Suggestions for Costa Rica Trip
Jan 30, 2015 08:15:00 #
We're heading to Costa Rica in less than 3 weeks...any photography-related suggestions? I've got a Nikon 7100, taking my Tamron 150-600 lens on its first big outing (monopod too!), as well as my go-to versatile walkaround lens Nikon 24-120. Hoping for lots of bird and monkey photos...as well as some beautiful landscapes. Anything else I need??? Going to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast, Arenal Volcano area, and Monteverde Cloud Forest. Thanks in advance for any suggestions....
Jan 30, 2015 09:35:19 #
bob fleer
Loc: Annapolis, MD
My family and I will be in Costa Rica about the same time we will be going things in the south western part of the country we are about an hour+ south west of San Jose pacific side. We have been told that at this time of the year the whales are in with their calves in bays that can be seen from shore. Someone mentioned to do a zip line with your camera on movie mode. have a great time and post some pictures. We were told not to drive much at night they do not do much about drinking and driving. A good tip, if renting a car check with your cc company, MC has some cards that if you rent your car with the cc you are covered with the insurance and don't need to buy the very expensive local insurance.
Jan 30, 2015 11:04:08 #
The D7100 is a awesome camera for trips and you have a good assortment of lens, if you don't mind carrying camera equipment with you, another suggestion besides the D7100 would be also a good pocket point & shoot. Have fun, sounds like a great trip.
Jan 31, 2015 06:24:51 #
WhattaBlastt
Loc: Vernal, Utah
I was in Costa Rica about a year ago in the Arenal area very beautiful area walked through the rain Forrest there I suggest Cary a plastic bag or some sort of rain protection for your gear as we were about a half hour into the hike and it down poured the 5D III survived. Went on a river tour on the Cano Negro river up by the boarder of Nicaragua seen spider monkeys, white face monkeys, all kinds of birds and oh yea a Jesus Christ Lizard the run on there back legs across the surface of the water. On the trip to the river we passed through a small town with the famous iguana bridge the are a lot of iguanas.
Jan 31, 2015 06:36:15 #
WOW! And NO! I am not jealous ONE BIT!
Been a bunch of time and you're gonna be amazed at this beautiful country, wonderful people, incredible critters. Oh, and the food!
You've got the zoom covered there. The wide end of your other lens should cover the gorgeous landscapes that you will see.
While in Monteverde, there's a wild zip line over the canopy that's worth every bit of giving it a shot. I was able to video that part of our trip, so if you give it a shot, you'll get some unique and beautiful photos. They'll have you ride tandem with a guide so you can shoot while flying. If hiking through the forest/jungle, be very, very careful. It's a great way to see wildlife, but there are some very dangerous snakes there and you're not gonna be very close to skilled medical. I guess that's where that 600 will shine! Have fun and can't wait to see the photos and hear about the trip!
Been a bunch of time and you're gonna be amazed at this beautiful country, wonderful people, incredible critters. Oh, and the food!
You've got the zoom covered there. The wide end of your other lens should cover the gorgeous landscapes that you will see.
While in Monteverde, there's a wild zip line over the canopy that's worth every bit of giving it a shot. I was able to video that part of our trip, so if you give it a shot, you'll get some unique and beautiful photos. They'll have you ride tandem with a guide so you can shoot while flying. If hiking through the forest/jungle, be very, very careful. It's a great way to see wildlife, but there are some very dangerous snakes there and you're not gonna be very close to skilled medical. I guess that's where that 600 will shine! Have fun and can't wait to see the photos and hear about the trip!
Jan 31, 2015 07:18:33 #
AZNikon
Loc: Mesa, AZ
Puntarenas, Costa Rica was one of our ports-of-call on our Panama Canal east-bound cruise last year. We opted for the coffee plantation tour and the ox cart factory tour in Sarchi. This is a beautiful country. I shoot a Nikon D5200, Sigma 18-250mm if you would like to have a look (includes some video). Enjoy!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ak7ip48o8cxpx7d/AAC6Gtm8c6pgAtCdOVws7HPga?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ak7ip48o8cxpx7d/AAC6Gtm8c6pgAtCdOVws7HPga?dl=0
Jan 31, 2015 07:38:38 #
Hi Terry! I have only one suggestion! Take me with you!!!! I carry gear and eat very little!:):) And have a ton of lenses you can use!!!!
