Snakes, Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica
Explore nature's nighttime wonders on a unique experience in Costa Rica, in search of snakes, frogs, salamanders, insects, mammals and many other species. During the day, you'll travel through diverse landscapes, watch birds and discover the country's extraordinary biodiversity. Whether you're passionate about macro photography or want to connect with nature, the Costa Rica reptile trip offers close encounters with a great variety of species in their natural environment, accompanied by expert guides, comfortable accommodations and access to well-preserved habitats.
6 Days
DurationEasy/Moderate
DifficultyCosta Rica
DestinationWhat you'll experience
Adventure itinerary
Day 1 – Poás highlands & first night expedition
Explore the high-altitude cloud forest in the Poás Volcano area, a unique ecosystem full of life. As night falls, the first herping outing begins in search of the Side-striped Palm Pit Viper, Glass Frogs and the astonishing Golden-eyed Leaf Frog, with excellent macro photography opportunities. Mammals such as kinkajous, porcupines, peccaries, ocelots, pumas and the rare cacomistle can also be observed.
Day 2 – Braulio Carrillo National Park
Enjoy the day exploring Braulio Carrillo National Park, one of Costa Rica's most pristine national parks. Experience an aerial tram ride over the rainforest, with impressive views of the canopy. At night, we'll venture into the dense lowland wet forest for an exciting herping and macro photography session with rare amphibians, and the chance to observe tapirs, the amazing eyelash viper, the fer-de-lance, the tiger frog and the crowned tree frog, among other species.
Days 3 and 4 – Centro Manu experience
Immerse yourself in the heart of the rainforest at Centro Manu with two full days and nights in a remote jungle setting. During the day, enjoy bird feeders that attract unique, colorful species; at night, head out in search of hard-to-see snakes, salamanders and frogs — an ideal experience for close-up and macro photography.
Days 5 and 6 – Caribbean & lowland herping
Travel to the Caribbean coast to combine relaxation and exploration. During the day, enjoy waterfalls, beaches and lush tropical landscapes. At night, explore the rich lowland forests, famous for harboring some of Costa Rica's most iconic and photogenic snakes and frogs — perfect subjects for macro photography.
Images of the destination
Why travel with us?
You'll leave with incredible photos
We design every expedition to maximize wildlife-watching opportunities and help you achieve unique encounters and the best possible photographs in the wild.
Expert, trusted guides
We work with local guides carefully selected for their experience, knowledge of wildlife and ability to find unique encounters in an ethical and safe way.
Carefully selected accommodations
We choose each accommodation seeking the perfect balance between comfort, location and access to wildlife, so you make the most of every moment of the trip.
Schedules planned for the best light
We organize activities and outings at the key moments of the day to take advantage of the best light conditions and increase wildlife-watching and photography opportunities.
Trip designed by Kevin Umaña and Ashley Rainforest
This itinerary has been personally designed by professional herpetofauna photographers, after years of experience in the destination, selecting the best areas, schedules and experiences to maximize encounters and photographic opportunities.
Included services
- Pick-up & drop-off service
- Private driver available throughout the trip
- Breakfasts
- Comfortable accommodation
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Expert wildlife guide on every activity
- Required permits and national park entrance fees
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance and medical assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the most common questions about our trips
To confirm your spot we request a first payment of 50% of the total trip price. The remaining 50% can be paid up to 3 months before the departure date.
We accept payments in euros and US dollars via bank transfer. Once your booking is made, we will send you all the information and details needed to make the payment.
You can find all the details about cancellations, refunds and booking conditions on our page: Cancellation Policy.
Yes. All our trips are designed prioritizing the safety, comfort and peace of mind of our travelers. We only work with trusted local guides and partners, carefully select routes and accommodations, and avoid situations or areas we don't consider suitable for our groups.
No. Our trips are designed both for people with experience in photography and wildlife watching and for travelers who simply enjoy nature and want to live a different experience.
The most important thing is to have interest, curiosity and a desire to enjoy the environment and the animals.
We always see wildlife during our expeditions, but since these are wild animals in freedom, no specific sighting can be 100% guaranteed.
Even so, we carefully design each itinerary, choose the best seasons and work with expert guides to maximize wildlife-watching and photography opportunities.
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Write to us and we'll be happy to answer your questions.
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