Custom and Privately Guided Birding Tours in Costa Rica, 2026-2027

How a Custom Birding Tour Is Built

1. Tell us about your trip. Share your preferred dates, flexibility, trip length and who is traveling. Tell us whether your priority is birding, photography or both, along with target species, regions, lodge preferences or other interests.
2. We start planning your trip. We immediately begin designing an itinerary around your interests, travel season and target species. We recommend regions, lodges and activities while considering travel times and your preferred pace.
3. We fine-tune it together. Your first itinerary is a starting point. Together, we adjust the route, nights, lodges and activities until the trip feels right.
4. We book everything. Once you’re happy with the itinerary, we reserve your accommodations, transportation, guides and activities. Before you travel, you’ll receive your detailed itinerary and trip information, backed by 24/7 in-country support.
5. You arrive and start birding. Everything is arranged before you arrive. Your Privately Guided tour includes your birding guide, who also drives, throughout the itinerary; Independent tours include prearranged private transfers, local guides and activities.

What a Custom Birding Tour Costs

The cost of a custom birding tour in Costa Rica depends on your travel style, accommodations, activities, time of year and number of travelers. Because every trip is designed individually, prices vary based on the itinerary we create for you.

As a general guide, a Private Independent birding tour averages about $390 per person per day, based on double occupancy. A typical 10-day, 9-night trip averages approximately $3,900 per person. Private Independent tours include private transportation throughout the trip, with local birding guides and activities arranged along the way.

A Privately Guided birding tour averages about $650 per person per day, based on double occupancy. A typical 10-day, 9-night trip averages approximately $6,500 per person. Your professional birding guide travels with you throughout the trip and also serves as your private driver, giving you more dedicated birding time and flexibility along the way.

Both types of tours include accommodations, transportation, guiding and activities, along with meals and other services as specified in your itinerary. Your final price is based on the custom itinerary designed for your trip.

Why Choose Costa Rica for Birding?

With its remarkable biodiversity, compact geography, and conservation-minded culture, Costa Rica is one of the world’s premier destinations for birding and bird photography. More than 930 bird species have been recorded here, nearly 10% of the world’s total, all within a country the size of West Virginia. From the Resplendent Quetzal in highland cloud forests to the Jabiru stork in northern wetlands, iconic species are within reach, often in just a single trip.

It’s easy to visit five to ten different life zones on one journey. There are cloud forests, lowland rainforests, wetlands, dry forests, mid-elevation hills, highlands and coastal habitats, each with their own unique bird communities. Thanks to the country’s varied microclimates, there’s good birding weather somewhere in Costa Rica, year-round. Even during the Pacific rainy season, the Caribbean slope and lowlands will receive the least amount of rain for the year. This makes Costa Rica a 12-month birding destination. Whether you’re after lifers or capturing the golden light on a hummingbird’s wing, Costa Rica delivers diversity, accessibility, and excellent conditions any time of year.

More Than Birds: Wildlife on Every Tour

 While birding is the heart of what we do, our Costa Rica bird watching tours offer more than just incredible birds. Travelers are drawn to Costa Rica not only for its world-class birding but also for its lush landscapes, rich biodiversity, and welcoming culture.

With cloud forests, coastal mangroves, volcanoes, and lowland jungles all within reach, every day in Costa Rica brings new discoveries. It’s not just about birds, it’s also a country full of natural beauty and unforgettable experiences.

Photographers and nature lovers are drawn to the country’s incredible range of habitats that host an amazing array of wildlife, including large cats, sloths, monkeys, poison dart frogs, crocodiles, iguanas, snakes and butterflies. With a network of national parks, private reserves, gardens, and accessible photography platforms, it’s no wonder Costa Rica has become a favorite for both bird watchers, photographers, and nature lovers.

Mammals in Costa Rica

While Costa Rica is renowned for its birdlife, the country also offers exciting opportunities to see a wide range of Neotropical animals, many in surprisingly accessible settings. From secretive cats to playful monkeys, Costa Rica’s protected forests and reserves support a rich diversity of species making it a rewarding destination for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

In the remote lowland rainforests of Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, travelers have the best chance of spotting large mammals like Baird’s Tapir, White-lipped Peccary, and even large cats such as Jaguars, Pumas, and Ocelots. While sightings of big cats are rare and require patience and luck, the knowledge of local guides greatly increases your chances. Corcovado National Park, with its pristine primary rainforest hosts all of these animals and much more.

For those hoping to observe Costa Rica’s small charismatic mammals, sloths, both two-toed and three-toed, monkeys, and coatis all can often be found in areas like Arenal, Sarapiquí, and along the Caribbean and Southern Pacific coasts. A visit to the Central and South Pacific will usually provide opportunities to view these interesting creatures in their natural habitat. Lodges and reserves in these regions frequently report daily sloth sightings, especially around garden edges and trails. Monkeys can be seen traveling through the trees and coatis and agoutis scamper along forest trails.

