Although Costa Rica is a small country, it is in bird-rich neotropical region and has an immense number of species for its area. 920+ bird species have been recorded in the country, more than in all of the United States and Canada combined. Of these 7 are endemic and 20 are globally threatened.
Thanks to its high diversity in habitats, micro climates and position between North and South America, no other country in the world has many bird species per quarter meter than Costa Rica with only 51.100 Km2!
San José (Google Map)
Arrival to international airport and transfer to hotel.
Orientation meeting and welcome dinner. The hotel grounds offers great opportunities like Blue-crowned Motmot, Blue-and-White Swallow, Rufous-naped Wren and others.
Overnight Hotel Bouganvillea – D –
Departure after breakfast for Sarapiqui Region, located on the north Eastern Caribbean lowlands. Road birding.
Arrival to the lodge in the afternoon and birding on the grounds where we can find Collared Aracari, White-collared Manakin, Red-throated Ant-Tanager among others.
Overnight La Selva Station – BLD –
Full day at La Selva Biological Station birding the road, grounds and trails.
Here we look for highly endangered Great Green Macaw as well as Snowy Cotinga, Rufous Motmot, Pied Puffbird, Great Curassow, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Fasciated Antshrike, Plain-colored Tanager and more. Return at the end of the day to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight La Selva Station – BLD –
Departing for Arenal area. In the afternoon visit to Bogarin Trails for an easy walk in this private reserve which includes feeders, forest trails and a pond where boat billed herons and uniform crake can be seen.
At the end of the afternoon drive to the lodge located at the base of the volcano.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight Observatory Lodge – BLD –
This morning we will gather to the observation deck at the lodge to see Montezuma Oropendula, Emerald Tanager and red-legged honeycreeper.
After breakfast visit to SkyAdventure Park to walk on the hanging brides. This trail is a combination of ground trails and hanging bridges . This is an opportunity to see Broad billed momot, Rufous – tailed Jacamar , Spotted antbird, Brown billed scythebill Among others. Return to the lodge.
Overnight Observatory Lodge – BLD –
This morning we will continue birding around the lodge, now around the gardens in search of hummingbirds as the Black Crested Coquete, and others as Golden-Oliver woodpecker and Cinnamon Becard.
Mid-morning departure to the Central Pacific region.
Overnight Cerro Lodge – BLD –
After breakfast visit to Carara National Park, located few minutes away.
This is one special park because its location, right on the convergence zone between dry north Pacific and very wet south Pacific regions.
Some of the species that this parks hosts are: Bairds Trogon, Rufus Piha, Turquoise Brown Motmot and the second largest population of Scarlet Macaw in the country.
Overnight Cerro Lodge – BLD –
Morning Boat Tour of the Tarcoles River.
This river is very important to migratory birds as shore birds and some residents as Roseate Spoonbil and Mangrove Vireo.
After lunch our journey continues to the last location: Talamanca Mountain Range.
The hotel is located 7500 ft. above sea level.
Overnight Sueños del Bosque – BLD –
This day will start with an expedition to find the Resplendent Quetzal, regularly seen feeding on wild avocados, nesting on dead trees.
Some others species are Slaty Flower Piercer, Scitillant Hummingbird, Ochraceous Wren, Dark Pewee among others.
Farewell Dinner.
Overnight Sueños del Bosque – BLD –
Transfer to the airport.
Lunch on route and end of services.
