Classic Birding | January 30 - February 13, 2027

15 day/14 night

Guide: Paco Madrigal

Experience the very best of Costa Rica on this expertly guided 15-day birding adventure, designed to maximize species diversity while maintaining a relaxed, comfortable pace. From misty highland cloud forests to the Caribbean lowlands and the Central Pacific coast this tour visits the country’s most productive habitats. Highlights include Carara National Park, Savegre’s oak forests, Arenal Volcano and La Selva Biological Station. Led by a full-time professional birding guide, the tour includes all lodging, pre-arranged meals, transportation, park entrances, boat excursions, and optional owling outings. With opportunities to see iconic species such as Resplendent Quetzal, Great Green Macaw, Snowy Cotinga, and hundreds more, this is a comprehensive, worry-free birding experience for serious birders and nature enthusiasts alike.​

 

Tour Includes

• 14 nights of lodging and all pre-arranged meals, beginning with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 15

• All ground transportation from Day 2–14 in a modern, spacious, air-conditioned vehicle with large, clear windows ideal for wildlife viewing

• Two airport transfers:

  • Arrival transfer on January 30

  • Departure transfer on February 13

• Full-time private bilingual professional guide, specializing in birds and natural history (Day 2–14)

• Entrance fees to all parks and reserves listed in the itinerary

• Owling excursions: one optional night outing at each location, weather permitting and at the guide’s discretion

• Taxes (airport taxes and gratuities for guide, driver, and local staff not included)

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All accommodations are comfortable, clean, and feature en-suite bathrooms. Meals are thoughtfully pre-arranged to maximize time in the field.

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Entrances Included

• Carara National Park – 2 day pass

• Tárcoles River Mangrove Boat Tour

• Paraíso de Quetzal – entrance and lunch

• Savegre Oak Forest Reserve – entrance

• La Selva Biological Station – 1 full day and 1 half-day entrance

• Cope’s Garden – entrance

• Full access to the Arenal Observatory Lodge trail system

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Focus

This is a classic birding and wildlife tour featuring unhurried walks over mostly easy terrain. That said, some trails—particularly in the Talamanca Mountains and Arenal National Park—can be steep, root-strewn, and muddy at times. Conditions in the lowlands are often hot and humid, which can make walking more demanding. For these reasons, the tour is best suited to participants with an average level of fitness who enjoy walking. As wildlife activity peaks in the early morning hours, pre-dawn starts will be encouraged to make the most of each day. That said, all walks are optional, and excellent birding can usually be enjoyed right from the lodges.

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DETAILED ITINERARY

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General Notes

• Early starts are planned most mornings to maximize birding opportunities while maintaining a comfortable pace.

• Optional owling outings will be offered one night at each location (weather and conditions permitting).

• Optional evening checklist sessions will be held to review daily bird and wildlife sightings.

• Exact meal and outing times will be announced by the guide during the tour to allow flexibility and take advantage of optimal field conditions.

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January 30 – Arrival in San José

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Upon arrival in San José, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide/driver and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure—relax by the pool or explore the hotel gardens to recover from your travels.
Possible species: White-eared Ground Sparrow, Blue-crowned Motmot, Rufous-capped Warbler, Hoffmann’s Woodpecker.

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January 31 – Cerro de la Muerte & San Gerardo de Dota

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Travel to the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte, stopping for lunch en route. The afternoon will be spent birding the misty cloud forest at Paraíso de Quetzal, home to the iconic Resplendent Quetzal.
Other target species include Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher, Large-footed Finch, Peg-billed Finch, and Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush.
Before dinner, we will visit the páramo habitat at approximately 3,500 meters in search of the Volcano Junco. Overnight in the charming valley of San Gerardo de Dota.

