Pura Vida Costa Rica Photo Workshop
Prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime photographing the stunning scenery of Costa Rica! This all-inclusive photography workshop 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 pristine beaches, vibrant jungle rivers, spectacular waterfalls, serene lakes, and mesmerizing tropical sunsets, while encountering the colorful wildlife that makes Costa Rica truly unique.
You will receive personalized, professional photography and post processing instruction, learn about Costa Rica from a professional nature guide, rest well in award-winning hotels, savor gourmet cuisine every day, and travel in comfortable, private transportation.
TOUR DATES, PRICES & REGISTRATION
Registration & Final Payment Deadline: February 1, 2026
Photo Tour Price: $4,975.00 (Online Payment) / $4,850.00 (Cashier's Check)
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: $925.00 (Online Payment) / $900.00 (Cashier's Check)
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
2 Person Minimum / 6 Person Maximum. After the registration deadline, if only one person has registered, that person can do the tour as a private workshop for an additional $2,500.00, reschedule to a different workshop within 365 days, or cancel the workshop with a full refund of payments, minus the deposit.
Cancellations & Refunds
Deposits are non-refundable. For refunds of payments, 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. Once all tour participants have arrived at the hotel, we will have a delicious welcome dinner.
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 to explore on your own.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned shooter, you’ll receive personalized, professional instruction to elevate your photography skills. The only requirement is a basic understanding of your DSLR or mirrorless camera. You'll dive into...
• Exposure Techniques
• Mastering Filters
• Creative Composition Techniques
• Focus Stacking
• Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)
• High Dynamic Range Processing (HDR)
• One-on-One Post Processing Sessions to Refine Your Workflow
• Image Reviews
Awesome Amenities
• Luxurious 4 & 5-Star Hotels
• Gourmet Cuisine
• Private Comfortable Transportation
• Small Group of Like-Minded Photography Enthusiasts
• Fun-Filled Creative Atmosphere
Fitness Level - Moderate
Participants should be able to walk unassisted for two miles (roundtrip) on uneven and potentially muddy trails with moderate inclines, and navigate a variety of terrains including pavement, gravel, dirt, and sand, with large rocks, tree roots, and stairs. Heat and humidity will be high in all locations, and daily excursions can be more challenging during inclement weather.
Locations
• Liberia, Playa Hermosa, Rincon de la Vieja, Rio Celeste, La Fortuna, San Jose
Expert Instructor and Nature Guide
Your instructor and guide bring unmatched local and photography experience. Together, they will immerse you in Costa Rica's rich biodiversity, ecosystems, flora and fauna, and fascinating history.
Scott Setterberg
• 35 Years of Nature Photography Experience
• Lived in Costa Rica for the Last 10 Years
• Knows Locations Extremely Well
• Professional Nature Guide
• Licensed with Costa Rica Institute of Tourism
• 18 Years of Experience
TESTIMONIAL
"We spent 9 days with Scott and Jason in Costa Rica, starting with the Pura Vida Costa Rica itinerary, and added an extension that brought us inland. We did a private tour and had an absolutely lovely time! Scott’s knowledge of the locations helped us get somewhere and start shooting almost immediately - he knew the falls, knew the angles, and was not afraid to push my photography along. It wasn’t overbearing, and it was certainly not hand-holding (though I imagine if you wanted that he would). We would actively discuss composition, lighting, use of HDR, and more, and he would periodically suggest changing lenses to capture a different perspective. Scott has worked with Jason for many years. Jason is a local (Tico) who is a tour guide, nature guide, and driver extraordinaire. Jason would pull over at any time he saw something interesting (a bird, a sloth, etc). While on hikes, he would point out interesting plants, pull out his spotting scope for wildlife, help us get up or down difficult terrain, and help navigate the rivers when we were photographing in the water. On top of that, he is a great guy and we loved getting to know him! All of the hotels were excellent! They were clean, spacious, and luxurious. The food was so fresh, delicious, and as importantly, authentic! The range of food included fresh seafood to rice and beans and everything in between. Our Costa Rica tour was an incredible experience, produced great photos, and was an adventure for sure!" ~ Nahush & Sunita M. | Ohio
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