Birdwatching in Costa Rica
CostaRicanNature carefully designs your bird watching tours to the most famous and beautiful birding destinations throughout Costa Rica. We offer custom tours and guided group tours, using our knowledge and local experience to create the perfect Costa Rica bird watching tour for you. Here’s an example of an incredible birding trip in Costa Rica.
Itinerary
Day 01
Arrival - San Jose - CATIE
The valley of Turrialba is located just two hours east of San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, Turrialba is nestled in a mountainous landscape surrounded by abundant tropical vegetation, coffee plantations, farms and sugarcane fields. Since 1942, the valley has been home to the campus headquarters of CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) housing some of the most important plant collections in the Americas. This is a regional birding hot spot with an abundance and variety of bird species.
Day 02
CATIE and Botanical Garden
CATIE and the Botanical Garden educate for a changing world, sharing scientific information on agribusiness and natural resources in an interactive manner that is suitable for all audiences. The park draws from CATIE’s 70 years of scientific research and hands-on experience in agro biodiversity, focused on improved human well-being and environmental protection.
The Botanical Garden is an interactive experience based on CATIE’s scientific work to create sustainable agricultural systems and promote the sustainability of natural resources. The result is a dynamic and participatory adventure that is fun for all.
Here you will learn about a breathtaking variety of tropical fruits, medicinal, oil-producing and ornamental plants, roots, tubers and timber trees.
Day 03
Natural Paradise Farm- Transfer to San Gerardo de Dota
Natural Paradise Farm is a bird watching paradise. Located at an elevation of 2,400 ft. with more than 120 bird species documented on the property this Turrialba birding hotspot teams with brightly colored birds and bird songs. From the Farm’s balcony and trails we can see different kinds of birds including warblers, wrens, trogons, toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers and many other colorful and beautiful birds. Coffee and sugarcane are the main Natural Paradise Farm crops. As we walk around the Farm, we can see, touch, smell and taste different seasonal tropical fruits and vegetables.
Day 04
San Gerardo de Dota.
San Gerardo de Dota is a tiny community in the Talamanca Mountains settled in the fresh mist of a mountain valley surrounded by deep cloud forests and filled with massive tropical trees. San Gerardo de Dota is a high elevation paradise for birdwatchers with more than 170 bird species, including some of the rarest and most endangered species. It is a special place for watching the Resplendent Quetzal, one of the most ornate wild creatures and member of the colorful Trogonidae family. A wide variety of migratory species arrive seasonally, joining the native species to add more colorful views for birdwatchers.
Days 05 & 06
San Gerardo de Dota-Dominical
La Cusinga, boarders Ballena Marine National Park and is nestled inside a 45 year old, 283 hectares private reserve, with many trails and excellent bird watching spots. Birds found at La Cusinga include Red-capped and Blue-crowned Manakins, hawks, owls, toucans, and many more. Sea birds are visible from the comfort of your room, common areas or a short hike. La Cusinga offers a variety of activities. A short walk from your room into the rain forest will allow you to see exotic birds living free in their natural habitat. Interact with local guides to learn about many of the endemic species native to southern Costa Rica. Embark on a marine adventure to visit Isla Ballena, a bird sanctuary in Ballena Marine National Park where you will observe many species of marine birds and wildlife.
Day 07
Carara
Morning departure towards the Central Pacific Coast and Cerro Lodge near the Carara Biological Reserve, a 4,700 hectare reserve at the mouth of the Tárcoles River. The reserve is surrounded by pasture and agricultural land and forms an oasis for wildlife from a large surrounding area.
Day 08
Carara
Early breakfast and departure to the Carara Biological Reserve where you will see the brilliantly patterned Scarlet Macaws and many other species including guans, trogons, toucans, and motmots. Monkeys, squirrels, sloths and agoutis are among the more common mammals present at Carara. In the afternoon we will embark on an adventure along the Tárcoles River and mangrove forest. This mangrove forest is one of the most important in the mid Pacific Coast for the conservation of the Scarlet Macaw and rare and endangered bird species such as the Mangrove Cuckoo, Mangrove Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo, and Panama Flycatcher. A variety of egrets and many herons spend most of the day in the forest and roost at night in the mangroves.
Day 09
Departure
Return to San Jose. Transfer to the international airport.
Day 01
Arrival - San Jose
Arrival. A representative from CostaRicanNature will meet you at the airport and provide your transfer to the hotel.
