Group Birding Package: Hunt for the Hummingbirds
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Join us on a fantastic journey across six different life zones to track down the hummingbirds of Costa Rica. Costa Rica has 54 species of Hummingbirds. There are two true endemics (Mangrove and the Coppery-headed Emerald) and seventeen near endemics. Your group will be looking for all of them (along with the other top bird species in each area of Costa Rica). Our small group adventures are perfect for bird watchers, photographers, and general nature lovers. Your experienced, professional birding guide will be with you throughout your journey, giving you the best opportunities to enjoy the birds, the wildlife, the nature and everything that makes Costa Rica paradise on earth. We hope you will join us on this small group journey.
Activity Level: This itinerary has a moderate to intermediate level of activity. At each location guests will have the opportunity to walk on well established trails and/or enjoy gardens, feeders, and observation platforms.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive San Jose | Hotel Bougainvillea
Day 2-3: Central Pacific| Cerro Lodge
Day 4 -5: Talamanca Highlands | Savegre Lodge
Day 6 -7: Turrialba Valley | Rancho Naturalista
Day 8 -9: Caribbean Foothills | Arenal Observatory Lodge
Day 10 – 11: Monteverde | Montana de Monteverde
Day 12: Central Valley | Villas San Ignacio
Day 13: Transfer out and home
Not included in your tour:
- International airfare.
- Gratuity to your private guide.
- Gratuity to your private driver, local drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff.
- Alcohol or soda with meals.
- Any tours, meals, or activities not specifically mentioned as included.
Hunt for the Hummingbirds Group Tour
On a 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, off the beaten track locations, 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.- Airport Meet & Greet from your private driver & transfer to your hotel.
- Private transportation throughout your journey in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.
- Services of your private, professional, English-speaking birding guide. All of our expert guides have 25+ years of birding and guiding experience. Your guide is with you at each hotel, each park or reserve, all attractions, and will stop en route and show you “off the beaten track” locations only known to the guides. Your guide is also an expert on the Natural History and Culture of Costa Rica.
- 1 night Hotel Bougainvillea.
- 2 nights at Cerro Lodge
- 2 nights at Savegre Lodge
- 2 nights at Rancho Naturalista
- 2 nights at Arenal Observatory Lodge
- 2 nights at Hotel Montaña Monteverde
- 1 night at Villas San Ignacio
- All meals beginning with dinner on arrival day and ending with breakfast on departure day.
- Birding and Photography at each location on your.
- Visit to Tarcoles River by boat
- Visit to Carara National Park
- Visit to Batsu Gardens.
- Visit La Georgina
- Visit to Cope’s Gardens.
- Visit to the Cinchona Feeders.
- Visit to The Hummingbird Gallery.
- Visit to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Official checklist of the birds of Costa Rica.
- Daily species review with your guide, including photo ID during and after your trip.
- 24/7 in-country concierge service.
Hunt for Hummingbirds Group Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive San Jose | Welcome to Costa Rica
We’ll meet you at the San Jose International Airport. Your private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the charming Hotel Bougainvillea. Check in and enjoy the spectacular gardens at the hotel with your private birding guide. This evening join your group for a Welcome Dinner.
Hotel Bougainvillea / Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Central Pacific | Cerro Lodge
This morning you’ll transfer with your guide to the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. Note the temperature rising as you head to the warm Pacific coast. You’ll stop along the way to enjoy a private tour into the unique Tarcoles River Estuary. You’ll board your boat and make your way through the river and mangroves. Watch out for the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird. This is the best spot to see this beautiful bird. After the tour it’s on to Cerro Lodge where you’ll enjoy the afternoon birding the gardens and feeders.
Hotel Cerro Lodge / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Central Pacific | Cerro Lodge
Today you’ll visit one of the most incredible birding locations in Costa Rica. Carara National Park. Carara National Park has the distinction of being the largest transitional forest in Costa Rica and one of the most important wildlife corridors in all of Central and South America. This forest joins the dry tropical forest of the Northern Zone with the lush tropical rainforest of the Southern Zone of Costa Rica. The result is an amazing variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, trees, and plants.
Hotel Cerro Lodge / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Talamanca Highlands | Savegre Lodge
Be prepared for a change in the temperature as you leave the Pacific lowlands and head into the highest mountains of Costa Rica, the Talamanca Mountains. You’ll stop en route at the lovely La Georgina hummingbird feeders and gardens and make your way into the San Gerardo de Dota Valley where you’ll check into your home for the next two nights. This place is paradise for birders and photographers. Along with hummingbirds, this is Quetzal country.
