Mike Nolan

hi....

have guided many groups to costa rica and have sent many more. should you want to see a packing list for costa rica....please feel free to e-mail me at: mnolan@rainforestandreef.org.

can you send me your itinerary, i will be able to make some more accurate comments from that.

about snakes in costa rica....~50 people/yr die from snake bites. most from Bothrops asper. usually people that are bushwacking, too far away from any help or alone. i've seen some very large ones in different countries in latin america. younger ones are the most dangerous.

you can also call me....see below.

thank you.

mike nolan

"Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology"

References/Comments from past Group Leaders and Individual Participants can be found at:
http://rainforestandreef.org/past-participantgroup-leader-comments.html.

U.S.:
Rainforest and Reef
417 Watson St.
Coopersville, MI 49404

Phone: 616.604.1234
Toll free: dial: 1.616.604.0472---->don't dial the country code when prompted to do so---->dial: 616.604.1234#
Cell Phone: 1.616.312.5744
Phone calls from outside the U.S. or Canada: 011.616.604.1234
Skype: rainforestandreef
E-mail: mnolan@rainforestandreef.org or travelwithrandr@gmail.com
Web: http://rainforestandreef.org (presently under revision)

Europe:
Rainforest and Reef
Haguenau, France
Att: Marion Stephan
Local/International Phone: 49.0.177.1747485
Skype: walli044
E-mail: mstephan@rainforestandreef.org or europe@rainforestandreef.org

Kevin Hebert

I have been to CR as well. The 18-200mm lens should handle anything you encounter. I wouldn't be too concerned about fer de lances, or even crocodiles. Just don't miss all the photo ops!

Kevin Hebert

I have been to CR as well. The 18-200mm lens should handle anything you encounter. I wouldn't be too concerned about fer de lances, or even crocodiles. Just don't miss all the photo ops! When we saw three toucans perched in the tree above us, our guide excitedly shouted, "Toucan, toucan, toucan! You know what you've got? A sixpack!"

Haydon

If I was ever to travel CA I'd ensure having the longest lens with the widest aperture. They truly have some of the most colorful and iridescent birds known to mankind!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Those two will serve you well - with the 200 you won't get spectacular up-close bird shots, but you can crop later. The wide angle lens will serve you well on great landscape shots but also in the rainforest. Macro ability will be useful - lots of interesting bugs and frogs. It is rare for tourists to get bitten by snakes in CR. Generally it is folks working in the woods who are bushwhacking through the brush. Most rural clinics keep antivenom.

If you are in the steamy part of Costa Rica, like at Manuel Antonio or Corcovado, and if staying in air conditioned rooms, keep your equipment in a zip-lock bag for ten minutes when you exit into the heat, so that it can warm up without moisture condensing on/in it. It is a spectacular country.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

It all depends on what you want to photograph. I have been to CR 3 times with photogroups use a macro, wide angle, short telephoto and a long telephoto plus 2 camera bodies to capture my images
if you go to my blog you can find many images http://photobee1.blogspot.com/2014/11/costa-rica-morning-of-third-day.html

rick Loc: Cape Cod, MA

I have been to CR on a number of occasions. I was there in December and January, and will be returning March 25th. I actually own many of the same lenses. I had been taking my 18-200 and my Tokina 11-16. I will shoot pictures in the thousands on some trips. With the 18-200 I had observed that I used the Tokina little enough that I now don't bother to bring it. It's usage/weight ratio is way too low to justify the inconvenience. That is a really bulky, heavy lens to lug around for so little usage. I have not brought it the past couple trips and have not missed it.

I agree with the recommendation for the macro if you are going to carry a second lens. Plenty of really incredible opportunities for a macro.

Pura vida!

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

Include good leather boots......17 different poisonous snakes there!

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

Yikes! I was planning to go there too!! Now, Panama sounds a better option!

rick Loc: Cape Cod, MA

This is something I always forget to remember, if you know what I mean. It can be maddening when you spot that pair of scarlet macaws frolicking in the tree tops or the howlers are hanging over your head as you get in the car, and your lens and mirror are all fogged up. Missed many an opportunity...

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I think the 18-200 will serve you well. Another member of our group had a Canon 60d and the 18-200. She never had a reason to regret her decision. 😐

FL Streetrodder

I'd bring along the longest lens you have if you plan on photographing wildlife. The Toucans and Parrots are usually high in the trees. So too are sloths, howler monkeys and other primates.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

They are not recommended any more if you are referring to the ones with the razor blade and suction cup they use to sell years ago. I didn't think they even made them any more. More fatal injuries from individuals cutting into things they shouldn't have than the poison from the reptile.

Although you should steer clear of the snakes unless you are familiar with working with them. I enjoy photographing them, but I am very careful, and have been doing it for 45 years now. Still, there is risk involved.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Don't get paranoid because someone mentions snakes. It will depend where you go, and what you are doing as to exposure to the snakes. Panama is no different, by the way.

There are no poisonous snakes there by the way, there are venomous ones though. All of them are edible. :thumbup:

marsdad Loc: NE Florida

You might consider taking along a tele converter for those situations where you could use a little more reach