Costa Rica trip - need advice
Jul 22, 2013 10:48:23 #
Am planning a trip to Costa Rica - the southern Caribbean coast - beaches and jungle. I shoot with a Nikon D7100 and have Nikon lenses 35mm 1.8; 50 mm 1.4, 18-200 VR2, 105 mm macro and 70-300mm and an SB-700 Any thoughts on what not to take. Any cautionary thoughts in general would also be appreciated.
Jul 22, 2013 10:57:02 #
If you have not scheduled your trip yet, I recommend going in January or February. We went the last week in November and the first week in December, and it rained almost every day. Take your longest lens for birds and a macro if you have it, for humingbirds and insects. Actually, there are also great landscape shots in Costa Rica. Its a great place to take photos.
Jul 22, 2013 11:08:13 #
Gracias Lorvey. Had planned on first 2 weeks of November since I've read that rainy seasons generally starts mid-November but may change this.
Jul 22, 2013 11:21:00 #
Wow - great choice of locations - what time of year are you going? my choice of time would be March, April to mid May yes - it is the tourist season but there is a reason for that - the weather - summers are super hot and humidity is unbearable - plus the bug bites don't heal for weeks - & you will get lots of those - deer flies & mosquitoes. Other than that I enjoyed my 5 yrs on the Caribbean coast of MX
I would take your 2 zoom lens the 18-200 & 70-300 .
I would take your 2 zoom lens the 18-200 & 70-300 .
buffoto wrote:
Am planning a trip to Costa Rica - the southern Caribbean coast - beaches and jungle. I shoot with a Nikon D7100 and have Nikon lenses 35mm 1.8; 50 mm 1.4, 18-200 VR2, 105 mm macro and 70-300mm and an SB-700 Any thoughts on what not to take. Any cautionary thoughts in general would also be appreciated.
Jul 22, 2013 11:21:27 #
Just wanted to add - even though it rained almost every day, I still got some great shots. A good portion of the day was often a mist rather than a full rainstorm. A little wetness on the plants enhanced the photos somewhat. So if you cannot change your schedule, you will still have opportunities for great photos. Just be prepared to protect your camera and lens.
Jul 22, 2013 11:27:19 #
Thank you both for your valuable input; plans not yet firm but the Boss has the final say!
Jul 22, 2013 13:09:19 #
Jul 22, 2013 13:30:57 #
My son and I went last year for 10 days in early June. Went with a company called Caravan Tours. Great experience. Took in 6 of the 7 providences in Costa Rica. I used my 18-270 Tamron on my D-7000 exclusively. Good shooting
Jul 22, 2013 13:45:40 #
buffoto wrote:
... Any cautionary thoughts in general would also be appreciated.
Rainy season is from May to November and peaks in October on the west coast, drier on the Caribbean. It should be OK from late November on but that's when the prices start going up as well.
You can get more information from http://www.adventure-life.com/articles/costa-rica-season-931/ than from UHH.
Jul 23, 2013 06:30:15 #
Jul 23, 2013 06:58:14 #
I would recommend renting a 4 wheel drive.. A little tricky driving, but this will give you the most freedom. Two types of costa rican's, one wants in your pocket for money, the other wants to share his country. It's Tough to find the one that wants to share.. On average costa ricans make $30 a day, so if your paying for service keep this in mind, they see americans they see dollar bills. Google Hostels on the internet as many are cheap to stay, but the best part are many pack packers and folks traveling the country for months stay in these places. These folks will give you the best tips on where to go/to eat, sleep, see wildlife, ect.. and what to avoid. Along the southern coast is good for Toucans and parrots. Mountains for the humming birds. Osa peninula for true wilderness. What are you looking for, wilderness or comfort?
Do Not exchange your money at the airport.. The easiest way is to take out of ATM machine at the banks, can get US or Colones. ATM will only except 4 numbers as your password so change before you go. Always and I mean always, either pay in US and get US change or Colones and get Colones change.
Do Not exchange your money at the airport.. The easiest way is to take out of ATM machine at the banks, can get US or Colones. ATM will only except 4 numbers as your password so change before you go. Always and I mean always, either pay in US and get US change or Colones and get Colones change.
Jul 23, 2013 07:12:37 #
Add
Loc: S.W.Florida
Don't bother looking for the red eyed frog in the wild,but most roadside zoos have them.
Jul 23, 2013 09:26:39 #
Don't know if you want to go on your own, or book through a travel agent. We used Gate1travel.com and had no problem whatsoever with the locals. Gate1 also provided a guide who enabled us to see the best of Costa Rica. I recommend Gate1 to anyone that wants a hassle-free trip.
Jul 23, 2013 09:26:55 #
dubach wrote:
carry a sharpened paint brush at all times to stab the muggers.
That is b.s., unless you had a very unusual experience. It is a very safe country, no standing army, and extremely nice people.
Buffoto -- we went for 2 weeks -- the last week in March and first week of April, 2010. The weather was very nice, quite hot, and not one day of rain. I had my Canon 50D and a sh** load of lenses in a back pack with me everywhere I went. I even handed the whole package over to some people for safe keeping when we went for an afternoon of river rafting. Got it all back!
Jul 23, 2013 09:33:34 #
its not bs. and i was being facetious, but a friend of mine actually did this and got jumped twice while he was there and had to jab them both. he purchased a paintbrush when he got there and sharpened it to have a weapon.
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