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Birding the Hidden Gems

10-Night, 11-Day Trip

About This Birdwatching Group Tour

Focus: Birdwatching

Tour Highlights

Expertly guided birding in off-the-beaten-track locations
Diverse habitats: cloud forests, rainforests, highlands, and lowlands
Unique access to private reserves and remote birding hotspots
Exceptional feeder stations for close-up viewing opportunities
Comfortable lodges surrounded by nature

Trip Overview

Day 1:

Arrive San Jose

Days 2-3:

Poas Highlands / Cloud Forest

Days 4-5:

Caribbean Lowlands

Days 6-7:

Braulio Carrillo

Days 8-9:

Cartago Foothills

Day 10:

San Jose

Day 11:

Return to SJO Airport

Overview
What's Included
Itinerary
Additional Info
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Embark on an extraordinary 11-day birding journey through Costa Rica’s hidden gems. This privately guided tour takes you beyond the usual birding routes, exploring remote reserves, backcountry roads, and pristine forests teeming with biodiversity. From misty volcanoes to lush lowland rainforests, each location is carefully selected to maximize your chances of encountering rare and elusive species. Whether you're scanning the canopy for colorful toucans, searching for cryptic understory birds, or marveling at hummingbirds in vibrant gardens, this tour offers an immersive experience in Costa Rica’s most breathtaking landscapes. Join us for an unforgettable birding adventure, where every day brings new discoveries and the chance to witness Costa Rica’s most sought-after bird species in their natural habitat!
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Birding the Hidden Gems Tour

What's Included in Your 10-Night, 11-Day Birding the Hidden Gems Tour?

  • Small Group Tour – Birdwatching

    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

    • Serious birders aiming to maximize species sightings

    • First-time visitors wanting constant expert guidance

    • Birders interested in off-the-beaten-path locations

    • Travelers who value having all meals and services included

    • Birders who enjoy shared experiences with like-minded travelers

    • Travelers looking for easy, seamless experience

      • Birding the Hidden Gems Itinerary Details

      Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica!

      Upon arrival at SJO Airport, meet your private driver and transfer to your hotel in San José. In the afternoon, enjoy birdwatching in the hotel gardens with your private guide.  In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers as your guide provides an overview of the exciting days ahead.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Hotel Bougainvillea Gardens

    • Day 2: Vara Blanca

      Start the morning with birdwatching in the gardens of Hotel Bougainvillea before departing for Vara Blanca. The scenic drive offers glimpses of cloud forest landscapes and picturesque valleys. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and explore the gardens and trails with your private guide.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Poas Volcano Lodge Trails

    • Day 3: Birding in Poás Volcano National Park

      Spend the day exploring Poás Volcano National Park, where your private guide will lead you through diverse cloud forest habitats in search of the top species of the area. Enjoy breathtaking views of the active volcano crater, walk through misty trails, and immerse yourself in this unique habitat. 

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Poás Volcano National Park

    • Day 4: Cinchona & Virgen del Socorro Birding

      Depart Vara Blanca and travel toward Sarapiquí, stopping at the renowned Cinchona feeders, where you can observe a variety of birds up close. Continue along the scenic Virgen del Socorro Road, a lush, forested valley known for its rich bird diversity. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, where you can relax or explore the surrounding trails.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Cinchona Feeders & Trails

    • Explore

      Virgin de Socorro Road

    • Day 5: La Selva & Cope’s Gardens

      Begin the day with an early morning visit to La Selva Biological Station, one of Costa Rica’s most famous birding destinations. Walk through lowland rainforest trails as your guide helps you locate a variety of species. After lunch, visit Cope’s Gardens, a unique location featuring private gardens, feeders and forest trails.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      La Selva Biological Station

    • Explore

      Cope’s Gardens

    • Day 6: Transfer to Braulio Carrillo

      After breakfast, transfer to Braulio Carrillo, one of Costa Rica’s most pristine national parks. Settle into your lodge and spend the afternoon birdwatching on the grounds, where you can observe species typical of the Caribbean foothills. The lodge’s peaceful setting allows for relaxed exploration of the surrounding forests.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Braulio Carrillo National Park, Tapirus Lodge Trails

    • Day 7: Rainforest & Aerial Tram Birding

      Explore Braulio Carrillo National Park, a vast expanse of primary rainforest home to an incredible diversity of birdlife. Later, take a ride on the Aerial Tram, gliding through different forest layers for a unique birding experience from above. This is an excellent opportunity to observe birds at canopy level.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Braulio Carrillo National Park

    • Explore

      Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo

    • Day 8: Birding in Cachí & Highlands

      Depart Braulio Carrillo and head to the charming town of Cachí, located in the lush Orosi Valley. Stop at CATIE Botanical Center, where you’ll explore beautifully landscaped gardens and ponds teeming with bird activity. Later, venture into the remote highlands of Cerro El Silencio, the Tuis River Valley, and La Mina, where forested slopes create an exciting birding environment.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      CATIE Botanical Center

    • Explore

      Tuis Valley, Cerro El Silencio & La Mina

    • Day 9: Birding at Quelitales

      Spend the day immersed in the natural beauty of Quelitales Lodge, where the gardens, waterfalls, and surrounding cloud forest provide excellent birdwatching opportunities. Your guide will lead you on trails around the property, exploring a mix of primary and secondary forest, as well as open areas that attract a variety of species.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      Quelitales Hotel Trails

    • Day 10: Birding at La Marta & Return to San José

      After breakfast, transfer back toward San José, stopping at La Marta Wildlife Refuge for a final birding excursion. This protected area features a mix of forested trails, riverbanks, and open landscapes, offering a fitting conclusion to your birding adventure. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon and enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.

