Escape the crowds and explore some of Costa Rica’s best-kept birding secrets on this privately guided tour, designed for those seeking remote and less-visited hotspots. Venture into the misty cloud forests of San Ramón, where elusive highland species thrive among towering trees. Discover hidden trails in the Arenal Volcano region, offering a mix of forest and open habitats teeming with vibrant tanagers, hummingbirds, and raptors. Journey to the Rio Celeste area, where the lush rainforest provides a haven for rare and colorful birds. Finally, explore the wetlands of Caño Negro, a pristine refuge for wading birds, kingfishers, and seasonal migrants. With expert guidance and exclusive access to secluded locations, this tour offers an exciting birding experience away from the usual tourist paths.
What's Included in Your Secluded Costa Rica Birdwatching Tour?
Privately Guided Tour
Features and Inclusions
‘Meet & Greet’: Your private guide meets you at your arrival airport.
Airport pick up: Included
Guide Services: Full-time expert birding guide
Birding Flexibility: Unlimited, including impromptu stops
Transportation: Private vehicle
Meals: All meals included, more flexibility for top local dining
Species Observation: Up to 50% more species observed
Official Checklist: Included
Daily Species Recap: Included
In-country Assistance: Included
Ideal for
Serious birders aiming to maximize species sightings
Target list birders in need of specific species
Those seeking a comprehensive, all-inclusive experience
Photographers needing flexibility and local expertise for optimal shooting conditions
First-time visitors wanting constant expert guidance throughout their trip
Birders interested in visiting off-the-beaten-path locations
Travelers who prefer local experiences with expert guidance
Secluded Costa Rica Birdwatching Tour Itinerary Details
Day 1: Arrival and Journey to San Ramon
Welcome to Costa Rica! Your birding adventure begins as you arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), where your private guide will greet you. Enjoy a scenic transfer to San Ramon in the western highlands, passing through the Central Valley. Upon arrival at Canto del Rio Lodge, settle in and spend the afternoon exploring the grounds with your guide, where the gardens and surrounding forest attract numerous colorful tanagers, euphonias, and hummingbirds in this bird-rich transition zone.
Today visit the San Luis Tanager Watch with your guide. This strategic viewing point offers excellent opportunities to observe numerous colorful tanager species, including the brilliant Silver-throated Tanager and Golden-hooded Tanager, often moving through the canopy in mixed feeding flocks with euphonias, woodpeckers, and flycatchers. Return to Canto del Rio for afternoon birding.
After breakfast, travel with your guide to the iconic Arenal Volcano region, making birding stops along the way. Visit the excellent Senderos Mariolas, a series of trails where you might spot Keel-billed Toucan, Slaty-tailed Trogon, and numerous understory specialties including woodcreepers and antbirds. By mid-afternoon, arrive at the stunning Arenal Observatory Lodge, nestled on 870 acres of forest and gardens with the majestic volcano as a backdrop. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the property’s garden and observation deck.
Dedicate a full day to exploring Arenal Observatory Lodge’s extensive trail system with your guide. The property’s varied habitats—from primary forest to open areas, streams, and gardens—harbor over 400 bird species, making it one of Costa Rica’s premier birding destinations. You’ll focus on trails and gardens looking for the top species of the area.
After morning birding at Arenal, travel north with your guide to the Rio Celeste region, known for its stunning turquoise waters and rich birdlife. The drive takes you through rural landscapes and forested areas with opportunities to stop for interesting birds along the way. Arrive at the Celeste Mountain Lodge, situated at the edge of Tenorio Volcano National Park in a rich transitional forest zone. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the property’s trails and gardens with your guide.
Spend today exploring the remarkable Tapir Valley Nature Reserve with your guide. This private reserve protects primary rainforest habitat and offers excellent birding opportunities along well-maintained trails. Access to good forest interior habitat provides chances to encounter a wide array of birds. The reserve also offers opportunities to spot mammals including agoutis, monkeys, and possibly even the namesake Baird’s tapir.
Travel north with your guide to the remarkable wetland region of Caño Negro, one of Costa Rica’s premier locations for water birds and migratory species. The journey takes you through agricultural areas and small towns, with birding stops along the way. By afternoon, arrive at the unique Tocu Tent Camp, nestled at the edge of the Caño Negro wetlands. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the property and immediate surroundings with your guide.
Embark on two private boat excursions through the expansive wetlands of Caño Negro and Medio Queso with your guide. This unique experience takes you through channels and lagoons of this Ramsar wetland site, providing close views of numerous water birds. Be on the look out for several iconic species including the Jabiru, Roseate Spoonbills, Sungrebe, and various herons, and egrets.
Begin your journey back toward the Central Valley, traveling from the northern wetlands to San Jose with strategic birding stops along the way to add new species to your trip list. By mid-afternoon, arrive at the charming Hotel Bougainvillea, known for its spectacular gardens that attract numerous bird species. Spend your final afternoon exploring these meticulously maintained gardens with your guide.
After breakfast and perhaps some final birding in the hotel gardens, your guide will transfer you to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your departing flight. Return home with wonderful memories of your adventure in Costa Rica.
"Amazing, could not have been better!"
When we booked this we knew nothing about the company and we were a little nervous about what we would be getting. We put some preliminary questions, like “will meals be a fixed menu, or free choice a la carte”. We also worried about whether the guide would be personable, knowledgeable, and with good language ability, etc.
