Best Season:
-
All year around
Places to visit:
Talamanca Highlands: there is not destination in Costa Rica more fulfilling for endemic birds, although the number of species in the highlands in the country are far less than rainforest lowlands, the exceptional number of endemics far exceeds those ones in areas as Corcovado National Park or La Selva. Hummingbirds, flycatchers, vireos, trogons, wrens, are some the families that had been isolated for millions of years; creating specialization of species therefore endemics. Among some of the most beautiful birds are the Resplendent Quetzal and perhaps the only place in which it can be found all year round. Giant oaks, misty mornings and crispy air are among many of the wonderful things that make this destination a favorite among us…. Birders!
Birding highlights: Spotted Woodquail, Resplendet Quetzal, Silvery throated Jay, Sulphur winged Parakeet, Dusky nightjar, Costa Rican Pygmy Owl, Buffy Tuftedcheck, Flame throated Warbler, Blue throated Toucanet, Maroon chested ground Dove, Fiery throated Hummingbird
Piedras Blanca’s Rainforest: Located in the small community of La Gamba, Esquinas Rainforest has been an icon of sustainable tourism. Employing local people and conserving its natural habitats, this piece of paradise is a dream becoming true for birdseekers. Trogons, hummingbirds, flycatchers, potoos, woodcreepers, tanagers, toucans are just plentiful everywhere. On its trails, rivers, pasture fields new species are found daily. A marvelous destination for target birds such as manakins, aracaries, cotingas, etc…
Carara National Park: is by far one the best birding places all year round in Costa Rica and perhaps in all Central America. Within the national park protects the second largest population of Scarlet Macaws, easy access to all trails, mangrove swamps, pasture fields and forest edges. There are very few places in the country where more than hundred species can be found in one trail. Meandrica’s trail it has become an icon for quality birding, tinamous, trogons, wrens, antpittas, manakins, cotingas, bellbirds, antshrikes are among the most common birds in the forest. The nearby forested edges give as a good number of open field birds, jays, blackbirds, greenlets, rails, ground doves, motmots, hawks, parakeets, owls are among many of the avifauna found in these habitats. The mangroves at Rio Grande de Tarcoles are very rewarding on a good day along the river edges 5 species of kingfishers can be spotted, more than a couple dozens of shorebirds, herons, egrets are also easy to find but the most remarkable species are the ones with a restricted range or to the mangroves such as vireos, warblers, cuckoos, flycatchers, the elusive Rufous necked woodrail and the only true Costa Rican endemic Mangrove Hummingbird.
Birding Highlights: Scarlet Macaws, Orange collared Manakin, Fiery billed Aracari, Baird’s Trogon, Riverside Wren, Crane Hawk, Red breasted Blackbird, Mangrove Vireo, Mangrove Hummingbird, Scrub Greenlet, Cherrie’s Tanager, Great Tinamou, Northern Royal Flycatcher.
Sarapiqui: is a real rainforest experience with vast areas to cover, primary rainforest, active and no active pasture fields, river edges, canopy bridges, thick understory, etc. Cotingas, macaws, oropendulas, guans, eagles, toucans are some of the many species to find. At Gavilan Lodge daily birds to spot are Green Ibis, Sunbittern, Jacamars, Tanagers, Orioles, Woodpeckers, Tityras, etc. Botanical gardens nearby offer great opportunities to spot a dozen or more species of hummingbirds and its adjacent forest always bring good surprises as Little Tinamou, Lattice tailed Trogon, Cinnamon Woodpecker, and much more. The Braulio Carrillo National Park is a real rainforest experience with the largest mixed flocks ever including favorites such as Sharpbills and Umbrellabirds.
Birding Highlights: Great green Macaw, Nicaraguan SeedFinch, Green Ibis, Snowy Cotinga, Slaty breasted Tinamou, Shinny Cowbird, White collared Manakin, Great Potoo, Bare necked Umbrellabird, Sharpbill, Blue and gold Tanager, Short tailed Nighthawk, Spectacle Owl.
What is included:
All ground, water, and air transportation (if described) depending on the group size can be an SUV 4×4 or a 17 passenger van.
All activities such as boat tours, park fees, local guides
All accommodations based on double occupancy
3 Meals per day as described. Except on arrival day
What is not included:
Personal travel insurance, gratuities to guides/hotel staff/restaurant services
Alcoholic drinks, extra meals, room services, international flight
Things to consider:
Arrival day: It flight schedule is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm; we would prefer to drive to our first destination/lodge/forest.
Arrival time between 4:00 pm – 8 pm; overnight Hotel Bouganvillea.
Arrival time after 8:00 pm; overnight Hotel Adventure Inn.
An included hotel’s airport shuttle would be arranged.