Small-Group Grand Costa Rica Birding Tour
A small-group 16-day circuit through Costa Rica's Pacific, southern, highland and Caribbean birding regions, with an estimated 475-525 species.
About this tour
This small-group 16-day circuit links Costa Rica's major birding regions from the Pacific lowlands and Osa Peninsula to the Talamanca highlands, Caribbean slope and northwestern dry country. Early fieldwork combines Ceiba-Cascajal Road, a Tarcoles River boat outing and Carara National Park. The journey then turns south for the forests of the Osa Peninsula, La Gamba Road and Wilson Botanical Gardens before climbing to Cerro de la Muerte and entering the San Gerardo de Dota valley.
Highland birding includes a focused search for Resplendent Quetzal, followed by Reserva El Copal and the hummingbird activity around Hotel Quelitales. The northern half of the route visits La Selva Biological Station, the Arenal area, Monteverde, Selvatura and La Ensenada. Together these stops cover dry forest, humid lowland forest, cloud forest and high-elevation habitat. The official estimate is 475-525 species, with the final total dependent on season and field conditions.
The program is listed at a moderate pace and difficulty. Most fieldwork uses roadsides or relatively level trails, although Arenal and Monteverde include some steeper forest sections and Cerro de la Muerte reaches roughly 3,450 meters. January through March is the principal recommended period. Accommodation is described as good to excellent throughout. Send an inquiry through BirdWatch to confirm dates, current availability and final pricing.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Costa Rica.
Organizer
Itinerary ▼
The journey opens with arrival and time to prepare for the field program. Tonight's stay is at Hotel Aeropuerto.
Start ahead of schedule and set out for the Pacific lowlands. Spend field time birdwatching at Ceiba-Cascajal Road along the way. The afternoon brings time to take a boat trip on the Tarcoles River, then birdwatch on the lodge grounds. The day finishes with accommodation at Cerro Lodge.
Keep the day open for sustained birdwatching at Carara National Park. Overnight at Cerro Lodge.
Use the morning session to travel to Osa Peninsula. Pause for birdwatching at Quepos to search for Spot-fronted Swift and at the Rincon River for Yellow-billed Cotinga. After lunch, continue birdwatching on the lodge grounds. Accommodation for the night is at Danta Corcovado Lodge.
Continue fieldwork for the entire day at Osa Peninsula. The itinerary uses Danta Corcovado Lodge for the overnight.
Open the day with time to make an excursion to La Gamba Road near Golfito. The second half of the day is used to explore birdlife at Wilson Botanical Gardens. The overnight base is a hotel in San Vito.
Open the day with time to travel to San Gerardo de Dota. Spend field time birdwatching along the way within the Talamanca highlands at Cerro de la Muerte. The second half of the day is used to continue birdwatching on the lodge grounds. Stay overnight at Savegre Mountain Hotel.
Begin at Paraiso Quetzal Hotel with a search for Resplendent Quetzal. Use the post-lunch period to spend time birdwatching in the highlands above the lodge. Overnight at Savegre Mountain Hotel.
Set out before dawn on the roughly three-hour journey to highland forest at Reserva El Copal, near Tapanti National Park. Allocate much of the day to birdwatching there. Toward the end of the afternoon, continue to Quelitales. The day finishes with accommodation at Hotel Quelitales.
Open the day with time to continue birdwatching on the hotel grounds and watching hummingbirds at feeders. The second half of the day is used to travel to Sarapiqui area. Spend field time birdwatching there once settled. Stay overnight at Hotel Ara Ambigua.
The first part of the day is used to spend time birdwatching at La Selva Biological Reserve. Later in the day, proceed to Arenal area. Continue birdwatching on the lodge grounds once settled. The overnight base is Arenal Observatory Lodge.
Devote the full day to birdwatching at the extensive trails on the lodge property. The itinerary uses Arenal Observatory Lodge for the overnight.
Begin before the day warms and make a field stop at the Bogarin Trail near Fortuna, then travel onward to Monteverde. After midday, visit Selvatura Reserve for Three-wattled Bellbirds. Accommodation for the night is at Cala Lodge.
Open the day with time to continue birdwatching at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The second half of the day is used to travel to La Ensenada. Spend field time birdwatching there once settled. Overnight at La Ensenada.
The first part of the day is used to spend time birdwatching at La Ensenada Reserve. Later in the day, proceed to Alajuela. The day finishes with accommodation at Hotel Aeropuerto.
The tour concludes here. Continue home on the scheduled international flight.
Locations & map
- Alajuela - Costa Rica
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: January-March