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Complete Costa Rica, Parts I and II 2016
As one of the most prosperous countries in Central America, Costa Rica, with its good
infrastructure, stable democratic government, high literacy rate, and extensive network of parks
and preserves has long been an important ecotourism destination for travelers from all over the
world. This verdant paradise has also long been a classic, premier destination for birdwatchers,
and with good reason. The literal translation of Costa Rica means ‘rich coast’, and it is truly rich
in birds, with over 850 species recorded in a country only the size of West Virginia. Ideally
positioned at the meeting point where the avifaunas of Central and South America intermingle,
this small country hosts the highest avian diversity in an area of its size anywhere on Earth.
However, Costa Rica hosts more than just an astonishingly rich diversity of birds. Along with
neighboring Panama, this small country is one of the great centers of avian endemism in the
world, with over 70 regional endemics that occur nowhere else! Our carefully designed two-part
itinerary targets all of these regional endemics as well as numerous must-see, charismatic
species, such as Resplendent Quetzal and Three-wattled Bellbird.
Part I covers the northern half of the country. We begin our journey in the wet, sultry foothills
and lowlands of the Caribbean slope, where a host of high-profile specialties await: Great
Green Macaw, Snowy Cotinga, Snowcap, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Ocellated Antbird, and
many others. We then cross over into the seasonally dry forests of the Guanacaste region, an area
that features a decidedly Central American avian community, including White-throated
Magpie-Jay, Double-striped Thick-knee, and Lesser Ground Cuckoo. We finish this segment
of the tour in the cloud forests of Monteverde, seeking out the magnificent Resplendent
Quetzal, the unusual Three-wattled Bellbird, and the increasingly rare Bare-necked
Umbrellabird.
Part II covers the southern half of the country. This segment starts in the Pacific lowlands,
covering the tropical rainforests and grasslands from Carara National Park south to the Golfo
Dulce region near the Panama border. Targets, many of which occur nowhere else, will include a
myriad of regionally endemic hummingbirds, Black-cheeked Ant Tanager, Turquoise
Cotinga, Baird’s Trogon, Golden-naped Woodpecker, and many more. We then ascend up
into the chilly montane oak forests of Cerro de la Muerte, where a wide assortment of Costa
Rica’s most sought-after species dwell, such as Buff-fronted Quail-Dove, Resplendent
Quetzal, Silvery-throated Jay, Wrenthrush, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, and Black-andyellow Phainoptila. We wrap up this exciting tour in the Caribbean foothill forest of Rancho
Naturalista and mid-elevation cloud forest around Tapantí National Park, looking for any
remaining specialties such as Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Green-fronted Lancebill – and
maybe even Unspotted Saw-whet Owl. We schedule this tour in early spring, when bird activity
is high and the weather generally dry.
Please note that the detailed itinerary below cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide
and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation,
updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the
guides and other factors.
Part I itinerary (14 days/13 nights)
Day 1. Arrival in San José
After arrival in the capital city of San José, we will transfer you to our hotel for the night, where
a room will be reserved in your name. We will gather in the hotel lobby at 6:00 p.m. to meet
each other and have dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Robledal, San José
Day 2. La Paz and Colonia Virgen del Socorro, transfer to La Selva Biological Station
We depart the bustling capital in the early morning, ascending up the flank of Poás Volcano
before descending down into the deep, forested gorge known as Colonia Virgen del Socorro.
Here, we will get our first taste of many widespread montane species and hope to encounter
several specialties, such as the near-endemic Sooty-faced Finch and the mouse-like Northern
Nightingale Wren. La Paz Waterfall Gardens hosts a series of busy hummingbird feeders,
where we watch out for the near-endemic Black-bellied Hummingbird, while fruit feeders can
attract charismatic and colorful species such as Prong-billed Barbet, Emerald Toucanet,
Montezuma Oropendola, and a host of tanagers. In addition, this area can be very productive
for raptors like White and Barred Hawks, which soar high on rising thermals as the day heats
up.
After an enjoyable day in the valley we continue on our way into the Caribbean lowlands to La
Selva Biological Station, run by the Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS), which will be our
base of operations for the next three nights.
Overnight: La Selva Biological Station
Days 3 – 4. Birding La Selva and Braulio Carillo National Park
The famous La Selva Biological Station vies only with Carara National Park as the single most
diverse birding site in Costa Rica in terms of overall species count. By staying inside La Selva
itself, we will have early morning access to an amazing trail network, which is home to literally
hundreds of bird species, including key specialties such as Snowy Cotinga, Semiplumbeous
Hawk, Great Curassow, Great Tinamou, and Blue-chested Hummingbird. Outside of the
reserve we visit nearby sites for the enormously-billed Nicaraguan Seed Finch and the
magnificent Great Green Macaw.
