Thirteen-Day Costa Rica Birding and Photography Tour
Follow Costa Rica’s foothills, highlands, Pacific slope, Monteverde and northern lowlands over thirteen days of birding and bird photography.
About this tour
This Costa Rica circuit is designed for travelers who want sustained time with birds in the field and room to make photographs. It starts in San José, then climbs through the Cartago foothills into the Talamanca highlands. Garden feeders, forest edges and mountain sites offer different light, elevation and subjects; the route includes a search for Resplendent Quetzal around Savegre.
From the highlands, the journey moves to the Central Pacific. Birding near Esquipulas and a private boat excursion on the Tárcoles River add dry-forest, coastal and wetland opportunities before the route turns inland to Monteverde. There, feeder sites and cloud forest are used for birds such as Three-wattled Bellbird and regional hummingbirds. Field time is balanced with photography sessions rather than treating every stop as a rapid species count.
The final section crosses the Arenal area and northern tropical lowlands. At lodges, gardens and dedicated hides, the group can work with toucans, manakins, honeycreepers and other forest birds; the operator also plans a King Vulture hide visit. The route returns to San José for a closing evening and airport departure. BIRDS by BIJS lists a professional tour leader, bilingual bird guide, private ground transport, lodgings, park access and specified meals for this programme. Wild birds and photographic conditions are never guaranteed.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Costa Rica.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in San José
Meet the airport driver and transfer to the hotel. A short afternoon walk through the gardens introduces nearby birdlife before the group’s opening dinner.
Day 2
Cartago foothills
Travel into the Cartago foothills for feeder and field photography. Hummingbirds, tanagers and other foothill birds are among the possibilities before the overnight stay in the region.
Day 3
Cartago to Talamanca
Use the morning for another foothill session, then climb into the Talamanca Mountains. Spend the afternoon around mountain feeders, where several highland hummingbirds may be encountered.
Day 4
Savegre and the highlands
Begin early with a search for Resplendent Quetzal. Continue birding and photography around the mountain gardens, roadside habitat and feeders through the day.
Day 5
Central Pacific birding
Leave the highlands for the Central Pacific region. Work in gardens and nearby forest habitat, with seasonal bird activity guiding the exact field stops.
Day 6
Central Pacific photography
Spend another day at regional birding and photography sites. The operator highlights possible White-crested Coquette, Fiery-billed Aracari and other Pacific-slope birds, subject to season and local reports.
Day 7
Tárcoles River to Monteverde
Take a private morning boat excursion on the Tárcoles River for waterbirds, raptors and other river-edge species. Continue inland through the Orotina area to the Monteverde cloud forest.
Day 8
Monteverde cloud forest
Photograph birds at a local feeder project and look for Three-wattled Bellbird in nearby habitat. Continue upslope for another forest and hummingbird session before returning to the lodge.
Day 9
Monteverde to Arenal
Cross toward the Arenal Volcano area, birding along the way and around the lodge grounds. The operator includes a search for Black-crested Coquette in this part of the route.
Day 10
Arenal to the northern lowlands
Use local trails, feeders and a photography hide before continuing north. Manakins, toucans, guans and other lowland birds are possible at the planned stops.
Day 11
Northern lowland hides
Spend time around lodge feeders and visit a King Vulture hide. A later garden session offers further chances to photograph woodpeckers and hummingbirds.
Day 12
Birding back to San José
Return toward San José with birding stops where conditions and timing allow. A feeder lunch stop is planned before the closing dinner in the city.
Day 13
Departure
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for the onward flight. The precise transfer time follows the traveler’s flight arrangements.
Locations & map
- Cartago foothills - Costa Rica
- Talamanca highlands - Costa Rica
- Savegre Valley - Costa Rica
- Central Pacific - Costa Rica
- Tárcoles River - Costa Rica
- Monteverde - Costa Rica
- Arenal - Costa Rica
- Northern lowlands - Costa Rica
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.