Costa Rica is home to four species of monkeys:

• Howler Monkeys with their iconic roar – present in both the Pacific and Caribbean.
• White-faced Capuchins, energetic and curious – possible to see in both the Pacific and Caribbean locations.
• The Spindly-limbed Spider Monkey – also possible to view in both Pacific and Caribbean locations.
• And the small, charming Squirrel Monkey, found only in the southern Pacific lowlands, from Manuel Antonio south.

Other frequently encountered mammals include Tayras, sleek members of the weasel family often seen near fruiting trees, and agoutis, which resemble large forest guinea pigs and are common near lodge gardens and trails.

Whether you’re exploring deep rainforest trails or relaxing on a lodge deck, Costa Rica offers incredible opportunities to see and photograph mammals in their natural habitats, no safari truck required.

Reptiles and Amphibians in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s tropical climate and diverse ecosystems support a vibrant array of reptiles and amphibians, making it one of the best places in the Americas to encounter and photograph these often-overlooked creatures. From brilliantly colored frogs to the 2nd largest crocodiles in the world, the country’s wetlands, rainforests, and cloud forests are home to more than 200 species of reptiles and over 180 amphibians.

Frogs and toads are a highlight for many visitors, with species like the Red-eyed Tree Frog, Strawberry Poison Dart Frog, and Glass Frogs often seen with the help of an expert guide. Night walks at lodges in Sarapiquí, Tortuguero, Osa Peninsula, and the Caribbean foothills offer some of the best chances to photograph these species in natural settings, often on low branches or leaves near creeks and ponds.

Costa Rica is also home to a wide range of lizards, from tiny anoles and colorful basilisks (famous for running on water) to the prehistoric-looking Green Iguana. These reptiles can be seen in forest clearings, riverbanks, and even around hotel gardens—especially in warmer lowland areas like Caño Negro, Tortuguero, and the Nicoya Peninsula.

For those interested in snakes, Costa Rica is home to both harmless and venomous species—including the eyelash viper, boa constrictor, and coral snake—but most are secretive and rarely seen without guided help.

Of course, no visit would be complete without a glimpse of crocodiles and caimans, which can be seen basking on riverbanks during boat tours in Tarcoles, Caño Negro, Tortuguero or Palo Verde. These prehistoric giants offer excellent photo ops at a safe and respectful distance.

Built for Nature Travel, Ready for Birders

In addition to its biodiversity, Costa Rica is uniquely equipped to support world-class birding. The country’s tourism infrastructure is among the best in Latin America, with a well-developed network of roads, domestic flights, and transportation options that make even remote areas accessible.

You’ll find excellent lodging options throughout the country, from rustic ecolodges deep in the rainforest to upscale boutique hotels, all designed with seeing birds and wildlife in mind. Perhaps most importantly, Costa Rica is home to a highly trained and passionate community of professional birding guides, many of whom are regionally specialized and skilled in working with photographers. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or new to the field, a professional photographer or just grabbing quick shots with your phone, Costa Rica offers the comfort, logistics, and expertise to make your tour seamless and deeply rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Privately Guided tour and a Private Independent tour?

On a Privately Guided tour, your professional birding guide travels with you throughout the trip and also serves as your private driver. Privately Guided tours typically result in a higher species count because you are birding with your guide throughout the trip, including while traveling between destinations.

On a Private Independent tour, private transportation is provided between destinations, and you meet local birding guides for scheduled outings at each location. Private Independent tours generally cost less and offer more independent time between planned activities.

How far in advance should I plan a custom birding tour?

For travel from December through April, we recommend planning nine to twelve months in advance, as the most popular lodges and top birding guides can fill quickly. During the low season, three to four months in advance generally provides good availability, although planning earlier will give you more options.

Can a custom tour be built for two people?

Absolutely. We create private custom birding tours for solo travelers, couples and small parties. Every tour is designed specifically for you, with the itinerary, accommodations, transportation and guiding arranged around your interests, priorities and travel style.

How many days do I need for a Costa Rica birding tour?

Our custom birding tours average about 10 days and 9 nights, which provides enough time to visit several different regions and habitats without rushing. A shorter trip can focus on one or two regions, while two weeks or more allows you to explore more of the country and experience a greater variety of habitats and bird species.

Can my custom tour focus on bird photography?

Yes. We design custom bird photography tours in both Privately Guided and Private Independent formats. Photography-focused itineraries allow more time at productive locations and are planned around opportunities for photographing birds and other wildlife. Visit our Bird Photography Tours page to learn more about how we design trips specifically for photographers.

Is a private trip or a small group tour best for me?

A private custom tour is best if you want to travel on your own dates, set your own pace and have an itinerary designed around your specific interests and target species. If your dates are flexible and you enjoy traveling with other birders, a scheduled small group tour offers a set itinerary and typically costs less per person. Visit our Small Group Birding Tours page to see upcoming departures.