Trogon Lodge Falls

Trogon Lodge Falls sits along a private trail on the grounds of Trogon Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota, high in the Talamanca Mountains. The trail is a loop that takes about an hour to complete, and the whole thing feels like you are walking through a scene in a nature documentary. Giant ferns, moss and lichen covered oaks, and bromeliads line the path, with the sound of the river following you for most of the hike. The waterfall is the main destination, but the trail itself is just as photogenic. The cloud forest creates naturally soft, diffused light that is ideal for shooting waterfalls, flowing water, and close up details on the forest floor. When the mist rolls through the canopy, the mood shifts completely and everything takes on this layered, atmospheric feel. The trails are well maintained with stairs and railings, so you can focus on shooting instead of worrying about your footing. Bird life is everywhere here too. The area is home to over 170 species including the resplendent quetzal, hummingbirds, trogons, and tanagers, so a longer lens is worth bringing along. The trails are free for lodge guests and can be explored without a guide. Mornings are the best time to go when the mist is thickest and the birds are most active. (San Gerardo de Dota, San Jose Province, Costa Rica)