testimonials
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.
This was a fantastic 9 day birding/wildlife tour of Costa Rica. We are in our 60’s and chose to do a private tour because it provided the flexibility we needed do to our physical limitations. Our travel planner Adriana created an itinerary based on what we wanted to see and the luxury accommodations we required. We preferred to spend at least two nights at each location to assure we could see the wildlife without having to rush. Our transportation was in a new air conditioned SUV which was very comfortable on the winding mountain roads. Our guide Johan was absolutely the best! We were able to see all the species we requested and many more. We photographed over 100 bird “lifers” as well as iguanas, sloths, frogs, and snakes. He not only knows where to find them but he is also a photographer so he helped to assure we got the best lighting and backgrounds. An added bonus is that he logs every bird into a daily log on eBird so you know where and when you photographed each. I highly recommend the team at Costa Rica Focus! Someone was always available to answer any questions and they followed up with us throughout the trip to assure we were satisfied.
We have just returned from our third photo adventure in two years with Costa Rica Focus, and even though our first two trips were amazing, this one topped them all. It was a magical 16-day photographic journey that could only have been accomplished through the skill and experience of the folks at Costa Rica Focus. Joan created an itinerary for us that not only took us back to a few of our favorite places but also to some new and different locations where we were able to view and photograph different species of birds we had not seen before, some of them rare and not found elsewhere. With our favorite guide, Minor, leading the way we were transported to many different environs in order for us to maximize the best opportunities for viewing and photographing some of the world’s most exotic birds. Each year we have experienced something different and unique, from exotic toucans and aricaris, potoos, owls, jabirus, lesser and pinnated bitterns, tiger herons, resplendent quetzals, and this year, finally, wonderful sightings and an opportunity to photograph the elusive sunbittern with wings unfurled . There is nothing like seeing these amazing birds in their natural environment! There is no doubt that we will be returning for a fourth time and will, of course, book again with Costa Rica Focus. Their attention to detail is second to none in our opinion. It takes skill and dedication to be successful in the tourism industry and Costa Rica Focus has certainly won our vote!
Costa Rica Focus excelled when tasked with organizing a 17-day, 16-night birding tour to show me the 53 birds I needed to see to make a lifetime total of 5,000.
Communications were virtually instantaneous as we negotiated a guided private trip for two at a relaxed pace with ample time at each locality. A day after my initial inquiry the co-owner of the company assumed responsibility for planning the complete itinerary. In the following weeks she coordinated the tour schedule with the availability of our international flights (we cashed in frequent flyer miles) and chose accommodations that would be conveniently located near the birds we were seeking. The birding guide they provided (see below) was superb.
Within five days of receiving my “wish list” of Costa Rican birds that would be “new” for me, she had prepared an amazing spreadsheet that detailed not only where one could see each target bird and the ease (or difficulty) of finding it, but also a list of birding sites and the number of target birds and the difficulty of finding them at each site. Awesome is an understatement.
The detailed final itinerary, fully illustrated with a map and sample birds to be seen at each locality, was then made available as a hard copy and on a smartphone app that could be consulted instantly wherever we were. With one exception (Tirimbina Lodge) the accommodations were very good to excellent.
Our driver/guide, Minor, is arguably the best bird guide in Costa Rica. With my “wish list” of 169 potential life birds in hand, he plotted each days’ drive to destinations for specific birds on the list. Minor has the almost magical ability to find target birds. He is an excellent and safe driver, taking us to the best places to dine for local specialties while seeming to know personally everyone in Costa Rica.
I am a beginning birder, but I started at the top! Costa Rico Focus and guide Alex took us to incredible places to see some of the most beautiful and rarest birds in the world. We were at 11,000 ft, 8,000 ft, 5,000 ft, 1800 ft and at sea level on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides, enabling us to experience the astounding variety and beauty of birds, frogs, iguanas, new-to-us mammals, and gorgeous flora at every location. Don’t forget your bug spray and long sleeves for trips into the cloud forests, and especially for the tropical rainforests. Keep your hands in the boat and marvel at the crocodiles, mangrove forests, and gorgeous roseate spoonbills and herons. Marvel at Costa Rica’s commitment to the protection of its natural resources. Do this trip—it might just change your life!
Costa Rica focus did a great job planning a very well-rounded birding trip for us. They could not have picked a better guide, Erick, and driver, Ricardo. Both were very knowledgeable about the history, plants and of course birds. We learned so much about the country of Costa Rica and absolutely fell in love with it. If I ever have the opportunity to visit again I would definitely use Costa Rica Focus to plan my next trip. It was an amazing adventure of a lifetime. Can’t say enough good things about Rancho Naturalista and Savegre Lodge. Excellent job and extremely fair price!
We had a wonderful time in Costa Rica. Our tour guide always consider the weather to suit in our activities, we avoid afternoon rain several times and relax at the bird feeder to keep us dry and happy. We switch the accomodation to avoid bad weather condition in Corcovado. And we saw so many wild life and birds.
They do a great job.
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.
