South Pacific Costa Rica Photo Tour
The all-inclusive South Pacific Costa Rica photo tour focuses on gorgeous tropical scenery in the southern portion of the provinces of Puntarenas and San Jose. We photograph spectacular rainforest waterfalls, vibrant rivers and streams, breathtaking beach sunsets, exotic wildlife, and tropical flowers in the communities of Pérez Zeledón, Dominical and Uvita.
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, Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and image reviews, as well. You will also rest well in award-winning hotels, enjoy delicious gourmet cuisine, and travel comfortably in private transportation.
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, 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 two 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 will be high in most locations, and daily excursions can be more difficult during inclement weather.
ITINERARY
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, and discuss all things Costa Rica.
Note: Please schedule your flight arrival between 11A - 2P CST.
Day 2 - Tarcoles / Cascada Elysiana
After breakfast, we will travel by private transfer towards Dominical. On the way, we will stop at the famous Tarcoles bridge and photograph huge American crocodiles in the river below. Afterwards, we will continue to Dominical for lunch, then travel to lovely Cascada Elysiana. After shooting, we will return to Dominical, check into our award-winning hotel, and have another great dinner.
Day 3 - Rancho Rana Roja
After breakfast, post processing instruction and image reviews, we will travel by private transfer to Rancho Rana Roja. Upon arrival, we will have a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch, then explore and photograph the gorgeous property. Rancho Rana Roja is home to two beautiful cascades, a jungle river, colorful poison dart frogs, and a variety of tropical flowers. After shooting all afternoon, we will return to our hotel, and enjoy another savory dinner. 
Day 4 - Catarata San Gabriel / Playa Ventanas
After an early breakfast, we will depart by private transfer to San Gabriel and photograph a truly unique waterfall that spans the width of the jungle river leading to it. After shooting away the morning, we will have a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch, and return to our hotel for post processing instruction and images reviews. In the late afternoon, we will travel to Playa Ventanas for a spectacular sunset, then have another delicious dinner.
Day 5 - Eco Chontales
After breakfast, post processing, and image reviews, we will travel by private transfer to Eco Chontales. Along the way, we will stop for another delicious lunch before shooting the towering 180-foot-tall waterfall and magnificent Costa Rica countryside. We'll spend the afternoon shooting, return to our hotel and get cleaned up, then enjoy another wonderful dinner.
After an early breakfast, we will travel by private transfer to Nauyaca Falls and photograph one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. We will spend the morning shooting, then have an excellent lunch on location. Afterwards, we will return to our hotel for post processing and image reviews before heading to Playa Dominicalito for another colorful sunset. After shooting, we'll return to the hotel for our final dinner. For more information about Nauyaca Falls, read this blog post.
Day 7 - Depart Costa Rica
After breakfast, we 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.
