Hummers, Quetzals, Macaws and More

This program has been designed to visit some of the best known destinations for birding in Costa Rica. Our guest will have many chances to spot species such as Snowcap, Resplendent Quetzal, Scarlet Macaw and Roseate Spoonbill to name a few.

  • Duration: 10 Days
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Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day off to recover from your trip and enjoy the grounds of the hotel.Birding on the hotel gardens is a good way to start getting familiar with some of the common birds Costa Rica.
Target species: Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
Lodging: Hotel Bougainvillea or similar. Meals included: Dinner.

After an early breakfast drive to Tapanti National Park and spend the morning birding this spectacular protected area. Then drive to Ujarras for lunch and more great birding at Restaurant El Cas. In the midafternoon head to our final destination for the day and home for the next two nights.
Target birds: American Dipper, Black-bellied Hummingbird, Prevost’s Ground-Sparrow.
Lodging at: Rancho Naturalista / Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Spend the whole day in one of the prime areas for birding in Costa Rica. Before breakfast enjoy the hummingbird feeders and the bird table. After breakfast walk in the forest and drive in the vicinities of the lodge in search of the specialties of the area.
Target birds: Snowcap, Sunbittern, White-vented Euphonia
Lodging at: Rancho Naturalista / Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Before breakfast birding at the Moth Light, to enjoy unique views of otherwise shy birds coming to feed on the insects attracted by the black lilght. After breakfast start the drive to the Talamanca Mountains, a major center of endemism. Along the way stop for some birding at Los Quetzales National Park.
Target species: Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Volcano Hummingbird, Back-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher.
Lodging at: Savegre Lodge or similar / Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we will leave early to look for one of our biggest targets: Resplendent Quetzal. The Talamanca Mountains are the most reliable place to see this bird in the Country and possibly in all its range, so our chances for great views are pretty high. We will spend the rest of the day birding around the area looking for some of the highland species along the valley.
Target species: Resplendent Quetzal, Flame-throated Warbler, Golden-browed Chlorophonia
Lodging at: Savegre Lodge or similar / Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Early morning birding on the hotel grounds. After breakfast we make our way to the highest point of Costa Rica accessible on a paved road, to explore the Paramo, a unique ecosystem growing above timberline. Then drive down into the San Isidro Valley and spend the rest of the day birding around the hotel.
Target species: Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Volcano Junco, Timberline Wren
Lodging at: Talari Lodge or similar / Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Early birding on the grounds of the Lodge. After breakfast drive a few minutes to Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary, a hotspot for South Pacific Foothill birding and former home to the great 20th Century naturalist Alexander Skutch, Pioneer of the Ornithology in Costa Rica.
Target species: Turquoise Cotinga, Speckled Tanager, Orange-collared Manakin
Lodging at Talari Lodge or similar / Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Early birding on the grounds of the Lodge. After breakfast drive to the Central Pacific, stopping at some birding hotspots. Spend the afternoon birding the grounds of the hotel and surrounding area for Dry Forest specialties.
Target species: Fiery-billed Aracari, Long-tailed Manakin, Turquoise-browed Motmot
Lodging at: Hotel Villa Lapas or similar / Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Early morning Boat Ride on the Tarcoles River and Guacalillo Mangrove Swamps looking for waders and wetland species. Spend the rest of the day birding Carara National Park and vicinities.
Target species: Scarlet Macaw, American Pygmy-Kingfisher, Yellow (Mangrove) Warbler
Lodging at: Hotel Villa Lapas or similar / Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.

Early birding on the grounds of the lodge and drive to international airport for afternoon flight. (Overnight in San Jose can be added at an additional charge upon request).
Target species: Black-headed Trogon, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Gartered Trogon
Meals included: Breakfast.

Includes:
  • Private transportation.
  • Private birding guide.
  • 9 nights of accommodation in comfortable lodge.
  • Entrance fees to all parks and reserves mentioned in itinerary.
  • 1 Private boat ride in Tarcoles River
  • Meals listed.
Not included:
  • Travel insurance.
  • International flight tickets and departure tax.
  • Medical expenses.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Tips and gratuities.