every outing I bring at least three and change them out when they get wet or soiled. I also bring a lot of lens caps and spares. I constantly check my lenses for smudges, debris, and water spots.
Dry bags are a good idea to have. If you are out on a trek or a boat and it starts pouring, you’ll want one, period. If I am on a boat I will usually bring my hard plastic case. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that your hear is perfectly dry when it’s raining hard.
MEMORY CARDS
Finally, bring plenty of memory cards, back up your images every day, and erase any mediocre images. If you’re like me, you’ll probably end up with too many great ones to choose from!
About The Author:
Jon Schwartz is a fishing and travel photographer and writer. His articles and pictures of huge fish like marlin and sharks, and his scenic photos of Kona, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Baja Mexico, and Panama appear in many magazines, calendars, and books. He caught 10 marlin kayak fishing in Cabo on Nat Geo TV.
His website Blue Water Jon and blog feature how-to and adventure articles on fishing, underwater and scenic photography, fishing with kids, and kayak fishing videos.
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I liked the way you have put your post here, mainly you have expressed your views in point wise like Planning, Packing and that stuff. I even liked you have written here a realistic climatic condition of Costa Rica.
However, it would have added bit on hotels, airports and how to travel around in Costa Rica.
Wow! Sound like adventure and fun among the nature. Though I have never been to this place but I seem to plan a vacation here. Thanks for the information it was helpful in my planning
WOW! when to this guys website, he takes some cool photos