Costa Rica Birding at Its Best Tour

‘Costa Rica Birding at its Best Tour’ Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrive San Jose | Welcome to Costa Rica

Arrive in San Jose, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your tour begins with an afternoon walk through the exquisite gardens of the Hotel Bougainvillea. The gardens stretch over 10-acres with pathways, benches, and viewing areas. There are 50 species of bromeliad, native trees, orchids, herbs, cactus and much more.

The gardens are a haven for several hard to see bird species including the white-eared ground sparrow and the Prevost ground sparrow. The hotel is decorated with local pottery and hosts an impressive collection of rocks and minerals found throughout Costa Rica. Dine tonight at the hotel restaurant.

Hotel: Hotel Bougainvillea

Day 2: Tortuguero | Canals & Kingfishers

You will depart today, very early, and travel through the massive Braulio Carillo National Park, heading to the Caribbean coast. Once through the rain forest, you’ll pass through typical Costa Rican towns, pineapple plantations, and groves and groves of bananas. If time allows, you’ll stop for a few minutes to see the banana picking and processing in action.

You’ll have breakfast along the way and reach the port of either Cano Blanco or Pavones to board your boat and continue your journey to Tortuguero. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. That afternoon you’ll take your first journey into the canals for some fantastic wildlife viewing and birding.

Hotel: Evergreen Lodge

Day 3: Tortuguero National Park| Turtles

Activities vary in Tortuguero, depending on the time of year you visit. Today, first thing in the morning, you’ll embark back into the canals. The early mornings are alive with bird and animal activity. The afternoon you may visit Tortuguero town and the turtle museum and/or return to the canals for more birding. If you’re visiting between June and October, plan on arranging the optional turtle nesting tour for the evening.

Hotel: Evergreen Lodge

Day 4: Caribbean Foothills | Arenal Volcano Area

After breakfast today, you’ll board your boat transfer and return to Pavones or Cano Blanco to continue your journey. You’ll make a stop for lunch en-route and then continue to the town of La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano area. The drive is only about 2.5 hours and you’ll bird along the way as you pass through fields, farms, and rolling hills.

Arrive at the lovely Arenal Observatory lodge with time for birding the grounds. The Observatory Lodge has a huge observation deck overlooking the Arenal Volcano and an expansive garden. There is a total of 870 acres of forest and an excellent trail system. This is the premier birdwatching location in the Arenal area.

Hotel: Arenal Observatory Lodge

Day 5: Caribbean Foothills| Arenal Observatory Lodge Reserve

Today you will spend the full day around the trails at the Observatory Lodge. More than 500 species have been registered on the grounds and forest of the lodge. Keep watch for the black-crested coquette, yellow-eared toucanet, great curassow and many more. The diverse habitat provides a true paradise for bird watchers.

Hotel: Arenal Observatory Lodge

Day 6: Monteverde| Cloud Forest

After breakfast at the Observatory Lodge you’ll make a stop at the trails of Sky Walk. This is a great stop for birders as it gives you a chance to see the canopy at eye level. Look for the Blue and Gold Tanagers, and large mixed flocks. After the Sky Walk trails, travel around Lake Arenal to the lush cloud forests of Monteverde.

Hotel: Hotel de Montana Monteverde

Day 7: Monteverde | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

You will spend the day today in the rich, exuberant Cloud Forest at the Monteverde Reserve. Monteverde is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. 10% of its flora is endemic. A wonderful network of trails covers more than 13-kilometers. Marvel at the huge tree ferns, bromeliads, and orchids. The reserve is home to the three-wattled bell-bird, quetzals, tawny-throated leaf-tosser, lineated foliage-gleaner, and many more fantastic species.

Hotel: Hotel de Montana Monteverde

Day 8: Central Pacific | Crocodiles & Mangroves

Time to move from the cool mountains of Monteverde to the warmth of the Pacific Coast. En-route, stop for a float trip on the Tarcoles River. This trip is a great place to see mangrove birds, marsh species, and of course the gigantic Central American Crocodiles. You will arrive at your hotel late afternoon for check-in.

Hotel: Macaw Lodge

Day 9: Central Pacific | Scarlet Macaw Country & Carara National Park

Few places in Costa Rica boast the diversity and grandeur of Carara National Park. It is a key location as a wildlife corridor between northern and southern Costa Rica. This important location creates a sanctuary for a huge variety of animals and birds. More than 400 species are possible in this region. With a rich habitat and an excellent trail system, guests will enjoy birding in this gem of the Costa Rica National Park system.

Hotel: Macaw Lodge 

Day 10: San Jose | Time to Return Home

Your Costa Rica birding adventure comes to a close. Return to the San Jose Airport for your flight home.