Hi, I’m maddy!
I’m a lover of all things photography and travel! Over the past year, I’ve been fortunate to explore incredible places like Iceland, England, The Netherlands, Mexico, and Costa Rica. I’m no gatekeeper — I’m here to share all my tips, tricks, and insider spots so you can capture the perfect photo on your next adventure.
Day 1: La Fortuna
Exploring the Costa Rican jungle is a must —especially if you are a photographer like me! You will be in an awe as you are surrounded by lush nature and stunning wildlife.
The first stop you have to make is the La Fortuna waterfall. I recommend getting here early to beat the crowds! The trails to the waterfall, the waterfall itself, and the vibrant greenery you are surrounded by makes this destination a photographers dream!
Another breathtaking landmark in Costa Rica is the Arenal Volcano. There are several hiking options, but we chose the Arenal 1968 hike. With three trails to choose from, there’s a difficulty level for everyone — I recommend the yellow or red trail for the most stunning photo opportunities of the volcano. Don’t worry if clouds are covering Arenal when you start; the weather changes quickly here, and by the time we reached the base, the sky had cleared just in time to get the perfect shot!
Pro tip — grab a day pass at Tabacon Hot Springs after a long day of hiking to relax!
Day 2: Bijagua
Still surrounded by the lush Costa Rican jungle, Bijagua is the closest town to Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio. This national park is home to the famous Rio Celeste waterfall. Be warned: if it rained the night before, the water may appear more muddy than the striking blue you see online —which happened to us. But that’s part of the adventure — you can’t get the perfect photo every time!
The Bijagua area is also famous for its many sloth tours. I highly recommend hiring a guide — we definitely wouldn’t have spotted nearly as much on our own! We were lucky enough to see three sloths (including a 7-month-old — eep!), a viper, lizards, and stunning birds like toucans. As a photographer, having a guide made all the difference, allowing me to capture incredible wildlife while learning about Costa Rica’s amazing wildlife conservation!
DAY 3: Nosara
You can’t leave Costa Rica without visiting one of its beautiful beach towns. Nosara is located on the Nicoya Peninsula which is one of 7 blue zones of the world (how cool!!). The town embodies the “pura vida” lifestyle with adorable dogs roaming the street, perfect waves for surfing, and the friendliest people you will ever meet!
The two beaches we visited at Nosara were Playa Pelada and Playa Guiones.
Playa pelada is a quieter stretch of beach surrounded by gorgeous lush landscapes. While, playa guiones is the place to surf — so if surfing or just getting a fun surfer photo is on your mind, make sure to check this beach out as well.
Ostional Wildlife Reserve is an incredible destination, especially during the “arribada” (which translates to “arrival by sea”), when hundreds of thousands of sea turtles come ashore. Unfortunately for us, tickets were sold out days in advance, even during the rainy season — so if this is on your must-see list, book well ahead of time. Also, be sure to check the arribada schedule to ensure you visit when the turtles are actually arriving.
Tip: Coyol is a must visit restaurant while in Nosara! With stunning sunset views, delicious food, and the kindest staff!
Costa Rica is a place that truly takes your breath away — from volcanoes and waterfalls to wildlife and stunning beaches. Each destination offered its own kind of magic, and capturing it through my lens made the experience even more meaningful. I hope this itinerary (and my photos!) inspire you to plan your own adventure and see just how unforgettable Costa Rica can be.
