Costa Rica is an amazing tropical wonderland and this all-inclusive photography tour capitalizes on the country's extraordinary biodiversity and spectacular landscapes. We explore the idyllic areas of Sarapiqui and Bajos del Toro and primarily use La Fortuna as a base. We photograph jaw-dropping jungle rivers, gorgeous lakes, mysterious cloud forests, spectacular Costa Rica waterfalls, rustic bridges, tropical flora, and all the Costa Rica wildlife we encounter.
With only 6 spots available, you will improve your photo skills with personalized, professional photography instruction, and enhance your digital workflow and editing skills with one-on-one post processing instruction. You will use various exposure techniques and filters and learn ways to improve your compositions. You will do some focus stacking, HDR processing, and image reviews, as well. You will also rest well in award-winning hotels, enjoy delicious gourmet cuisine, travel comfortably in private transportation, and have a ton of fun!
I have lived in and explored Costa Rica extensively for the last 12 years and know the country and locations extremely well. Joining us is my good friend and professional Costa Rican nature guide who is licensed with the Costa Rica Institute of Tourism. He speaks perfect English, and you will learn about Costa Rica's biodiversity, ecosystems, flora and fauna, and history of the country from him.
Photographers of all skill levels are welcome. The only requirement is a basic understanding of your DSLR, SLR, or mirrorless camera.
What's Included
Professional photography and post processing instruction, professional nature guide, location expertise, all hotels, all meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, private transportation including to and from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), and all location fees.
What's Not Included
Airfare to and from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), travel insurance, gratuities to instructor and guide, alcoholic beverages, and laundry service.
Physical Requirements
Participation requires that travelers be able to walk unassisted for three miles over uneven, potentially muddy and slippery trails, and up-and-down inclines with moderate altitude gain. There are hikes over a variety of terrain including pavement, gravel, and dirt trails with large roots, rocks, and stairs. Heat and humidity could be high in some locations and daily excursions can be more difficult during inclement weather.
Testimonial
"I recently spent six days on a private landscape photography trip in Costa Rica with Scott and his local guide Jason. Frankly, I don't know why more photographers don't go to Costa Rica for landscape photography as it is a country with many different climatic zones and many different types of unspoiled forests, lakes, streams and waterfalls. In six days we barely scratched the surface. Scott's trips are in fact the only ones I know of that treat Costa Rica as a destination primarily for landscape rather than wildlife photography.
Since Scott lives in Costa Rica six months out of the year and has many local contacts, he is very familiar with the areas and can get you to both well-known as well as off-the-beaten-track locations and he packs a lot of shooting into each day. Since I was working mostly in infrared, I spent a lot of time looking for scenes that would photograph well in IR and Scott and Jason were very patient and bent over backwards to make my days productive. They were also great traveling companions and we had a lot of fun traveling between locations. Some locations were a little physically demanding, so it does help to be in reasonably good shape but they were definitely worth the effort." ~ Jonathan S. | Massachusetts
Day 1 - Arrive in Costa Rica
A representative from ColorTexturePhotoTours will meet you at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and transfer you to our first luxurious hotel. At the hotel, our tour leader will greet you and get you settled comfortably into your room. Once all tour participants have arrived at the hotel, we will have a delicious welcome dinner at one of the best restaurants in San Jose.
Note: Please schedule your flight arrival between 11A - 2P CST.
Day 2 - Sarapiqui
After an early breakfast, we will depart by private transfer to photograph the raw Costa Rica landscapes in Sarapiqui. Filled with winding rivers, rustic bridges, outstanding waterfalls and wildlife, Sarapiqui is a photographer's dream come true. We will photograph Pozo Azul in the morning, have lunch and photograph tropical flowers, then head to Marsella for a peaceful, gently cascading waterfall that very few people know about. We will end the day photographing sunset at a beautiful lagoon with Volcano Congo standing in the distance. For more information about Sarapiqui, check out this blog post. After shooting, we will travel to La Fortuna, check in to our next fantastic hotel, and enjoy another mouthwatering dinner.
Day 5 - Bajo Rodriquez / San Ramon
After breakfast, post processing instruction, and image reviews, we will depart by private transfer to Bajo Rodriguez and photograph a stunning meadow lake at the base of verdant rolling hills and the towering suspension bridge over Rio Peñas Blancas. Afterwards, we will continue to San Ramon for an excellent lunch, then explore and photograph a beautiful location filled with several incredible waterfalls and hiking trails. After shooting all afternoon, we will travel to our final amazing hotel and enjoy our last delicious dinner together.
Day 6 - Depart Costa Rica
After breakfast, we will travel by private transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), where you'll catch your return flight home or continue exploring Costa Rica on your own.
Note: Please schedule your flight departure no earlier than 1P.