Braulio Carillo National Park, established in the 1980s in part to protect Caribbean foothill
forest, hosts a wide variety of species for us to target on our second morning. Although there are
few trails in this massive park, the Quebrada-Gonzalez trail is a decidedly rich and productive
one. Fast-moving feeding flocks, usually led by Black-faced Grosbeak, can contain a host of
desirable regional endemics, such as Streak-crowned Antvireo, Black-and-yellow Tanager,
and Blue-and-gold Tanager. We will also keep a sharp eye out for Lattice-tailed Trogon,
White-ruffed Manakin, and Ornate Hawk-Eagle away from such flocks. Down the road, the
old El Tapir garden offers opportunities to see two dainty, near-endemic hummingbirds, Blackcrested Coquette and Snowcap.
Overnight: La Selva Biological Station
Day 5. Morning birding at La Selva, transfer to Arenal Observatory Lodge
After spending one final morning at La Selva we transfer to the Arenal Observatory Lodge at the
foot of the Arenal Volcano. While we settle in at our picturesque lodge, the impressive fruit
feeders near the observation deck usually host a colorful parade of oropendolas, honeycreepers,
tanagers, toucans, and euphonias to keep us entertained. This is perhaps the only site in Costa
Rica where the fluorescent Emerald Tanager comes to feeders.
Overnight: Arenal Observatory Lodge, San Carlos
Day 6. Arenal Observatory Lodge to Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
We will dedicate this morning to search for the extraordinarily skulky Thicket Antpitta, which
is more easily seen here than anywhere else in Costa Rica (or Central America). The excellent
primary forest can also be productive for a host of other typically difficult species, and we will
keep an ear out for Song Wren, Spotted Antbird, and others in the undergrowth. Within the
canopy, fruiting trees can attract a smorgasbord of colorful Tanagers, including the rare Rufouswinged. If we are lucky, we may even see a Lovely Cotinga in these same trees.
In the afternoon we drive north to the Caño Negro region, with a stop at the Medio Queso
wetlands along the way to look for the normally secretive Pinnated Bittern. Caño Negro itself, a
watery lowland of lush sloughs, marshes, and wooded countryside, features an abundance of
herons, storks, raptors, and kingfishers. Targets during an evening birding session include
Striped Owl and Great Potoo.
Overnight: Natural Lodge Caño Negro
Day 7. Morning birding Caño Negro wetlands, transfer to Heliconias Lodge
This morning includes a boat ride in order to better seek out the special inhabitants of the Río
Frío and Lago Caño Negro. Nicaraguan Grackle, a species that Costa Rica shares only with
southernmost Nicaragua, inhabits the reedy vegetation, while bare snags over the water can host
any of five different species of kingfishers, including American Pygmy Kingfisher. Quiet coves
may also host the bizarre yet striking Sungrebe. Other targets include the fish-eating Blackcollared Hawk, the localized Spot-breasted Wren, and the demure Grey-headed Dove.
In the afternoon we continue our journey southwest to Heliconias Lodge, a site that features
Caribbean foothill forest on the slopes of the Tenorio Volcano.
Overnight: Heliconias Lodge, Bijagua de Upala
Day 8. Full day birding at Heliconias Lodge
We spend a full day at this lovely lodge to allow us sufficient time to track down an exciting
array of species, including the toy-like Tody Motmot and the whimsical Yellow-eared
Toucanet. While we bird this prime tract of forest, the calls of antbirds in the understory may
alert us to an army ant swarm. Such ant swarms can provide us with some of the most
memorable birding on the entire tour and give us our best chance to see some truly special
obligate ant-followers, such as Ocellated and Bicolored Antbirds.
Overnight: Heliconias Lodge, Bijagua de Upala
Day 9. Morning birding at Heliconias Lodge, transfer to Hacienda Solimar
After another full morning at Heliconias Lodge, to pick up any specialties we may still be
missing, we continue our journey to the dry forests and wetlands of the Guanacaste region near
the coast. The seasonal wetlands of this area host an impressive diversity and number of
waterbirds, including the gigantic Jabiru. Near the bird-rich grounds of our lodge, Hacienda
Solimar, we hope to connect with both Pacific Screech Owl and Spectacled Owl in the evening.
Overnight: Hacienda Solimar, Heredia
Day 10. Morning birding at Hacienda Solimar, transfer to Monteverde
The decidedly Central American avifauna of the seasonally dry forest of Guanacaste in
northwestern Costa Rica shares strong affinities with those found north along the coast all the
way to southern Mexico. During the morning we will dedicate considerable effort to observing
many of these specialties, from the elusive Thicket Tinamou and Lesser Ground Cuckoo to
the brash White-throated Magpie-Jay and Streak-backed Oriole.
