Top 5 Locations to Photograph In Costa Rica

What makes La Fortuna so captivating is its mix of natural beauty and unlimited activities.  From hanging bridges to wildlife tours, white-water rafting to ATV jungle excursions, horseback riding to stand-up paddle boarding, waterfall hikes to zip-lining, visitors can find something for every interest and level of adventure. 

For photographers, La Fortuna offers a dynamic playground.  The iconic volcano provides a dramatic backdrop for landscapes, while nearby waterfalls, rivers, and streams offer opportunities to experiment with long exposures and creative compositions. 

Beyond the adventure, La Fortuna also excels at hospitality.  To accommodate the steady flow of travelers, the area boasts an impressive range of hotels, lodges, and luxurious, 5-star resorts.  The dining scene is just as varied, with restaurants serving everything from authentic Costa Rican meals to creative international cuisine.

Nearby Lake Arenal features awesome tropical sunsets and there's really no better way to end a long day of exploring Costa Rica's landscapes like capturing sunset at Lake Arenal while drinking an ice-cold beer.  


 
BAJOS DEL TORO
Just two hours drive from La Fortuna lies Bajos del Toro - a tiny, rural farming community that can pass you by in the blink of an eye.  Though most tourists don't know it, it is also considered to be the waterfall capital of Costa Rica, and dozens of jaw-dropping cascades spill into hidden ravines and cloud forest canyons.  

For landscape photographers, and anyone drawn to the energy of moving water, Bajos del Toro is a dream location.  Here you’ll find towering waterfalls like Catarata Bajos del Toro, plunging 300 feet into an ancient volcanic crater, surrounded by jagged, mineral-scarred walls painted with reds, oranges, and yellows.  Just down the road, the twin falls of Las Gemelas drop into colorful pools, while other gems like Catarata Celestial (see below) live up to their heavenly names with turquoise water flowing through untamed jungles.


Over the last 13 years, I've explored Bajos del Toro extensively, and still haven't experienced even half its fantastic waterfalls.  That’s partly because of the effort required to reach some of them - hikes can be steep, wet, and physically demanding - but mostly because of the sheer abundance of cascades packed into this region.  With far fewer crowds than La Fortuna, you’ll often have the waterfalls in Bajos del Toro almost entirely to yourself.  For those who dream of chasing waterfalls in Costa Rica, this is a destination that deserves to be high on your list.

GUANACASTE
In the northwest province of Guanacaste, the landscape changes dramatically from lush verdant rainforests to hot, dry, sprawling ranch land.  The area also features Costa Rica's Gold Coast of beautiful beaches, lively party towns with vibrant nightlife, and an international airport nearby for easy access.  Of the small beach communities in the area, Playa Hermosa is one of my favorites.  The secluded beach features jaw-dropping sunsets with fishing boats scattered across the bay.   


Located only an hour outside Playa Hermosa, Llanos de Cortez is on every list of best waterfalls in Costa Rica.  This jewel is nearly as tall as it is wide, and plunges into a shallow, golden pool that helps visitors cool off after basking in the instense heat.  Not to be outdone, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park is another highlight of Guanacaste and features many hiking trails, zip lining, horseback riding, rafting, several waterfalls, volcanic hot springs, bubbling mud fumaroles, and one of Costa Rica's five currently active volcanoes.



SOUTH PACIFIC
Costa Rica's South Pacific region is one of the most beautiful areas of the country.  Filled with tropical beaches, scenic rural landscapes, sensational sunsets, and plenty of wildlife, this area allows you to experience the essence of Costa Rica and the wonderful, humble people that call it home. 

In contrast to La Fortuna's fast pace, the South Pacific region features laid-back surf communities, mom-and-pop style restaurants and shops, and locals (Ticos) living 'pura vida'.  The term 'pura vida' is an expression you'll hear constantly in Costa Rica.  It translates to 'pure life' and is used to say hello, goodbye, life is good, and is a positive, relaxed mindset and lifestyle that Ticos fully embrace. 


Manuel Antonio National Park is a highlight in the South Pacific region and the second most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica.  Featuring limitless activities and wildlife, Manual Antonio is always crowded, but favorable for wildlife photography in Costa Rica. 


There are countless waterfalls in the South Pacific region, and Nauyaca Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica.  Only twenty minutes from Dominical, this spectacular two-tiered giant features individual upper plumes that drop 135 feet onto sedan-sized boulders, before consolidating into a stream and cascading another 60 feet over a second rock face.  Located about an hour away from Nauyaca Falls, Eco Chontales is another personal favorite, and neither of these two beauties should be missed.  


Uvita is a a small beach community in the South Pacific region that's popular with whale watchers and yoga enthusiasts alike.  Marino Ballena National Park is a popular destination in Uvita that features gorgeous beaches and the famous Whale Tail.  The name comes from a section of land that extends directly into the ocean - surrounded by crashing waves on each side - before spanning out sideways in both directions.  From above, the formation resembles the shape of a whale's tail and visitors can walk out onto it during low tide.  



OSA PENINSULA 
A list of top locations to photograph in Costa Rica wouldn't be complete without including the Osa Pensinsula.  This remote, wild region is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and the climate is hot and intensely humid.  In the center of the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park is brimming with colorful tropical wildlife, and especially beloved by bird photographers. 

Many visitors and photography workshops use eco-style hotels in the Osa Peninsula, which is a term used to promote hotel rooms with only screens for windows and no air-conditioning.  Essentially, guests sleep and wake up in the high heat and humidity, surrounded by sounds of the jungle, never obtaining relief from the stiffling climate.  It's important to have that knowledge when considering a Costa Rica photography workshop and choose one with high-quality amenities.  


Another highlight within the Osa Peninsula is Drake Bay, a tranquil escape that feels worlds away from modern life.  Getting there is an adventure - reached by an exhilarating boat ride that begins in the small town of Sierpe.  The journey speeds through twisting, murky rivers engulfed by mangrove trees before spilling into the Pacific Ocean and being welcomed into the calm of the bay.

SUMMARY
Costa Rica is a paradise for photographers, overflowing with spectacular landscapes and unlimited opportunities to capture nature at its best.  The small, Central American country features unmatched biodiversity and is filled with lush rainforests, dramatic cloud forests, towering volcanoes, sun-soaked beaches, and hundreds of breathtaking waterfalls.  Costa Rica thrives with dense jungles, colorful rivers and streams, glassy lakes, and vibrant wildlife - providing photographers with constant inspiration.  The diverse ecosystems of the locations in this article present grand, sweeping landscapes and intimate details, ensuring new depth and dimension to your portfolio.