 

February 1 & 2 – Savegre Valley

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Spend the next couple of days exploring the gardens, riparian zones, and old-growth tropical oak cloud forest surrounding the lodge. Birding along the Savegre River may yield Flame-colored Tanager, Collared Trogon, Torrent Tyrannulet, Volcano Hummingbird, and Gray-tailed Mountain-Gem.
Additional possibilities include Black-faced Solitaire, Spotted Wood-Quail, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Ochraceous Wren, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and Resplendent Quetzal.

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February 3 – Central Pacific Lowlands

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Descend to the Central Pacific lowlands, arriving at a lodge located along the banks of the Tárcoles River near Carara Biological Reserve. Afternoon birding on forest trails may reveal Scarlet Macaws, tiger-herons, and a wealth of lowland species.

 

February 4 & 5 – Carara National Park & Tárcoles River

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Explore Carara National Park, a unique transition zone between dry forest and humid rainforest ecosystems. Highlights include Orange-collared Manakin leks, multiple species of trogons, antbirds, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, and Royal Flycatcher.
We will also visit Playa Azul to look for Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Melodious Blackbird, Spectacled Owl, and shorebirds.
One afternoon features a two-hour mangrove boat tour on the Tárcoles River, offering excellent views of crocodiles, waterbirds, and raptors.

 

February 6,7 & 8 – Arenal Region

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​Spend three nights in the Arenal Volcano area, which offers breathtaking views of the jungle-covered Arenal Volcano. This is a birding and wildlife hotspot, and the stunning natural beauty will astound you. The extensive trails at the lodge allow for tremendous opportunities to view the Crimson-collared Tanagers, White Hawk, Brown- hooded Parrot, and the Golden-olive Woodpecker, along with an array of colorful hummingbirds, and three species of Toucans. One night, we will go owling in search of the Black-and-White Owl and Mottled Owl, in the hotel grounds.

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February 9 – Sarapiquí Lowlands

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Travel to the Caribbean lowlands of Sarapiquí, birding along the river and surrounding rainforest. This biologically rich region is one of the best places to encounter Great Green Macaw, as well as Sunbittern, Black-faced Grosbeak, and Gray-necked Wood-Rail.
Wildlife may include sloths, peccaries, and three species of monkeys.

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February 10 & 11 – La Selva Biological Station

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Spend a couple of days at La Selva Biological Station run by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), clearly a highlight of the tour. The station is among the four most famous tropical research facilities in the world. We will see an outstanding abundance of wildlife. The station is home to more than 420 bird species, more than 500 species of butterflies, 55 species of snakes, and 120 species of mammals. A vast variety of different species of trees can be seen in the arboretum. This is the most likely place to make your Tinamou dream come true. There are three species of Tinamou that inhabit La Selva. We will be looking for Rufous Motmot, Trogons, Caciques, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and Snowy Cotinga, among many others. Animals here are not camera shy, so there will be ample photo opportunities. Peccaries (wild pig), agoutis, coatis, sloth, and monkeys frequent this area. All of which makes for unforgettable days. We will also be taking a boat ride on the river Sarapiqui with chances of Bay Wren,  Bat Falcon and Green Ibis.​​​​​

 

​February 12 – Return to San José

 

Return to San José for a farewell dinner and overnight stay.

 

February 13 – Departure

 

Transfer to the airport for international departures.

 

Important Notes & Conditions

• Meals are prepaid; missed meals due to schedule changes are non-refundable

• Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles

• Additional airport transfers: $56.50 per transfer

• Airport exit tax (~$30) not included

• International airfare not included

• Early check-in / late check-out fees not included

• Moderate physical activity required (1–2 miles/day on mostly flat terrain)

• No refunds for unused services

• Gratuities, alcoholic beverages, and personal expenses not included

• Comprehensive travel insurance strongly recommended

 

Booking & Cancellation Policy

• Non-refundable deposit: $650 USD per person

• Cancellation schedule (written notice required):

  • 90+ days: full refund minus deposit

  • 90–75 days: 50% refund minus deposit

  • 74–66 days: 25% refund minus deposit

  • 65 days or less: no refund​