Costa Rica Birding
Choose Your Bird Watching Tour
Our Costa Rica Birding Tour Packages
Costa Rica Focus designs birding tours and bird photography tours to all the top birding destinations in Costa Rica as well as throughout Central and South America. We offer custom tours as well as guided group tours (see the differences).
We work with the best Costa Rica birding lodges and hotels, provide all your transportation, and arrange fully guided or unguided tours. If you are interested in joining a scheduled group birding trip, click here to see our group options.
Our expert knowledge and local experience will help create the perfect Costa Rica birding tour for you. If your focus is more about romance, family adventure, or general interest we can help you with that too.
Grand Costa Rica Bird Watching Tour
Package #1
Focus: Advanced Birding
Type: Privately guided tour
Days: 14
Costa Rica Bird Photography Tour
Package #2
Focus: Bird Photography
Type: Privately guided tour
Days: 12
Costa Rica Biological Stations Birding Tour
Package #3
Focus: Advanced Birding
Type: Privately guided tour
Days: 10
Secluded Costa Rica Birdwatching Tour
Package #4
Focus: Advanced Birding
Type: Privately guided tour
Days: 9
Costa Rica Birding at It’s Best Tour
Package #5
Focus: Advanced Birding
Type: Privately guided tour
Days: 10
Unique Costa Rica Birding & Beach Tour
Package #6
Focus: Intermediate Birding
Type: Privately guided (beach portion is independent)
Days: 10
Costa Rica Highlights Bird Watching Tour
Package #7
Focus: Advanced Birding
Type: Privately guided tour
Days: 8
Intro to Costa Rica Birdwatching Tour
Package #8
Focus: Intro to Birding
Type: Independent with local guides
Days: 8
Costa Rica Volcano, Jungle & Beach Combo Tour
Package #9
Focus: General wildlife
Type: Independent with local guides
Days: 8
Costa Rica Birding Tour Company
Choosing your bird watching trip to Costa Rica can be as tough as counting species in a mixed flock. Lots of companies, lots of choices. We want you to travel the way you want to travel. It’s your birding adventure and we’re your personal Costa Rica bird guides, helping you maneuver through all the information and choices that will come your way as you begin researching your Costa Rica birding vacation.
It is easy for us to relate to your travel needs because we’ve traveled just like you have. We have carried birding binoculars, spotting scopes, and extra hiking boots. We have stayed in simple lodges, with no electricity but the birds of Costa Rica, OH THE BIRDS and in elegant luxurious suites overlooking lush gardens, and the birds, OH THE BIRDS. As we live here in Costa Rica, the bird watcher’s paradise and as avid bird watchers ourselves, we can guide you to the best birding spots in Costa Rica.
Eighteen years ago, Costa Rica Focus was conceived. The core idea was formed; a friendly travel planning service, from local experts who live, work and play in the destinations we promote to our customers.
Whether you are looking for an intense Costa Rica birding adventure, life list in hand, or just want to be immersed in the sights and sounds of Costa Rica (or Central America), Costa Rica Focus is here to help.
Let’s talk about your Costa Rica birding vacation!
What Clients Say About Our Costa Rica Birding Tours
Tours: Privately Guided vs Scheduled Group vs Independent… Differences?
When booking your birding tour, it’s important to know the different options available to you. Based on the experience you are looking for, the intensity of birding, and budget, Costa Rica Focus will help you choose the best option for you.
Tour Guide and Driver
Private Guide
These are custom tours.
Private guide is with the guests from arrival to departure. He is available at all times; he birds at the pace of the guests and matches the intensity level of birding to the desire of the guests.
With smaller groups, he acts as a driver. With larger groups, we use a separate driver.
These tours have scheduled departure dates.
Private guide is with the group from arrival to departure. He is available at all times; he birds at the pace of the group and matches the intensity level of birding to the desire of the group.
Generally, we use a separate driver.
Independent Tour
These are custom tours.
Guests use private transfers or rental car to get from point A to point B. Costa Rica Focus can arrange birding excursions (private or shared) at each location.
Guests can bird on their own or hire freelance guides on site.
General Pricing
Private Guide
The cost of the guide is rolled into the tour cost. Guests cover guide fee, plus room and board.
Scheduled Group
The cost of the guide is rolled into the tour cost. Guests cover guide fee, plus room and board.
Generally, less impactful on total cost, because the cost is spread amongst more people.
Independent Tour
The cost of the guide is part of the day excursion purchased by the guest.
Overall tour cost is determined by the guest based on dates of travel, types of hotels, activities, and number of travelers.
