Costa Rica offers a great number of regional endemic species of birds. Since the geological formation of the Central American area and in particular the Western portion
of Panama is shared with Costa Rica, this has become center of evolution on itself. The following tour intends to provide birders with the opportunity to come and explore
for regional and country endemics. The trip has a length of 19 days, however we can always custom design a shorter or longer tour.
Day 1 - Stay at Buena Vista Hotel
Buena Vista Hotel
Day 2 - Stay at Buena Vista Hotel (B,L,D)
Visit Vara Blanca and Poas Volcano
Potential target species:
Black-bellied Hummingbird, Purple-throated Mountain-Gem, Coppery-headed Emerald, White-bellied Mountain-Gem, Prong-billed Barbet, Golden-bellied Flycatcher,
Tawny-capped Euphonia, Orange-bellied Trogon, Black-and-Yellow Silky-Flycatcher, Streak-breasted Treehunter, Sooty-faced Finch, Fiery-throated Hummingbird.
Day 3 - Stay at Savegre Lodge (B,L,D)
Drive to San Gerardo de Dota, birding along the way, lunch in Savegre, afternoon in Savegre.
Potential target species:
Resplendent Quetzal, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Black-thighed Grosbeak, Volcano Junco, Large-footed Finch, Yellow-thighed Finch, Slaty Flowerpiercer,
Peg-billed Finch, Spangle-cheeked Tanger, Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Black Guan, Buff-fronted Quail Dove, Sulfur-winged Parakeet, Red-fronted Parrolet,
Bare-shanked Screech-Owl, Costa Rica Pygmy-Owl, Dusky Nightjar, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, White-throated Mountain-Gem, Ruddy Treerunner, Strek-breasted Treehunter,
Dark Pewee, Ochraceous Pewee, Black-capped Flycatcher, Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow-winged Vireo, Silvery-throated Jay, Ochraceous Wren, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo,
Wrenthrush, Timberline Wren, Black-faced Solitaire, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Sooty Thrush, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher, Flame-throated Warbler, Collared Redstart,
Black-cheeked Warbler, Peg-billed Finch.
More details about San Gerardo de Dota - Cloud Forest....
Day 4, Day 5, Day 6 - Stay at Savegre Lodge (B,L,D)
During the 4 nights (three full days) in Savegre we will explore the cloud forest and the sub-alpine rain paramo in search of the above mentioned species.
Day 7: Stay at Talari Lodge (B,L,D)
Drive to Talari Lodge. Stop in the mountains, explore some middle to high elevations to ensure the sightings of Spangle-cheeked Tanager, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Black-cheeked Warbler, Yellow-winged Vireo, Golden-bellied Flycatcher, White-tailed Emerald, Red-fronted Parrolet. Also good chances for Ornate Hawk-Eagle, White-winged Tanager, Speckled Tanager, Collared Trogon, Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Red-faced Spinetail, Brown-capped Vireo.
Upon arrival to the lodge good chance to see Turquoise Cotinga, Cherrie´s Tanager, Fiery-billed Aracari, Costa Rican Swift.
More details about Valley of El General and Talari Lodge....
Day 8, Day 9: Stay at Talari Lodge (B,L,D)
Explore several areas around in Valley of El General, several roads and preserves such Los Cusingos of Dr. Skutch offer good opportunities to find:
White-crested Coquette, Garden Emerald, Charming Hummingbird, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Baird´s Trogon, Fiery-billed Aracari, Golden-naped Woodpecker,
Black-hooded Antshrike, Turquoise Cotinga, Yellow-billed Cotinga, Orange-collared Manakin, Black-bellied Wren, Riverside Wren, Cherrie´s Tanager,
Spot-crowned Euphonia, Costa Rican Swift, White-throated Shrike-Tanager, Crimson-fronted Parakeet. Also Ruddy Woodcreeper, Bicolored Antbird, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Bicolored Hawk.