    • Lodging

    • Explore

      La Marta Reserve

    • Explore

      Villa San Ignacio Trails

    • Day 11: Departure

      Your private driver arrives to transfer you to the SJO airport for your departure flight. Reflect on the incredible birding experiences you’ve had throughout Costa Rica as you head home.

        "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.

        From the very onset, it was a pleasure working with our contact Jess. She always promptly addressed any questions or concerns we had and tailored the vacation to suit our needs and requests. The entire vacation from pick up to drop off was flawless and the various locations gave us a wonderful opportunity to experience the diversity of birds, plants and other wildlife in Costa Rica. …

        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.  Many before we even asked the question. His main concern always was that we had the best experience in every respect.

        Without hesitation we highly recommend Costa Rica Focus.

        Richard and Donna,
        San Diego, California.

        Richard B

        San Diego, CA

        "Costa Rica Focus made our first Costa Rica experience perfect."

        What a vacation this turned out to be. I’ve had the best vacation of my life, and a big part of this is down to Costa Rica Focus. Thanks a lot, and I want to recommend this company to everyone with a wish to visit Costa Rica. A thoroughly professional company, which gave my first-time birding experience with the American continent another dimension.

        The drivers brought us safely between the sites. The local birding guides did an excellent job, and I were satisfied to discover the guides were equally nerdy as me. The guides knew bird-ID, song/calls and sites very well. I ended up with a species list of nearly 300, but would certainly have struggled reaching 220-230 without the help by the local birders from Costa Rica Focus. They also included my not-so-nerdy wife in a brilliant way, which made her happy as well.

        I owe a more detailed explanation to those who want to keep up reading, to explain. I’ve been a Norwegian birder for well over 40 years, but my wife doesn’t share this hobby with me. She likes nature but is more interested in the culture part new places. With the possible conflicting interests in mind, I contacted Costa Rica Focus just to get some advice for a Costa Rica-tour we had talked about since even before we got married 27 years ago. We had an idea of which sites we were going to visit and just had a few questions of which order we should do the sites, and how to best move from between the places.

        Costa Roca Focus quickly responded, and gave us a few options, one of which was to set up a 12-days schedule. I silently asked for the 12-days-tour, and to my complete surprise, my wife accepted on the condition of getting a week on the beach after the Costa Rica Focus journey. I probably won the jackpot.
        This turned out to be the best decision we’ve made in a long time. I can’t praise the company enough, and the money was well spent. The standards of our hotels were around 3 (4) stars, and all breakfast included. About two weeks before our tour started, Costa Rica gave us a must-do-list, which included connecting to a Whatsapp-group, to download an app (Axis) which kept an overview of our schedule and name of the guides for the trip, and a list to remind us of what to pack. These were all useful to us. The contact with Costa Rica Focus during our trip was quick and easy, and through the WhatsApp-group the company always responded quickly to our questions. …

        Jørn Helge M

        Norway

        "Another home run by Costa Rica Focus"

        A 10-day birding trip with a photography focus. Great birding and photography with our fabulous guide Sr. Minor H. despite occasionally iffy weather. Locations were great, accomodations ranged from luxurious to very basic, food from merely very good to excellent, including some pleasant surprises like Pizzeria Los Colibries, on the road to Savegre where we ended up when our destination restaurant turned out to be closed due to a medical emergency in the owner’s family – really good pizza with near-perfect crust and hyper-local ingredients like local mushrooms, herbs from their own gardens, lettuce from their hydroponic gardens, etc. It’s the first pizza place on the right on the road down to San Gerardo de Dota from National Route 2. You can’t miss it:). Logistics were perfect, including arrival and departure.

        Not a lot ot add to the overwhelmingly positive reviews of Costa Rica Focus. This is the fifth trip I’ve taken with them in four years, including one to Ecuador in collaboration with Ecuador Birds Tours, and if I go again to a destination they offer, I can’t think why I would look elsewhere.

        rfichera

        Boston, MA

      Additional Tour Info

      This itinerary requires a moderate to intermediate level of physical activity. Guests will traverse a variety of environments, including well-established trails, narrow forest paths, gardens, feeders, and observation platforms. Participants should be comfortable walking at least 2 miles at a steady, relaxed pace without the need for frequent stops or rest. This tour highlights several “off the beaten track” locations where trail conditions will be more challenging. 

      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.
      • Highlands (Poas region): Cooler conditions prevail here, with daytime temperatures in the mid to high 70s or low 80s °F. Evenings can drop to the high 50s or low 60s °F, so pack appropriately to stay comfortable throughout your journey. We recommend layers and a fleece or jacket. 
      • Caribbean Lowlands: 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.
      • Mid-Elevation Locations (Foothills): Enjoy temperate weather with daytime highs in the low to mid-80s °F and evenings and early mornings in the low to mid 60s Mid-Elevation Locations: Enjoy temperate weather with daytime highs in the low to mid-80s °F.

      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.