Number of Species Seen
Private Guide
Birding is constant, including while traveling from Point A to Point B.
Privately guided tours produce double the species than non-privately guided tours.
Scheduled Group
Birding is constant, including while traveling from Point A to Point B.
Privately guided tours produce double the species than non-privately guided tours.
Independent Tour
With guided private day tours species counts are good but, in most cases, will not match the level of a privately guided tour.
Dates
Private Guide
Open and flexible based on guides schedule.
Scheduled Group
Not flexible. Guests must join pre-set dates.
Independent Tour
Open and flexible based on guests’ schedule.
Other Activities
Private Guide
Open, can be added to the customized tour.
Scheduled Group
Activities are pre-set, and can’t be removed, but optional activities can be added during down time.
Independent Tour
Open, can be added to the customized tour.
Check Out Our Costa Rica Birding Blog:
Six Costa Rica Birding Trips You Must Take
Costa Rica birding trips are one of many reasons why foreigners choose this amazing green country to travel to. While Costa Rica is a small place, it is home to over 5% of earth’s biodiversity. With the same size as Lake Michigan, this country owns some outstanding Reserves and National Parks.
Costa Rica has an amazing count of species every 10,000 sq km. No other country on the planet has achieved this potential. It is a heaven for adventurers and globetrotters.
Costa Rica has an exceptional location on earth. This unique geography has lead to the development of the phenomenally rich array of flora and fauna.
Costa Rica is the best site for wildlife lovers. Its lush green rainforests, active volcanoes, and exquisite oceans make it a great tourist destination.
With 870 bird species in the country, bird watching trips in Costa Rica have gained immense popularity. It is the best tourist destination for bird watchers.
Here are some great paradises for Costa Rica birding trips. You can explore several rare bird species in these regions. We also have a bird tour you won’t soon forget!
1- Wilson Botanical Garden
This botanical garden occupies the 12-hectare land. The natural forest spread in 255 hectares encloses this area.
Wilson Botanical Garden is an excellent tourist attraction. It was established in 1963. Tourists around the globe recognize this park for its world-class collection of exotic bird and wildlife species.
It has some incredible array of rare birds, therapeutic plants, and wondrous animals. Millions of tourists explore the opportunity to visit the area at least once in a lifetime.
2- Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge
Cano Negro is the nesting and resting site for migratory birds. Its swamplands and rainforests serve as an ideal place for birds to take refuge.
Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best spots for birdingin Costa Rica. It is a must-visit place for bird lovers and wildlife explorers.
Cano Negro Lake is spread over 2,000 acres and plays a critical role to save the environment. The primary water source of the lake is Rio Frio (or Cold River).
3- Cerro de la Muerte
This place is full of spectacular birds that one can see flying in the sky. Ancient Mayas and Aztecs admired these amazing flying creatures.
Muerte is a mountain and is the highest point of Inter American highway in Costa Rica. Cerro de la Muerte means “the mountain of death.” It is a perfect place for a Sunday bird trip.
It offers a picturesque view along with bird watching. It has some exclusive bird varieties including famous Quetzal, unique hummingbird breeds such as Mountain-gem, volcano, and black-bellied.
Horseback riding and trout fishing are a couple of other activities in the area that tourists can look forward to.
4- Río Tempisque
River Tempisque is another tourist destination for adventurers. Whether a boat trip in the Bebedero River or hiking along the Palo Verde, it is the perfect station for an enthralling experience.
It is a known place for birding trips in Costa Rica. The area around the river offers a distinctive breeding ground for many birds. These include jacanas, limpkins, gallinules, kingfishers, herons and many more.
5- Parque Nacional Carara
A favorite among the Costa Rica birding trips is the Parque Nacional Carara. It is one of the most famous National parks in Costa Rica. Its proximity to San Jose makes it an easily reachable place for fun-filled odyssey.
It is the home for the scarlet macaw, one of the most fascinating birds of Costa Rica. The place also offers a glimpse of tropical miracles.
The wildlife in Parque Nacional Carara is unnerving. The huge crocodile lounge has monster reptiles just below the National park.
6- Aviarios del Caribe
Aviarios del Caribe is one of the best places for sightseeing. Its members dedicate themselves to rehabilitating and protecting the sloths of the country.
Aviarios del Caribe sanctuary studies the animals, observe them and finds new ways to conserve their habitats.
Over 300 species of birds are available in Aviarios del Caribe. It is present on the Caribbean Coast. Travelers from San Jose can easily reach here in just three hours by road.
With all the splendid bird destinations, Costa Rica is an impressive place for bird lovers. It is a dream place for every Ornithologist.
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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!