Day 10: Stay at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (B,L,D)
Travel to Esquinas Rainforest Lodge located in the Southern Pacific zone, just off Piedras Blancas National Park. Potential species include:
Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Fiery-billed Aracari, Turquoise Cotinga, Yellow-billed Cotinga, Orange-collared Manakin, Black-bellied Wren, Riverside Wren,
Cherrie´s Tanager, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Costa Rican Swift, White-throated Shrike-Tanager, Crimson-fronted Parakeet. Other birds include: Blue-headed Parrot,
Brown-throated Parakeet, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Tiny Hawk, Slate-colored Seedeater, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater.
Day 11: Stay at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge (B,L,D)
A full day exploring this area of Esquinas Rainforest.
Day 12 and 13: Stay at Cerro Lodge (B,L,D)
Travel to Cerro Lodge in the vicinities of Carara National Park and Tarcoles River.
Explore the mangroves by boat and several other spots, roadsides, trails for Yellow-billed Cotinga, Mangrove Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo, Fiery-billed Aracari,
Black-hooded Antshrike, Black-bellied Wren, Riverside Wren, Cherrie´s Tanager, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Costa Rican Swift. This is a great destination as well to see
Scarlet Macaws, Yellow-naped Parrots, White-fronted Parrots, Orange-fronted Parrots, Pacific Screeh-Owl, Crane Hawk, Scrub Euphonia, Royal Flycatcher, Double-striped Thick-Knee.
More details about Carara National Park and Tarcoles River...
Day 14, 15, 16: Stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge (B,L,D)
Travel to and start exploring the area of Arenal Volcano. Potential species are: Lattice-tailed Trogon, Orange-bellied Trogon, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Rufous-winged Woodpecker,
Streak-crowned Antvireo, Thicket Antpitta, Black-throated Wren, Stripe-breasted Wren, Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Tawny-capped Euphonia, Lovely Cotinga, Black-eared Wood-Quail,
Black-breasted Wood-Quail. Other birds include Dull-mantled Antbird, Inmaculate Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Ocellated Antbird, Bicolored Antbird, Spotted Antbird,
Streak-crowned Antvireo, Black-crested Coquette, Hepatic Tanager, Crimson-collared Tanager, White Hawk, Semiplumbeous Hawk.
More details about Arenal Volcano Area....
Day 17, 18, 19: Stay at La Selva OTS (B,L,D)
Transport to La Selva Biological Station. Explore La Selva Biological Station and surroundings for Sungrebe, Great Green Macaw, Snowy Cotinga, Plain-colored Tanager,
Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Black-throated Wren, Stripe-breasted Wren, Crimson-fronted Parakeet.
A great collection of woodpeckers here at La Selva: Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Cinammon Woodpecker, Rufous-winged Woodpcker, Pale-billed Woodpcker,
Lineated Woodpcker. Also Rufous Motmot and Broad-billed Motmot, White-whiskered Puffbird, Pied Puffbird, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Long-tailed Tyrant. Also a visit for a morning
to Braulio Carrillo National Park, Quebrda Gonzalez Sector (chances for Snowcap in a garden nearby.) (Note: night in La Selva can be changed for a night in Bougainvillea if
next day´s flight is early)
More details about Sarapiqui - Caribbean Lowlands....
Day 20: Return to San José for departure
Drive to San José, perhaps some birding in the morning at La Selva if the flight departs late.
GUIDED TOUR / with transportation
RATES PER PERSON IN DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
Low Season High Season
2 people: US$5,642 US$5,736
3 people: US$4,462 US$4,557
4 people: US$4,156 US$4,251
6 people: US$3,887 US$3,981
8 people +: US$3,499 US$3,594
Single Supplement:
$625.00 in Low Season $673.00 High Season
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This birding itinerary includes:
Lodging for 19 nights
Taxes
All meals except for the dinner on the first night you might also miss breakfast on departure day- depends on flight schedule.
Professional Bird Guide
Private Transportation
Fees to parks and reserves
Updated Checklist of the birds of Costa Rica
Tarcoles River Boat Tour
Note: These sample itineraries can be modified according to your needs.
