Photography tour & workshop
Costa Rica Cloud Forest Macro Retreat
San José, Costa Rica
View the galleryNovember 8, 2026 – November 12, 2026
Group size
Activity level
Photography focus
The journey
A place to explore. A story to photograph.
A five-day macro retreat built around orchids, hummingbird gardens, rainforest textures, and the kind of slow observation that rewards patient photographers. This 5-day experience begins in San Jose and closes in San Jose, with guided field sessions, editing reviews, and realistic travel pacing between bases.
San José San José
Day by day
The route. The light. The experience.
01Arrival transfer and hummingbird garden warm-up
Meet in San Jose, review macro technique, then transfer toward La Fortuna for an afternoon garden session focused on working distance, tripod discipline, and background control.
- Dinner included
- Transport included
- Lodging included
- Admission tickets included
Includes:
Instructor-led field guidance, route logistics, daily critique, and local coordination throughout the experience are included.
Excludes:
International airfare, visas, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, personal shopping, and private gear rentals are excluded.
Accommodation: San Jose route lodge (or similar)
Accommodation Type: boutique hotel
02Rainforest understory and frog hide practice
Spend the day around La Fortuna working rainforest understory compositions, poison dart frog hides, fungi textures, and field flash technique with one-on-one coaching.
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Transport included
- Lodging included
- Admission tickets included
Includes:
Instructor-led field guidance, route logistics, daily critique, and local coordination throughout the experience are included.
Excludes:
International airfare, visas, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, personal shopping, and private gear rentals are excluded.
Accommodation: San Jose route lodge (or similar)
Accommodation Type: boutique hotel
03Transfer to Monteverde with orchid and butterfly stops
Travel from La Fortuna toward Monteverde, stopping for curated macro subjects along the way including orchids, moss patterns, dew-covered leaves, and butterfly house access.
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
- Transport included
- Lodging included
- Admission tickets included
Includes:
Instructor-led field guidance, route logistics, daily critique, and local coordination throughout the experience are included.
Excludes:
International airfare, visas, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, personal shopping, and private gear rentals are excluded.
Accommodation: San Jose route lodge (or similar)
Accommodation Type: boutique hotel
04Cloud forest details and controlled focus-stacking
Base in Monteverde for a full day of cloud forest detail work, selective focus exercises, and a late-day editing clinic centered on stacking and texture-driven storytelling.
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Transport included
- Lodging included
- Admission tickets included
Includes:
Instructor-led field guidance, route logistics, daily critique, and local coordination throughout the experience are included.
Excludes:
International airfare, visas, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, personal shopping, and private gear rentals are excluded.
Accommodation: San Jose route lodge (or similar)
Accommodation Type: boutique hotel
05Sunrise foliage session and return to San Jose
Finish with a sunrise foliage and dew session, pack a strongest-images shortlist during lunch, then return to San Jose for departure or extension travel.
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Transport included
Includes:
Instructor-led field guidance, route logistics, daily critique, and local coordination throughout the experience are included.
Excludes:
International airfare, visas, travel insurance, alcoholic beverages, personal shopping, and private gear rentals are excluded.
Accommodation: San Jose route lodge (or similar)
Accommodation Type: boutique hotel
A closer look
View the gallery
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