Pura Vida Costa Rica Photo Tour
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime photographing the stunning scenery of Costa Rica! This all-inclusive photography tour takes you on an exhilarating journey through the breathtaking Gold Coast of Guanacaste, lush rainforests of the Northern Zone, and three incredible national parks. Capture the magic of pristine beaches, vibrant jungle rivers, spectacular waterfalls, serene lakes, and mesmerizing tropical sunsets, while encountering the colorful wildlife that makes Costa Rica truly unique.
Elevate Your Photography Skills
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, this tour is designed for everyone, and is an immersive experience designed to enhance your photography skills. With personalized, professional instruction, you’ll dive into techniques that will transform your photographic capabilities. Master exposure techniques, explore creative filters, refine your compositions, and advance your digital workflow with one-on-one post-processing instruction. From focus stacking and Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) to HDR processing and insightful image reviews, you’ll come away with stunning shots and newfound confidence. All you need is a basic understanding of your DSLR or mirrorless camera and you’re set to join the fun.
Indulge in Amazing Amenities
This tour isn’t just about photography; it’s about having fun and making unforgettable memories with fellow photographers while enjoying fantastic amenities. Relax in luxurious, award-winning hotels, savor delicious gourmet cuisine, indulge in volcanic hot springs, and enjoy the convenience and comfort of private transportation.
Learn from Experts
I have been living in, exploring, and photographing Costa Rica for the last 12 years, and know these stunning locations extremely well. My good friend and licensed, professional Costa Rican nature guide will join us, and he speaks perfect English and will share fascinating insights into Costa Rica’s biodiversity, ecosystems, flora and fauna, and rich history.
Fitness Level
Participants should be able to walk unassisted for two miles on uneven and potentially muddy trails with moderate inclines, and navigate a variety of terrains including pavement, gravel, and dirt with large rocks, tree roots, and stairs. Expect some heat and humidity, along with exciting hikes that will immerse you in Costa Rica’s sensational natural beauty.
"Top notch! Gorgeous locations; super nice, clean accommodations; delicious food. I really appreciated being picked up at the airport. Scott's photo instruction helped tremendously and Jason is a fun nature guide with so much information about Costa Rica." ~ Charles M. | Wisconsin
Don’t Wait!
Capture breathtaking images, enhance your skills, and create lasting memories in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot on this extraordinary photography tour today!
TOUR DATES, PRICES & REGISTRATION
Registration & Final Payment Deadline: February 1, 2025
Photo Tour Price: $4,375.00 (Credit Cards) / $4,250.00 (Checks)
Photo tour price is based on double occupancy and includes professional photography and post processing instruction, professional nature guide, location expertise, all lodging and meals in Costa Rica during the tour, all ground transportation in Costa Rica during the tour including from Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) and to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), snacks and water, and all park entrance fees. Photo tour price does NOT include airfare to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) and from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), airport departure tax (currently $29.00 and may be included in the price of your airfare), travel insurance, gratuities to instructor and guide, alcoholic beverages, and laundry service.
Single Supplement: Additional $1,300.00 (Credit Cards) / $1,250.00 (Checks)
Single supplement applies to tour participants that are traveling alone and prefer their own hotel rooms rather than sharing rooms with another guest or when sharing rooms is not available.
Deposit / Payments
$1,000.00 non-refundable deposit is due with registration. Remaining balance is due on the Registration & Final Payment deadline listed above.
Availability - 5 Spots Available
2 Person Minimum / 6 Person Maximum. After the registration deadline, if only one person has registered, that person will have the option of doing the tour as a private tour for an additional $2,000.00, reschedule to a different tour within 365 days, or cancel the tour with a full refund of payments, minus the deposit.
Cancellations & Refunds
Deposits are non-refundable. For refunds, we require that a cancellation request in writing be received before 11:59pm Pacific Time on the Registration & Final Payment date. If we receive your written cancellation request before the Registration & Final Payment deadline and can refill your space, we will refund all payments, minus any discounts given to refill your space. If we cannot refill your space, we will refund 50% of all payments. No refunds are given, nor cancellations allowed after the Registration & Final Payment Deadline date. No partial refunds are given for unused services. There is a $50.00 charge for all returned payments. Please see our complete Liability & Cancellation Policy.
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arrive in Costa Rica
A representative from ColorTexturePhotoTours will meet you at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia and transfer you to our first luxurious hotel in Playa Hermosa. 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. Note: Please schedule your flight arrival between 2P - 5P CST.
Day 2 - Llanos de Cortez / Playa Hermosa
After an early breakfast, we will travel by private transfer and photograph fantastic Llanos de Cortez, a premier waterfall that's on every list of best waterfalls in Costa Rica. For more information about Llanos de Cortez, read this blog post. After shooting (and swimming if you'd like), we will return to Playa Hermosa for lunch, then do post processing and image reviews, capture an incredible beach sunset, and have another wonderful dinner. 
Day 3 - Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park
After breakfast, we will travel by private transfer to Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park and photograph Las Chorreras, a unique waterfall with two cascades flowing into a colorful pool below. Afterwards, we will have lunch and check into our next wonderful hotel before traveling to and photographing Oropendola, a powerful cascade that drops 80' into the lush canyon of Rio Blanco. We end the day at Rio Negro Hot Springs, where you can take a volcanic ash mud bath and wash off in the river before relaxing in several natural hot springs with different temperatures. After the hot springs we will get cleaned up and enjoy another fantastic dinner.
Day 4 - Rio Celeste
After breakfast, we will travel by private transfer to Tenorio Volcano National Park and photograph the magnificent turquoise waters of the Rio Celeste Waterfall. Rio Celeste is Costa Rica's most iconic waterfall, and we will spend the morning shooting, then have an excellent lunch, and travel to La Fortuna for a beautiful tropical sunset. Afterwards, we will check into our next fantastic hotel and enjoy another great dinner. For more information about Rio Celeste, read this blog post.
Day 5 - La Fortuna / Lake Arenal
After breakfast, we will depart by private transfer to Catarata La Fortuna, one of the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica. After shooting away the morning and having lunch at an excellent restaurant, we will travel to a private farm and photograph vibrant poison dart frogs and sloths. Afterwards, we will travel to stunning Lake Arenal, photograph a few jungle streams, and another gorgeous tropical sunset before returning to our hotel for our final delicious dinner. Check out this blog post for more information about La Fortuna.
Day 6 - Depart Costa Rica
After breakfast, we will travel by private transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), where you will catch your flight home or continue exploring Costa Rica on your own. Note: Please schedule your flight departure no earlier than 2P CST.