Day 02
Bosque de Paz
Today the day starts with a scenic drive to Bosque de Paz, the Peace Forest. This 988 acre private reserve serves as a corridor between two National Parks: Poas and Juan Castro Blanco. This rain and cloud forest is a bird sanctuary where the Resplendent Quetzal and the Emerald Toucanet are frequently seen. Bosque de Paz is where you will stay for two nights.
Day 03
Hiking and bird watching
This morning explore the surrounding flora and fauna with your full time dedicated guide. You will experience the wonders of nature, including the outstanding birds, and wildlife at Bosque de Paz using the trails through the forest. This reserve was established in July 1997 with trails ranging in length from 1 kilometer to 7.5 kilometers, with a total of 22 kilometers of trails passing through old growth and second growth forest, that conserves more than 331 species of birds, including abundant hummingbirds, the Resplendent Quetzal, Scaled Antpitta, Black Guan, Emerald Toucanet, Three Wattled Bellbird, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Zeledonia, and Silvery-fronted, Tapaculo, Black--faced Solitaire, American Dipper, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, and many others.
Day 04 & 05
Observatory Lodge
This morning we continue our trip towards the northern plains, Arenal Observatory Lodge and Spa is nestled in the heart of the Arenal Volcano National Park, and is a gateway to the birdlife of Costa Rica at the Arenal and La Fortuna Birding Hotspot. Half of the birds of Costa Rica, more than 500 species have been recorded in the surrounding forests, such as the Lovely Cotinga, Black-crested Coquette, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Bare-necked Umbrella bird, Emerald Tanager, Great Curassow, Thicket Antpitta, Ornate Hawk-Eagle and the Fasciated Tiger-Heron.
Day 06
Sarapiqui
After breakfast we continue to the Sarapiqui area. Located on the banks of the Puerto Viejo River, 42 miles north of San Jose and next to the Braulio Carrillo National Park, Sarapiqui is one of the richest areas for bird watching. Selva Verde Lodge is located on the Sarapiqui River and offers excellent birding in the surrounding gardens and forest. Frequently seen birds, include Violaceous Trogon, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, White-necked Puffbird, Snowy Cotinga, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Northern Barred-Woodcreeper, Ringed Kingfisher, Amazon Kingfisher, Green Kingfisher, Sunbittern, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Buff-rumped Warbler, and Gray-cowled Wood-Rail. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge, Standard River Room. Breakfast included.
Day 07
Sarapiqui
Grab your binoculars and join our naturalist guide for an early morning bird walk on the grounds of Selva Verde. Morning is a very active time for birds, when you can count on seeing multiple stunning tropical species that inhabit Selva Verde. Every morning is different, but all are exciting! Your guide has a keen eye and a high-powered spotting scope, to provide close up views of birds you might not otherwise notice. After breakfast we visit the Organization for Tropical Studies La Selva Research Station for a half day tour. Your guide will introduce you to the leading-edge research conducted at La Selva and the natural history of the tropical rain forest. La Selva is a 1,614 hectares (3,988 acres) preserve consisting of old growth and regenerated tropical wet forest. Species diversity is spectacular, including more than 1,850 species of plants, 350 species of trees, 448 species of birds, and approximately 500 species of ants.
Day 08
Boca Tapada, San Carlos
We continue north to the Maquenque Eco-lodge, located north of Boca Tapada, on the San Carlos River, in the newly created 60.000 hectare, Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge. The Lodge is surrounded by tropical rainforest and has quickly become famous for its outstanding wildlife observation and birding. Frequently viewed species include the Green Macaw, Agami Heron Muscovy Duck Great Curassow, Jabiru, Roseate Spoonbill, Green Ibis, Sunbittern, and much more
Day 09
Safari
Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Rio San Carlos and observe the rich flora and fauna of this region. At the start of the tour your guide will give you paddling instruction to prepare you for the relaxing and amazing floating trip on the river. You can focus on nature and enjoy the unique and relaxed surrounding as you slowly float on the river. You will discover a lot of different water birds and river animals. Just take your time! In the afternoon the adventure continues with a walk on the trails on the hotel property.
Day 10
Return to San Jose
After breakfast we return to San Jose, during the scenic drive we can stop at an excellent bird watching site. Overnight at hotel in Alajuela, standard room. Breakfast is included.
Day 11
Departure
Transfer will be provided to the International airport.
