Wildlife photography field guides
Where to go, when to be there, and the gear that works — one guide per species, each backed by the verified track records of the guides who actually deliver the shot.
23 species
Agami Heron
Agamia agami
Boca Tapada · Caribbean lowlands · Year-round · colony May–Aug
Baird's Tapir
Tapirus bairdii
Corcovado · Osa Peninsula · Year-round
Black Hawk-Eagle
Spizaetus tyrannus
Caribbean lowlands · Year-round
Black-crested Coquette
Lophornis helenae
Caribbean foothills · Year-round
Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
Bat Islands · Guanacaste · May–Nov
Capuchin Monkey
Cebus imitator
Guanacaste · Santa Rosa · Year-round
Central American Bushmaster
Lachesis stenophrys
Caribbean foothills · May–Nov
Central American Squirrel Monkey
Saimiri oerstedii
Osa Peninsula · South Pacific · Year-round
Crowned Treefrog
Anotheca spinosa
Caribbean foothills · May–Nov
Emerald Glass Frog
Espadarana prosoblepon
Caribbean foothills · Sarapiquí · May–Nov
Eyelash Viper
Bothriechis schlegelii
Sarapiquí · Caribbean lowlands · Apr–Oct
Fer-de-lance (Terciopelo)
Bothrops asper
Sarapiquí · Caribbean lowlands · May–Nov
Fiery-billed Aracari
Pteroglossus frantzii
Osa Peninsula · South Pacific · Year-round
Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
Ateles geoffroyi
Corcovado · Osa Peninsula · Year-round
Great Green Macaw
Ara ambiguus
Boca Tapada · Maquenque · Year-round
King Vulture
Sarcoramphus papa
Boca Tapada · Maquenque · Year-round
Northern Tamandua
Tamandua mexicana
Osa & Caribbean lowlands · Year-round
Red-eyed Tree Frog
Agalychnis callidryas
Sarapiquí · Caribbean lowlands · May–Nov
Resplendent Quetzal
Pharomachrus mocinno
San Gerardo de Dota · Talamanca · Jan–Jun
Scarlet Macaw
Ara macao
Carara · Osa Peninsula · Year-round · Dec–Apr prime
Sunbittern
Eurypyga helias
Sarapiquí · forest rivers · Year-round
Three-Wattled Bellbird
Procnias tricarunculatus
Monteverde · Mar–Jun
Volcano Hummingbird
Selasphorus flammula
Talamanca highlands · Year-round