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8-Day Costa Rica Birding & Photography Journey

7-Nights · 8-Days Trip

About This Birdwatching Group Tour

Focus: Birdwatching

Scheduled Dates

Mar 25 - Apr 1, 2027
$3896
USD /person
Double occupancy · single supplement on request

Maximum number of guests

10 Guests

Pace

Moderate

Tour Highlights

8 days / 7 nights exploring several of Costa Rica's premier birding regions
Small group with an expert birding and photography guide throughout
Excellent opportunities for Resplendent Quetzal, hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and more
Birding and photography at premier gardens, trails, and feeding stations
A carefully planned progression from high-elevation cloud forest to Caribbean foothills and lowlands
All meals, accommodations, private transportation, entrance fees, and scheduled birding activities included

Trip Overview

Day 1:

Arrive in San José

Day 2:

Talamanca Highlands

Day 3:

Batsu Gardens - Quetzal country

Day 4:

Cachí - mid-elevation Caribbean habitat

Day 5:

El Copal

Day 6:

Cope's Gardens

Day 7:

Pierella Gardens and back to San José

Day 8:

Depart for home

Experience some of Costa Rica’s finest birding and bird photography on this carefully designed 8-day small group journey, traveling from the cool cloud forests of the Talamanca Highlands to the lush Caribbean foothills and lowlands. With an expert birding and photography guide throughout, the tour combines outstanding bird diversity with exceptional opportunities to spend time observing and photographing many of Costa Rica’s most iconic species. This tour is perfect for those who enjoy bird watching and birding with a camera.
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What's Included in Your "8-Day Costa Rica Birding & Photography Journey" Tour?

  • Small Group Tour – Birding & Photography

    On a group tour with a private guide, the guide is with you from your arrival to your departure. You not only bird at the hotels, parks, and reserves on your itinerary, you also have the flexibility to stop with the guide at local spots, and places that only the guides know. You have an expert with you every step of the way. Guests with a Private Guide can expect to see at least 50% more species than guests using local guides.

    Pros and Cons of a Scheduled Group Trip

    Continuous expert guidance throughout the entire trip

    50% more species typically observed

    Access to off-the-beaten-track locations

    Flexibility for impromptu stops

    Daily species recap with guide

    Species identification from your guide during and after your trip.

    Fixed travel dates

    Less individual flexibility

      Ideal for

    • Birders who enjoy photography without a photography-only tour

    • Birders who want time to observe and photograph birds

    • First-time visitors exploring Costa Rica’s birds and habitats

    • Travelers who value expert birding and photography guidance

    • Birders who enjoy traveling with like-minded people

    • Travelers looking for an easy, seamless, all-inclusive experience

    • 8-Day Costa Rica Birding & Photography Journey Itinerary Details

      Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica

      Arrive in San José, where your birding and photography journey begins. Your private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. This afternoon, meet your guide and fellow travelers and explore the beautiful gardens of Hotel Bougainvillea, looking for hummingbirds, tanagers, motmots, and Central Valley specialties. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and preview the adventure ahead.

      Day 2: Into the Talamanca Highlands

      Travel with your guide into the spectacular Talamanca Highlands and San Gerardo de Dota, one of Costa Rica’s premier regions for high-elevation birding. After arriving at Trogon Lodge, spend the afternoon exploring its forested trails and gardens, searching for mountain specialties, mixed flocks, hummingbirds, and other species of the cool cloud forest. Keep your camera ready—the beautiful natural setting provides excellent opportunities for both birding and photography.

      Day 3: Birding & Photography at Batsu Gardens

      Spend the day with your private guide at Batsu Gardens, one of the highlights of birding and photography in the Savegre Valley. Carefully designed feeding areas and natural perches attract an impressive variety of highland birds, offering opportunities to observe and photograph species such as Flame-colored Tanager, Acorn Woodpecker, Large-footed Finch, and several species of hummingbirds. Your guide will also explore the surrounding habitat for additional mountain specialties.

      Day 4: Quetzals, Hummingbirds & the Caribbean Foothills

      Leave San Gerardo de Dota and travel toward Cartago, stopping at Miriam’s Quetzals for another opportunity to seek and photograph the magnificent Resplendent Quetzal. The gardens and feeders are also excellent for hummingbirds and other colorful highland species. Continue to Hotel Quelitales, where you’ll spend the afternoon birding with your guide in the lush gardens and trails surrounding the lodge.

      Day 5: El Copal Biological Reserve

      Today, explore the forests of El Copal Biological Reserve with your private guide. Located where the Talamanca Mountains descend toward the Caribbean, this special reserve protects rich foothill forest known for mixed-species flocks and an exceptional diversity of birds. Search the forest and surrounding habitat for tanagers, toucans, hummingbirds, raptors, and other foothill specialties, with plenty of opportunities for both birding and photography throughout the day.

      Day 6: Cope’s Gardens & Sarapiquí

      Descend into the Caribbean lowlands, where a completely different community of birds awaits. Stop at Cope’s Gardens, a favorite birding and photography location where feeders, gardens, and surrounding habitat provide close opportunities with hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, woodpeckers, and other tropical species. Continue to Sarapiquí and spend the afternoon exploring the lush grounds and trails of Selva Verde with your guide.

