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! Travel with professional wildlife specialist and bird photographer Helmut Guth from Costa Rica. 

• Dates: Sunday 14 - Tuesday 30 June (17 days)
• 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: AUD$10,950; 25% deposit of AUD$2,737.50 is payable on booking. Limited single supplements are available on request. 

Costa Rica Nature Tour: 

Step into the heart of Central America for an unforgettable 17-day 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: AUD $10,950.00 (excluding airfares). 

A 25% deposit payment of AUD $2,737.50 will secure your place, along with a signed travel declaration which will be forwarded on booking. Bookings are due by 28 February 2026, which allows sufficient time to book flights and other arrangements. 

Full payment of the balance is due on 20 April, and an invoice will be sent to each participant for the balance of $8,212.50. Limited single supplements are available on request. 

Tour inclusions: 

• 17 days/16 nights fully guided nature tour
  
• All accommodation is included
• All meals - breakfasts, lunches and dinners plus snacks (soft drinks included)
• Entry to all national parks 
• All land transport
• Rafting tour on the Sarapiqui River
• Boat trips in the northern wetlands
• Nature journaling guidance with Julia Landford
• Photography mentoring with Helmut Guth
• Art workshop with Tamara Rojas
• Scientific expertise, with a special interest in insects, with Alan Landford
• Expert guided walks throughout the tour
• Nocturnal walks at various locations
  

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.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TOURS

We are travelling via Santiago and Ecuador and offering two optional extension tours: 

• Mindo - This is one of the most beautiful places close to Quito! Enjoy a charming and unknown sub-tropical rainforest from the comfort of a customisable and flexible private day tour. Photograph hundreds of hummingbirds, toucans and many other species at close range. Enjoy a spectacular view of the 'cloud forest' from a cable car, and hike through a charming waterfall sanctuary.  Dates: 11- 13 June, Quito (Pre-tour Extension). Price approx. $420 including two nights accommodation and breakfast and a full day tour. 
• Amazonian Ecuador - (Only one room left for this trip): 5 days/4 nights at La Selva Eco-Lodge and Retreat (ex-Quito). Nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, just outside the boundaries of the Yasuni National Park and within the pristine Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, this trip includes a river trip from Coca, plus all-inclusive accommodation and meals. The tour includes canoe rides, exploration of trails, visits to the Pilche community, a visit to the observation tower and star gazing. Along with naturalist guides who are experts in birdwatching and wildlife, we will have many opportunities for seeing the best of nature in this remarkable location. Dates: 2 - 6 July, from Quito (Post-tour Extension). Price approx. $4,500 including flights from Quito to Coca, Canoe transfers, premium jungle lodge accommodation, all meals, guided activities and walks. (Only a couple of places available for this extension).

*If you are interested in these additional tours, we can assist with bookings and flights through our professional travel agent. Please contact us for details. 

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 [email protected] 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.