Photo Tour FAQ
What are the benefits of traveling with ColorTexturePhotoTours?
ColorTexturePhotoTours provides exceptional, all-inclusive travel photography tours for amateur and advanced photographers looking for outstanding photography vacations. We remove the time consumption, frustration, and stress involved in researching, planning, and booking travel arrangements required for successfully shooting in new environments.
Each photo tour is organized from start to finish by Scott Setterberg, an award-winning professional photographer who splits his time between Costa Rica and the Pacific Northwest. Every location is spectacular. Hotels are fantastic. Meals are delicious. All transportation is private. Our Costa Rica nature guide is licensed with the Costa Rica Department of Tourism, speaks fluent English, and is extremely knowledgeable of flora and fauna in each area, as well as the customs, culture, and history of Costa Rica.
Every photo tour is small - limited to 6 participants - so you receive personalized, professional photography and post processing instruction, and assistance in creating better images. You also have the opportunity to travel with your spouse or significant other, friends, family members, photo clubs, or colleagues that enjoy photography trips.
Everything is included in the all-inclusive tour price, so unless you choose a Do It Yourself (DIY) tour, you never have to rent a vehicle, drive yourself, stop to fill up for gas, book your own hotels, or search for restaurants. We take care of everything for you and deliver superb quality.
What expenses are covered in your photo tours?
ColorTexturePhotoTours provides all-inclusive photography tours, meaning all meals, hotels, transportation, nature guides, park entrance fees, and special tour fees are covered. The only things NOT covered are your airfare, airport departure tax (currently $29.00 in Costa Rica and may be included in the price of your plane ticket), travel insurance, tips to bartenders, bellhops, cleaning staff, drivers and guides, and personal items like alcoholic beverages, laundry service, phone calls, and souvenirs.
What are the physical requirements for photo tour participants?
Participation requires that travelers be able to walk unassisted 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. Each tour is different and some locations require very little hiking while others require hiking up to 4 miles round trip. Please see each itinerary for specific information. Travelers should be aware that heat and humidity will be high in some locations and daily excursions can be more difficult during inclement weather.
What is the average age of guests?
This varies greatly, but the age range of our guests in general is 40 to 70, give or take five years.
How do I register for a photo tour?
To register for a photo tour, simply fill out and submit the registration form, and pay your deposit using the payment button below the registration form. If you'd like a discount, pay by check, and select that option on the registration form.
How do I use my discount code?
If you choose to pay online, use the payment button below the registration form or go to the SHOP tab on the navigation bar and select TOUR PAYMENTS. Then select your specific tour and during the checkout process you will see a box for your discount code. Simply enter your discount code and the discount will automatically be applied. If you are paying by check, select that option on the registration form, and write the discount code on your check.
What payments options do you accept?
We accept checks, AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, PayPal, Visa, and several other online payment options, all of which are visible in the footer of every page.
What airport should I fly in and out of?
This depends on your specific photo tour. There are two international airports in Costa Rica. One is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela and the other is Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. Please check the itinerary for your specific photo tour before booking your airfare, and understand that some tours have arrivals in Liberia and departures in San Jose. For Oregon and Washington Waterfall tours, use Portland International Airport (PDX). For Olympic National Park tours, use Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). For Eastern Washington tours, use Tri-Cities Airport (PSC). If you have questions, please send an email to support@colortexturephoto.com or call us at 310.272.9363.
What time should I arrive in and depart from Costa Rica?
Hotel check-in time is 3pm and our welcome dinner is at 7pm. Please arrive in Costa Rica AFTER 2:00pm so you can check in at the hotel and BEFORE 5:00pm so you can make it through customs and get settled at the hotel before dinner. For departures, do NOT BOOK A FLIGHT BEFORE 2PM. We travel for 3 hours in the morning on the last day of every tour and you need to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure. For all other tours, check the tour itinerary page for arrival and departure details.
Will someone meet me at the airport?
Yes, a representative from ColorTexturePhotoTours will meet you at the airport and take you to our hotel.
What kind of hotels will we stay in?
Depending on the area we are in and availability, some hotels are more incredible than others, but all have excellent amenities. Our hotels have clean, spacious rooms, high-quality linens, spectacular facilities and grounds, great restaurants, full bars, WiFi, pools, jacuzzis, hot springs, and spas. See more hotel information here.
Can single rooms be arranged?
Yes, single rooms can be arranged. Check photo tour details for single supplement prices.
Will I have Internet access?
Yes, all our hotels have WiFi.
What kind of food will we eat?
Depending on our schedule and location, we will have options for traditional or gourmet local and international cuisine consisting of beef, chicken, fish, pork, seafood, soups, salads, pasta, rice, beans, fruit, vegetables, and many other items. See restaurant information here.
Is it safe to drink the water in Costa Rica?
Yes. Water is treated with chlorine and fine to drink in most places. In more remote locations and as you get closer to the beaches, it has been suggested to drink bottled water, which is readily available everywhere.
How will we travel on our tour?
We will travel via a private, comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.
What photography equipment should I bring?
You should be prepared for all kinds of lighting conditions and weather. Please see the Photography Gear page for a complete list of what Scott carries in his bag.
Will I be able to buy photography supplies?
In Costa Rica, Eastern Washington, and Olympic National Park, no. If an emergency arises in Oregon or Western Washington, and depending on the schedule, we can try to visit a photography store in Portland or Salem and they might have what you need. Generally, we will be traveling to remote areas so you should plan on bringing everything with you that you might possibly need.
What kind of clothing should I bring?
Costa Rica is a very diverse country with many different micro-climates. Although our tours are during the dry season, you should be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions ranging from sunny, dry, and hot to cloudy, cool, and wet. The following guidelines apply to ALL our photo tours, in Costa Rica, Oregon, and Washington. Generally, it's best to have lightweight layers as weather conditions can change quickly. You should include a rain jacket, jeans, long-sleeved lightweight breathable shirts, t-shirts, shorts, swimsuit, hiking boots, water shoes, flip-flops, sunglasses, and a hat. Dinner attire is casual but feel free to dress up more if you'd like.
Is laundry service available?
Yes, most of our hotels offer laundry service.
Do I need travel insurance?
ColorTexturePhotoTours strongly encourages clients to purchase travel insurance that includes medical airlift evacuation.
What is your payment schedule?
Upon booking a photo tour, a non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 is due. Your final payment is due by the date indicated on each photo tour itinerary. In some cases, space might become available due to a late cancellation or accommodation for a single person, and in those cases, full payment is due upon booking the tour. We encourage you to book early as all photo tours are limited in space and can fill up quickly.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
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.
Why should I sign up for the ColorTexturePhotoTours Newsletter?
The ColorTexturePhotoTours Newsletter is a great way to receive updated information about current and upcoming photo tours, special discounts, as well as professional photography tips, news and photos of new locations and tours, and fine art print specials. You will automatically be subscribed when you register online or you can sign up through the Newsletter link.
Do I have to create an account to register online?
No, you don't need to create an account to register online.
What is your privacy policy?
We will never rent, sell, or trade your information. See our full Privacy Policy for more details.
