From the Middle Elevations, to the Caribbean Lowlands, Northern Wetlands and Coastal Mangroves to the Highlands in the South, this package has been designed to offer our guest the opportunity to enjoy the amazing bird diversity of Costa Rica.
- Duration: 14 Days
Arrival to San Jose Costa Rica, meet your Birding Experiences staff an drive to your hotel in Central Valley.
Targets: Great Kiskadee, Lesson’s Motmot, Crimson-fronted Parakeet
Lodging at: Bougainvillea Hotel or similar / Meals: Dinner.
Drive to Sarapiqui area. On the way birding at Cinchona feeders and Virgen del Socorro road. This Middle Elevation habitat hosts a great diversity of quality species, that often travel in mixed flocks.
Target birds: Emerald Toucanet, Silver-throated Tanager, Coppery-headed Emerald.
Lodging at: La Selva Biological Station or similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Full day birding at La Selva Biological Station and surroundings. La Selva is one of the best known research stations for Tropical Studies and the habitat that protects is home to hundreds of resident and migratory species of birds.
Target birds: Broad-billed Motmot, Gartered Trogon, Great Green Macaw.
Lodging at: La Selva Biological Station or similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Visit Braulio Carrillo National Park and Cope Arte. Quebrada Gonzalez trails are some of the best birding trails in Costa Rica, mixed flocks and swarms of Army Ants followed by several species of antbirds occur frequently. Then visit the home of a well-known naturalist and artist for birding and photography.
Target birds: White-necked Jacobin, White-ruffed Manakin, Russet-naped Wood-rail.
Lodging at: La Selva Biological Station or similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Morning birding at La Selva Biological Station. Drive to Caño Negro, stopping for a boat ride at Medio Queso Wetlands. The northern plains of Costa Rica encapsulate a great variety of ecosystems, the wetlands near the Nicaraguan boarder are some of the most diverse, and host a great deal of specialties.
Target birds: Pinnated Bittern, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Nicaraguan Grackle.
Lodging at: Caño Negro Natural Lodge or similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Before breakfast explore the gallery forest of Rio Frio by boat. Mid-morning birding at hotel grounds and surrounding open areas. Afternoon birding in the wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
Target birds: American Pygmy-Kingfisher, Black-collared Hawk, Sungrebe.
Lodging at: Caño Negro Natural Lodge or similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
After breakfast drive to Bijuaga, birding the surroundings of Tenorio National Park. In the afternoon birding the trails of the lodge.
Lodging at: Las Heliconias Lodge or similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Target birds: Black-crested Coquette, Carmiol’s Tanager, Slaty-tailed Trogon.
Morning birding at the hotel grounds and drive to La Ensenada Wildlife Refuge. En route visit Hacienda Solimar. Today we will drive to the Pacific Slope of Costa Rica. A dramatic change of habitat from evergreen forest to the deciduous Tropical Dry Forest and wetlands.
Target birds: Tody Motmot, Jabiru Stork, Double-striped Thick-knee.
Lodging at: La Ensenada Lodge / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. .
Morning birding at La Ensenada Lodge grounds. Afternoon visit Cocorocas Salt pans. Before breakfast explore the grounds of the hotel for Dry Forest species. Then visit the salt pans and coastal habitats.
Target birds: Lesser-ground Cuckoo, Streak-breasted Oriole, Magnificent Frigatebird.
Lodging at: La Ensenada Lodge / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Morning birding at La Ensenada Wildlife Refuge. Drive to Central Pacific. Birding back roads along the way for target species.
Target birds: Long-tailed Manakin, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Yellow-naped Parrot.
Lodging at: Cerro Lodge or similar/ Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Early morning boat ride on the Tarcoles River, in quest for wetland and mangrove species. Then drive around on back roads for some of the specialties of the area.
Target birds: Scarlet Macaw, Ringed Kingfisher, Mangrove Hummingbird.
Lodging at: Cerro Lodge or similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
After breakfast visit Carara National Park one the Meccas for Birdwatching in Costa Rica. En route birding at several hotspots.
Target birds: Streak-chested Antpitta, Chestnut-backed Antbird , Fiery-billed Aracari.
Lodging at: Savegre Lodge or Similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Morning quest for the Resplendent Quetzal, considered the most beautiful bird in the Neotropics. In the afternoon explore the Savegre Valley in search of the many regional endemics of the area.
Target birds: Resplendent Quetzal, Flame-colored Tanager , Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher.
Lodging at: Savegre Lodge or similar / Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 14 – Birding the Paramo and drive to the airport Before breakfast birding at the hotel gardens, then drive up to the summit of the mountains to explore the Paramo habitat and look for some of the endemics present there. Drive to San Jose to catch afternoon flight.
Overnight in San Jose can be added at an additional charge upon request
Target birds: Volcano Junco, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Black-and-Yellow Silky-Flycatcher.
- Private transportation.
- Private birding guide.
- 13 nights of accommodation in comfortable lodge.
- Entrance fees to all parks and reserves mentioned in itinerary.
- 1 Private boat ride in Medio Queso Wetlands.
- 2 Private boat rides in Caño Negro Wetlands.
- 1 Private boat ride in Tarcoles River
- Meals listed.
- Travel insurance.
- International flight tickets and departure tax.
- Medical expenses.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Tips and gratuities.