      Day 7: Pierella Gardens & Return to the Central Valley

      Begin the day at Pierella Gardens, a privately protected rainforest reserve offering wonderful opportunities for birding and photography. Explore with your guide in search of colorful tanagers, hummingbirds, toucans, woodpeckers, and other Caribbean lowland species while also watching for butterflies, frogs, sloths, and other wildlife. Later, return to the Central Valley and enjoy a final afternoon of birding around the gardens of your hotel.

      Day 8: Departure

      After breakfast, your Costa Rica birding and photography journey comes to an end. Your private driver will transfer you to SJO International Airport for your flight home, taking with you a wonderful collection of sightings, photographs, and memories from your week exploring Costa Rica.

        "Unforgettable 10 Day Costa Rica Birding Trip"

        I chose Costa Rica Focus for a 10 day birding adventure around Costa Rica and I had the most amazing, unforgettable experience. Everything was so well planned and organized I always knew I was in good hands. I really enjoyed how each place we stayed at was a perfect spot for birding and each birding guide was very professional and so knowledgeable of the area we were birding in. I left this trip with 196 lifers! Thank you Costa Rica Focus for curating this unique experience.

        Miranda K

        Irving, TX

        "Wonderful trip, all we had to do was show up!"

        After our trip in April, we couldn’t wait to go back. The accommodations, the guides, the drivers everybody was wonderful, and the schedule was perfectly coordinated. We’ve never had trips that went as smoothly as the one arranged by Costa Rica focus. I could I could tell you all the details but honestly, you just need to call Costa Rica Focus because they have got it down. The nicest part of Costa Rica are the people, but I really love the birds and the plants and the ocean and the mountains….. really it’s an experience you can’t miss.

        Kathryn V

        Ivins, UT

        "Simply the best!"

        We can’t say enough about how pleased we were that we went with Costa Rica Focus, and thoroughly recommend them in every respect … As for our guide and driver Andres, what can we say? If a review sheet had a plus and minus column, we would request a third plus-plus column. He was absolutely amazing in every respect.  We arrived to meet Andres as a stranger only to leave two weeks later feeling like we just left our best friend behind. He was the most knowledgeable guide, an extremely careful and diligent driver, plus a delightfully thoughtful fellow in every respect. Nothing was too much trouble and any questions or requests were answered or taken care of immediately.  …

        Richard B

        San Diego, CA

      Additional Tour Info

      This itinerary requires a moderate level of physical activity. Guests will explore a variety of environments, including gardens, feeding stations, well-established lodge trails, forest paths, and observation areas. Participants should be comfortable walking at least 1.5 to 2 miles at a steady, relaxed pace. Some locations, such as El Copal Biological Reserve, involve uneven forest trails that can be muddy or slippery after rain. Because this tour is designed for both birding and photography, the daily pace allows for extended time at each location.

      Weather

      Weather in Costa Rica varies significantly by region and elevation. Expect different temperatures and rainfall patterns as you travel through the country. While some areas experience brief morning mist or afternoon showers, others may have longer periods of rain. These patterns shift throughout the year and create the perfect conditions for Costa Rica’s rich wildlife. While we plan activities around typical weather patterns, we recommend packing for both sun and rain to ensure your comfort throughout your journey. The temperatures listed below represent typical averages for each region, though daily conditions may vary.

      • Central Valley: Warm daytime temperatures from the high 70s °F to low 80s °F. Evenings pleasant in the high 60s °F to low 70s °F.
      • Talamanca Highlands (San Gerardo de Dota): The coolest part of the tour, with daytime temperatures in the low to mid 60s °F and early mornings and evenings dropping into the 40s °F. We recommend layers, a warm jacket, and a rain shell.
      • Mid-Elevation Caribbean Foothills (Cachi, El Copal): Temperate conditions with daytime highs in the low to mid 80s °F and mornings and evenings in the low to mid 60s °F. Expect humidity and the possibility of afternoon rain.
      • Caribbean Lowlands (Sarapiquí): Daytime temperatures will range from the high 80s to low 90s °F. Evening temperatures will be in the high 70s – low 80s °F. Expect high humidity.

      On the Trail

      Please note that some parks and reserves lack seating or designated rest areas once inside the forest. While most trails are relatively flat, certain locations may involve inclines, steps, or uneven terrain with minor elevation changes.

      Trail conditions will vary, and guests should be prepared to navigate narrow forest paths with natural debris such as sticks, leaves, rocks, and roots. In the event of rain, trails may become muddy and slippery, adding to the challenge.This itinerary is designed for participants with an intermediate level of fitness and mobility, ensuring a rewarding experience for those prepared for the natural demands of these environments.

      All guests should be comfortable carrying their own equipment and personal items in the field. We understand that everyone’s pace and energy levels are different. If you ever feel the need for a shorter day, a morning to rest, or time to recharge, please let your guide know. This is your trip, and we’re here to ensure you enjoy it to the fullest.

      This trip would not be recommended for a person with mobility issues.

      Accommodations

      For our group trips, we select hotels based on their prime locations for birding opportunities. Accommodations will range from basic, rustic lodges to mid-range hotels with additional amenities, always with the goal of prioritizing excellent access to birding hotspots.

      It’s important to note that not all hotels will have air conditioning, but all will feature private bathrooms, hot or warm running showers, fans, and Wi-Fi (available at least in reception or dining areas, though signal strength may vary). The level of comfort will align with the descriptions provided in the itinerary.

      In some locations, rooms may be a 5–15 minute walk from the reception or dining areas. If you have physical needs and would prefer a room closer to these facilities, please inform us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

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