Erv
Erv
Terry in Indiana wrote:
We're heading to Costa Rica in less than 3 weeks...any photography-related suggestions? I've got a Nikon 7100, taking my Tamron 150-600 lens on its first big outing (monopod too!), as well as my go-to versatile walkaround lens Nikon 24-120. Hoping for lots of bird and monkey photos...as well as some beautiful landscapes. Anything else I need??? Going to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast, Arenal Volcano area, and Monteverde Cloud Forest. Thanks in advance for any suggestions....
Jan 31, 2015 07:52:25 #
A good range of lenses will be useful. Although the rainforest will generally be too dark for use of your telephoto, you may see lots of wildlife in clearings or even from your hotel balcony at Manuel Antonio - many of them look out over the canopy of the nearby jungle.
Take the best flash you can - it is dark in the rainforest!
Take rain protection - but also - if you are staying in an air-conditioned room, keep your equipment in a sealed plastic bag when you first exit the room until it warms up - you do not want moisture condensing on the outside - and inside - of your camera and lenses. I like to take a sealed case with a bunch of silica gel tins and leave my equipment in that every night. You may not even be aware of moisture, but a month later may find your photos getting blurry - especially with your zoom lenses - due to mold growing on the inner lens elements.
Take the best flash you can - it is dark in the rainforest!
Take rain protection - but also - if you are staying in an air-conditioned room, keep your equipment in a sealed plastic bag when you first exit the room until it warms up - you do not want moisture condensing on the outside - and inside - of your camera and lenses. I like to take a sealed case with a bunch of silica gel tins and leave my equipment in that every night. You may not even be aware of moisture, but a month later may find your photos getting blurry - especially with your zoom lenses - due to mold growing on the inner lens elements.
Jan 31, 2015 08:00:14 #
Manuel Antonio is beautiful - walking along the beach you have iguanas under the trees and monkeys chasing each other through the trees.
Hopefully the weather at Arenal will allow viewing of the volcano! We spent two nights there and we enjoyed the hot springs immensely - but never saw the darn volcano!
At Monteverde, be sure to take one of the night walks - very neat. Also the suspension bridge trails are pretty neat!
Home Invasion, Costa-Rica style:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-182075-1.html
Night walk photos:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-182344-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-183108-1.html
Hopefully the weather at Arenal will allow viewing of the volcano! We spent two nights there and we enjoyed the hot springs immensely - but never saw the darn volcano!
At Monteverde, be sure to take one of the night walks - very neat. Also the suspension bridge trails are pretty neat!
Home Invasion, Costa-Rica style:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-182075-1.html
Night walk photos:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-182344-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-183108-1.html
Jan 31, 2015 08:10:25 #
A few photos from the suspension bridges outside of Monteverde - it really was a "rain" forest on that day - but beautiful. I thought of straightening these photos - but I think being slightly askew just demonstrates a little of the vertigo you can feel on these bridges!!!
Jan 31, 2015 08:14:44 #
In case you haven't guessed - I love Costa Rica! It is spectacular, the people are friendly, there is not a lot of crime (I don't go to Guatemala any more for that reason).
These are three photos taken from the window of my lodge just outside Monteverde. I caught the one monkey snoozing!
These are three photos taken from the window of my lodge just outside Monteverde. I caught the one monkey snoozing!
Jan 31, 2015 08:18:31 #
Walking in the rainforest around Monteverde - what to expect. Have boots with good soles for muddy trails. Many of the trails are improved with drainage and gravel, but not all of them.
Trail scene
Strangler Fig
Along the trail
Jan 31, 2015 08:43:46 #
While in Montevideo be sure to allow time in the hummingbird garden. You will never be as close to the birds as you will be there. Numerous varieties as well.
You WILL have fun.
You WILL have fun.
Jan 31, 2015 08:45:16 #
Jan 31, 2015 08:55:28 #
YKnot wrote:
While in Montevideo be sure to allow time in the hummingbird garden. You will never be as close to the birds as you will be there. Numerous varieties as well.
You WILL have fun.
You WILL have fun.
Ah, YES! The hummingbird garden! If it's the same place I was at, it's a great picnic area, and literally hundreds of hummers. Stand between the feeders and watch out!
I'm gonna step out on a limb here and just tell you upfront...you will be going back!
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