Costa Rica

Overview

Costa Rica, with nearly 950 species of birds recorded, holds the highest diversity of birds in an area of this size anywhere on Earth. Not only is its avifauna exceedingly rich, but Costa Rica (together with neighbouring western Panama) os one of the greatest centres of avian endemism in the world, with nearly 70 species found nowhere else!

This is one of the most prosperous countries in Latin America with the highest literacy level in the region, no army, stable democratic government, excellent standards of public health and, despite an increasing rate of robberies, is still the safest country in the region. This beautiful land is an ornithological melting pot where the avifaunas of Central and South America merge. For the visitors the factor that makes Costa Rica so attractive is not simply its astonishingly rich avifauna, but the fact that it is packed into such a small area. Here, it is easy to drive from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean in only five hours, and in this short lapse of time, one crosses all major habitats between both Oceans..

Our trip will start by exploring the valley around the capital city, San Jose before going up to the highlands where the mighty Resplendent Quetzal lives. Along with them, we shall connect with a good list of highland specialists such as Golden-browed Chlorophonia or Sulphur-winged Parakeet. From here, we shall descent to the moist lowland rainforest for an extensive exploration of these habitat that will culminate at La Selva rainforest. This well known reserve shall provide the group with nice views on Montezuma Oropendola but also other goodies such as Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Ocellated Antbird, Spectacle Owl,..

Back to the highlands, we will be in search of Collared Trogon and Black Gual while enjoying the often tame diversity of birds living in these high elevations. At Carara National Park our list will keep growing, and here we shall add species such as Black-and-White Owl, Common Pauraque, Pacific Screech Owl, Baird’s Trogon,Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher, Purple-crowned Fairy, Streaked Flycatcher, Buff-throated Woodcreeper before ending our trip back in San Jose.

This is a tour of short transfers, massive birding, good accommodation and food, excellent photo chances and that gives access to a top class bird: the Resplendent Quetzal.

Pláning

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Day 1: welcome at airport, transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea for an overnight stay.

Days 2 & 3: These 2 days we will explore the area around Hotel Savegre. This is one of the most popular sites to connect with Resplendent Quetzal. Other highland specialities here are Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Gondel-browed Chlorophonia and Sulphur-winged Parakeet. Along with them, we will be in the search of other goodies including Collared Redstart, Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, yellow-thighed Brush-finch, Flame-throated Warbler, Volcano Hummingbird, Spangle-cheeked Tanager, and many more. 2 nights at Hotel Savegre.

Day 4: birding in the hotel grounds, where the extensive botanical gardens can produce a very long list of birds that may include Boat-billed Flycatcher, Blue-grey Tanager, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird,, Green-breasted Mango, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Hoffmann’s Woodpecker, Lineated Woodpecker, Lesson’s Motmot, Red-billed Pigeon, Social Flycatcher, Melodious Blackbird, Squirrel Cuckoo and Mottled Owl to name a few. After breakfast, transfer to Picos y Plumas reserve for a private visit before arriving to our lodge, Selva Verde Lodge, for a two nights stay.

Day 5: Our morning birding at La Selva biological station will be invested to explore this moist lowland rainforest. Over 400 species of birds have been seen in this incredible spot, and here we should be able to connect with 3 species of Toucans plus Montezuma Oropendola, Green, Red-legged and Shining Honeycreepers, White-throated Nunbird, Olive-backed Euphonia, Ocellated Antbird, Red-capped Manakin, Long-tailed Tyrant, Dusky-faced Tanager, White-necked Puffbird, several species of hummingbirds (Long-billed Hermit, White-necked Jacobin, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer,…). The famous rainforest walk here provides good chances for Spectacled Owl and Crested Owl…

Days 6 & 7: These days we will explore the highlands around Hotel Bosque de Paz. Here it is possible to connect with a very impressive list of birds, with scarce species including Collared Trogon, Azure-hooded Jay, Black Gual and the world class Resplendent Quetzal. Beyond this very selected species, we shall connect with many other goodies including Silver-throated and Bay-headed Tanagers, Chestnut-capped Brush-finch and Yellow-thighed Finch and also some mammals including White-nosed Coati, Central American Agouti and at night even the rare Paca. At the hummingbird feeders you can expect Violet Sabrewing, Green-crowned Brilliant, Green Hermit, Purple-throated Mountain-gem, and sometimes Magentha-throated Woodstar and Black-bellied Hummingbird.

