Costa Rica Pacific Rainforest Birding Adventure
An 11-day Pacific-slope birding route from Carara and the Tarcoles mangroves to Golfito, the Osa region, Las Cruces and Talamanca.
About this tour
Explore Costa Rica's Pacific slope from the dry and transitional forests around Punta Leona and Carara to the humid lowlands near Golfito and the Osa Peninsula. River, mangrove and rainforest sessions target Scarlet Macaw, Mangrove Hummingbird, Yellow-billed Cotinga, Fiery-billed Aracari and Black-cheeked Ant Tanager.
The second half of the journey climbs through Coto 47, Wilson Botanical Garden and the Talamanca region. White-crested Coquette and Cabanis's Ground Sparrow are major priorities, supported by hummingbirds, tanagers, euphonias and a wide range of southern Pacific specialities.
The scheduled Birding Ecotours programme includes accommodation, meals, land and river transport, guiding, entry fees, airport transfers and drinking water in the field. Field plans may change with weather, access and current bird activity.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Costa Rica.
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in San Jose
Meet the tour leader at Juan Santamaria International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Introductory garden birding is possible when arrival time allows.
Day 2
Punta Leona and Tarcoles River
Travel into the Pacific lowlands with stops in dry and deciduous forest for magpie-jays, motmots, orioles and Long-tailed Manakin. A Tarcoles River boat trip adds mangrove and wetland birds, including a search for Mangrove Hummingbird.
Day 3
Carara National Park
Walk Carara's transitional rainforest for Scarlet Macaw, antbirds, manakins, tinamous, trogons and woodcreepers. The guide will adjust the trail choice around temperature and current activity.
Day 4
Pacific coast to Golfito
Continue south toward Golfito with strategic birding stops. Localized targets may include Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, Veraguan Mango, Baird's Trogon and Black-cheeked Ant Tanager.
Day 5
Rincon Bridge and La Gamba
Reach Rincon Bridge around first light for Yellow-billed and Turquoise Cotingas, then explore La Gamba and nearby forest. Aracaris, macaws, toucans and southern Pacific specialities are among the possibilities.
Day 6
Coto 47 and Wilson Botanical Garden
Work wetland habitat around Coto 47 before travelling to the Wilson Botanical Garden at Las Cruces. The garden and surrounding forest open a new mid-elevation bird community.
Day 7
Wilson Botanical Garden and Cerro Paraguas
Search the garden for White-crested Coquette and a varied mix of hummingbirds, euphonias and tanagers. Move to higher ground around Cerro Paraguas during the afternoon for montane species.
Day 8
Talamanca Reserve and Skutch Corridor
Explore forest on the slopes of Cerro Chirripo for hummingbirds, dacnis and parakeets, then continue through the Alexander F. Skutch Biological Corridor for woodcreepers, ant-tanagers and jacamars.
Day 9
Talamanca to Hotel Quelitales
Travel toward Cache while searching suitable habitat for Cabanis's Ground Sparrow. At Quelitales, feeders and forest can produce Coppery-headed Emerald, mountain-gems, finches, manakins and Sunbittern.
Day 10
Quelitales and return to San Jose
Use the morning for final birding at Quelitales, including a possible roosting Mottled Owl, then return to San Jose for the farewell evening.
Day 11
Departure
The programme closes with transport from the hotel to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Guests arrange their own departing flights in advance.
Locations & map
- Punta Leona, Tarcoles and Carara - Central Pacific Costa Rica (Warm lowland and transitional forest with mangrove and river habitat.)
- Golfito and Osa region - South Pacific Costa Rica (Humid lowland rainforest and southern Pacific habitats.)
- Las Cruces and Talamanca - Southern highlands Costa Rica (Botanical garden, mid-elevation forest and highland slopes.)
3 stops. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability is confirmed after your inquiry.
Included
- Accommodation from day 1 through day 10
- Land and river transport
- Meals from dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 11
- Tour leader and local guides
- Admission fees
- Airport transfers
- Drinking water in the field
Not included
- International flights
- Medical and trip-cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses and alcoholic drinks
- Activities not described in the itinerary
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Gratuities
Transport & stays
- Private transfers and Tarcoles River boat trip Ground and river transport listed in the scheduled itinerary is included. | Meet: Juan Santamaria International Airport | Pickup: Airport transfers are included for confirmed tour arrangements.
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Are bird sightings guaranteed?
No. The route is chosen for the listed habitats and target species, but all wildlife sightings depend on season and current field conditions.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Guides may adjust the order or individual stops when weather, access, accommodation or current bird activity makes another plan more productive.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.