Hugged by two bodies of water, Costa Rica's topography offers the perfect combination of ecosystems to host hundreds of bird species. Climate and geographical position are more than mere facts: they define this tiny country. High elevations, valleys, and primary and secondary forests make out of this place the perfect scenario for bird watching. This ecological paradise protects its natural treasures in acres of preserved land.
BIRDWATCHING EXPEDITION TOUR PRICING AND DATES
Priced at only $2,499 (double occupancy)
Tour program available all year round:
INCLUDED
Activities:
- Banana Plantation Visit
- Boat cruise through Tortuguero National Park
- Hike at Tortuguero National Park
- Morning Bird Walk in Sarapiqui
- Danaus EcoCenter
- Costa Rican family visit
- Hanging Bridges Expedition
- Monteverde Preserve
- Hummingbird Gallery
- Women's Market
- Tarcoles River Cruise and Mangrove Swamp Adventure
Meals:
- 9 Breakfasts
- 5 Lunches
- 7 Dinners
Transportation:
- Transfers, Airport-Hotel-Airport
- Air-conditioned private ground transportation
- Boat transportation to and from Tortuguero
MAIN ITINERARY
The group will be received at the international airport by the Natural Expeditions Tour Guide, who will be with the group at all times. You will go from the airport to the hotel to get accommodated in the rooms and meet for a general briefing about the upcoming tour activities. (Accommodation at (Bougainvillea Hotel or similar)
Meals are not included today.
Day 2 - San Jose to Tortuguero
Upon leaving San Jose, the landscape will become a combination of active volcanoes, which are located in the central mountain range, and large areas of coffee plantations. Suddenly, the scenario will transform into the most beautiful and unsuspected proportion of pristine forest, the Braulio Carrillo National Park. This is a tropical forest in the back yard of San Jose, and this first visual contact with the rain forest will come accompanied with an explanation of how the geological formation of the country took place. As the journey continues, the scenery will include farm land where banana, pineapple, and ornamental plantations will show part of the everyday activity of the Costa Rican economy.
The ground transportation will be exchanged for water transportation as you prepare to enter Tortuguero National Park. As you cruise the Tortuguero canals, get your binoculars ready for a variety of herons and egrets while you travel towards the Mamamba Lodge, a place where the group will stay for two nights.
(Mawamba Lodge or similar)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park
Rain forest and wet land species dominate Tortuguero's ecosystem. Explore the National Park in a morning tour, where the amazing landscape along the canals of this protected area gives you the chance to find rare species such as Sungreeb and Green Ibis.
You will also explore the rainforest floor in a guided walk. Toucans of three species can hop from branch to branch as your guide describes the interaction between local flora and fauna.
During the afternoon, explore the gardens of the Mawamba Lodge looking for flycatchers, hummingbirds and trogons. Some oropendulas may join the mixed flock of birds to complete the day.
(Mawamba Lodge or similar)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Catch the boat again and travel back to the ground transportation to begin a visit Sarapiqui, one of the most popular regions for birdwatchers. Enjoy the beautiful location of the Selva Verde Lodge, which will amaze you with the most spectacular amount of birds just by walking out of your room. Grey-necked Wood Rails, Sun bitterns, and Great Green Macaws will be just the beginning of a large checklist. Accommodation at (Selva Verde Lodge or similar)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 5 - Sarapiqui to Arenal Volcano
After lunch at the Selva Verde Lodge, get ready to head towards one of the most prosperous regions of the country, where the locals have seen the positive side of living by an active pyroclastic mountain through its effect on the richness of the volcanic soil. You will pass by many small villages along the way, which will demonstrate the constant movement of an active society and a wide variety of cultural groups.
This centralized region of Costa Rica is characterized by its fantastic habitat for many colorful birds, such as Euphonias and Tanagers, which populate and make the country a unique spot for bird watching. Accommodation at (Lomas del Volcan or similar)
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Start your day by visiting EcoCentro Danaus to learn about the real meaning of sustainability while also identifying several species of plants and wildlife, including heliconias, gingers, caimans, butterflies, lizards, and sloths. In the afternoon, the group will visit a local farm to meet the owner and his family, who will give you a taste of the Costa Rica countryside.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 7 - Hanging Bridges, Transfer to Monteverde
Before heading to Monteverde, enjoy the forest from a different angle by walking the Hanging Bridges in the middle of the rainforest, which are known as one of Costa Rica's top tourist attractions. This is another family owned business that you can enjoy by walking and learning about the tropical rainforest. Enjoy views of the Arenal Volcano while looking for colorful birds. After this activity, prepare yourself for a change of scenery as you enter into the tropical cloud forests of Monteverde. Accommodation at (Hotel Heliconia or similar)
Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 8 - Monteverde Cloud Forest and Hummingbird Gallery
On the summit of the Central Mountain Range, you will find the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a beautiful piece of protected forest owned by the Quaker community. This place has become a worldwide popular location due to its unique ecosystem in which resides the beautiful resplendent quetzal. Take one of the trails and enjoy the complexity of this unique tropical forest where orchids, bromeliads, and lichens will transport you into the pure and simplistic beauty of our planet. As you finish walking through the Reserve, have your cameras ready as you enjoy the different species of hummingbirds from the Costa Rican highlands in the Hummingbird Gallery. In the afternoon, visit the Women's Market (CASEM) where you will find a lot of the local crafts and souvenirs made by the members of this cooperative. After the market, your guide will take you to downtown Santa Elena where you can interact with the locals and get a taste of the Costa Rican mountain culture.
Breakfast, and dinner are included.
Drive out of the Monteverde mountain area toward the Pacific Ocean. Cruise throughout the Tarcoles River, which is one of the most important habitats for the American Crocodile. Keep a watchful eye as you spot various species of shore and mangrove swamp birds. Stay alert as large reptiles both in and out of the water may show. After the adventure, travel to the Pan-American Highway as you begin the journey back to San Jose. (Accommodation at (Bougainvillea Hotel or similar)
Breakfast is included.
Day 10 - Depart from San Jose, Costa Rica
Your guide and driver will transport your group to the airport where you will await your flight back home.
Breakfast is included.