Day 8: During the day we will do a number of birding stops as we approach Tarcoles Birding Hotel, where in the afternoon and evening we will enjoy a private tour looking for Common Potoo, Pacific Screech Owl, Spectacled Owl, Black-and-white Owl, Common Pauraque, and several more arriving at dusk to Tarcoles Birding Hotel for a 3 nights stay.

Day 9: The Pacific rainforest at Carara NP is the main remnant of untouched rain forest in this part of Costa Rica. Our full day here can provide again a massive list. The possibilities are also endless and may include Ruddy Quail-dove, Rufous-and-white Wren, Northern Bentbill, Black-hooded Antshrike, Dusky Antbird, Brown-hooded Parrot, Scarlet Macaw, Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Dot-winged Antwren, Orange-collared Manakin, Baird’s Trogon, Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher, Purple-crowned Fairy, Streaked Flycatcher, Buff-throated Woodcreeper, Black-bellied Wren, Black-throated Trogon, Violaceous Trogon, Black-headed Trogon, Lineated Woodpecker, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Golden-hooded Tanager, Boat-billed Flycatcher and many, many more.

Day 10: This day we will enjoy a private boat trip on the Tarcoles River, spending the rest of the morning birding at Orotina looking for tropical dry forest species and nocturnal species. Here it is possible to connect with Long-tailed Manakin, Turquoise-browed Motmot, White-throated Magpie-jay, Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Lesser Nighthawk, Black-headed Trogon and several more.

Day 11: After some morning birding we will transfer to Hotel Buena Vista. Here we will have birding in the grounds and around, where we may enjoy some common species in Costa Rica birds including Great Kiskadee, Blue-gray Tanager, Clay-colored Thrush, Brown Jay and Baltimore Oriole. Some interesting species here include Lesson’s Motmot, White-crowned Parrot, Chestnut-capped Warbler and Masked Tityra to name a few.

Day 12: Last morning birding at Cinchona feeders with possible Red-head and Long-billed Barbet, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Violet Sabrewing, Green Hermit, Coppery-headed Emerald, Brown Violetear,.. but always depending on the flight timetable..

Información adicional

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WHAT’S INCLUDED

11 nights of en-suite, twin room accommodation; all meals along the tour; 2 birding guides (expert local guide + BBP tour leader); fees to all natural areas and reserves during the tour; transportation expenses during the tour.

Please contact us if you want us to include your flights Barcelona-Costa Rica-Barcelona. VAT included in all prices.

NOT INCLUDED

International flights: beverages out of water: Visas (if required); laundry service and any other item not listed as “INCLUDED”.

ASSEMBLING THE GROUP

For those tour participants reaching Panama by their own, assembling & briefing will be done around the Panama Airport (we will provide you with exact details during the booking process).

ACCOMMODATION

During the tour we will basically sleep in Lodges and small, local owned hotels.. When possible, we have chosen Eco Lodges or accommodations that are closely involved in wildlife and primary habitat preservation. All rooms along the tour are en-suite. All evening meals will be in the accommodation.

PASSPORT, VISA & HEALTH

All Passports must have a time of validity of at least the period of your stay. US, UK & Canada nationals don’t require a VISA to get into Costa Rica (for a period of up to 180 days). A tourist VISA is required for some nationalities. There is no mandatory vaccinations to enter Costa Rica, but Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory if you are transiting from some African and South American countries. Please check standard health and innoculation requirements applies in your local authorities. Please note that some prescription or over the counter medicines are banned in Costa Rica. For a detailed list, please check your Costa Rican Embassy before travelling.