After lunch we will ascend the mountains one last time to one of the world’s most famous
ecotourism destinations, Monteverde. Depending on the local weather conditions, we will look
for some nocturnal species tonight, such as Mottled Owl and Bare-shanked Screech Owl.
Overnight: Hotel Fonda Vela, Monteverde
Day 11. Morning birding the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, transfer to San Gerardo
Encompassing approximately 730 acres, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve was established
in 1992 through the combined initiatives of the Santa Elena Community High School and
Canadian-based Youth Challenge International. During our time in this verdant reserve we will
scan the moss-laden trees for regional endemics, such as Collared Whitestart, Black Guan, and
Collared Trogon, while also paying close attention to the trail ahead of us for secretive grounddwelling species such as Buff-fronted Quail-Dove and Black-breasted Wood Quail. However,
the true stars of this forest are the incomparably beautiful Resplendent Quetzal, a contender for
most beautiful bird of the world, and the bizarre Three-wattled Bellbird, the source of a call
that should ring throughout the cloud forest during this time of the year.
In the afternoon, we descend down to a slightly lower elevation for a two nights’ stay at the San
Gerardo Biological Station.
Overnight: San Gerardo Biological Station, Santa Elena
Day 12. Full day birding San Gerardo
The San Gerardo Biological Station is at a slightly lower elevation than the neighboring
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, so the species composition is naturally slightly different.
Azure-hooded Jay, Black-headed Antthrush, Grey-throated Leaftosser, and an assortment of
other mid-elevation cloud forest specialties should keep us busy, while we keep an eye out for
the rare and special Bare-necked Umbrellabird.
Overnight: San Gerardo Biological Station, Santa Elena
Day 13. Morning birding Monteverde, transfer to Cerro Lodge
We spend one extra morning birding at the San Gerardo Biological Station before leaving the
cool highlands around Monteverde for the sultry Pacific lowland forests. As we make our way
down to the coast, we will stop at sites en route for some more dry-forest species we may still
need, such as Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Nutting’s Flycatcher, and Double-striped
Thick-knee.
Overnight: Cerro Lodge, Puntarenas
Day 14. Transfer to San José
For those not continuing on the second half of the tour, there will be an early morning transfer
(travel time about 1 ¼ hour) to the airport in San José to catch international flights.
Part II itinerary (12 days/11 nights)
Day 13 (Day 1). Arrival in San José and transfer to Cerro Lodge
After arriving at the international airport in San José, you will be transferred to Cerro Lodge in
the Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica. This applies to participants joining only the second half of
this tour.
Overnight: Cerro Lodge, Puntarenas
Days 14 – 15 (Days 2 – 3). Birding Carara National Park and Río Tárcoles
The Pacific lowlands near Tárcoles and Carara National Park mark the transition point between
the humid rainforests of southwestern Costa Rica and the seasonally dry forests of the northwest
of the country. Consequently, the avifauna here is particularly diverse, as birds from the wetter
north and drier south mingle in a relatively small area.
We spend our first day here at Carara National Park, home to a wide assortment of special birds,
such as Northern Royal Flycatcher and White-whiskered Puffbird, as well as regional
endemics like Orange-collared Manakin and Baird’s Trogon. The area around Carara is also a
stronghold for Scarlet Macaw, a sight to behold in the wild as they elegantly commute over the
forest in the early morning.
On our second day in the area we will focus our birding efforts on the mangroves and along the
Río Tárcoles via boat, where we will seek out species from the diminutive American Pygmy
Kingfisher to the nationally-endemic Mangrove Hummingbird.
Overnight: Cerro Lodge, Puntarenas
Day 16 (Day 4). Birding Carara National Park, transfer to Esquinas Rainforest Lodge
After another morning at Carara National Park for some additional birding, we continue our
journey to Esquinas Rainforest Lodge in the southwestern corner of Costa Rica.
Overnight: Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, Golfito
Day 17 (Day 5). Full day birding Esquinas Rainforest Lodge
Nestled within the rainforest fringing the nearby Golfo Dulce, Esquinas Rainforest Lodge offers
a variety of lowland regional endemics Costa Rica shares only with westernmost Panama. By
birding the grounds of the lodge in the early morning, we should connect with many of these
species: Riverside Wren, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Charming Hummingbird, Fierybilled Aracari, Black-cheeked Ant Tanager (a Costa Rican endemic), and more. Uniform
Crake, a widespread but normally very difficult forest rail, is also possible.
In the afternoon we visit sites away from the lodge for several more targets that follow this
general theme, like Veraguan Mango, a bird with a tiny global distribution, and Sapphirethroated Hummingbird, which barely reaches into Costa Rica from Panama.