Hotel Savegre Lodge / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Talamanca Highlands | Savegre Lodge
Today, along with exploring the gardens and trails at the Savegre Reserve, you’ll visit the marvelous Batsu Gardens. The gardens have feeders with an excellent observation deck, trails and gardens. You’ll be able to look for all the highland species and get your best photographs too. Keep your eyes sharp to find the endemic Fiery Throated Hummingbird and many more species too.
Hotel Savegre Lodge / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Turrialba | Rancho Naturalista
After breakfast today you’ll depart the highlands and head to the lush valley of the Turrialba Volcano. This area is known for its rolling green hills, peaceful groves of forest, and especially unsurpassed birding. Rancho Naturalista is a must visit location. The observation area, in the mornings and late afternoons is crazy with activity. The gardens are perfect for birders and photographers. Where else in the world can you go and witness hummingbirds bathing puddles? It’s pure magic at Rancho Naturalista.
Hotel Rancho Naturalista / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Turrialba | Rancho Naturalista
You’ll spend the day at Rancho Naturalista and the surrounding area. The Verbena gardens are the best place to spot the most wanted Snowcap Hummingbird. The White-necked Jacobin is also a common visitor, and a favorite for birders and photographers. You’ll also head to the river with the hopes of catching a look at the fantastic Sunbittern. It’s a full day of birding and photography.
Hotel Rancho Naturalista / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Caribbean Foothills | Arenal Observatory Lodge
After breakfast at Rancho, you’ll continue your journey to the impressive foothills of the Arenal Volcano. You’ll make a stop along the way at one of our favorite places in Costa Rica, Cope’s Garden. Not only is Cope’s Gardens the most reliable place in the country to see the White-Tipped Sicklebill, it’s also a great place for other birds, bats, and reptiles. Jose “Cope” is a charming host and you are sure to enjoy his own personal garden paradise. After Cope’s Gardens you’ll continue on to Arenal.
Hotel Arenal Observatory Lodge / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Caribbean Foothills | Arenal Observatory Lodge
A day of birding at the Arenal Observatory Lodge is a must for bird watchers and nature lovers visiting the Arenal area. The lodge is located in the unique Caribbean foothills at the base of the Arenal Volcano. This area has become one of the most diverse life zones for avifauna because both highland and lowlands birds inhabit the area. The Observatory Lodge has recorded more than 400 different bird species. This makes Arenal Observatory Lodge an absolute top-location for birding, nature and bird photography in Costa Rica.
Hotel Arenal Observatory Lodge / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Monteverde | Hotel Montana de Monteverde
Today it’s around Lake Arenal (fantastic scenery) and on to the Cloud Forest of Monteverde. The views from this quiet mountain location are spectacular and the birding is even better. Monteverde is well known for the Quetzal and the Bellbird, but the cool climate of the cloud forest is also ideal for Hummingbirds.
Hotel Hotel Montana de Monteverde / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Monteverde | Hotel Montana de Monteverde
Founded in 1972, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is among the most famous reserves in the world for its biodiversity, conservation, contributions, and scientific research. This 7,400 acre parcel of land holds 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, and it is one of the most important private reserves in Costa Rica. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is set at an elevation of 4724 ft (1440 m) above sea level, creating the perfect environment for a wide array of highland species. You’ll visit the reserve and spend time at the Hummingbird Gallery. Watch out for the dive-bombing Violet Sabre Wings.
Hotel Hotel Montana de Monteverde / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Central Valley | Hotel Villas San Ignacio
Today you’ll make your way from Monteverde back to the Central Valley. You’ll stop along the way for interesting birds and lunch and then check into your hotel to share your memories and stories and wonder how your trip could have gone by so quickly. Enjoy your farewell dinner at the hotel.
Hotel Hotel Villas San Ignacio / Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Departure day | Transfer to the SJO Airport
It’s farewell for now to Costa Rica as you head to the airport and fly home.
Meals: Breakfast
About Costa Rica Focus
Costa Rica Focus is a birding tour company that offers customized Costa Rica birdwatching tours for individuals or groups of people and guided by a knowledgeable birding expert who will help you spot and learn about the beauty of the birds of Costa Rica. Let’s talk about your Costa Rica birding vacation!
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