It turned out that not only were these worries unfounded, but we had lucked into a far more generous, efficient, knowledgeable, and exciting company than we could have possibly imagined.
Every last part of this tour was super, and we don’t say that lightly. To begin, of course, the locations were mind blowing, and the birding was great. But then there was the personality, knowledge, and language ability of our guide and of the driver – both great people, and we fell in love with them immediately. And they and the company behind them had really thought of everything. There was never the slightest glitch or problem. To boot, the accommodations were to us first rate, and the food wonderful, and basically unlimited. …
Now, as we are going through our photos, we are impressed over again with every single last bit of this experience. It’s a cliché to say we could not recommend Costa Rica Focus highly enough, but that is exactly the case.
A special parting word about our guide, Alex C. Costa Rica Focus has many guides, but of course we only know about Alex. If in life you can meet a kung fu master or a violin master, or someone who has mastered any field, then it is inspiring. Alex is one of these. He could look in a forest and identify birds we could not even see, often even when he indicated them with his laser pointer. In addition he had a great knowledge of Costa Rican history, geography, culture, and politics, that he shared with great clarity. If Alex is any indication, then the guide you get with Costa Rica Focus is going to be good.
"I would recommend this company to all"
This company designed a fabulous Costa Rica bird trip. There were a variety of habitats to maximize the types of birds we saw. The accommodations were first rate. The hired drivers and bird guides were dependable and first rate. We enjoyed the food everywhere we went. The company stayed in touch and were able to make minor adjustments if necessary. We were very pleased with the trip.
"An amazing birding experience in Costa Rica"
Costa Rica Focus went above & beyond in every way. From the very beginning when I had a few questions before I made my decision to book this trip to the end in traveling home. I felt very safe because we had the ability to be in constant contact with the team if we needed them.
The trip itself was just amazing! I added over 200 new life birds to my list! The scenery was spectacular! Our guide was so helpful, knowledgeable & personable. Each lodge was unique in it’s own way; from larger to quite small. The staff at each place were super. Food was plentiful & tasty. Different birds and experiences at each location. I don’t think a single thing could be improved upon. Thanks again for a most memorable experience!
"Amazing Experience"
My wife and I joined a small group, we were 5 in total. Everything was perfectly well organized. Our guide, Minor, was fantastic. He was always ready to help and accomodate us. He also has a fantastic knowledge of wildlife and where to find it. We went to the mountains, Tortuguero in the rain forest and to the slopes of the Arenal volcano. Exotic places, fantastic views and hundreds of species of birds. I would recommend Costa Rica focus without hesitation.
"Knowledgeable and great local connections"
Joan and company were excellent by being so responsive, attentive, cooperative with making adjustments and extremely helpful at navigating our way around the country of Costa Rica. They had great connections with the locals and we got to know the people as well as the wildlife and the countryside. Our nature guides were top notch as well as our drivers. Very knowledgeable and patient (traffic and roads can be crazy at times). We always felt remembered each day as they checked in with us and them with us. The app is fantastic for knowing what was up each day. Highly recommend!
"A Quest for the Agami Heron"
I went on the A Quest for the Agami Heron in June of 2023 and have meant to write a review since then. I am going with better late than never. My cousin talked me into going with her and insisted I take her camera. I could not get a picture for three days that I could even see but on the third day magic happened and my life changed. From the moment I walked out of the airport to the moment they dropped me back off everything was taken care of. Our guide, Minor, and our driver, Victor, took care of us and were an amazing team to get us to very unique hotels, wonderful restaurants and to birds I never knew existed. Resplendent Quetzels, Sunbitterns, and Agami Herons were some of my favorites. We saw baby turtles released into the sea and all cried together when they made it. We built friendships through our experiences that were real and lead to another one this summer and a reserved one for next year. I highly recommend Costa Rica Focus. 5+ out of 5 stars.
"A fantastic trip to Ecuador"
I’ve just returned from a fantastic 11 days’ birding in Ecuador organised by Costa Rica Focus and I couldn’t be happier. Having used them last year, I knew what to expect and they didn’t let me down. Their attention to detail is incredible and everything went exactly to plan from the moment I was greeted at Quito airport.
But what makes them special is their careful choice of guides. Both Daniel and Ivan were outstanding and helped me to see and photograph more than 300 birds, most of them lifers. Their incredible knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm made all the difference. Toucans, hawks, cock of the rock, umbrella bird, oilbird and loads of hummingbirds – they got me up close and personal to them all.
I have no hesitation in recommending Costa Rica Focus and I look forward to my next adventure with this great company.
"“Off the beaten track” excellent trip that lived up to its name."
3rd trip with this company. Alex was an excellent guide/driver and the itinerary well organized and unique. Some locations family owned with breathtaking views, wonderful accommodation and home cooked meals. Saw 214 species of birds with 90 % “lifers”. Was a fusion of photography and forest birding. Have to admit that as a prairie person my body ached after hiking up and down slippery paths and staircases. CR is beautiful with waterfalls, lush vegetation and mountains!
We crossed the country from SanJose to the Pacific Ocean, over the highest peaks and to the southern tropical areas with stops at local restaurants and locations where we saw species rarely seen. The meals were healthy and typically CR. Given that this is nesting season without the migrant birds, Alex and the experienced birders in our small group found many unique species. It was a good learning experience for myself as I’m more of a photographer. Would highly recommend this tour and I will certainly continue to travel with Costa Rica focus.