Overnight: Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, Golfito
Day 18 (Day 6). Morning birding Rincón Bridge, transfer to Buenos Aires
An early morning vigil from the well known hanging bridge (canopy walkway) at Rincón de la
Vieja National Park for canopy species may yield two highly desirable regional endemics: the
immaculate Yellow-billed Cotinga and the vibrant Turquoise Cotinga.
Afterwards we transfer to a lodge near the Costa Rican town of Buenos Aires for the night.
Overnight: Cabinas Kamaraci, Buenos Aires
Day 19 (Day 7). Morning birding Buenos Aires, transfer to Savegre Mountain Lodge
The grasslands around the town of Buenos Aires are home to a population of Ocellated Crake, a
species which will take effort and patience to see, while the forests higher up the mountain
slopes harbor two sought-after regional endemics: Costa Rican Brush Finch and Spot-crowned
Euphonia.
We then drive northwest toward Savegre Mountain Lodge in the Cerro de la Muerte, stopping at
sites en route for a trio of difficult, range-restricted hummingbirds: White-tailed Emerald,
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, and White-crested Coquette.
Overnight: Savegre Mountain Lodge
Day 20 (Day 8). Full day birding Savegre Mountain Lodge
Situated in misty, cool montane oak forest at about 7000 feet in elevation, the Savegre Valley
contains some of Costa Rica’s most sought-after birds, including many species which occur only
in the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama. These so-called ‘Chiriqui endemics’
include a long list of mouth-watering specialties, which we hope to connect with during our time
here. Costa Rican Pygmy Owl, Dusky Nightjar, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Ochraceous
Pewee, Silvery-throated Jay, Flame-throated Warbler, Wrenthrush (formerly Zeledonia),
Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, and Scintillant Hummingbird are
just some of the potential targets. The birding usually begins in earnest right around the gardens
of the lodge, where one often sees the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal.
Overnight: Savegre Mountain Lodge
Day 21 (Day 9). Transfer via páramo and Paraiso Quetzal to Rancho Naturalista
After some more early morning birding around Savegre Mountain Lodge we continue our
journey through the mountains, stopping at a couple of sites above the treeline, a patch of the
Costa Rican páramo ecosystem and the Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, in hopes of connecting with
several highland specialists: Peg-billed Finch, Volcano Junco, Timberline Wren, and Fierythroated Hummingbird.
We then head back down the mountains to the famous Rancho Naturalista on the Caribbean
slope.
Overnight: Rancho Naturalista, Platanillo
Day 22 (Day 10). Birding at Rancho Naturalista, transfer to Tapanti Media Lodge
Located at an elevation of about 3200 feet, Rancho Naturalista provides excellent access to the
rich birding of the Caribbean slope. Diverse and fast-moving feeding flocks are an important
feature at this elevation, often including over ten to twelve species that range from flycatchers to
woodcreepers to tanagers. Moths that collect around the lamps of the lodge at night attract
Tawny-chested Flycatcher by day, a rare regional endemic shared only with Nicaragua. Finally,
hummingbird feeders and flowers around the lodge attract a wide variety of hummingbirds,
including the unique Snowcap. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Tapantí Media Lodge for the
night.
Overnight: Tapantí Media Lodge, Orosí Valley
Day 23 (Day 11). Full day birding Tapantí National Park
Located at a slightly higher elevation than Rancho Naturalista, Tapantí National Park offers a
suite of birds common at Monteverde, such as Black Guan and Prong-billed Barbet, as well as
several specialties like the unusual Green-fronted Lancebill, the glistening Golden-browed
Chlorophonia, and the secretive Sooty-faced Finch.
In the evening we target one of the most elusive owls in Central America, Unspotted Saw-whet
Owl, on the slopes of the Irazú Volcano.
Overnight: Tapantí Media Lodge, Orosí Valley
Day 24 (Day 12). Morning birding on Irazú Volcano, transfer to San José, departure
After some final morning birding at the Irazú Volcano for Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge and
any missing highland specialties, we transfer back to the bustling city of San José to catch our
international flights back home.
Duration:
Part I: 14 days
Part II: 12 days
Entire Tour: 24 days
Limit: 6 – 8
Dates:
Part I: March 13 – 26
Part II: March 25 – April 5
Entire Tour: March 13 – April 5
Start: San José
End: San José
Price:
Part I: $4,238
Part II: $3,990
Entire Tour: $7,990
Single supplement:
Part I: $513
Part II: $578
Entire Tour: $1,050
Price includes:
Meals
Accommodation
Guiding fees
Entrance fees
All transport while on tour
Tolls
Price excludes:
International flights
Items of a personal nature, e.g. gifts
Alcoholic drinks
Personal insurance
Gratuities
International airport departure tax of $28 p/p, payable in San José upon departure